Clear skies as Melrose stays unbeaten at 5-0
Published May 28, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
BURLINGTON—The undefeated Melrose High wrestling team moves to 5-0 on the season after a thrilling 42-30 victory over Burlington last Friday evening under clear skies at the Burlington High School football field.
It was a first for Melrose to compete in a dual meet outside, and this event was considered a must-win for Melrose to improve their odds of earning a ML Freedom title and remain unbeaten. But it was mission accomplished as the Red Raiders beat a very competitive Burlington team who is home to individual state champs. Melrose prevailed thanks to a mix of major decisions and pins in an absolute team effort.
“We knew this was going to be a tough meet and we had to be strategic with our lineup,” says Melrose head coach Larry Tremblay after the meet. “On paper, Burlington looked like they could beat us, and we had to give up a few weight classes, but we had some fantastics pins by the boys to pull it off.”
Indeed, Melrose had one of their most impressive outings of the season. From the beginning, Melrose was on the board when state champ and team captain Sean Thomas took points on a forfeit and senior Jake Petitpas earned a key pin early to keep Melrose ahead in the opening rounds.
Coach Tremblay offered widespread praise for first year wrestler Nick Tremblay, who subbed in the 145, and earned a key pin in the first period. “He competed great and game up enormous for us,” says the coach. “We couldn’t believe it.”
He also praised sophomore Alec McLaughlin, who dropped down to the 120 and prevailed with a critical pin too. “He may be having one of the best years of all. So impressive for a sophomore.” He also pointed to the efforts of Otto Albanese who was strategically bumped up to the 152, “He had a great pin against a sectional finalist.”
It was all the marbles on the table when heavyweights Matt Hickey and Jake Swan hit the mats.
The senior captain Hickey pulled out a hard fought 9-2 decision over a sectional champ in the 220, earning Melrose some critical points. Then Swan sealed the deal in the heavyweight. “He just iced it for us,” says Tremblay. “Matt and Jake just saved us and we’re so proud of them.”
One player that has made a huge impression is sophomore Ian Gauch, who clinched a decision in the 182. “Let me tell you…this kid is a fighter,” says the coach. “He just is tenacious out there. He’s come up so big for us. Works incredibly hard.”
It’s been that kind of season for Melrose, who will take on Lexington and Winchester in the coming days. Not to mention a season finale against Wakefield. The competition is only getting better. And right now Melrose has an eye dropping six wrestlers who are undefeated on the season: Sean Thomas, Alec McLaughlin, Jake Petitpas, Otto Albanese, Jake Swan and Matt Hickey. Says Tremblay, “I can’t say enough about our undefeated wrestlers, but I’m equally happy about our four freshmen. We have some great young players who are giving it their all and it shows on the mat.”
Next up: Melrose will travel to Winchester to face a talented Sachem team at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. They hope to remain unbeaten on the season. Stay tuned.
