Needham Wrestlers Compete at All-States

Submitted by Coach Paul Ahern

The wrestling season comes to a close following All-States in Salem this past weekend, Feb. 24-25, where Needham wrestlers knocked off top-ranked opponents but ultimately fell short of the medal round.

Junior Mark Carroll and senior Cam Chisholm's tournament opened with outstanding performances in which they both pinned their opponents. Carroll faced two-time returning All-State placer Methuen's Sarith Has in the preliminary round. Entering the third period scoreless, Has attacked Carroll on his feet and the Rocket wrestler countered, taking Has directly to his back for the fall.

In the next round, Carroll met Hingham's Mike Mui, a three-time All-State Champ, and fell in the third period. In the consolation round, he was eliminated by top-ranked Aiden Marquez of Greater Lawrence Tech, 14-8.

Chisholm faced the All-States seventh-ranked wrestler Ben Gallica of Hampshire Regional. Chisholm made early work of Gallica, pinning him at around the minute mark of the first period. Advancing to the quarterfinals, Chisholm had a hard-fought 12-6 loss to Dan Fredricks of New Bedford. In the following consolation round, Chisholm came up short against Tom Arsenault of Lynnfield, 6-2.

Carroll's outstanding junior campaign saw him win 35 matches and surpass the 100-win mark on his career. Chisholm, with the team's most wins, notched 41 wins with an amazing 39 by pin.

Junior Mikhail Kibkin, who also qualified for All-States, was held out due to an injury suffered at the sectional tournament. Khibkin amassed 39 wins on the year.