A glimpse of N. Central’s grapplers of the decade
These 10 stood out for the Bulldogs
The past 10 years have had been good ones for North Central Mass. wrestling and with that in mind, I’ve put together all-decade teams for Nashoba Regional, Monty Tech and Leominster.
Nashoba coach Pete Connery, Monty Tech coach Kieron Smith and former Leominster coach James Sheehan sent in stats, accomplishments and thoughts on their wrestlers for this three-part series.
Today, we look at Monty Tech.
1. Isaic Paulino
Paulino is only about to become a junior and is already arguably the best wrestler in Monty Tech history. He’s the first Division 2 State champion in Monty Tech history and a twotime Division 2 Central sectional champion. A two-time Division 2 State place finisher and a twotime Lowell Holiday place finisher — winning once — Paulino is also a two-time All-State place
finisher, an All State finalist and a New England qualifier and New England place finisher. In addition, he’s a two-time state vocational champion, a state vocational outstanding wrestler and has over 100 career wins, putting him second in the career rankings.
What Smith had to say: “A Solid all-around wrestler, confident, born leader. He leads by example. An aggressive wrestler who will work your weaknesses.”
2. Tyler Popp
Popp only wrestled for the bulldogs for a year, but he accomplished quite a bit. He was a state vocational champion and won the state vocational outstanding wrestler award. A Division 2 Central finalist. A finalist in every tournament he attended that season. Popp was the first Monty Tech
wrestler to break the masswrestling.com top-10 rankings list.
What Smith had to say: “Popp had an amazing front headlock and is still the most aggressive wrestler I’ve ever coached.”
3. Lei Lani Hendricks
Hendricks’s freshman year was nothing short of a great season. The first girls state title in Monty Tech history and she had 15 wins in her freshman season over girls and multiple wins over boys .She placed at every girls tournament Monty Tech competed in this season.
What Smith had to say: “Solid single leg, very laid back young lady, always smiling. Sometimes needs a push. Fire her up and watch her pin her way through.”
4. Xavien Natal
A rising junior, Natal had a great freshman season before having to sit out his second season. In his freshman season, he was a Division 2 Central finalist. He made it to the second day of
both the Division 2 State tournament and Lowell Holiday tournament. A state vocational place finisher with more than 30 wins in his freshman season.
What Smith had to say: “Xavien has a great double leg and is a good leg rider. All the potential in the world. Will be an animal when he finds himself.”
5. Dan Shaver
Shaver wrestled for the program for one year after moving from Ohio. His senior season saw him named team captain and coMVP, reaching the state vocational finals and a Division 2 Central place finisher and qualifying for the Division 2 State championship.
What Smith had to say: “Dan had a great outside single and he was a great leader. Always smiling.”
6. Dennis Begley
It feels weird putting myself on a list like this, especially considering how I’ve always considered myself an extremely aver
age wrestler, but coach insisted and no matter how old you get you still listen to coach.
A two-time Division 2 Central place finisher, a Division 2 State qualifier and a state vocational place finisher, as well as being named the team’s co-MVP and co-captain.
What Smith had to say: “A good blast double, a solid leader. Loves the sport of wrestling. Bleeds wrestling.”
7. Kyle Wilson
Wilson was an unsung hero in his senior season. He placed in both the state vocational and sectional tournaments. Wilson was both a captain and named a team MVP.
What Smith had to say: “A Granby master. Hard fought battles to the end. A great friend and leader.”
8. Reid Billings
Billings was arguably poundfor-pound the strongest wrestler in Monty Tech of the past decade,
racking up over 40 career pins. A state vocational finalist, a Division 2 Central place finisher, a Division 2 State qualifier, a twoyear team captain and team coMVP.
What Smith had to say: “He had a solid bearhug to an inside trip and then would break you on top with his power half.”
9. Matthew Applin
Applin was a state vocational place finisher, two-year captain and earned the Caisse Award for sportsmanship.
What Smith had to say: “A great bottom wrestler. Just a fighter. Wrestled through injuries”
10. Zackary Bowers
Bowers was a great story as he overcame injuries and diabetes to compete for the Bulldogs. A two-time state vocational place finisher, sectional place finisher, captain and team co-MVP.
What Smith had to say:”Great on his feet. Always had a smile. Fun to coach.”