Expectations high for Melrose after historic season

Published in the December 15, 2017 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The 2017 reigning Div. 3 State Champion Melrose wrestling team returns after a historic season in which they became a first ever wrestling team of Melrose High to clinch a State title.

Are the expectations high?

Well, of course. And certainly they will have a target on their backs. But this winter, Melrose’s lineup looks slightly different, though no less talented, as Melrose returns All State Champion Hunter Adrian, not to mention a roster loaded with potential, ready to seize the moment once more and prove they Melrose is at the top of the Division.

THE REIGNING Melrose State Champion wrestling team returns to action this weekend with an appearance at the Wayland Tournament. (file photo)

According to head coach James Bleiler, Melrose has the makings of being a strong tournament team. “We have a lot of individual talent, obviously with an All State champ coming back and a solid lineup. We’ve been playing a little bit of catch up. Many of these kids came right off of the football field—from the Super Bowl—and it takes a while to get back into wrestling mode.”

One of those football standouts is junior sensation Isaac Siede, who returns in the 182 weight class. Senior captains, Cam Rosie and Mike Clavert, also return off the football field. Melrose’s talented underclass includes Steve McIntosh (145) and Sean Hebert (138) who showed great promise in tournament play last season and are expected to go deep in 2017-18. 

Adrian, meanwhile, will continue to compete in the 106 weight class and can be considered a favorite in the state. The sophomore rolled over competition last year, all the way to winning an All State crown. “He’s definitely a favorite and we expect him to dominate,” says his coach. Adrian earned some clutch wins when Melrose competed in the Middlesex All Star Dual last week at Burlington High. It’s just the beginning of what should be an other exciting season for Adrian.

A few illnesses and injuries have kept Melrose back in the early season, including heavyweight Jake Fortier, who Bleiler hopes to see back in the lineup soon. Melrose has plenty of other wrestlers in their arsenal, including Jackson Curran, Dan Fried, Matt Hickey, Jake Swan and Tom Brodeur.

Watch for Melrose to set their sights on winning the Middlesex League again this season. “We definitely want to stay on top of the league, find our groove and win a title,” says Bleiler. “Part of that is staying healthy and another part of that is finding spots for our new guys. It’s going to be a good season.”

Season Schedule 

Wed 12/13/17 @ Wilmington, 6

Sat 12/16/17 @ Wayland Holiday, 9:30

Wed 12/20/17 @ Wayland TBA

Sat 12/23/17 @ Chelmsford, 10

Thu 12/28/17 @ Lowell, TBD

Wed 1/3/18 vs. Malden Catholic, 7

Sat 1/6/18 @ Salem, 10

Sat 1/13/18 @ North Reading, TBA

Sat 1/13/18 @ Lynnfield, 10

Sat 1/13/18 @ North Reading, 10

Wed 1/17/18 @ Pentucket, 5

Sat 1/20/18 @ Lexington, 10:30

Wed 1/24/18 vs. Watertown, 7

Wed 1/31/18 v Wakefield, 7

Wed 2/7/18 @ Woburn, 7