Owls' Rolan uses JV experience to soar on varsity ? Sports ...

No one would have blamed Timberlane senior Efrain Rolan if he had been frustrated, and maybe even a little bitter.

For three years, he toiled behind the talented Lawrence brothers, Nate and Nick, unable to crack the varsity lineup with any regularity.

On any other New Hampshire team, Rolan would have been a varsity starter long ago. A two-time JV state champion, he delivered whenever he got an opportunity. Last year, when given a chance on the varsity, he had a 15-4 record, including a 7-1 mark in dual meets. When there was a split squad, or one of the Lawrences were banged up or sick, Rolan showed his potential.

But Rolan does not begrudge his fate. On the contrary, he embraced it and turned it into a positive.

"It wasn't frustrating because I learned so much," said Rolan. "They both really helped me a lot."

In fact, Rolan credits Nate Lawrence for motivating him to become as successful as he has become, which currently translates into a 34-7 record at 170 pounds and tournament titles at Sanford and Timberlane.

"I remember my sophomore year I wrestled Nate in practice one time and I didn't do too well ? he whipped me pretty good," said Rolan. "Right then, I figured I had to get a lot better if I wanted to be a varsity wrestler."

Since then, Rolan has worked to the utmost, whether at Smitty's Barn or in the Owls' practice room, often butting heads with Nick Lawrence, who could be as intense as anyone.

"There were a few practices when we really went after it," said Rolan. "I remember one practice last year, he wasn't having a great day and he smashed my face with his forearm. I told him, 'Calm down, it's only me.' "

Rolan's hard work and persistence did not go unnoticed by his teammates. Nick Lawrence gave him one of the "Captain's Awards" at last year's banquet and he was voted a tri-captain for this year's squad which, says Timberlane coach Barry Chooljian, is something that is unprecedented for a JV wrestler.

"I think it shows the respect he has from his teammates," said Chooljian. "They see what he's done and he's training very hard to get the most out of his senior season."

Like so many Timberlane wrestlers, Rolan has big goals ? to win titles at the Division 1 meet, Meet of Champions and New England tournament. It's ambitious, to be sure, but he believes it's well within reason.

"As the year goes on, I feel I'll get a lot better," he said. "I'm lucky I've had good drill partners ... I had the Lawrences and now I have Josh Riley."

Also a fine football player, Rolan hopes to get a scholarship in either football or wrestling, something Chooljian certainly thinks is possible.

"He's had an impressive first season starting," said Chooljian. "He had a great fall in football and is talented enough to wrestle in college."

Dual-meet tourney set

North Andover will have its work cut out for it as it attempts to defend its two-time Division 2 dual-meet state championship, the pairings for which were announced last week.

The Knights should have no problem with its Sunday opener, against Quabbin, but it will then likely face South top seed North Attleboro in the quarterfinals and Knights coach Carl Cincotta believes that North Attleboro could create problems. No. 1 seed Winchester should coast into next Monday's finals.

Also in Division 2, Central Catholic could surprise. The Raiders face Southeastern Regional in the opener and then would face the Needham-Whitman-Hanson winner. If they win both, they'd likely tackle Winchester in the semifinals.

In Division 1, unbeaten Methuen gets a bye and then faces the winner of Bridgewater-Raynham vs. Lincoln-Sudbury while ? on the other side of the bracket ? Lawrence opens with West Springfield with the winner facing Framingham, a team that beat the Lancers earlier in the year.

Also in Division 1, St. John's Prep opens with Agawam with the winner facing Plymouth South or Algonquin in the quarterfinals.

All of the matchups will take place at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, with the opening round and quarterfinals set for Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. The semifinals are set for Monday at 4 p.m. with all three finals to be held simultaneously on three mats starting at 7 p.m.

Terrific article

Anyone who gets Sports Illustrated, or can get access to it, should check out an article in last week's edition about Mike Powell, a high school wrestling coach in suburban Chicago. Not only is it a terrific testament to courage under trying circumstances but it's a story that underlines the value of wrestling as a powerful tool in character development.

Meet Efrain Rolan

School, year: Timberlane, senior

Sports: Football, wrestling

Recent accomplishments: Won titles at Sanford, Maine and Timberlane invitationals, boast 34-7 record

Family background: Father is Puerto Rican, and mother is Dominican; has a 9-year-old brother, Adrian, and 12-year-old sister, Victoria

Origin of name: Both his father and grandfather are named Efrain

Miscellaneous: Works as a summer counselor for Atkinson Recreation camp

WRESTLING FAB 5

The Eagle-Tribune's weekly ranking of area high school wrestling teams:

TEAMRECORD

1. Timberlane23-2

2. Methuen17-0

3. Lawrence 19-3

4. North Andover 17-2

5. Gr. Lawrence 12-7

Honorable mention: Central Catholic (12-9-1), North Reading/Lynnfield (20-3)

Source: http://www.eagletribune.com/sports/x980636374/Owls-Rolan-uses-JV-experience-to-soar-on-varsity

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