Adrian claims fourth All-State wrestling title
Hunter Adrian is swimming in some pretty special wrestling company today.
The Melrose senior standout became the third wrestler in state history to earn four All-State titles as he defeated Calvin Dalton of Salem, 9-3, in the 120-pound final. Adrian joins Joey Fendone of Central Catholic (2001-2004) and Christian Monserrat of Methuen (2011-2014) in that exclusive club.
“It’s a pretty unbelievable feeling,” said the Brownbound Adrian, who is 54-1 on the season and 211-6 for his career. “It just showed that all the hard work I put in paid off.”
Adrian was joined in the winner’s circle by teammate Sean Herbert. The 152pounder defeated Canton’s Eddie Marinelli, 7-2, to capture that elusive All-State. It was a special vindication for Herbert, who was disqualified on this same stage a year ago.
“People doubted I could get back here, but I put in so much time and effort,” said Herbert, who a key member of Melrose’s Division 4 state championship football team. “I had to change my style and attitude and I owe that to my coaches and my parents.”
Maximillian Leete of Danvers is on his way to joining Adrian in the four-time AllState champion club. Leete ran his record to 53-0 as he handled Patrick Hughes of Chelmsford, 13-3, in the 126pound final for his third AllState title.
Danvers earned a second All-State title as Russell Canova defeated Michael Baldwin of Hampshire in overtime, 7-5. The victory was his 51st on the season and improved his career mark to 166-22.
Springfield Central successfully defended its AllState team title, cruising to a victory with 119 points. Central Catholic placed second (70.5), followed by Chelmsford (70), while Melrose and St. John’s Prep tied for fourth with 68 points. The Golden
Eagles had a pair of champions in Mahari Miller (145 pounds) and Darby McLaughlin (195).
“We have a really special group of kids who are very tough,” said Springfield Central coach Darby McLaughlin, whose son was the 195pound champion. “The seniors really did a great job of bringing in the younger kids along. It was really a nice mix, a good group of kids to coach.”
It was a split decision for the Soda brothers from Burlington. Zach Soda handed Monty Tech standout Isiac Paulino his first loss, 3-1, in overtime in the 106-pound final. Cam Soda saw his dreams of an All-State title end one match short as Chelmsford’s Evan Kinney earned a 5-3 win in the 113pound final.
Nashoba also placed two wrestlers in the state finals. Binghamton-bound Brevin Cassella moved up a weight class and wasn’t fazed as he captured the 160-pound title by pinning Dominic Sackley of Franklin in 2:17. Nashoba freshman Joshua Cordio had a solid run to the 170-pound final before losing to C.J. Glaropoulos of Mansfield, 3-2.
Kaya Bogle of Hingham won the 132-pound title, building up a big early lead and went on to defeat Ethan Ford of North Andover, 11-7. Central Catholic’s Mike Glynn shook off an first-period leg injury and went on to defeat Newton South’s Adam Bernhardt, 11-3, in the 138-pound final.
Other winners included Milford’s Joao Neiva at 225 pounds and Antonio Ramos of Agawam at heavyweight.
The second All-State girls wrestling tournament was no different than the first one for Malden’s Yohanni Costa.
The junior standout earned her second straight All-State title as she pinned Tayla Tildsley of Shawsheen in the 149-pound final. The MIAA decision to create an all-girls tournament last year has been a blessing for Costa, a native of Brazil, who was introduced to jiu-jitsu and picked up wrestling when they came over to the U.S.
“I started wrestling when I was a freshman, but I kept losing because I had to wrestle the boys, so it was discouraging,” Costa admitted. “Then once they started girls states and I won, I realized I have what it takes.”
Costa wasn’t the only member of her family to appear in the girls tournament. Her sister Hayeni wasn’t as lucky in her 162pound final, she suffered a fall to defending state champion, Samantha Springer of Springfield Central.
The only other team to send multiple girls to the finals also turned out to be the only team to crown multiple champs. Chicopee’s Janiah Baez won her second straight state title when she pinned Triton’s Tori Orender in the 108-pound final. Her teammate Shannon Mitchell was unchallenged in the 217-pound final.
In arguably the deepest weight class, Stoughton’s Anna DaSilva knocked off Wakefield’s talented Ana Valdevino in the semifinal, then completed her run to the 113-pound title as she used an early front headlock and a tough leg ride on top to pin North Andover’s Kenlei Milovanovic.
Woburn’s Sophia Matthews secured her second state title as she defeated Whitman-Hanson’s Bethany Ralph in the 120-pound final. Sophia set up an early takedown and never let her foot off the gas, finishing with a fall in the second period.
Other winners included Holyoke’s Ishani Morales (129), Monty Tech’s Lai-Lani Hendricks (138), and Whittier’s Catherine McNulty (177).