RallyNorth.net

Maslanek pulls upset at New England; Salem, Owls advance 3

PROVIDENCE — On a wild first day of the New England wrestling tournament, in which Timberlane and Salem both advanced three to Saturday's quarterfinals, Pelham's Conor Maslanek pulled off the upset of the tourney.

The Python 195-pound sophomore, who finished third at the Meet of Champions after finishing the regular season undefeated, shocked defending New England champ Sampson Wilkins with a late third-period pin. Maslanek will face Mass. All-State champion Darby McLaughlin of Springfield Central next.

The 195-pound class was a good one for local wrestlers as Pinkerton's Kyle Setzer, Salem's Beau Dillon and Central Catholic's Mando Binet all advanced to the quarterfinals. Dillon will face Masconomet's Joey Perkins in the quarterfinals.

Joining Dillon in the quarters for Salem will be 120-pounder Matt Adams and 160-pounder Tristen Cabinta, who advanced with a forfeit over Haverhill's Sam Prescott, who got banged up at the All-State meet.

For Timberlane, which is in fifth place as a team, Nick Roeger (113), Connor McGonagle (132) and Antonio Pallaria (145) all advanced. Nick Pallaria (138), Codey Wild (126) and Marcus Colon (285) are all still alive in consolation action.

Joining Binet in the quarterfinals for Central Catholic is 138-pounder Tyler Glynn, who won his first match 10-0. He'll be joined by Haverhill 138-pounder Jake Nicolosi while 182-pounder Sterling McLaughlin joins Setzer in the quarters for Pinkerton.

Staying undefeated and advancing were Pentucket's Tyler Knox at 106 and North Andover's Joey Valentino at 126.

Among those suffering tough luck was Methuen senior Matt Cabezas. Bothered all week by a swollen knee, he lost a tough 3-2 decision and then, with a possible concussion, bowed out of the tournament.

Danbury leads the tournament after the first day with 29 points, two more than Bishop Hendricken and four more than Springfield Central.

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