By HockomockSports.com Staff

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please note, HockomockSports reached out to all coaches seeking information for our annual previews.

2024-2025 Hockomock Wrestling Preview

Canton

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 8-19-1
Coach: Nick Matt
The Bulldogs took a step in the right direction as a program last year, improving their dual meet record and doubling their win total as a team. While the Dogs graduated two of the top wrestlers in recent program history in Max Kupferman and Ruairi Ritson, there is still plenty of optimism for this season to keep trending in the right direction.

Canton has four wrestlers returning from last year that placed at sectionals. Jacob George will compete at 120, Matt Morin wrestles at 132, Matt Sica battles at 157, and senior Seamus Brown brings a lot of experience at 165. All four grapplers competed at sectionals last year and will be looking to improve on their sixth-place finishes this winter. Newcomers Calvin Quinn (106) and Shnider Theodore (215) could make an immediate impact after successful youth careers before high school.

“We’re excited about the group we have this year,” said Canton head coach Nick Matt. “Our returning wrestlers have been working hard in the offseason, and we expect improvement. The new wrestlers bring a lot of potential, and we’re looking forward to seeing them grow and make an impact right away.”

Mansfield

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 1-19
Coach: Mike Pailler
After battling through a tough season with a younger team, Mansfield brings back a good amount of familiar faces eager to compete at a higher level this winter.

The combination of the experience gained from last season plus a strong offseason has Mansfield in good shape coming into the year. Junior Tessa Johnson is coming off a terrific breakout sophomore campaign that finished with a third-place finish at states and a fourth-place finish at New Englands. Competing at 144 this year, Johnson will look to make a run at the state title. Senior Nate Jackson is another veteran back in the mix after battling injuries for the majority of each of the last two seasons. As a freshman, Jackson claimed the Division 2 Central sectional title and will be looking to have a strong senior season as a team captain wrestling at 138.

Juniors Jacob Pereira, Colby Sulkala, and Nate Pailler are all back after showing a lot of promise during their sophomore season. Pereira, who will wrestle at 144 and 150, made a lot of progress last year in his debut season with the sport, Sulkala (215) is looking to build off a fourth-place finish at Hocks last year, and Pailler — who wrestled at 190 last year — has bumped up to heavyweight after playing along Mansfield’s offensive line this fall. Sophomore Andrew Simmons is looking to build off an impressive rookie season last year and will make the switch from 138 to both 150 and 157 this year.

“We’ve had some grades with lower numbers recently, and a lot of guys have gotten some early opportunities to get varsity experience,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Pailler. “A good portion of the group really bought into the sport, and we had a solid offseason commitment from a good number of our wrestlers; it’s made a considerable difference in our early practices this season. The energy in the room has been great, and we’ve added some good young talent to the group. We’ll look to our seniors (Nate Jackson and Tristen McGeough) to lead a young group that has some good experience under their belt.”

Milford

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 24-2 (Kelley-Rex division champions)
Coach: PJ Boccia
Milford has established itself as one of the top programs in the state in recent years and the Hawks are looking to stay there this winter.

The reigning Division 2 Central sectional champions were just two points away from a Division 2 state championship last year so there’s plenty of motivation coming into this season. Seniors Aidan Baum and Michael Boulanger were D2 state champs and both reached the finals at all states while junior Derek Marcolini is a defending sectional champ that finished second at states. That trio is just the tip of the iceberg for a deep and talented Hawks squad.

Dylan Wright returns after a strong season that culminated in Hock honorable mention honors. Josiah Carney, Luke Donis, and Ryan Fils are looking to build off top-three finishes at sectionals last year.

North Attleboro

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 13-12
Coach: Geoff Burgess
A young Rocketeer group battled through a difficult schedule last winter. With the majority of its lineup returning this season, North Attleboro is looking to be a contender against Foxboro for the Davenport division title and make a run at the Division 2 central crown.

North Attleboro boasts six wrestlers who placed fifth or better at sectionals last year, including one who was top five at states and another who finished sixth at all states. Jayden Mendes reached the finals at Hocks, was second at sectionals, third at D2 states, and sixth at all states to cap off a tremendous season. Now competing at 126, he will look to build on that success from a season ago. Alex Robin is another grappler who reached states (fifth overall) for the Rocketeers, taking fifth overall at sectionals as well; this season he’s up to the 138 bracket and battled to a third-place finish as the Ashland Early Bird.

Joseph Brucato took third at sectionals last year and is already off to a terrific start this winter after taking first at the Ashland Early Bird in the 150 bracket, opening with a 4-0 decision before three consecutive falls to get the title. Drew Mingo (157), Dylan McCall, and Braeden Thrasher (144) are all also returners back in the mix after placing at sectionals. The Rocketeers also have junior Mike Canova (132) and senior Cody Hill (285) as potential top wrestlers this year.

Oliver Ames

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 13-11-1
Coach: John McKeon
Although the Tigers posted a winning record in the dual meet season, Oliver Ames is aiming to have an even more successful winter this time out.

“As a team, we are looking forward to bouncing back after a down season by our standards,” said OA head coach John McKeon. “We’re hoping to be in the mix for the Davenport title and get back toward the top part of the leaderboard for D2 South. We had a strong offseason, with a number of returning wrestlers on the mat, and hope we can translate it to some success during the year as well.”

