Johnny Moraes joins MHS legends as Lowell Champ
After press time:
Melrose defeats Winchester 55-21 (Jan. 3)
Published January 3, 2025
By JENNIFER GENTILE
LOWELL—There was no better way for the Melrose High wrestling team to welcome in the holidays than a historic appearance at the annual Lowell Holiday Tournament on Dec. 21, placing tenth among over 80 competing teams from around New England, and more notably, seeing their No. 10 seed wrestler in the 113-weight class crowned Lowell Holiday Tournament champ with a first place finish.
Johnny Moraes, junior captain, was at the top of the podium after going into the tournament seeded tenth and stunning his competition, knocking out the #7, and 1-3 seeds, including reigning All State Champ Cole Glynn of Central Catholic, who placed second behind Moraes. It was a stunning day for the underdog wrestler.
“Honestly, I thought he was under ranked going in,” said Melrose head coach Larry Tremblay. “This kid was 2nd in states last year in the 126. He was strong enough to hold his own there and this weight class 113 is more natural for him, and it makes him really competitive. He had the toughest road in his class and had an awesome tournament. The whole team did. We had three freshmen make day two. So much talent there.”
Moraes began his journey pinning his number 7 seed. He also knocked off his Connecticut state champ #3 seed in another round, with a move that impressed coach Tremblay. He did a Granby roll into a Peterson for earn six points. “That just stunned the kid, he wasn’t moving. It was a great, great move.” Finally, he took out the reigning All State Champ Glynn with a solid 14-9 decision.
With the win, Moraes joins the ranks of MHS wrestling legends like Hunter Adrian, Sean Herbert, Antonio DiFronzo, Jimmy McSweeney, & Donald Gautreau, to be a Lowell Holiday victor. He remains undefeated on the season.
He was in good company with Melrose senior captain Marco Albanese who placed 5th in the 157. “Marco had a great tournament and has been solid all season. He came out of nowhere at Lowell and we were proud,” says Tremblay.
And the excellent first day work of freshman Brennan Secour, Luke Mestjian and Parker Seibel really impressed their coach. “What a day for them. Watch out for Parker,” he warns. Also impressing at Lowell were Luke Brodeur, 2 wins, Jack Shea, 1 win, Cian Sullivan, 3 wins, Luke Kelley, 1 win, Amar Lakacha, 2 wins, senior captain Quinn Fogarty, 4 wins, and Scott Santos with 2 wins.
“Everyone of these wrestlers has been having great seasons,” says their coach. “Jack Shea, Scotty Santos, Quinn Fogarty, Luke Brodeur are having fantastic seasons. And Cian Sullivan is most definitely our most improved wrestler.”
Melrose has been plenty busy, also competing in the difficult Timberland “603” Tournament in Plaistow, NH. Melrose competed against highly competitive teams from New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Virginia.
“This type of competition is great for the kids. It makes a dual meet season look like JV,” he quips. Leading the way for Melrose against Timberlane were Johnny Moraes (4 wins) Marco Albanese (3 wins) Cian Sullivan (3 wins) Quinn Fogarty (2 wins) Scott Santos (2 wins) Luke Brodeur (2 wins) Jack Shea (2 wins) Luke Kelley (1 win) Luke Mestjian (1 win) and Brennan Secor (1win).
It’s paying off as a handful of their wrestlers are now ranked, including Moraes, Albanese, Scotty Santos and Jack Shea.
Melrose remains 2-0 in their dual meet season with a recent 51-16 win over Lexington. Freshman Brennan Secour earned his second varsity win along with wins from Luke Brodeur (WBF), Jack Shea (WBF), Cian Sullivan (WBF), Parker Seibel (WBF), Marco Albanese (WBF), Amar Lakacha (WBF), Quinn Fogarty (WBF) and Scott Santos (WBF).
Melrose has some league action coming up with meets against Winchester, Reading and Burlington coming up. Winchester in particular will be strong. “This is the most balanced the league ahs been in a while,” says Tremblay. “There is talent everywhere.”
Check out Melrose when they host Winchester this Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Marcoux gym at Melrose High. On Tuesday, they will host Reading at 6:30 p.m.