Merrimack Valley Conference teams look strong again
The Merrimack Valley Conference already prides itself on being the best league in the state from top to bottom.
Good luck trying to discuss that this year.
The MVC has already flexed its muscles, as evidenced by the fact that five member schools won different tournaments on the same day. The depth of quality teams in the league is scary and there doesn’t seem to be any let-up.
“I thought the league was tough last year and it’s even tougher this year,” said Chelmsford manager Chris Piscione. “I warned the kids before the season started that the league schedule is very tough and they will be challenged.”
Chelmsford is led by standout heavyweights Thomas Brown, Jack Walsh (160), Manny Marshall (152), Aidan Sherman (182) and Bobby Hennessey (138). Central Catholic brings back plenty of talent in Cole Glynn (106), Jackie Dehney (120), Nick Spero (132), Ashley Dehney (138), James Bohenrko (145), Jason Belkis (152), Mark Pappalardo (160), Nate Blanchette (182), Luke Guifrida (285), and transfers Isiah Santiago (113) and Caden Chase (170).
Methuen ran away at the Anthony Lisitano Memorial behind Anthony Demaio (126), Dominic Gangi (113), Dylan Panas (220), Jared Rao (195), Joseph Bolduc (182), Joseph Tavares (120) and Vincent Demaio (152). Lowell is looking good again as Damien Pak (126), Emmett Logan (106) and Quin Foyle (152) lead a team capable of making noise.
Andover is led by Yandel Morales (106), Jason Ballou (120), Nick Archambault (126), Lucas Oliveira (160), Will Sheehan (182) and Jason Osborne (285). Brent Nicolosi (160), Michael Morris (106), Cale Wood Jr. (120), Jayden Flanagan (152) are back for Haverhill along with newcomers Shea Morris (113) and Matt Harold (220).
The MVC teams will be shooting after St. John’s Prep, which dominated the New England scene last year. The Eagles won every postseason tournament, including the New Englands, becoming the first Bay State school to capture that elusive crown since Lowell in 2007. Back for Manny Costa are Alex Schaeublin (113), Rawson Iwanicki (160), Elias Hajali (126). His heavyweights Charlie Smith and Alex Bajoras and transfer Jayden D’Ambrosio (138).
Shawsheen is another team that has the ability to establish themselves as top dogs in Division 1 as the Rams have large numbers and most of them are underclass men. All-Scholastics James Tildsley (132) and Sidney Tildsley (138) lead a talented group that includes Brayton Carbone (120) and Caleb Caceres (145).
Adilson Galvao has done a great job of making Taunton a Hockomock League force. Back for the Tigers are Ethan Harris (182), Logan Frank (220), Ben Mandeville (145), Xavier Sandoval (132). Natick is led by Louie Linton (120), Shaun McLaughlin (132), Mike Anniballi (160), Tucker Vician (182) and Bennett Sonneborn (195).
Newton North will rely on Benjamin Brenner (152), Jon Jaregui (182), Marcus Davis (285) and Alex Morefield (195) to lead the way as the younger wrestlers mature. Framingham looks to the likes of Dan Sullivan (126), Diego Rivera (132) and Charlie Cosgrove (160), while Newton South should be solid in the lighter weights with Alex Rhein (113), Freya Munshi (120) and Dylan Kadish (126 ) and Tyler Kadisch (138).
Milford rolled to Div. 2 state title last year and has his sights set on a repeat. New England heavyweight champion Hampton Haye is back, along with Aidan Baum (113), Mikey Boulanger (126), Ryan Donovan (152) and Robbie Lyons (120). Minnechaug could be a team to reckon with as Cam Ice (145) and Elliott Humphries (152) lead a solid group of returners.
Hingham brings back Jack Kelleher (138), Mike Schwartz (182) and Sam Oppedisano (220). Bridgewater-Raynham has one of the better 195-pounders in Nathan Leach, while Cole Bearce (160) and Heath McGilvray (220) clinched titles for Plymouth South at the Devin Ness Tournament. Sharon is led by Ashmith Yeruva (106), Vehnil Rangaraman (120), Cam Birnbaum (126), Nick Varvak (132) and Cormac Horlbogen (182).
