After press time: Melrose defeats Franklin 54-30, falls to Shawsheen Tech (51-11) and Tewksbury (44-24) – Jan. 20
14-4 Melrose grapplers keep on winning
By JENNIFER GENTILE
HOLLISTON—The victories keep on coming for the Melrose High wrestling team who has racked up an impressive record of 14-4 as they approach the mid point of their season. What more, they remain unbeaten in the Middlesex League following a victory over Burlington last week.
Melrose looks to make a clean sweep of the ML in the coming weeks and eagerly anticipates the must-see annual event, The Brawl in the Hall, which is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 31 at Memorial Hall. There, they will face once again archrival Wakefield, who is also having an undefeated season in the league. Last year Melrose took the league title—and the event—in a gripping performance.
This season, Melrose has earned their 14th win after competing in a quad meet at Holliston High School against Hopkinton, Concord-Carlisle and Catholic Memorial, whom they all swept.
They wrapped up the day with an impressive 63–18 victory over Catholic Memorial. Overall the day Melrose saw excellent performances with Gabe LaVerde, Scott Santos, Quinn Fogarty, Mike Thomas, and John Moraes all having flawless days with 4 pins each. Amar Lakacha had 3 wins. Freshmen Owen Savage enjoyed 2 pins and freshman Luke Kelley had 2 wins, one by pin. Freshman Cian Sullivan had 2 wins with one pin, senior Pedro Ribeiro had two wins by fall, sophomore Jack Shea had 2 wins and a pin, and sophomore Brayden Pesce had a key pin to help Melrose sweep the day.
Melrose opened the day with a win over Concord-Carlisle 54-24, thanks to pins from Mike Thomas, John Moraes, Brayden Pesce, Luke Kelley, Quinn Fogarty, Amar Lakacha, Gabe LaVerde and Scott Santos.
They then went on to defeat Holliston in a much tighter contest, 42-37, thanks to some clutch pins late from LaVerde and Santos. They also relied on pins from Cian Sullivan, Mike Thomas, Johnny Moraes, Quinn Fogarty and Pedro Ribeiro.
Melrose then topped Hopkinton 51-29 behind big wins (by fall) from Mike Thomas, John Moraes, Quinn Fogarty, Pedro Ribeiro, Gabe LaVerde and Scott Santos. Freshman Owen Savage and Jack Shea both had pins and Amar Lakacha had a key decision in the victory.
Melrose had previously coasted to victory with a 75-6 over league rival Burlington, who were down several players. Among those getting big wins for Melrose were Pesce, Kelley, Teixeira and LaVerde.
On the horizon is a Shawsheen Regional tournament on the road this weekend and they will resume Freedom League play when they host Watertown on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the Marcoux gym. Action takes place at 6:30 p.m.