Norton Varsity Wrestlers Go 21-3

In an exciting meet before a vocal home crowd, the Lancers fell to Holliston Wednesday, Jan. 23 but made up for it this weekend with a win against Tyngsboro, Cohasset and Quincy.  

The Panthers, state runners-up to Norton in last year's Division 3 State Championship, got the revenge they sought in a meet that came down to the final match in which Alex Mitchell of Holliston hung on to defeat Elliott Johnson of Norton 7-6.  The key to Holliston's victory came in the 285 pound weight class when Donny Murphy reversed and pinned Stephen Hudson, Norton's captain and hero of the 2012 State finals.  

There were bright spots for the Lancers who came from behind 31-15 and closed the gap to 34-31 going into the last match of the night. Norton got pins from freshman Aidan Kahn (106 lbs), junior Mike Travers (182 lbs) and seniors Brett Pike (138 lbs) and Jack Cuneo (160 lbs). Junior Myles McAlpine (152 lbs) earned a major decision while senior Tim Casagni (195 lbs) won by decision.

Prior to the varsity meet, the Norton junior varsity team outpaced Holliston to improve their record to 8-5. Winners for the Lancers included Keyshawn Harris, Zach Scarpetti, Jacob Burgess, Grant Monast and Connor Merriott.

The Lancers wasted no time getting back on track with a clean sweep at home Saturday over the Tyngsboro Tigers 53-23, the Cohasset Skippers 55-12 and the North Quincy Red Raiders 48-0.  

Sophomores Russell Hansen (132) and Alek Donovan (220), juniors Ahrayah Saintius (120), JT Taylor (145) and co-captain Mike Travers (182), along with seniors Brett Pike (138), Tim Casagni (195) and captain Stephen Hudson (285) all went undefeated on the day. Freshmen Aidan Kahn (106), Deven Schuko (113) and Taylor Lucero (126), as well as junior co-captain Myles McAlpine (152) and senior captain Jack Cuneo (160) contributed two wins apiece.

Travers leads the team with 31 wins and 25 pins, while Hudson is 4 pins away from reaching his goal of becoming the first Lancer to reach 100 career pins. Cuneo, with 94 career wins, hopes to join Norton Wrestling's elite "Century Club" (100 career wins) before the season comes to a close.

With three victories Saturday, Norton improved its record to 21-3 and became only the third Lancer wrestling team to surpass 20 wins in a season.

The junior varsity team had a good day too, and their victory on Saturday brought their record to 9-5. Winners included Ryan Gill, Jacob Burgess, Anthony Cardone, Grant Monast, Adam Marcon, Connor Merriott, Keyshawn Harris and George Reese.

The Lancers will be back in action at home Wednesday against Dighton-Rehoboth.  This will be the last home meet of the season and senior night in honor of the graduating members of the team. Junior varsity starts at 6:15 p.m. with varsity at 7 p.m.