RallyNorth.net

Six days after the New England Patriots failed to make history, the Greater Lawrence wrestling team made a lot of it yesterday at the Division 2 North Sectional at Beverly High School.

The Reggies, who are the defending Division 2 dual-meet champions, overwhelmed the 12-team field to finish first with 278 points, placing seven in the finals, crowned four champions, placed all 14 wrestlers (top six) and advanced 12 to next week's Division 2 state meet at Reading.

The gap is closing just a bit, but North Andover continues to rule the Cape Ann League.

The Knights captured the CAL meet at Wilmington for the seventh straight time, and 10th time in the last 11 years by scoring 205 points. Masconomet was second (170) and Lynnfield/North Reading (138) came in third.

Last year's record: 5-13

Coach: Adam Schroeder (first year)

Key returnees: Garrett Cauley, Sr., 215; Billy Murphy, Sr., 135; Ben Henderson, Jr., 125.

Strengths: The Witches have a young roster, but with a strong work ethic they're learning fast and have great potential to improve.

Pentucket had no trouble crushing Salem (Mass.) 66-15. The Sachems (1-2-1) recorded 11 pins, the fastest being by 189-pounder Ben Stasiuk, who needed just nine seconds to record a fall. Chris Meuse was almost as fast, needing just 20 seconds for a pin at 119.

What do you remember most about your first varsity match?
It was my freshman year against Greater Lowell. I had just started wrestling and was extremely nervous. Scott Connolly was our coach and he let me go (in the heavyweight class). He said, "I think you can take this guy." From what I can remember, I pinned him in the second period.