Melrose (2-0) already beating ML large opponents
Published May 14, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—One would forgive the reigning state champion Melrose High wrestling team for showing a little rust after a 16 month delay to their 2021 season, which is now being played during this MIAA spring season. But for Melrose coach Larry Tremblay and his Red Raider squad, they are willing to play any time of year to get a chance to savor more victories.
Melrose is off to an unbeaten 2-0 start after wins over Middlesex Large teams Woburn and Arlington. Given the incredible amount of talent they lost last season (multi year state champions Sean Hebert and Hunter Adrian come to mind) to begin this strong is a great indication of the winning culture the team has formed for nearly a decade.
According to coach Larry Tremblay, not only is it great to be back, but the level of commitment he’s seeing from his wrestlers is admirable, despite playing in such an odd time of year. “We have a lot of good kids playing lacrosse and other sports right now, but we didn’t get hit as bad as other schools. I was hoping we could use some 8th graders but the league voted against waivers. So, we only have to give up two weight classes and are still winning.”
Melrose returns with captains Jake Swan, Jake Petitpas, state champ Sean Thomas and Matt Hickey. They are a group that takes the sport seriously. “They did some nice work on the off season,” says the coach. “And it shows, watching them compete right now. And I’m excited about the freshman and sophomores. They may not have all the techniques right now but they have a lot of heart.”
Melrose dominated Woburn for a win to start the season during their home opener on May 7 at Melrose High. The score was an astronomical one at 51-3. Enjoying pins were Sean Thomas, senior captain Matt Hickey, Nico Chiulli, Ian Gauch, Jake Swan and Otto Albanese. Jake Petitpas enjoyed an 11-5 decision over this opponent and the team benefitted from some Woburn weight forfeits that put Melrose ahead, not looking back.
But it was against Arlington at home on Tuesday night that Melrose squeaked out a narrow 34-33 win in which every point counted, and it brought Melrose to 2-0 on the season.
After a major decision by Sean Thomas, Melrose’s Jake Petitpas pinned his opponent in the first to give Melrose a key 15-12 lead and Mike Maher took a Spy Ponder forfeit to give Melrose a larger lead of 22-16. Otto Albanese took a decision over his opponent and Melrose held a narrow 25-18 lead. But after two pins in the 160 and 170 weight class, Arlington retook the lead 30-25 goin into the 182. Sophomore Ian Gauch put up a beast of a fight in the 182 but lost by a decision to keep Arlington ahead 33-25. Melrose would need big showings from their heavy weights and they got them thanks to seniors Jake Swan and Matt Hickey.
Swan clinched a critical 4-2 decision that put Melrose in a great place entering the final bout of the night: Matt Hickey in the 220. It took Hickey only 46 seconds to take pin his Spy Ponder opponent, giving Melrose the critical 34-33 needed to steal victory.
After the meet, Tremblay pointed out that beating Arlington was a signature win. “That’s a really good team and this was a big win for us. Nick [Gamble] researched this team and we knew it would be tight. So, Hickey’s pin was incredible. We needed those points. Overall I’m happy. Our freshman fought hard. We got to flip first, so Arlington had to put out first in certain weights. Because they had a couple forfeits, it worked out.”
While Melrose’s season won’t include any MIAA playoffs, their competition is pretty solid. Melrose will battle all ML 12 teams, so there is plenty of level of difficulty coming up. Says Tremblay. “The big teams like Wakefield and Winchester are still to come. But this was one that we wanted to get out of the way.”
Next up, Melrose will host Wilmington this Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. With fan restrictions in place, fans can livestream at Melrose High TV on Youtube at tinyurl.com/MelroseLive.
