OTTO ALBANESE goes for the kill during Melrose’s 45-33 victory over Danvers. (Jennifer Gentile photo)

 


Red Raiders’ depth paying dividends

 

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider wrestling team is 3-0 in their dual meet season after a fantastic start to 2022, including a solid appearance at the 2021 George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament and a clutch 45-33 dual meet win over Danvers at home on Dec. 30. So far this season, Melrose is showing the kind of depth that can bring them deep into a postseason, and certainly vie for a league title. One early advantage is that Melrose is not forfeiting any weight classes. Another is their strength in lighter weight classes which have been key to their unbeaten start.

The 2020 state champs hosted the Danvers Falcons at the Melrose Marcoux Gym on Dec. 30 and immediately took a healthy lead as Red Raider Marco Albanese earned 6 points in the 104 while freshman Mike Thomas pinned his opponent in the 113 for a quick 12-0 start. His brother, state champ and senior captain Sean Thomas also pinned his opponent in the 120, pulling Melrose ahead 18-0 just minutes into the meet. Melrose also saw fast pins from freshman Quinn Fogarty (pin in first, 126lb) and Alec McLaughlin (pin in second, 132lb) which put Melrose up 30-6. It only took junior captain Otto Albanese (145lb) twenty seconds for him to pin his opponent and Melrose took a 36-6 lead. There was just no stopping the Red Raiders as they rolled through the 152 and 160 weight classes. Brothers Steven and Shea Fogarty were up next. Steven pinned his opponent at the end of 1 for a 42-6 lead while senior captain Shea Fogarty prevailed on a 9-3 decision to put Melrose up 45-12. The Red Raiders held on to victory in the larger weight classes, the highlight of which was a dogfight from Melrose sophomore Gabe LaVerde in the 220, who pushed his Falcon opponent to three rounds.

 

SHEA FOGARTY was among those who came up with a win for the Melrose High wrestling team last week over Danvers. (Jennifer Gentile photo)

 

The win comes on the heels of Melrose’s first dual meet victory over Wilmington, 69-12.

The Red Raiders also took part in the 2021 George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament on Dec. 27 and saw great matches. Those picking up wins include Dom Delgado who nabbed a win over his Reading rival. Others proving victorious were Gabe LaVerde (2 victories), Steven Fogarty, Otto Albanese and Shea Fogarty. Marco Albanese had a day with three wins and extended his tourney into day two. Finally, senior captain Sean Thomas swept his way to the semifinals before falling to the eventual tourney champ for an overall 6th place finish in a field of 37 wrestlers.

Melrose’s busy season continues as they hit the road this weekend to Southington High before hosting Burlington on Wed. Jan 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Marcoux Gym.