Melrose ruled the quarters in Div. 3 and Larry “Legend” Tremblay will be leaning heavily on captains Oto Albanese (160), Shea Fogarty (152), Alec McLaughlin (132/138) and heavyweight Brayden Marceau-Olayinka along with Michael Thomas (113).
Wakefield should have a solid doubles formation with Gavin Bayers (113), Andrew Valley (126), Tommy Grover (132), Brian Fabbri (126/132), Oisin Cullen (145), Sean Callanan (152), Zach Arria (170) , Joe Lamonica (195) and Aydin Lamb (138) return. Burlington’s top wrestlers should be Marcus Tucci (182), Jaden Alford (170) and Ahmad Kiswani (195).
Tewksbury is another strong entry from the MVC. The Redmen will expect big things from the likes of Jack Callahan (126), Hunter Johnson (145), Jack Donovan (138), Paxton Green (195), Sean Hirtle (170), Manny Mengata (220) and Nick Desisto (106) . Triton has Ashton Wonson (220), Antonio Sforza (285) and Douglas Aylward (182).
Pete Zacchilli points Ashland in the right direction. The Clockers have two standouts in Patrick Deslauriers (220) and Adrian Guzman (152), as well as Anton Puhach (182), Cameron Antoniuk (145), Liam Fleming (170) and Nora Quitt (138). Evergreen Norton has Jason Winston (132), Gabriel Thomasson (170), Dimitar Yotsov (160) and Danyel Ayala (285) back.
Top wrestlers to watch
106: Cole Glynn (Central Catholic), Emmett Logan (Lowell), Charlie Lussier (Whitman-Hanson), Yandel Morales (Andover), Nick Desisto (Tewksbury)
113: Aidan Baum (Milford), Isiah Santiago (Central Catholic), Alex Schaeublin (St. John’s Prep). Michael Thomas (Melrose)
120: Miles Darling (Masconomet/Essex Tech), Conor Gavin (Waltham), Louie Linton (Natick), Brandon Winn (Brockton), Cale Wood Jr (Haverhill)
126: Mikey Boulanger (Milford), Jack Callahan (Tewksbury), Elias Hajali (St John’s Prep), Dylan Kadish (Newton South), Damien Pak (Lowell)
132: Shaun McLaughlin (Natick), Jonah Paulino (Monty Tech), Xavier Sandoval (Taunton)
138: Jayden D’Ambrosio (St. John’s Prep), Tyler Kadish (Newton South), Jack Kelleher (Hingham)
145: Matthew Bobola (Xaverian), James Bohenko (Central Catholic), Lucas Connolly (Northeast/Bishop Fenwick), Aidan Guiliani (Whitman-Hanson), Cam Ice (Minnechaug), Ben Mandeville (Taunton), Anthony Mann (Hanover)
152: Vincent Demaio (Methuen), Quin Foyle (Lowell), Adrian Guzman (Ashland), Elliot Humphries (Minnechaug), Hunter Johnson (Tewksbury), Mark Lattimore (Brockton), Drew McGourty (Braintree)
160: Oto Albanese (Melrose), Mike Anniballi (Natick), Brock Desmarais (Tyngsboro/Dracut), Rawson Iwanicki (St. John’s Prep), Brent Nicolosi (Haverhill), Noah Poirier (Taconic), Joseph Tully (Carver), Jack Walsh (Chelmsford)
170: Caden Chase (Central Catholic), Rafael Knapp (Algonquin)
182: Nate Blanchette (Central Catholic), Sam Dean (Minnechaug), Ethan Harris (Taunton), Mason Pellegri (Milton), Anton Puhach (Ashland), Tucker Vician (Natick)
195: Nathan Leach (Bridgewater-Raynham), Bennett Sonneborn (Natick), Mike Toppan (Gloucester)
220: Patrick Deslauriers (Ashland), Logan Frank (Taunton), Matt Harrold (Haverhill), Manny Mengata (Tewksbury), Jaydan Toppan (Gloucester), Ashton Wonson (Triton)
285: Thomas Brown (Chelmsford), Hampton Kaye-Kuter (Milford), Brayden Marceau-Olayinka (Melrose)
