This weekend, Gloucester Varsity Wrestling traveled to Foxborough to compete in the MIAA D3 State Championship, emerging with four placers; all moving on to the All-State level. States is a two-day competiton, with only those in the finals and 3rd place bouts moving on to day two. Day one proved to be tough for the group all around, yet emerged with four fighting for top 3 podium spots.
After a tough first round lost by points, Jayden Chadwick moved into the consolation bracket. His determination led him to his next two wins, putting him in a position on Saturday to achieve third in the 120lb weight class. In consolation, Chadwick bested B. Feels from Ashland, A. Sateriale from Dedham, A. Ramponi from Rockland and C. Couture from Franklin County. His finals match for third against M. Barry from Wakefield was hard fought, yet came up just short of one point of the victory. Chadwick ended in fourth place.
Aiden Decoste started out strong, with a 15-0 win against Ronan Flatley from Wayland. This match was not only crucial to his progress in the tournament, but also secured his achievement as the youngest wrestler to get the coveted “100 Wins” title. His name will be added to the field house banner, alongside teammate Joseph Allen, who earned the title last weekend at Sectionals.
Decoste went on to defeat Domenic Maddox from Foxborough, and secured his spot in Saturday’s semi finals. On day two, Decoste came up short to a talented Dedham opponent, which placed him in the consolation bracket. Aiden went on to beating O. Eddahbi from Excel Academy and A. Sabino from Triton to secure himself a third place finish.
With a tense opening match, Anthony Murawski won by major decision against Giorgio Kelesdis from Dedham. In the Quarter Finals, Jack Bisson from Southwick-Tolland pinned in the first period, putting Murawski in the consolation bracket. Anthony came up short in the second round of consolation to Ludlow’s Noah Simard, ending his 2024/2025 season.
In a tight opening match, Joseph Allen beat Foxborough’s Michael Powers 3-2, setting up a potential for the finals. Allen came up short in the Quarter Finals against Adrian Guzman from Ashland. This put him in the consolation bracket of eight, and led him to a 9-2 win over Ian Lanoue. Joseph went on to beat E. Martinez from Excel Academy, but lost to J. Ramondetta from Bristol-Plymouth. Due to a rib injury sustained from his previous match, Allen was forced to forfeit the 5th place match, landing him at sixth place and a spot at All-States next weekend.
In the 190lb weight bracket, Zachary Hashley fell to Jaquan Vazquez from Mount Greylock in the first round, putting him in the consolation bracket. He pinned Cauan Amaral from Ashland in the first round of consolation, but unfortunately fell to Jack Reed from Carver by points in the second.
In record time, Max Thomas pinned Kaden James from Frontier, quickly establishing dominance over the 215lb bracket. Against Situate’s Wyllys Ames, Thomas scored 11 points before pinning the opponent in the third period. Against Nathan Tobe from Wayland, Max kept control of the match, and earned his spot to the finals after winning 9-3.
In the finals match, Thomas competed against Tewksbury Senior Captain Manuel Mengata, who won Sectional champion the week previous. Thomas was ahead most of the match, yet lost in a very close score of 6-8. Throughout the two days, Thomas was the only opponent to score on Mengata, and placed second overall as only a Sophomore.
Senior Chris Laine came out strong on the first round, pinning Ashland’s Andrew Quitt in the first period. In the Quarter Finals, Laine fell to Dillon Laffond from Franklin County. The heavyweight’s wrestling season was ended after the loss, due to forfeit from the remainder of the tournament.
The All-State Championship combines Divisions 1-3 together, to determine the best wrestler in each weight class from Massachusetts. This year, the competition will take place at Methuen High School this Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time on the GHS Wrestling Facebook Page and the GHS Fishermen Athletics Instagram.
Congratulations to Allen, Decoste, Thomas and Chadwick!
