It's now official. The powerhouse Timberlane and Lowell wrestling teams remain undefeated after battling to a classic 27-27 tie in Lowell Saturday afternoon.
Timberlane scored the last 14 points of the meet to tie the score, but - using National High School Federation rules - Lowell was declared the winner by criteria because it finished with one more pin than the Owls.
However, because the meet was held in Massachusetts, Federation rules shouldn't have applied and - by Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules - all ties must remain so.
According to the MIAA Blue Book, rule 82.1 states:
"Any regular season dual-meet competition ending in a tie score shall remain a tie. Only tie scores in a dual-meet tournament will be decided by the existing National Federation tie-breaker criteria."
Nathan Bonneau of the MIAA and head wrestling official Philip Grebinar confirmed the decision and explained that when a Massachusetts team competes in New Hampshire, it likewise abides by the governing rules in that state. Grebinar explained that it is a "home rule" situation.
As an example, St. John's Prep coach Manny Costa, who is a representative on the MIAA board, stated: "A couple of years ago, New Hampshire had the two 30-second overtimes when we wrestled at Timberlane. We followed the rule even though we didn't have it.
"Our blue book clearly states that all ties will remain a tie. It does not differentiate Massachusetts against out-of-state or Massachusetts against our own."
The decision leaves Lowell with a 15-0-1 record while Timberlane is now 14-0-1.
"I don't think my kids will be happy with a tie," said Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian. "But the way the kids battled back from adversity, there is some satisfaction in not losing.
"There was a lot of emotion after the match, and it's unfortunate that this happened. But it got rectified and now we'll move on."
Lowell and Timberlane are both defending Division 1 state champions and will be favored to repeat in their respective states. Both, however, still have difficult meets remaining. Lowell must face dangerous Chelmsford and Timberlane must travel to Concord Feb. 6. Concord ended Timberlane's 60-meet winning streak last year.
The Owls and Lowell have been involved in a rotating quad-meet for many years, currently with two teams from Connecticut. Next year, the meet is scheduled to be held at Timberlane. It's a meet that should draw plenty of attention.
Timberlane scored the last 14 points of the meet to tie the score, but - using National High School Federation rules - Lowell was declared the winner by criteria because it finished with one more pin than the Owls.
However, because the meet was held in Massachusetts, Federation rules shouldn't have applied and - by Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules - all ties must remain so.
According to the MIAA Blue Book, rule 82.1 states:
"Any regular season dual-meet competition ending in a tie score shall remain a tie. Only tie scores in a dual-meet tournament will be decided by the existing National Federation tie-breaker criteria."
Nathan Bonneau of the MIAA and head wrestling official Philip Grebinar confirmed the decision and explained that when a Massachusetts team competes in New Hampshire, it likewise abides by the governing rules in that state. Grebinar explained that it is a "home rule" situation.
As an example, St. John's Prep coach Manny Costa, who is a representative on the MIAA board, stated: "A couple of years ago, New Hampshire had the two 30-second overtimes when we wrestled at Timberlane. We followed the rule even though we didn't have it.
"Our blue book clearly states that all ties will remain a tie. It does not differentiate Massachusetts against out-of-state or Massachusetts against our own."
The decision leaves Lowell with a 15-0-1 record while Timberlane is now 14-0-1.
"I don't think my kids will be happy with a tie," said Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian. "But the way the kids battled back from adversity, there is some satisfaction in not losing.
"There was a lot of emotion after the match, and it's unfortunate that this happened. But it got rectified and now we'll move on."
Lowell and Timberlane are both defending Division 1 state champions and will be favored to repeat in their respective states. Both, however, still have difficult meets remaining. Lowell must face dangerous Chelmsford and Timberlane must travel to Concord Feb. 6. Concord ended Timberlane's 60-meet winning streak last year.
The Owls and Lowell have been involved in a rotating quad-meet for many years, currently with two teams from Connecticut. Next year, the meet is scheduled to be held at Timberlane. It's a meet that should draw plenty of attention.
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
Penn vs. Harvard highlights
Stefon Diggs chooses Maryland, Randy Edsall comments-2/10
Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
Collegiate Corner: Philly College Hoops - 2/9
Ovechkin: "I don't think we deserved to lose today."
Brayden Schenn scores a goal against his brother Luke
What is ailing the Flyers?
Briere on facing the Maple Leafs
Flyers on Bobrovsky starting and work ethic
Schenn and Hartnell help the Flyers snap their skid
Iguodala is selected to his first All-Star Game
What is the injury situation with Hawes?
Brayden Schenn on trade rumors surrounding his brother, Luke Schenn
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
