Longtime Winchester coach Larry Tremblay takes reigns
Published December 14, 2018
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High School wrestling team welcomes a new coach this season—and they went big with this one.
Larry “Legend” Tremblay, the winningest coach in Massachusetts wrestling history, is now the head coach of the Melrose Red Raiders. Tremblay spent nearly 40 years at Winchester, where he compiled a record of 729-95-5 up until last spring. That includes seven state titles and 26 Middlesex League titles.
Last year he led the Sachems to a 26-0 dual meet record, a Middlesex League championship and a Division 2 Metro team title, earning him Div. 2 Coach of the Year honors by The Boston Globe.
Tremblay takes over for another super coach, 2017 Div. 3 Coach of the Year Jim Bleiler who—along with asst. coach Tim Morris — have moved on this year after more than a decade of coaching Melrose, and bringing the Red Raiders to a 2017 state championship. Bleiler and Morris leave very deep shoes to fill, but with a resume like Tremblay’s, you know the Red Raiders remain in great hands.
The new coach inherits a talented bunch, with some marquee talent and some holes to fill on the roster. But with a pair of state champion juniors, Sean Herbert and Hunter Adrian, Melrose is already looking at a long season and a foundation to build upon.
LARRY “LEGEND” Tremblay (left) takes his game to Melrose as the new head coach of the MHS wrestling team. (courtesy photo, Cory Thomas)
“This is a talented team and a great bunch of kids. I’m happy coaching them,” says Tremblay. “We’re drilling some basic moves and trying to spend little less time in the training room. You have to build a house with solid foundation before you add the bells and whistles. There’s always room to learn more.”
Adrian, a Boston Globe Athlete of the Year, was a perfect 50-0 last year in the 106 class to improve to 97-5 in his career. There isn’t much he hasn’t won; he already has two Div. 3 North titles, two Div. 3 State titles, and two All-State titles. Last year he won New Englands and once again went to Nationals. Being able to coach Adrian is, no doubt, like Christmas Day for Tremblay.
“This kid is a special talent,” he says. “He’s so driven and committed to the sport. He is the one who has made himself the player he is, because he puts himself out there, always training and looking to improve. He also is very smart and is an Ivy League recruit who has the potential to be one of the best wrestlers to ever come out of Massachusetts. A true pleasure to coach.”
Sean Herbert, last year’s state champ in the 138, has also impressed Tremblay. “He’s one of the slickest kids I’ve coached. You show him a move once, he’s got it. It’s like he can visualize what you’re explaining and then execute it quickly. Not only is he a great wrestler, I think he will be a great future coach.”
Tremblay also has the talent of Steven MacIntosh to help mold. “He had an impressive win over the weekend, he has lots of potential, especially as a tourney wrestler.”
Melrose competed in the Devin Ness Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Oliver Ames High School. Four wrestlers took the top spots to help Melrose place 8th with 119 points. Winners included newcomer Sean Thomas, who got his first varsity win in the 106 with a 9-7 devision over Mike Crowe of Methuen. His coach spoke of his effort. “He’s a great product of the youth wrestling system and works yard and shows good potential.”
In the 113, Hunter Adrian pinned Benny Herrera at 3:34 to complete a sweep of the field. In the 145, Steve MacIntosh pinned his opponent Zabian Cruz of Methuen to nab first. In the 152, Sean Herbert pinned Domenic Cirignano of Brockton for the top spot. Those who picked up an early bout wins were Matt Hickey in the 195, who beat a Marshfield opponent. Tremblay notes, “Matt is a special athlete. We want him to get healthy, because, even though he has a lot to learn in the sport, he has true potential.” The coach notes that he has also been impressed with Jacob Swan in the 182.
This season, expect to see on the mat Dan Freed, Shea Fogarty and Mike Maher in the 138, Thomas Brodeur in the 113, Jake Petitpas in the 120, Victor Rodriguez and Jake Rowe in the 160-170, captain Jackson Curran in the 220, along with Eric Pimental in the heavyweight.
Tremblay has brought in some talent with him. He will be assisted by coaches Nick Gamble, Hagai Brandon, Eric “Bubba” Johnson, Ryan O’Boyle and 2017 alum Antonio DiFronzo.
And while Melrose has top talent that will surely make some noise in the postseason, the coach would like to shore up the roster so each weight class is represented.
“We don’t want to start each dual meet down 24 points. There are holes to fill and I wish we had more bodies, but I think we will be a strong tournament team.”
The key, he says, is through commitment, training and buying into the system. “Ultimately,” he says. “We want to all pull the rope in the same direction.”
Melrose kicks off their season on Wednesday against Wilmington (post deadline) and on Saturday competes in Sons of Italy Wrestling Tournament at Shriner’s Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. Look for Melrose to earn some top spots.
