PROVIDENCE — This time, Connor McGonagle left no doubt, and left nothing to chance.
After finishing as a New England runner-up as a freshman, McGonagle swept through the New England tournament in resounding fashion over the weekend to capture the 126-pound title.
McGonagle won his first three matches, giving up only one point, winning 9-1, 6-0 and 5-0, and then pinned Tyler Sung of New Canaan, Conn., at 3:46 in the second period of the finals. That raised his record to 47-2 and — with the extra team points with a pin — lifted Timberlane into fourth place in the tourney.
McGonagle was one of two local finalists. In the last match of the night, WIndham’s Mike Tanguay lost a 2-1 overtime heartbreaker to Lincoln-Sudbury’s Andrew Marshall.
Thanks to McGonagle and a fourth-place finish from junior Dylan Tremblay at 170, Timberlane finished with 57 points. Danbury (Conn) was the overwhelming champion, finishing with 114 points, well ahead of runner-up Newtown (Conn.) and Mount Anthony (Vt.).
“We would have liked to have finished higher, but we had some disappointments and lost some close matches early,” said Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian. “But it’s such a tough tournament and our two placers wrestled great.”
McGonagle gave up a takedown in the final match, but recovered quickly to take a 4-2 lead into the second period. When he saw an opportunity for a pin, he pounced.
“It’s definitely more satisfying getting the pin,” said McGonagle. “I wasn’t looking for it, but when I had the chance I wanted it.
“The difference this year is that I was wicked calm and wrestling to win, not to not lose. Last year was difficult being here as a freshman. This year I was more aware, more prepared.”
McGonagle won two New England titles in middle school but, he said “I’m going for three in high school.”
Tremblay had several memorable matches, none more so than in the consolation semifinals. Trailing 9-3 in the third period, he got an escape, takedown and near fall to tie it and then won in overtime for the right to wrestle for third.
INJURY DERAILS FRANKLIN
Methuen senior Darius Franklin sailed into the 182-pound semifinals still undefeated for the season Saturday afternoon, but he left in pain and disappointment.
Wrestling against Maine champion Ryan Fredette, Franklin showed a lot of energy early and took a 2-1 lead into the second period. But an injury to the same knee that ended his freshman season proved his demise.
Ahead 3-1, Franklin hurt his knee in the second period and had it checked at the end of the frame. Trailing 5-3, he had limited mobility for the third period and lost 10-5, lying on the mat in pain for several minutes before getting up.
Forced to injury default his next two matches, Franklin officially finished sixth, winding up his season with a 40-3 record, but only one loss on the mat.
MANICK COMES CLOSE
Travis Manick did not place at 195 pounds Saturday but he certainly came close.
The Methuen junior dropped a tough 9-8 decision to Windham’s Mike Tanguay in the quarterfinals but came back in the consolations with a technical fall. Then he bowed out one match shy of winning a medal, falling 6-4 to Mass. state champ Henry Behaeghel.
CABINTA PLACES 5TH
It was a strong tournament for Salem’s 145-pounder Tristen Cabinta, who placed fifth.
After losing 7-3 in the quarterfinals, he wrestled back in consolation action with two wins before dropping a tough one-point overtime decision in the consolation semifinals. But he came back strong, winning his last match, 6-4 over Austin Shorey of Noble, Maine.
VALENTINO DELIVERS
A year ago, North Andover sophomore Joey Valentino couldn’t even wrestle at New England, having missed the last half of the season with an injury. Over this past weekend, he made up for the absence, placing fifth at 120 pounds.
In one of the toughest weight classes, Valentino defeated Mount Anthony’s Keenan Taylor 8-5 in his final match. It was his second win over Taylor of the day.
IT’S FERRI AGAIN
This time, Shawsheen Tech senior Jake Ferri was more than ready.
The defending New England champ prevailed at 113 pounds, defeating well-known sophomore rival Ryan Garlitz of St. John’s Prep 6-0 in the finals. It was the fourth time in four weeks that the two had faced each other, with Garlitz winning at the Division 1 state meet.
Ferri, who is headed to Kent State, finished the season at 59-1 while Garlitz closes at 55-3, with all three losses coming to Ferri.
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