7 wrestlers are champs; Melrose (18-1-1) a statewide fave
Published in the February 3, 2017 edition
LEAGUE CHAMPS. Melrose High clinched the Middlesex League with a victory over Watertown last week, and crowned seven individual league champs on Saturday at the ML championship, including Steven Macintosh (pictured). (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High Red Raider wrestling team are 2017 Middlesex League Champs.
Melrose earned the official title on Wednesday, Jan. 25 by beating rival Watertown by a score of 54-24.
The Raiders remain unbeaten in the Middlesex League, and have clinched sole possession of the league for the first time since 1981 (In 2015 they split honors with Wakefield and Burlington). Should they go one step further and take a North title, it will be the first time the team has done so since 1989. Melrose has never brought home a state title, and there are hopes that this is the year.
Though Watertown had entered the meet on Wednesday at 17-3, they were simply outperformed in nearly every facet. Melrose took 9 out of 10 matches, losing only one in the 138 class to Watertown’s Sam Leitner. Melrose’s only other points surrendered come from forfeited weight classes.
On Saturday at Wakefield High, Melrose competed in the ML League Tourney and crowned seven individual league champions. They include Hunter Adrian, Sean Hebert, Steve MacIntosh, Mike Calvert, Patrick Whelan, Antonio DiFronzo and Colin Casey.
Winchester took advantage of several 2nd-3rd place finishes to take the day point- wise at 283 to Melrose’s 279.
There will be no rest for the hard-nosed Raiders, who will take on Woburn next Wednesday, Feb. 8 as a prelude to Sectionals. This will be fans last opportunity to see the division favorites in action at home before they begin their post season journey. Actions starts at 7:00 p.m at Melrose High.
