A repeat honor sees them now battle for States
By JENNIFER GENTILE
WOBURN—The trophies just keep coming for the Melrose High wrestling team, who are becoming something of a dynasty in the world of Massachusetts high school wrestling. On Saturday, Feb. 15 they became MIAA Div. 2 North Champions, a repeat honor for the league champion Melrose team (29-5), when they swept the field at the MIAA Div. 2 North Finals at Woburn High with a best score of 209, besting their closest rival, the Woburn Tanners, by 6 points.
Melrose crowned two individual sectional champs in Marco Albanese (157), senior captain, and junior captain Johnny Moraes (113). There were plenty of medals to go around, including some impressive silver medals earned by sophomore Owen Savage in the 106, Luke Kelley in the 144, and Scott Santos in the 215.
“This was a close one, just six points which is not a lot to win by and it really came down to us having two pins in the finals by Johnny Moraes and Marco Albanese,” says coach Larry Tremblay. “But so many players contributed to this win.”
Melrose sent to the floor the following wrestlers with the accompanying results:
So. Owen Savage (2nd place)
Jr. Captain Johnny Moraes (1st place)
Jr. Luke Brodeur (6th place)
Jr. Jack Shea (3rd place)
So. Cian Sullivan (6th place)
Fr. Luke Mestjian (6th place)
So. Luke Kelley (2nd place)
Fr. Parker Seibel (3rd place)
Sr. Captain Marco Albanese (1st place)
Sr. Captain Quinn Fogarty (4th place)
Jr. Captain Scott Santos (2nd place)
Jr. Amar Lakacha (2 wins)
This is Melrose’s second straight MIAA North Sectional title, and the earned trophy now joins the many the team has earned in nearly a decade, which includes state titles in 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2023. Tremblay himself has earned 32 top 2 trophies in Sectionals in his long career.
He contends that even the most modest of efforts helped Melrose earn this victory. “Wrestlers like Parker Seibel, who earned two pins in consolation to take third, came up huge for us. Luke Mestijan had a great 6th place finish. Luke Kelley had a huge, huge day he really stepped up. Amar’s 2 wins were also big. And Scotty Santos had a great day, great season. I hope we see him at States, but it’s unclear.”
Competing for Melrose on Saturday, at press time, are Owen Savage, Johnny Moraes, Jack Shea, Cian Sullivan, Luke Kelley, Parker Seibel, Marco Albanese and Quinn Fogarty.
Being down a weight class from the injured Santos could hurt Melrose’s chances going into the Div. 2 State Finals this weekend where they look to topple expected favorite Milford. But don’t be shocked to see Melrose come home with more medals, especially individually, with these experienced wrestlers ready to become the latest Melrose High state champs.
Until then, there remain no nights off for Melrose, who will compete this Saturday at the Div. 2 State Finals at Salem High. Stay tuned.