Norton Wrestling Improves to 13-1 vs Hopkinton

Part of the deal of joining the Norton Lancers wrestling team are the high expectations that comes with being on a traditionally competitive team.

“Our goal was to win every match JV and varsity against a tough team,” Lancers head coach Pat Coleman said. "I think the boys did a tremendous job of that.”

Losing only one match by points, the Lancers soundly defeated the Hopkinton Hillers, 54-9 .

The Hillers had one lead during the meet at 6-0 via a Norton forfeit in the 106 pound match. After that, it was the Lancers who were pushing the pace.

Ahrayah Saintius got the first win for the Lancers in the 113 pound match after an injury to Scott Nixon gave Norton a default win in the third period.

John Norton escaped almost certain defeat in the 126 pound match against Nick Ferris. With Ferris leading 13-12 late in the third period, Norton was able to force Ferris into a near fall for the three points needed to win.

The senior wrestler for the Lancers escaped two near pinfalls against Ferris before getting a quick burst of momentum in the final moments of the match.

“John is very, very agile and he keeps moving. He keeps pushing the pace at a max and eventually he caught up to the kid and beat him,” Coleman said.

The lone Hopkinton win came from Roddy Towner against Alex Donovan in the 220 pound match. While not able to get the pin, Towner was able to get a win on points 12-5.

“He’s (Towner) very new to the sport. He works hard and he’s an athletic kid,” Hopkinton coach Tim Nelson said.

Also getting pins against the Hillers were John Royale (138 pounds), Elliot Johns (170 pounds), Jack Cuneo (182 pounds), and Stephen Hudson (285 pounds).

The Hillers are now 6-4.

The Lancers are now 13-1 overall and 4-0 against the Tri-Valley League. They will face the combined team of Keefe Tech and Ashland on Jan. 25 for the league title. At 2-0 against league opponents, there is a chance that Keefe Tech and Ashland will go into the meet either undefeated or with only one loss.

“We’re a small league and we have to win basically all our meets to win the championship,” Coleman said.

Meet time is expected to be 7p.m. at Ashland High School.

Complete Results

106: Norton forfeit, 113: Saintius (N) d. Nixon (H) via default, 120: Gallagher (N) d. Picozza (H) via pin 0:59 1st, 126: Norton (N) d. Ferris (H) 15-13, 132: Hale (N) d. Cornu (H) 13-1, 138: Royale (N) d. Terral (H) via pin 1:31 3rd, 145: Coleman (N) d. Cornu 9-0, 152: Cuneo (N) d. Shea (H) 3-2, 160: Giglio (N) d. Mayo (H) 14-6, 170: Johns (N) d. Olson (H) via pin 1:12 2nd ,182: Cuneo (N) d. Berry (H) via pin 1:09 1st , 195: No contest, 220: Towner (H) d. Donovan (N) 12-5, 285: Hudson (N) d. O’Malley (H) via pin 1:34 1st