Melrose sweeps Div. 3 North; fights for State title on Sat.
Published in the February 16, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was another historic showing for the reigning state champ Melrose Red Raider wrestling team, who on Saturday, February 10 repeated their D3 North Champion title at the MIAA Div. 3 North Sectional at Melrose High School. It represents Melrose’s second straight Sectional win and Melrose’s 6th all-time North victory. For Melrose, it’s time to update the athletic banners.
“Our guys rose to the challenge,” said Melrose head coach James Bleiler. “I’m proud of the whole team for earning this repeat victory.”
Earning individual sectional titles were current All-State champion Hunter Adrian in the106 weight class, junior Isaac Seide in the 182, Sean Herbert in 138 and Steve Macintosh in the 145. Helping to earn Melrose’s 218 points with spots on the podium were Mike Calvert (second in the 12) Jackson Curran (2nd in the 220) and Cam Rosie (3rd in the 170).
THE MELROSE Red Raider wrestling team earned their second straight Div. 3 North Sectional title on Feb. 10. On Saturday, they look to repeat their State Title. (courtesy photo)
To get there, Melrose had top rival Wakefield, who placed second with 206 points. “We knew [Wakefield] would be strong, since we saw them at leagues” says Bleiler.
Competing for Melrose on Saturday were Cam Rosie, Chong Qing Ping, Eric Pimental, Hunter Adrian, Issac Seide, Jackson Curran, Joe Denton, Lou Izzi, Matt Hickey, Mike Calvert, Sean Herbert, Stephen MacIntosh and Thomas Brodeur. Four of the five Melrose wrestlers who advanced to finals prevailed with wins.
According to coach Bleiler, the match of the day was the upset win by Steven MacIntosh, who saw his #1 seed rival, Jared Purkin of Triton, bump up a weight and unprepared for MacIntosh, a junior standout. Says Bleiler, “I don’t think they saw him coming.” MacIntosh dominated and had Durkin on his back several times before earning a 16-5 major decision. “That was the match of the day,” says his coach.
For his efforts, MacIntosh was awarded Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament.
Bleiler tipped his cap to all his team’s first place performers. “Sean [Herbert] took an easy win, as well as Hunter, and Issac always gets the job done.”
While Melrose’s top four helped the Raiders go deep in tournament play, their success also comes behind the efforts of wrestlers who place high, such as Calvert, Curran and Rosie. Calvert had a great run in the 152, only falling in finals to Anthony Ostrander of Triton, while Curran showed the coach he can contend with the best when he advanced to finals and fell to winner Derek Dimascio of Wakefield. “That was a close decision against Wakefield. Like Cam, he has the ability to go deep and we will need them to for States.”
Melrose has more reason to celebrate. Sophomore Sean Herbert recently celebrated his 100th win of his high school career.
This weekend, Melrose will fight to retain their Div. 3 State title at the MIAA D3 State Finals at Wakefield High starting on Friday. First round matches begin at 4:15 p.m. and continue on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. until Championship matches, which begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Fans will want to be on hand to see if Melrose can defend their state title. “I always like our chances, we need every guy to earn points so we can go deep,” says Bleiler.
Look for teams such as Dedham, Foxboro, Wayland, Norton and Wakefield to be in the mix with Melrose. Fans are encouraged to visit www.miaa.net for up to date tournament information.
