Moraes wins at 113; joins Savage & Albanese at All States
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Melrose High wrestling junior captain John Moraes continued his outstanding, unbeaten season by becoming the Div. 2 State Champion in the 113 weight class following a flawless day at the Div. 2 State Finals on Sunday at Salem High.
Moraes joins a long list of MHS state champion wrestlers and now he and two teammates, Marco Albanese and Owen Savage, will advance to this weekend’s MIAA All State Finals at Methuen High School, where state champ Moraes hopes to add the exclusive “All State” champion to his resume. Action begins on Friday into Saturday.
“It feels surreal,” said Moraes of winning a state title. He beat Brayden Boccia of Milford in a 10-8 decision that was decided in a gripping third period that saw Moraes earn points on an escape and takedown to top his Milford rival. He had started the day with wins over Nate Edwards of Duxbury, 11-0, Mitch Thaylor of Sharon, 6-1, and Joel Puri of Bellingham, 9-0.
Moraes came into the match intending to focus on offense. “I wanted to start with my offensive and not let them get into their own offense game. During my last match I was sloppy and didn’t wrestle my best. I accidentally let him go during the first period, which cost me to be down a point. The rest of the match I was focused on retaking the pace and making it win.”
And that, he did. But, he stresses there is much more work ahead. “To be honest, I’m still not satisfied since there is All States and All New England’s. That’s where my eyes are set,” he said.
He was in great company, as teammate Marco Albanese became the state silver champion in the 157, placing second overall and he and sophomore Owen Savage, who medaled in 4th place in the 106, will advance to All States this weekend
Senior captain Albanese at 157lb was the #2 seed entering and beat rivals Hunter Davis of Shepherd Hill, Almed Elalfy of Norwood, Cody Coonrod from Northbridge and faced Mike Boulanger of Milford in the finals.
Sophomore Owen Savage was fourth in the 106lb, having started his day beating Amelia Hough of Milford, Lawson Giove of Whitman Hanson, 9-3, before falling to Sean McDonald of Longmeadow, 15-6. He then beat Luke Bergeron to secure a medal and 4th place finish to advance to All States.
Those representing Melrose last Saturday and Sunday at Salem High included Moraes in the 113, Savage in the 106, Jack Shea in the 126, Luke Kelley in the 144, Albanese in the 157, Parker Seibel in the 150 and Quinn Fogarty in the 175. Melrose was wrestling without heavyweight Scott Santos who put them at a slight disadvantage point wise as a team but made up for it by advancing three wrestling to this weekend’s All States.
Action kicks off on Friday at Methuen High. Stay tuned.