North Quad

121/2012

Just wrestle tough

Rocketeers sitting on 299 victories

TheSunChronicle.com

NORTH ATTLEBORO - If tenacity counted for a victory, the North Attleboro High wrestling team would have made history Saturday.

But as it stands, the Red Rocketeers are still one win away from the program's 300th victory.

North Attleboro started Saturday's quad-meet with a 40-8 victory over Coventry, Rhode Island, but the Rocketeers are stuck on No. 299 as they were edged out by Holliston (34-31) and Milford (32-30) - North's first two losses of the season.

"It was a tough week for the kids overall," said North coach Wayne Griffin, whose team is 17-2. "We have some kids sick, some banged up. We didn't have all of our regulars, but that's not to make excuses. The kids we had to squeeze in there to fill holes still wrestled awesome. We just came up a bit short."

Both matches against Holliston and Milford came down to the last weight class. "We were just denied," added Griffin. "The kids are disappointed. We just couldn't get over that hump. The guys were all going that extra mile to try and get a takedown or a pin, a point here or there."

The Rocketeers were without a heavyweight and had other wrestlers dinged up and others out with illness. Still, there were some bright spots, including the continued dominance of Shane LeBlanc. The all-time wins leader for North added to his total by going 3-0 with three pins Saturday, that despite missing practice all week with flu-like symptoms. Bobby Deveau, at 195 pounds, also went 3-0 with three pins.

Griffin also noted the work turned in by freshman Max Kroll (1-1 at 182 pounds) and Cam Burns, who went 3-0 with a pin at 113 pounds. Also for the Rocketeers, John David (132 pounds) and Austin Renzi (152) were 3-0 on the day.

"That's a big win for Holliston, to beat us. And North and Milford have been going at it for years, it's a good prelude to their entry into the Hockomock League," Griffin said.

North Attleboro can pin down No. 300 Wednesday when the team travels to take on Sharon.

North Attleboro 40, Coventry, RI 8; Holliston 34, North Attleboro 31;

Milford 32, North Attleboro 30:

North Attleboro results:

106-Steve Hathaway (1-2, 1 pin);

113-Cam Burns (3-0, 1 pin);

120-Nick Duva (1-2);

126-Shane LeBlanc (3-0, 3 pins);

132-John David (2-0);

      -Ellis Badger (1-0, 1pin);

138-Jim David (0-2), 

145-Danny Kummer (1-2);

152-Austin Renzi (3-0);

160-Chris Hunter (0-1),

      -Tom Eustis (2-1, 1pin);

170-Evan Packert (1-2);

182-Max Kroll (1-1);

      -Packert(0-2)

195-Bobby Deveau (3-0, 3 pins);

220-Ben Alegria (0-1);

Heavyweight-No contest.