Wildcat Grapplers Finish Promising Season on Losing Note

Even with a valiant effort, the wrestling team suffered a tough season ending defeat.

Key pins by Ali Tubaishait, Mike Mullaney and Steve Saluti proved to be the difference as Braintree handed the Wildcats  a tough 55-20 defeat in Thursday night’s Bay State Conference season finale at Braintree High School.

With the loss, the Wildcats finished the season at 4-15 overall, but coach Ted Carroll was quite pleased with his team’s efforts.

 “The effort was definitely there,’’ said Carroll. “The kids are working hard, and we’ve really come a long way this season, and we’re almost there. We still have a lot of people coming back next year.”

At 103, Colin McCabe delivered a solid performance, cruising to a second round pin over Mike Murray. McCabe, who raced off to a 9-2 lead, secured the win with a takedown and a pin. At 112, Anthony Lane tied the contest at 6-6  for the Wamps with a pin of Jon Carerra at 112. At 119, Justin Kelly handed the Wildcats a brief 12-9 lead, recording a 14-9 major decision win over Chris Delano.

“We got off to a great start, and we hung with them in the early weight classes,’’ said Carroll. “The kids just never gave up and they showed a tremendous amount of will. It was pretty even through the first couple of matches, and then their experience and depth pretty much took over.”

At 125, Mike Valle and Liam Collins battled through the bulk of two rounds. With Valle pulling away with a 12-9 lead, he wrapped his arms around Collins and recorded the win.

Leading the way at 130 was Troy Oriola, who overcame a slow start and prevailed by pin. Facing a 1-0 deficit, Oriola quickly regained with a pair of takedowns before delivering the backbreaking pin.

Battling back, the Wildcats regained momentum as Mark Chandler earned a pin over Andrew Grant at 135, closing the deficit within 18-15. Regaining momentum, the Wamps recorded a pair of key pins by Tubaishait and Jake Glassy, transforming a three point lead into a 30-15 margin.

“Once we got past the weight classes, it was pretty tough for us to hang in there with them,’’ said Carroll. “They have a lot more experience up top, and their guys were able to make adjustments and come through with the key wins.”

At 152, the Wildcats continued to fight as Peter Hailer managed a major decision win over Arden Kearns before TJ Vernon pulled out a tight win over Marshall Greewood at 160. After surviving several escapes, Vernon secured the victory off a takedown.

With the Wamps rapidly building a sizeable margin, Brandon Carvalho nailed down a pin over Jared Michaud in a span of 1:32 before Mullaney delivered a solid victory with another pin over Cyprian Leacock at 189. At 215, Saluti remained his poise, overcoming several moves by Derell Hilton to record a pin in the second period before Martin Mulkerrin capped the match, earning a him over James Linehan in 43 seconds.

“They put it away with a couple of pins in the end,’’ said Carroll. “I’m very pleased with how we came out, and this is a great learning experience for the guys. We’re hoping that we’ll continue to build on the numbers for next year.”

The Wildcats’ season will continue for at least another week when they’ll travel to Marshfield High next weekend where they’ll compete in next Saturday’s Division 2 South Sectionals.

“It’ll be a great experience for the guys, and we’ll see what happens,’’ said Carroll. “I’m very pleased with how the season went, and it was a huge step for the program.”