Mahar Regional School benefited from its depth and clinched the Tri-County League title with a 42-35 win over Athol High School in wrestling action Wednesday night at Mallet Gymnasium in Athol.
“What an awesome, amazing match,” said Senators head coach John Speek. “When we realized that it was going to come down to us and Athol in the final match of the season and we saw how equally we matched up, Dereck Dowler, my assistant coach, said simply, ‘This is going to be awesome.’ That’s the attitude that we took into (tonight) and it paid off.
“This is exactly the kind of match we want every time, even if it doesn’t turn out for us,” added Speek.
The Red Raiders actually won more of the contested matches, but their lower numbers caused them to forfeit three matches, and Mahar got a few key wins to pull out the victory.
The Senators (7-1 overall, 5-0 TCL) won three of their matches by pin — Chad Marcoux, wrestling at 182 pounds, stopped Logan Wornham in 30 seconds, Miller Richardson (145) downed Derek Erali in 2:52, and John Oakes (152) dropped Mike Gray in 4:59. Two other Mahar wrestlers earned wins by decision; Todd Chaisson (138) defeated Joe Gray, 5-4, and Ben Gilmore (170) bested Chris Waslaske, 6-3.
Athol (12-8-3, 3-1 TCL) recorded pins in five of its six victories. John Mahony (106) had the fastest of the bunch, as he felled Robert Watkins in 23 seconds.
Caleb Cox (113) defeated Chris Vezina in 1:09, Merrick Decker (126) finished off Justin deDiego in 3:02, Trever Mousseau (195) ended his match against Seth Williams in 3:54, and Ryan Hulbert (220) halted Matt Herk in 2:27.
Ryan White (132) picked up the Red Raiders’ other win, registering a technical fall, 20-4, over Ryan Clement.
“We thought we had a shot, but we don’t have any room for error,” said Athol head coach Phil Saisa, referring to his smaller roster. “As a dual team we struggle. But the kids have stepped up all year, so I can’t ask for any more.
“Overall the kids wrestled tough and worked hard but just couldn’t get it done. All we can do is focus on Western Mass.”
On Saturday morning, Mahar travels to Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, while Athol heads to the Eagle Duals at Franklin County Technical School.
FC Tech 48, Sabis 17 — Franklin Tech clinched at least a tie for its first league title in the history of the wrestling program Wednesday night with its 48-17 Suburban League win over Sabis Interntional Charter School in Springfield.
“The kids that showed up stepped up in a big way and did a nice job,’ said Eagles head coach Joe Gamache.
Tim Fritz (152) was one of seven Franklin Tech grapplers to win by pin, as he needed just 11 seconds to dismiss Myles Brown.
The Eagles (14-1, 5-0 SL) also won three other bouts by fall in the opening period — Chris Ludwig (145) downed Ryan Cavanaugh in 1 minute, Kyle Brunelle (106) finished off Quintin Pellegrino in 1:05, and Spencer Telega (170) dropped Chris Marion in 1:07.
Jaden Sadlowski (132) defeated Xavier Reyes in 2:54, Jordan Bashaw (160) bested Jacob Dagenais in 3:40 and Caileb Milton (195) beat the buzzer to pin Silverio Calirgos in 5:59.
The Eagles did not surrender a pin for the second time in their last three dual meets.
Franklin Tech can earn the outright crown Monday at Gateway Regional High School at 7 p.m.
Frontier 51, Pathfinder 30 — Frontier Regional School earned five wins and received four more forfeits during a 51-30 win over Pathfinder Vocational High School in a TCL wrestling meet Wednesday at Goodnow Gymnasium in South Deerfield.
The Red Hawks (9-6, 3-2) recorded four pins, the fastest of which was Bailey Murry (120) in 50 seconds over Alexandria Skrocki. Rearkeous McMillan (132) downed Ryan Bulloc in 1:37, Josiah Murry (145) bested Brian Symons in 1:42, and Nate Austin (160) stopped Cody Matthews in 4:43.
Frontier’s other contested win came from Miguel Olvera-Aguilera (195), who defeated Alex Misenhiemer, 3-1.