Framingham takes Div. 1 Central wrestling title

With two individual Division 1 Central champions, the Framingham wrestling team easily out-paced all competitors with 211.5 points in earning the sectional championship at Newton South High School last night.

Out of the eight Framingham finalists, seniors Robert Coukos (152 pounds) and Eugenio Garcia (220 pounds) claimed individual titles. Coukos earned his second consecutive title with a 14-0 major decision over Lincoln-Sudbury junior Nico Dionisotti.

“The goal here was to not give up anything,” said Coukos, who didn’t surrender a point in his three matches. “I’m looking to states, all-states, New Englands, but to [accomplish those goals] you have to start here at the bottom level.”

Garcia disposed of Algonquin’s Albert Marsocci with a pin 3:28 into the finals. Garcia had been battling a shoulder injury all week, but said he was feeling good coming into the tournament.

“I saw a bunch of people this week,” said Garcia. “But it wasn’t bothering me. I was just thinking one match at a time. Next is to win [Division 1] states.”

Franklin finished second with 181.5 points and crowned all three finalists as individual champions, including tournament outstanding wrestler Greg Williams.

Williams landed a five-point headlock in overtime of his finals match with Framingham junior Johnny Do.

The score stood at 2-2 at the end of the third period and the wrestlers took the line for overtime.

“I just wanted to be out there and win it,” said the senior Williams.

“I was tired but I can feel him hipping into me so I just used his momentum.”

The headlock put Do on his back and Williams secured a 7-2 victory.

Also winning for Franklin were seniors Chris Kelly (138 lbs.) and Ben Zogby (106 lbs.)

Kelly earned a fall over Newton North’s Nick Mariano in 3:36 and Zogby controlled L-S junior Ben Defronzo for a 7-2 win in the finals.

Zogby turned Defronzo in the second period for three points and a comfortable 3-0 lead.

“That was definitely the turning point,” said Zogby. “I just went to my spiral and tried to get the leg in. He tried to high-leg over and I held on for my three points.”

Lincoln-Sudbury sent six to the finals and walked away with three champions.

Senior 113-pounder James Hamilton trailed 7-5 to Lexington’s Mitchell Ma with 21 seconds left but turned Ma and earned two points at the end of regulation.

Hamilton then took the line for overtime and secured a takedown for the improbable sectional title.