Gotta hand it to Hanover
Program soars via consistency, dedication
Hanover wrestling coach Andy Cook isn’t shy about pushing the envelope.
A year after his program established a school record with 22 wins, the primary goal was to exceed that mark. The Indians have not disappointed. Cook’s charges have already surpassed that lofty number, heading into the home stretch with an impressive 23-4 record.
“You always want to try and be better than you were last year,” Cook said. “We knew we had a lot of guys coming back, so we felt we were capable of this.”
The core group of this team are the four senior captains: Danny Ryan (132 pounds), Hunter Gillis (145), Damien Galotti (152) and Coleman Lambert (182). Ryan recently broke Tim Dann’s school standard for career wins with 106, whole Gillis and Galotti recently cracked the 100-win mark.
“When we started a youth program here years ago, this was the first group of kids involved,” Cook said. “It’s nice to see them grow up and come into the program.”
The Indians also have received key efforts from Matt McLeod (126), Rian Boutin (138) and Jack Bolster (195). It was Bolster who won the final match of the meet to give his team a dramatic 4039 victory against Cohasset.
One thing Cook has tried to push to his veteran wrestlers is the idea of maintaining the program. He constantly preaches the mantra of leaving it in better shape than the year before.
So far, so good.
Lions still have bite
Chelmsford was expected to take a major step back after graduating 16 seniors from last year’s Div. 1 state championship squad.
The Lions have refused to buy into that notion.
A virtually new cast of characters have helped lead Chelmsford to an 18-4 record, including a solid 6-3 mark in the ever-competitive Merrimack Valley Conference. Even normally optimistic head coach Bruce Rich is pleasantly surprised by the start.
“Because we are a very young team, I really didn’t expect that,” Rich admitted. “A lot of people thought we would be rebuilding, but these kids have worked very hard in the offseason. They really have a terrific work ethic.”
What has helped the cause a great deal are a pair of first-year wrestlers, seniors Thomas Marshall (220/285 pounds) and Ben Rossano (182/195). Both have stepped up in key moments to give the Lions huge boosts.
“Thomas really only came out to get himself into shape for lacrosse and he winds up with a huge victory in our match against Methuen,” Rich said. “Ben was a kid who had no idea what he was doing when he first came out, but he’s a fast learner with a big motor and a huge heart. Seeing him improve and win matches is awesome.”
The future is bright as freshmen Patrick Hughes (106) and Evan Goodall (138) have been dominant along with senior standout Joe Vecchione (170). Goodall is currently ranked the top freshman wrestler in the state, something Rich completely agrees with.
“Evan has put in a lot of time wrestling,” Rich said. “He spent two months in the summer wrestling with the Ohio wrestlers and he works out with Doughboy Wrestling Camp, so the proof is in the pudding.”
Heller nets 100th
BC High wrestling coach Grant Heller earned his
100th career win last week at the expense of archrival
Catholic Memorial, 48-33. The victory improved the Eagles’ record to 21-13 on the season. ...
Masconomet captured the Cape Ann League/ Northeastern Conference team championship, scoring 145 points. Jack Darling (120), Trevor Nugent (106) and Liam McAveney (126) all captured individual titles for the Chieftains. ...
Hingham (22-2) rolled to its fifth straight Patriot League Keenan title with a 53-0 victory over Whitman
Hanson. ... Melrose served yet another reminder that it intends on being a major player for the Division 3 state championship with an impressive 46-25 victory over perennial power Shawsheen.