Best ever-wrestler will compete next year at Brown
Published March 13, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
IN A CLASS of his own. Hunter Adrian picked up his third New England title last week. (Steve Karampalas photo)
METHUEN—In terms of high school athletic careers, it’s been a dreamlike one for Melrose wrestler Hunter Adrian.
The most decorated Melrose High wrestler added one more trophy to the case on Sunday, March 8 at the All-New England High School Championship at Methuen High, where he was crowned the New England Champion in the 120 weight glass with a gripping, 3-2 win over Calvin Dalton of Salem.
The senior joins Franklin’s Paul Davis (1990-92) and Woburn’s MIke Parziale (2000-03) as the only other three-time New England champion. He is also only one of three four-time All-State Champs in Massachusetts. After Sunday, Adrian improved his season record to 57-1 and overall a 215-6 Melrose High career record. Adrian will advance to Senior Nationals at Virginia Beach on March 24.
Adrian made an early mark on the youth wrestling circuit with predictions by coaches that he would become one of the greatest wrestlers in Massachusetts history, and those predictions were correct. After beating just about everyone possible in high school, it’s no shock that Brown University recruited Adrian this year to wrestle for their Ivy League program.
BROTHERS IN arms. Hunter Adrian (left) and Sean Herbert both medaled at the New England Finals last week. (Steve Karampalas photo)
Adrian spoke about his college search. “Brown had everything I wanted: a great wrestling team, academics and was pretty close to home.”
A visit to the campus sealed the deal. “When I visited the school, I loved the campus, coaches and how close together the team was. It made it a pretty easy decision.”
It’s bittersweet for Melrose to say goodbye to a gifted athlete, who earned such acclaim and gave fans years of competition to watch. Sunday was the last time any local fans could watch him on the high school circuit (short of attending Nationals) and he certainly went out on top.
Adrian notes that this year was extra special for him and his team. “Being able to lead a team to win states my senior year was a very meaningful moment.” That includes earning an All State title alongside teammate Sean Hebert, who on Sunday, earned a bronze medal in the 152.
At Brown, Adrian will compete for coach Marvin Wilzenik in the Ivy League conference, and at press time is considering pursuing science and math.
His advice to budding wrestlers? “Be the hardest worker in everything you do and don’t be afraid of failure.”
