PELHAM, N.H. — If you ask Marblehead-Swampscott wrestling coach Michael Stamison how he feels about Saturday’s annual Daniel Gionet Memorial Tournament at Pelham High in New Hampshire, he’ll say “still elated.
“It was our first team tournament win since January of 2018 (also at the Gionet),” he said. “We put our best 14 out there and they came through big time.”
The Black and Blue finished with 178.5 points, edging out sectional foe Tyngsborough/Dracut (170), Pentucket/Newburyport (156), and Pelham (133.5).
“Everyone fought. No one quit. That is what it takes,” Stamison said.
Jaymes Carey (106 pounds) won two matches via quick pinfalls. From there, in the finals against a grappler from Westerly, Rhode Island, he won, 19-3.
“Jaymes was dominant all day,” Stamison said.
Eva Goodman (113) chipped in with another win via pin and went 1-2.
At 132 pounds, captain Liam O’Brien continued his stellar season and captured his third Gionet championship. After a first-round bye, he pinned his opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals before taking down a Woonsocket wrestler, 4-3.
“Big win for him,” Stamison said.
Gary Podstrelov (138) went 3-2 with two wins coming via pinfall, while Devin DiBarri (2-2) and Andrew Delisle (1-2) both chipped in at 144 pounds.
Clive Connolly was “gritty,” according to Stamison, in a 150-pound win.
At 157 pounds, captain Mason Hinshaw rose to the occasion – yet again in his tremendous career – pinning his way through the tournament and joining O’Brien in the three-time Gionet champions club.
Alejandro Haven (165) went 3-2, Phineas Jakious (175) went 4-2, and Colin Hart (190) went 3-1 for a silver medal.
Then, the big stage.
Captain Justin Gonzalez (285) “quite literally brought the house down,” according to Stamison, and won his first gold medal to catapult the Black and Blue to the title.
“Anything other than a win from ‘Gonzo’ was not an option,” Stamison said. “Prior to overtime, the kids sitting around the mat were banging on the mat so hard that the referees had to tell them to stop. It was an electric atmosphere for an exciting finals match.”
