WOBURN — In what Marblehead-Swampscott Coach Michael Stamison described as an “emotional day” inside of Woburn Memorial High School, his Black and Blue grapplers finished eighth out of 13 teams in the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament.
“Sectionals is always a tough day with high-stakes matches and the risk that not everyone moves on to states,” Stamison said.
With 11 active wrestlers, the Black and Blue finished ahead of Greater Lawrence Tech, Tyngsboro-Dracut, Northeast Metro-Bishop Fenwick, Burlington, and Malden Catholic. Melrose (209.5 points) won the meet.
At 132 pounds, junior captain Liam O’Brien continued his stellar season and won his first sectional title. A last-second reversal against his Salem-Hamilton-Wenham opponent won him the title. O’Brien also captured three wins via pinfall against Malden Catholic, Billerica, and Woburn.
At 106 pounds and “battling a serious injury,” according to Stamison, sophomore Jaymes Carey showed his toughness, going 2-2 and securing fifth place and the alternate spot in the Division 2 state tournament to be held at Salem High this Friday and Saturday.
“If Jaymes doesn’t get into the tournament, he ends his season at a great 29-9, with his first career tournament wins coming at Pelham and the CAL/NEC (conference meet),” Stamison said. “The future is bright.”
Mason Hinshaw impressed in the 157-pound weight division, with Stamison referring to his wrestler as “inspiring.” Hinshaw went down with an injury against his Woburn opponent, but used all of his injury time before returning to gain a pin. Hinshaw had to settle for second place after a loss, but the performance was “a testament to just how tough and talented he is,” as said by Stamison.
Junior captain Colin Hart joined the 30-win club (O’Brien and Hinshaw) after a third-place finish at 190 pounds.
At 285 pounds, senior captain Justin Gonzalez was dominant, winning it all after a major-decision victory against a Nashoba opponent who defeated Gonzalez twice last season.
“He is wrestling the best he ever has,” Stamison said.
Senior captain Clive Connolly registered a win before losing a match to Melrose, ending his high school career before he heads off to Trinity.
“Clive was a four-year starter, placed in numerous tournaments for us over the years, and won about 50 matches for us,” Stamison said. “Moreover, Clive was a two-year captain and a captain in every sense.”
Alejandro Haven also wrapped up his strong career.
“He doubled his win total from last year to this year and proved that he can hang with the state’s best wrestlers,” Stamison said. “He was a tough out for opponents and was always well-conditioned, and won about 40 matches for us.”
Now, it’s on to the Division 2 state meet. O’Brien, Gonzalez, Hinshaw, and Hart are the team’s four qualifiers, while Carey will be an alternate and accompanied by Eva Goodman and Maya Alix, who will be wrestling in the girls’ division.
