Nick Lawrence on roll
Wrestling for Iowa Lakes Community College, former Timberlane standout Nick Lawrence won the 174-pound weight class in the Dick Walker Invitational at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, over the weekend to improve to 13-2 on the year.
Lawrence’s brother, Nate, and another former Owl, Matt Morris, did not compete because of injuries. Nate has a nagging shoulder injury and Morris, who was enjoying a comeback after leaving school last year, injured his knee early in the season and is out 6-8 weeks.
Dunham honored
Dave Dunham of Bradford was honored recently as USATF masters Mountain Runner of the Year award in Daytona Beach. He dominated his 45-49 years age group in mountain running and cross country in the Northeast, winning his age group in the USATF New England Mountain Running series and taking first place in his age group in USATF New England Mountain Running Championships.
Get there early!
Any wrestling fan who wants to watch Saturday’s historic 7 p.m. showdown between North Andover and Timberlane may want to come early to watch the JV match that precedes it. Otherwise, with the Timberlane gym in Plaistow only holding about 800 fans, it may be hard to find a seat for the featured meet.
MVC Upset with new football system
Athletic directors of both the Northeastern Conference and Merrimack Valley Conference have meet to discuss their opposition to the new state playoff system that was accepted by a vote last month. Upset that many old rivalries might have to be terminated under the new system, the NEC and MVC have talked about keeping their old schedules and joining in a partnership in which the NEC and MVC would play two bowl games between the conferences after Thanksgiving.
The plan would likely face stiff opposition from the MIAA, however, and will likely be blocked.
Saugus to join CAL
A member of the Northeastern Conference since 1968, Saugus has applied for and been granted unanimous acceptance into the Cape Ann League for all sports beginning with the 2013-14 school season.
Saugus, which had one of the smaller student bodies in the NEC, has been looking for a smaller league to join and become more competitive. At the same time, this may open the door for Masconomet — which seems to have outgrown the Cape Ann League — to move to the Northeastern Conference.
Raiders ranked No. 3
The Central Catholic girls soccer team ended the season as the No. 3-ranked team in Eastern Mass. by the Globe, the highest rating for any Merrimack Valley team in any sport. The Andover football team and the North Andover boys soccer team were both ranked seventh in Eastern Mass.
Everett crowned again
Everett’s football team ended the season as the top-ranked team in Eastern Mass. for the third straight year. Everett (11-1) started the season No. 1, fell to No. 2 after losing to Barnstable in double overtime, but reclaimed the top spot after beating the Red Raiders in the Division 1A Super Bowl.
St. John’s Prep (11-1) was ranked No. 2 after winning the Division 1 Super Bowl. The Prep beat both Central Catholic and Andover during the season.
Flaherty out at Ipswich
Ipswich is looking for a new head football coach after Ted Flaherty resigned after eight years and a 26-60 record. A native of Ipswich, Flaherty didn’t cite any particular reason for his resignation, but he’ll remain as a freshman coach at Ipswich in both basketball and baseball.
MacDonald omitted
Central Catholic senior Caroline MacDonald, who enjoyed a fine season for the cross country team, was inadvertently left off the list of MVC Division 1 All-Stars. She finished 16th in the MVC meet and 17th in the Eastern Mass. Division 2 meet.
Headed to Georgetown
St. John’s of Shrewsbury star cross country runner Jonathan Green has verbally committed to Georgetown University. Green defeated runner-up Mike O’Donnell in the Division 1 All-State Meet and Saturday finished 22nd at the Foot Locker Nationals for the second straight year.
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