Host Warriors crown two champs, have many place winners
Published in the February 2, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Perennial Middlesex League Liberty division powerhouse Winchester is one of if not the best team in the league year in and year out.
EVAN GOURVILLE, a senior (right), captured first place at the 170 weight class in the Middlesex League Wrestling Tournament on Saturday at the Charbonneau Field House. Gourville went 3-0 to win the crown. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
However after Saturday’s showing at the M.L. wrestling tournament at the Charbonneau Field House, the Warrior grapplers showed they aren’t too shabby either.
Wakefield finished second overall in the showcase with 214 points as it was runner-up only to the Sachems who won the tournament with 295.5 points. The Warriors did finish better than all the M.L. Freedom division teams.
The Warriors crowned two champions and had numerous other wrestlers place in their home gymnasium.
Teams were allowed to enter multiple wrestlers per weight and there were many weight classes where Wakefield had more than one athlete compete.
Jack Spicer, a junior, and Evan Gourville, a senior, were crowned champions at the 113 and 170 weight classes.
At 113, Spicer posted a 3-0 record to take the title. Spicer pinned Winchester’s Ryan Ellis at 51 seconds. He then won by major decision (10-0) over Arlington’s Paul Sangkorn. In the final bout, Spicer prevailed by a 4-2 decision in three overtimes against Winchester’s Bryson McEachin.
At 170, Gourville went 3-0 to win the crown. Gourville pinned both Reading’s David Fodera and Lexington’s John Stix at 1:18 and 5:33. In the final, Gourville
JACK SPICER, a junior (left), won the title at the 113 weight class with a 3-0 record on Saturday in the Middlesex League Wrestling Tournament which was held at the Charbonneau Field House. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
edged Winchester’s Ryan Errico in three overtimes by a 6-5 decision.
Mike Lima, a senior, took second place at the 285 weight class as he posted a 2-1 record. Lima won by pin over Melrose’s Jacob Fortier at 5:13 and Winchester’s Omar Grant at 2:21. In the final, Lima lost by fall to Wilmington’s Lou Larafarello at 3:24.
Another heavyweight wrestler, junior Anthony Denham, placed third at the 285 weight class. He lost by fall to Larafarello at 1:50. He then pinned Grant at 3:39 and teammate Dan DiMeglio, a junior, at 3:41.
DiMeglio took fourth place at 285. He lost by fall to Larafello at 1:42. DiMeglio then won by decision over Arlington’s Tim Mazzini. He then lost by fall to Denham.
Also taking third place for Wakefield was Mike Yirrell, a freshman. Juniors Matt Murdocca and Ben Piercy also earned fourth place finishes for the Warriors.
Yirrell went 4-1 at the 182 weight class. Yirrell lost by fall against Winchester’s Walter Thilly at 1:36. He then won by major decision (12-3) over Belmont’s Kevin George. Yirrell then won by pin over Arlington’s Ryan Mathers at 2:18. The freshman won by major decision (21-9) over Reading’s Justin Mkiel. In his final bout, Yirrell scored an 8-3 decision over Sam Lee.
Murdocca competed at the 145 weight class and posted a 3-2 record. Murdocca pinned Reading’s Nick Nastri at 3:15 and then won by major decision (9-1) over Winchester’s Spencer Edwards. The junior then lost by major decision (11-0) to Lexington’s Steve Willis. Murdocca rebounded with a 4-2 decision over Castri in a rematch. He then dropped a 9-3 decision to Melrose’s Mike Calvert.
Piercy amassed a 3-2 record at the 152 bout. Piercy pinned both Lexington’s Mike White and Reading’s David Oliver at 16 seconds and at 2:31. The junior then lost by technical fall (17-2) to Melrose’s Cam Rosie. Piercy rebounded with a victory by pin over Winchester’s Arcan Arnold at 2:01. In his last match, Piercy lost by fall to Bemont’s Bryson Lipson at 1:50.
Taking fifth place in the meet for the Warriors were sophomore Jake Goodchild (3-2 at 132), sophomore Ryan Smith (3-2 at 138) and junior Joe Marinaccio (3-2 at 160).
The sixth place finishers were freshman Aidan Armstrong (1-2 at 106), senior Shannon Drager (2-3 at 126) and sophomore Steve Mercurio (1-2 at 195).
Eight teams took part in the league tournament. Finishing behind Wakefield was Lexington (165 points), Arlington (157.5 points), Reading (153 points), Melrose (140.5 points), Wilmington (101 points) and Belmont (57 points).
There were several other Warriors who competed and did not place. They include junior Jake Allen (1-2 at 120), freshman Dale Denham (0-2 at 120), sophomore Kevin Tran (0-2 at 132), freshman Patrick Pierce (1-2 at 182), freshman Derek Dimascio (0-2 at 195), sophomore Aiden Coleman (1-2 at 220) and freshman Ian Dures (0-2 at 220).
Wakefield has another big meet tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Charbonneau Field House that has league title implications. The Warriors host Watertown in a contest that will determine the champion of the M.L. Freedom division.
