The Middlesex Wrestlers traveled to Needham to take on St. Sebastian's and Concord Academy Friday afternoon. The Zebras dominated both duals with scores of Middlesex 64, St. Sebastian's 12 and the second match Middlesex 64, Concord Academy 15.
The team was in great form and continued their unbeaten streak, now at four, with a dominant win over ISL boys school, St. Sebastian's. Senior Alex Wagner started the match off with a quick takedown and pin and the team never looked back. The Zebras followed with consecutive pins by Naomi Hunt and Peter Daichamn, both of whom managed their positions well. Peter had worked the score to an impressive 9-3 advantage before turning his opponent and getting the fall at 3:40 into the match.
After several forfeits to the team, junior Marcus Coward looked strong and agile in his first period pin. Ted Pyne worked a solid first period with excellent top position, wrestling to complete the major victory 13-2. Senior co-captain Gavin Fujimori was efficient and technical in his mastery at 152 lbs to work the score up to 9-0 before finishing with a pin in the second period. Jivan Purutyan had an excellent day, making the first period pin over St. Sebastian's, which was the final wrestled match of the dual meet. Sophomore Emily Yu contributed her first 6 points of the season with a forfeit.
The second match versus Concord Academy began with Naomi Hunt securing the takedown and nailing down her second pin of the day. She had an excellent stance and a combined balanced attack to give the team the early lead it would never relinquish. Peter Daichman again took the first takedown and eventually worked to a pinning combination in the third period. Peter won both of his matches by pin to show good development at the start of the season. Dante Gutbrod showed a commanding top position with consecutive scoring turns and built the score up to 17-0, which resulted in a technical fall.
The next match was the introduction of Justin D'Alessandro to the line-up. He was able to gain his balanced attack with defense and begin working the neutral position with competitiveness and energy. The score eventually ended 17-19 in favor of Concord, but the potential for Justin looking forward seems very promising.
Michael Acevedo looked stronger than anyone in the 132 weight class. He wrestled with intensity and energy and will have a break out match once the team returns from exam week. His skills are greatly improving and although the match was a loss, his work ethic and concentration will be a force to be reckoned with in the ISL.
The following trio of Ted Pyne, Gavin Fujimori and Jivan Purutyan won two matches on the day and did so in dominant fashion with speed, agility and technique. They have become the core of the team and create a real obstacle for opponents to overcome.
David Wong had a very good controlled match with a pin just under a minute. Kojo Edzie, who made his varsity debut, won by pin half-way into the second period. Finally, after beginning the day with a pin, the day ended with Alex Wagner securing a quick takedown and was awarded the pin in just under 30 seconds.
Middlesex Wrestling is off to a fantastic start and now the team will change gears and begin the reading and assessment period before closing out the month at the North Providence Invitational Tournament on December 19.
