For the second straight year, Haverhill High came agonizingly close to pulling off the win of all wins.
And despite a monster point total, the Hillies settled for second at the prestigious, 93-team George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament.
Haverhill, which totalled 158.5 points and came up short by just one last year, piled up 210.5 this time around. Unfortunately, Newtown, Conn., had a spectacular day, scoring 215.5 to claim the title. Defending champ Shawsheen Tech was third, way back at 179.
Hillies senior Brent Nicolosi crushed the field at 165, making it back-to-back Lowell Holiday championships.
The three-time returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star went 6-0 over the two days, surrendering six points total while piling up three pins and a major decision along the way.
Haverhill had five other placers, led by Shea Morris, who reached the 138-pound final before settling for second.
Mike Morris placed third at 113, and Matt Harrold was fourth at 215.
Andover High took eighth overall with three placers. Jason Ballou led the way with a fourth at 120.
Salem High also cracked the top 10, placing ninth, just a half point behind the Blue Devils.
Talen Walton’s runner-up effort at 132 anchored Salem over the two days.
Here’s a look at the scores and local placers from the event.
Lowell Holiday Wrestling
Team Scores (Top 3, plus all area teams): 1. Newtown, Conn. 215.5; Haverhill 210.5; 3. Shawsheen Tech 179; 8. Andover 126.5; 9. Salem 126; 12. Central Catholic 122; 13. Timberlane 120.5; 36. Pinkerton 80; 38. North Andover 75; 46. Methuen 65.5; 53. Windham 54; 56. Greater Lawrence 50
Area Placers
106: 4. Cole Glynn, Central; 5. Aiden Morris, Haverhill; 7. Ben Mann, Timberlane
113: 3. Michael Morris, Haverhill; 5. Izaiah Santiago, Central
120: 4. Jason Ballou, Andover; 5. Cale Wood, Haverhill; 6. Brody McDonald, Salem; 7. Talon Oljey, Timberlane
126: 5. Yandel Morales, Andover
132: 2. Talen Walton, Salem; 5. Nick Archambault, Andover
138: 2. Shea Morris, Haverhill; 4. Caleb O’Rourke, Salem; 6. Lance Bordeleau, Pinkerton
144: 7. Jacob Andrade, Timberlane
150: 4. Caden Smith, Central; 7. Kyle Rhoton, North Andover
157: 6. Kaelib Reynolds, Greater Lawrence; 8. Rhys Dewar, Central
165: 1. Brent Nicolosi, Haverhill; 3. Joe Bolduc, Methuen
215: 4. Matt Harrold, Haverhill
285: 7. Brian Waller-Reitano, Central