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WHITMAN - For years, the North Attleboro High wrestling team has dominated the Division 2 South Sectional dual-meet tournament.

Coming into this year, the Rocketeers had won 10 times in the past 12 years. But going into Saturday's tournament at Whitman-Hanson high school, hopes weren't necessarily high for the third-seeded Rocketeers, who had struggled earlier this year.

But nearly every North wrestler turned in a fantastic performance on Saturday, the Rocketeers upsetting second-seeded Whitman Hanson in the semifinals and top-seeded Whitman Hanson in the finals to come away as South Sectional champs once again.

"This was certainly the most uncertain one," North coach Wayne Griffin said. "Our kids wrestled unbelievable today."

North started the day with an easy victory over Oliver Ames, defeating their Hockomock League rivals 57-24 to start the day. Next was Whitman Hanson, and the Rocketeers jumped out to an 23-9 lead. But the Panthers battled back, and going into the dual meet's final bout Whitman Hanson took a 30-29 lead.

But Griffin wasn't worried. Not with star wrestler Shane LeBlanc due up.

The fantastic 112-pounder made quick work of his Panther opponent, earning a pin in 57 seconds to secure a 35-30 victory for North.

Both teams won seven bouts in the dual meet, but the Rocketeers scored more pins and major decisions, making all the difference.

"Our kids really wrestled out of their minds," Griffin said.

From there North kept on rolling, easily handling Marshfield, 49-24. The Rocketeers got off to a quick 18-0 start with pins by Ryan Charpentier, Joe Krzyzek and Kyle Senechal and rolled from there.

"Those guys got the ball rolling early," Griffin said. "We only needed a couple more victories to solidify a win."

Robbie Hendrickson came off the bench for injured Rick Delleck and earned a huge pin an 145 pounds and freshman Cameron Burns sealed the North victory, earning a pin at 103 pounds as North won yet another South Sectional title.

"He picked the best day of his life to go out and win one for himself and his squad," Griffin said.

Jesse Kummer was 3-0 at 160 pounds with three pins, a feat matched by Senechal. LeBlanc, Corey Devlin and Krzyzek also went a perfect 3-0 on the day. It was a result that even surprised Griffin, whose team suffered some growing pains early in the year.

"We got off to a slow start, we suffered some bad losses over the course of the year," Griffin said. "The kids have been doing a lot of the right things."

North awaits their opponent for the state semi-finals, to be held on Wednesday.

**Despite a couple of absences forcing them to forfeit two weight classes, the NORTON wrestling team had its best every showing at the sectional tournament, the Lancers finishing second in the Division 3 Central tournament at Holliston.

Norton defeated Dedham 39-30 in the quarterfinals and Holliston 40-33 in the semifinals before falling to a good Wayland squad 31-22 in the finals.

"We had a few guys out. We're very happy with how we did," Norton coach Pat Coleman said. "To get two wins and make it to the finals was basically what I had hoped we could do."

Erik Lane went 3-0 at 171 pounds, moving him to a perfect 36-0 on the year. Zack MacTavish was 3-0 on the day and is now 35-1, while Scott Coleman also had a perfect day, moving to 32-2 on the year.

The Lancers compete in the Division 3 Sectional Championship next Saturday at Wayland.

MIAA South Sectional Team Wrestling Tournaments

North Attleboro results: 103-Cam Burns 1-2; 112-Shane LeBlanc 3-0; 119-Corey Devlin 3-0; 125-Ryan Charpentier 1-1, Johnny David 1-0; 130-Joe Krzyzek 3-0; 135-Kyle Senechal 3-0; 140-Shane Devlin 2-1; 145-Rob Hendrickson 1-1, Rick Delleck 0-1; 152-Rick Garceau 2-1; 160-Jesse Kummer 3-0; 171-Will Kummer 1-2; 189-Brendan Emmanuel 2-1; 215-Kyle Orfan 0-3; 275-Connor Patch 0-3.

Norton results: 103-No wrestler; 112-No wrestler; 119-Cam Hale 1-0, Brett Galagher 1-1; 125-Galagher 0-1, John Norton 0-2; 130-Norton 1-0, Scott Coleman 2-0; 135-Coleman 1-0, Zack MacTavish 2-0; 140-MacTavish 1-0, Derek Hoyt 2-0; 145-Hoyt 1-0, John Royle 0-1, Rob Butler 0-1; 152-Royle 1-1, Butler 0-1; 160-Jake Burgeron 2-1; 171-Erik Lane 3-0; 189-Jack Cuneo 0-3; 215-Jason Platt 3-0; 275-Steve Hudson 0-1. D3 Central, runner up.