RallyNorth.net

Methuen Rangers Wrestling '16-'17

Sat, Feb 18, 2017 09:00 AM @ Methuen
Team Final
at Methuen 80
Lawrence 47
Haverhill 20
Andover 5

Franklin breaks through

  • Currently 0.0 with 0 votes.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Methuen’s Darius Franklin claimed his first divisional state championship on home turf Saturday, but it didn’t come easily. After dominating his first three matches, Franklin faced down unbeaten Cambridge Rindge and Latin star Toru Goto in the final and had all he could handle.

“I was a little cautious because the kid is an outstanding wrestler,” Franklin said. “He was 45-0 on the season, really a good technical wrestler, so I give him kudos for that. He’s outstanding.”

Franklin was able to gain the lead on an escape and a takedown, and from there he was able to hold off Goto to take the 182 title with a 3-1 decision. He now enters All-State at 33-0 on the season.

Methuen also got a second place finish from Travis Manick at 195 and a fifth-place showing from Bryce Smith at heavyweight. Lawrence’s Stanley Alberto took second at heavyweight after an exciting match against Billerica’s Ryan Higgins in the final, falling 11-9. Lancer teammate Michael Hernandez took third at 113, and St. John’s Prep’s Zach Alexander, a North Andover resident, took second at 132.

Game Statistics:

Division 1 States 

Team Results (41 teams scored): 1. Springfield Central 107, 2. Chelmsford 100, 2. Lincoln-Sudbury 100, 4. Billerica 93, 5. Putnam 92.5, 7. Methuen 80, 8. St. John's Prep 74, 15. Lawrence 47, 28. Haverhill 20.5, 39. Andover 5   

Winners and local All-State qualifiers:

106: 1. Kyle Randall (Newton North); 113: 1. Ryan Garlitz (SJP), 3. Michael Hernandez (Lawrence); 120: 1. Cole Wyman (Brockton); 126: 1. Malcolm Mitchell (SJP); 132: 1. Cesar Alvan (Ludlow), 2. Zach Alexander (SJP); 138: 1. Pablo Ogata (Framingham); 145: 1. Xzander Chapman (Putnam); 152: 1. Ryan Monteiro (Minnechaug);

160: 1. Lucas Gobel (Minnechaug); 170: Joe Vecchione (Chelmsford); 182: 1. Darius Franklin (Methuen); 195: 1. Henri Behaeghel (Billerca), 2. Travis Manick (Methuen); 220: 1. Benton Whitley (Minnechaug); HVY: 1. Ryan Higgins (Billerica), 2. Stanley Alberto (Lawrence), 5. Bryce Smith (Methuen)

0 Story Comments