RallyNorth.net

Lawrence win first-ever state title

Thursday, February, 17 By Chuck Frye
Staff writer

WORCESTER — Pressure? What pressure?

Lawrence dealt with doubt and stress all throughout its improbable run to the state dual-meet title match last night against Springfield Central. So it wasn’t surprising that the Lancers shrugged off a 10-point deficit with four matches left, still feeling they were in good shape to take home their first-ever championship.

“We’re always down up to (the) 160 (pound match),” said heavyweight Janer Reyes. “The heart of the team kicks in from there.”

And if anyone personified the heart of the larger Lancers, Reyes did. With the meet tied, and trailing the Golden Eagles’ Carlos Rosario 6-1 after one period, Reyes literally bull-rushed his way into history.

Smacking Rosario to his back, Reyes tied the score in just 10 seconds, ripping out the heart from his opponent in the process. Cruising to a 14-6 lead before pinning Rosario with 48 seconds left in the match, Reyes completed the championship march as Lawrence prevailed, 32-26.

“All week I was sick and I’ve been battling two injuries, in my knee and my back,” Reyes said. “I didn’t practice (Tuesday), and at the start I got caught up with how many people were there (at Worcester Polytechnic Institute). In the second period, I got more confidence, and after the first time I took him down, he was gassed.”

Reyes, a junior, brought the winning run to a commanding end, but Lancer coach Rob Niceforo successfully rolled the dice to start the rally.

When Springfield Central bumped Estavon Gonzalez up from 171 to 189, Niceforo did the same with Juan Rodriguez. Not only did sub Manny Cintron use three early takedowns to roll over David Berrara, 11-5 at 171, but Rodriguez ran roughshod over Gonzalez, winning 18-6.

“My coach really counts on me,” Rodriguez said. “Once I get over my (nervous) butterflies, I go straight to the legs. It’s the first thing I do and it always works. Then once I got a big lead, I can relax, keep control and win.
“I always feel that pressure to do well. I feel it gives (the later wrestlers) the energy to win.”

“Juan has a good shot in the state individual meet (this weekend), but he told me all he cares about is winning the team title,” Niceforo said. “That’s why we chose him as a captain. He’s a good leader.”

Lawrence got off to a hot start as Elvis Genao rode an escape with 10 seconds left to a 6-5 victory at 103. But over the next nine matches, Springfield Central took five major decisions and a pin from Anthony Brooks at 160 to take charge.

Temporarily stemming the tide, Argenis Carpio survived a late takedown attempt from Mark Correa to win, 3-2 at 135, and Shaquille Fuentes dominated Bryan Lebron before pinning the 140-pounder with 32 seconds left in the second period.

“We knew that Springfield Central was a team that didn’t get pinned and we don’t either,” Niceforo said. “It was a matter of us staying off our backs and fighting to the end.”

Lawrence fought that and more, all the way to the top of the heap in Division 1.