RallyNorth.net

Timberlane makes it 166 in a row

The streak lives on.

And, if the Timberlane wrestling team keeps competing like it did Wednesday night, it may last through another season.

The unbeaten Owls (7-0) more than survived what was expected to be a stern test, whipping Pinkerton 40-19 for their 166th straight win in New Hampshire.

"We were expecting more of a barnburner, and we told the kids to be ready for a close one, but we were loose and wrestled really well," said Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian. "We've been in a lot of big meets and that might have helped us."

The first match of the night was a big one for the Owls as senior heavyweight Marcos Colon got a late takedown to defeat Nick Fortunata 4-2. Colon didn't wrestle last year but came back with more focus and has been a godsend for Timberlane.

Then, after Konrad Parker had a 20-second pin at 106, freshman Max Morrier delivered an impressive 10-6 decision over Dominic Robinson. From there, the outcome was not in doubt.

"We felt that they needed to win at heavyweight and 113 and, when we won there, we're awfully tough in the middle weights," said Chooljian.

In fact, Timberlane won seven of the next eight matches, the only setback coming at 126 when Astro Walker Stinson slipped past John Leavitt 4-3 in triple overtime.

Brent Seavey (138) and Connor McGonagle had pins in the string of wins, Codey Wild had a major decision and the Pallaria brothers, Antonio and Nick, had key decisions over Pinkerton's Mackiernan brothers, Tyler and Jack at 152 and 160 respectively.

For Pinkerton, Robbie Fahey turned a 0-0 tie into a second period pin over Chris Lund at 220, Kyle Setzer had a major decision at 195, Sterling McLaughlin won 7-0 at 182 and Jacob Dube prevailed 4-0 at 170.

If this was a test, Timberlane passed with flying colors, It will probably roll in the state now until late in the season when it hosts Salem Jan. 30 and then will be at Concord Feb. 6.