League champ wrestlers will be hard to pin down

Melrose earns a league win to ring in new year

Published January 3, 2020

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider wrestling team has been one of the marquee teams in the state for the last four years, crowning numerous state champions and earning a team state title, and now they return to the 2020 season with high expectations to remain a league and sectional favorite.

Coach Larry Tremblay, now in his second year at MHS, sees a great amount of potential. It helps, of course, having two state champions return this year.

Senior captains Sean Herbert and Hunter Adrian return as multi-year state champions, and Adrian, a two-time New England champ. Having such pedigree already puts Melrose at the top of the pack statewide and guarantees an extended postseason. But in order for them to meet their goals, they will need a cast of wrestlers who will collectively keep them on the winning side this winter. No problem there. Melrose returns several seasoned veterans and welcomes a healthy amount of talented freshmen that could keep Melrose competitive for a good while.

Leading the team as captains are Adrian, Herbert, Victor Rodriguez and Eric Pimental. Just last weekend the team competed strongly at the annual George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament. Adrian, as expected, was crowned champ in the 120 lb. Herbert, who won it last year, had to sit this one out due to an ankle injury after an exceptional football season, but should be back in the mix soon.

“Hunter remains undefeated and took the top spot at the Sons of Italy Tournament too,” reports coach Tremblay. “We expect it to be a long season for him. Sean is returning from a Super Bowl season and is nearly back to 100% health. We’re obviously expecting big things from these guys.”

He also points to the efforts of returning wrestlers Eric Pimental (285lb) (Victor Rodriguez (160 lb) and Jacob Swan (182 lb), who competed great at Bossi, all qualifying for a second-day appearance, and helping Melrose take an overall 26th finish (which would have been higher had Herbert competed.) Tremblay says, “Victor worked incredibly hard on the offseason and looks great.” Swan, meanwhile, had a nice third-place finish at the Sons of Italy as well. “He’s off to a great start,” reports the coach. And Eric Pimental’s experience is proving itself on the mat. “He’s going to have a big season,” says his coach. New freshman wrestler Oto Albanese made a name for himself at Bossi, taking two wins and competing for Day 2.

Among others wrestling this season are juniors Alex Loch, Jake Petitpas, Chris Maher (who beat Braden Fleming on Saturday) and Michael Maher, returning sophomores Shea Fogarty, Robert Morrison, and Sean Thomas (who beat Mike Follo of Pinkerton on Saturday). There are also several talented freshmen who are helping round out the weight classes. They include Oto Albanese, Yusuf Beg, Stephen Fogarty (who beat Luke Leuiro on Saturday), Ian Gauch, Sean Mackey and Alex McLaughlin. Says Tremblay, “Many of these kids have wrestled for many years so they love the sport. We’re excited to see them develop.”

Weight classes may appear as the following: 106-Sean Thomas, Shea Fogarty, 113-Petitpas, Albanese, McLaughlin, 120-Adrian, 126-Steve Fogarty, 132-Bob Morrison, 138- Mike Maher, 160- Victor Rodriguez, 145 CJ Maher, 152-Herbert, 170-Alex Loch, 182-Jacob Swan, 220-Matt Hickey and 270-Eric Pimental. At press time, Melrose was looking to fill the 195 spot.

The Red Raiders may get off to a slow start with several Raiders sidelined with injuries, such as Matt Hickey, Sean Thomas, Sean Herbert, Jake Petitpas and Shea Fogarty. But that didn’t prevent them from taking their first league win over Wilmington, which has them 1-0 on the season. Some injuries are more superficial than others, but the coach predicts when they roster a complete and healthy lineup, Melrose will emerge as a team to be reckoned with in the North.

He concludes, “As we all know, it’s not how you end, it’s how you finish.”

2020 Schedule 

12/27-12/28  @ Lowell Holiday

01/02/20 7:00 PM @ Tyngsborough

01/04/20 TBA vs Minnechaug

01/08/20 7:00 PM vs Burlington (Marcoux Gym, home)

01/10/20 TBA @ Open, Sullivan Comm. College

01/11/20 TBA @ North Reading

01/15/20 4:00 PM @ Pentucket

01/18/20 TBA @ Super Quad, Holliston

01/22/20 7:00 PM vs Excel Academy (home)

01/25/20 TBA vs Ridgefield Academy

01/29/20 7:00 PM vs Watertown (home) 

02/01/20 TBA vs Methuen

02/05/20 7:00 PM vs Wakefield (Melrose Memorial Hall)

02/08/20 TBA @ Ashland, Div. 3 State Dual Champ.

02/12/20 7:00 PM vs Woburn HS (home) 

02/15/20 TBA vs  MIAA Division 3 North