Team will host Div. 3 North Sectionals on Feb. 10
Published in the February 2, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was a busy and productive week for the reigning Div. 3 state champion Melrose Red Raider wrestling team, who competed in the Middlesex League Showcase, took a league win over Watertown last week in front of a large home crowd, and participated in a first-ever Memorial Hall scholastic bout against rival Wakefield on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, Melrose placed second behind Wakefield at the Middlesex League Showcase, which featured six teams from the ML Freedom and Liberty leagues. Among those Melrose wrestlers who took first place were Hunter Adrian (113) Steven Macintosh (145) Isaac Seide (180) and Sean Herbert (138).
SEAN HERBERT takes a win during Melrose High’s first-ever dual wrestling meet held on Tuesday against Wakefield. (Donna Larsson photo)
All-State Champ Hunter Adrian remains undefeated (not likely changing soon) and Sean Herbert is having a tremendous season in the 138. Herbert’s match of the season came over the weekend in a thrilling bout against rival Trevor Morton of Reading, who Herbert prevailed over with a buzzer-beating pin in the third.
“Sean has been on fire,” says his coach, James Bleiler. “In one year I’ve seen so much progress. He played football this season, is always in the weight room so we are expecting great things from him as the season goes on.”
Bleiler had lots of praise all around for his grapplers. “Isaac Seide is on a tear with just a few losses. Dan Freed is really turning around and having a good season. It was great to see Jackson Curran push through to win in Watertown. Steve Macintosh has a good winning record, and Lou Izzi has been a reliable athlete who works his tail off.”
Bleiler feels this season could be decided by the work of his senior captains, Mike Calvert (152) and Cam Rosie (170). “They’ve been outstanding senior leaders for us who lead by example for our younger wrestlers, and they’re having great seasons. If they do well in post season then we will do well.”
On January 24, Melrose beat Watertown in an overwhelming fashion at home in the Melrose High Marcoux gym. The night started off in the 106, where newcomer Tom Brodeur fought a tough bout against his Watertown opponent, forcing his rival to a second round that ultimately ended in a 9-1 loss. In the 113, current All State Champ Hunter Adrian didn’t get a chance to show fans how quickly he could pin an opponent when became the recipient of a Watertown forfeit. That tied the meet up 6-6. Melrose fell 16-12 before Sean Herbert took victory in the 138. And a pin by Melrose’s Steven Macintosh flipped the meet, and Melrose took a lead of 24-18. Melrose’s Mike Calvert pinned his opponent just 1:00 into the first to lift Melrose 30-16. And in just 35 seconds Lou Izzi got a pin in the 161 that had Melrose take a 36-16 lead.
Cam Rosie continued the good times in the 170 with a pin in the first. Melrose began to run away with the meet when Isaac Seide pinned his opponent in the second to make it a 48-16 contest. Freshmen Matt Hickey impressed in the 195, pinning his opponent with 35 seconds left in the first. Melrose held a 54-16 lead when Jackson Curran entered the mat and he prevailed in an impressive 9-5 decision. Melrose ultimately took the 57-22 victory.
On Tuesday, Melrose competed for the first time at Melrose’s historic Memorial Hall against rival Wakefield, who prevailed in a nail biter, 36-30. It was the perfect venue as it has held professional boxing in recent years and the brainchild of Melrose coach James Bleiler, who, long with Melrose and Wakefield athletic directors and coaches, saw the benefit of competing in a amphitheater setting, with the idea of having music and concessions. “This was something I’ve been wanting to do for a while,” says Bleiler. “The Wakefield coach and both our AD’s were up for it. It’s a great way to promote the sport to have it in such a venue. It elevates the game and the kids were psyched to be there.”
Fans got to witness a down-to-the-wire thriller with the two teams locked in a tie at 30 before the final two matches of the night. Wakefield prevailed with back-to-back decisions in the 220 and 285 classes and earned not just the win but the ML League title.
In the 106 Luke Fitzgerald pinned Melrose’s Tom Brodeur at 1:09. In the 113 Melrose’s Hunter Adrian pinned Anslem Schools at 1:05. In the 120 Chris Alves earned a decision over Melrose’s Joe Denton 10-8. In the 126 Aidan Armstrong pinned Melrose’s ChongQing Peng at :25. Melrose’s Dan Freed pinned Tyler Newman at 3:45 in the 132. In the 138 Melrose’s Sean Herbert pinned Brock Johnson at 1:53. In the 145 Melrose’s Steve MacIntosh pined Matt Cunningham at 1:09. In the 152 Melrose’s Mike Calvert had a decision over Jake Goodchild 5-2. In the 160 Kevin Tran pinned Melrose’s Louis Izzi at 3:01. In the 170 Mike Yirrell earned a decision over Cam Rosie 11-7.
In the 182 Melrose’s Isaac Seide earned a major decision over Robbie Fossett 17-7, giving Melrose a six point edge. But in the 195 Aiden Coleman pinned Melrose’s Matt Hickey at 3:24 tying it up 30-30. In the 220 Derek DiMascio (W) earned a decision over Jackson Curran 5-3 and in the finale at 285 Dan Lamonica earned a decision over Eric Pimentel 7-2 for a 36-30 final.
On Melrose’s radar: their hosting of the Div. 3 North sectionals, an all-day event on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Melrose Middle School gym. It’s the perfect chance for inspiring athletes to see the best wrestlers in the state compete for a medal. Expect the state champion Red Raiders to be in the thick of it.
