Wakefield beats Burlington on Cunningham’s pin
Published in the January 25, 2018 edition
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — For the second time this season, it all came down to the last match for the Wakefield High wrestling team.
AIDAN ARMSTRONG maintained his reputation as one of Wakefield’s best wrestlers by coming up with a huge pin in 39 seconds against Burlington last night. Armstrong’s pin at 132 set up freshman Matt Cunningham to win the meet for Wakefield and give the Warriors a share of the Freedom title. (Donna Larsson Photo)
With the Warriors down 39-36 last night in Burlington, freshman Matt Cunningham stepped into the circle in the last match of the meet, with the Freedom Division hanging in the balance. A loss would mean the Red Devils would not only win the match, but tie Wakefield’s division record at 2-1. A win would push the Warriors to a 3-0 Freedom record and at least a share of the championship belt.
Cunningham responded by pinning Burlington’s Jack Freedian in 1:38, and Wakefield left town with an 18-3 overall record and a brand new trophy for the WMHS athletic department.
Senior co-captain Jake Goodchild opened up the meet for the Warriors with a pin in 1:56. Goodchild was wrestling in the 152 weight class, up from his typical 145, but he got the job done like he has been doing all season for Wakefield.
A BRIGHT LIGHT shone down on the opening match of the meet between the Warriors and Red Devils at Burlington High School last night. Jake Goodchild kicked things off with a pin in 1:56 at the 152 weight class. (Courtesy Photo)
Mike Yirrell got the next win for Wakefield, a pin in 1:29 at 170 lbs.
The two teams alternated wins for the first four matches until the Warriors rattled off three in a row, led by senior co-captain Aiden Coleman, who pinned Burlington’s Luke Lord in 3:31 at 195.
Wakefield then got a forfeit win for Sam Valenti at 220 followed by a Derek DiMascio pin in 3:13 at 285 lbs.
With the Warriors threatening to take complete control, the Red Devils responded on their home mats with four consecutive wins at 106, 113, 120 and 126.
That run put Burlington up with six match wins to Wakefield’s five.
With three matches remaining, Aidan Armstrong stepped up at the 132 weight class, and made quick work of Burlington’s Alex Markarian with a pin in 39 seconds.
Burlington would win the next one at 138, setting up Cunningham’s heroics at 145.
The two teams ended up splitting match wins at seven apiece, but Wakefield won on bonus points, thanks in part to getting six pins while the Red Devils got five.
This win was a good microcosm of the season as it featured great work and leadership from Wakefield’s upperclassmen to put them in position to win, while also giving fans a glimpse of the future with gutsy performances from the younger Warriors who refuse to shy away from big moments.
Much like they have all season, Wakefield will continue to ride the momentum of a big win into their next tournament, this time the Middlesex League Meet which will take place at the Charbonneau Field House on Saturday at 10 a.m.
The Warriors will then wrestle Melrose on Wednesday, Jan. 31. A win will guarantee sole possession of a Freedom Division Championship.