Oliver Ames senior captain Willer Rossow was just one win away from a spot at all states last year and that was all the motivation he needed coming into this year. He was named a Hockomock League all star last year and is closing in on 50 career wins as the season gets underway. His offseason work and determination were on full display as he started the year in impressive fashion with four victories — all in different fashions — to claim the individual title at 190 at the Devin Ness Memorial tournament at OA. Another returner who had a huge season a year ago is senior captain Amaya Smith, who went all the way to New Englands and finished fourth overall. The Tigers have been one of the top teams incorporating girls into the sport and Smith’s leadership and accomplishments have been a great example.

Junior Jonah Bornstein already has over 50 career wins but is eager for more. Described by McKeon as a very intelligent wrestler, Bornstein had third-place finishes at both Hocks and sectionals a year ago. He showed great improvement as the year went on last year and don’t be surprised if he takes the next step this year and emerges as a top grappler at 120.

Sharon

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 21-6
Coach: Jeff Sonis
Sharon has battled through some tough competition in the Davenport the last couple of seasons, winning the title in three of the last five seasons.

Now the Eagles are set to face a whole new set of challenges in its switch to the Kelley-Rex, including the four-time defending division champs Milford and three-time sectional champs Taunton. Sharon has two returning Hockomock all stars in Nick Varvak and Cyrus Jones, the reigning Davenport division MVP. Those two will be key leaders as Sharon looks to replicate the success from previous years. Mitch Thaler is back after a fourth-place finish at sectionals last year, David Mitkov had a strong run and qualified for states last year, and Adam Loebl is another veteran back on the mat this winter.

Stoughton

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 3-19
Coach: Andrew Iverson
Stoughton head coach Andrew Iverson knows the Black Knights can be successful on the mat. The former Hockomock meet champion and all star has lived it himself. For now, it’s about building the program — brick by brick — back up into a competitor in a crowded Davenport division.

We are continuing to rebuild, taking advantage of our middle school program with the help of legend Coach Brian Conrad running the program,” Iverson said. “Conrad has been a vital part of the growth of this program, but he also is a vital help for a lot of the teams around the area. A lot of our success within our athletes all leads back to Coach Conrad preparing them throughout the offseason.”

Looking to capitalize on that strong offseason, the Knights have a handful of their top wrestlers back in the fold this winter. Senior captain Angie Berry is the defending Division 2 state champion at 120 and was a runner-up at all states. Berry has improved each year and has lofty goals for this year. Stoughton is another program that has developed a strong interest from girls and Berry’s leadership and talent have been infectious in the program. Senior Ava Vieira is coming off a top-four finish at all states and third at all states; after competing up at 165 for most of last year, she will compete at 150 this year.

Junior captain Jack Gallan battled through a tough sophomore season, going up against some of the top wrestlers in the state, and still qualified for states after taking fourth at sectionals. Gallan has bumped up from 138 to 150 after a big offseason and is very experienced with three years under his belt. Seniors Joe Vasconcelos and Charlie Andella are also looking to finish their careers on a high note this winter.

“I am very excited in the direction of this program as we continue to build, brick by brick,” Iverson said. “The ‘NoExcuses’ mentality and culture we hammer home through our athletes really translates to these kids and a full buy-in into becoming the best version of themselves daily. We will be coming for that Hock league title in due time, we will bring a team State championship to this program in due time, and we will continue to build individual state champions throughout the process. Stoughton wrestling is going nowhere.”

Taunton

2023-2024 Dual Meet Record: 13-17
Coach: Adilson Galvao
Head coach Adilson Galvao and his staff have done a great job transforming Taunton into a top program in the Hockomock League. Less than a decade ago, the program struggled to win a dual in the league and is now a top competitor in a crowded and competitive Kelley-Rex division.

The Tigers had five Hock champs last year and have three of them back in the fold. Elijah Prophete is one of the best wrestlers in Massachusetts, claiming the Division 1 title at 215 last winter. He’s joined by Kingston Dacosta (165), who was fourth at D1 states, and Michael Leskoski (132), who was also fourth at states after winning the Division 1 south sectional title at 120. That trio gives Taunton a strong core to build around.

Potential other standouts this year include Antonio Maldonado (215), Cody Truelson (120), Austin Faria (285), Josh Millerick (157), and Anthony Vieira (150).

WRESTLERS TO WATCH

Aidan Baum, Milford – The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse commit is back to defend his state championship and make a push for all states after reaching the finals last year.

Angie Berry, Stoughton – Berry had a breakout season last winter, securing the state championship at 120. After taking second at all states, she’s back to challenge for the top spot this year.

Michael Boulanger, Milford – One of the most experienced grapplers in the Hock, the reigning Kelley-Rex division MVP Boulanger won D2 states at 138 and finished second at all-states in a match that went to overtime.

Riley Carlucci, Franklin – After taking third at Hocks, Carlucci went on to win the D1 south sectional title and was fourth overall at states. He was also named a Hock all star.

Raj Jetty, Foxboro – Jetty was in the mix in a lot of big tournaments last year, taking fourth at Hocks, third at sectionals, and fifth at states.

Tessa Johnson, Mansfield – Although just a sophomore last year, Johnson wrestled her way to a third-place finish at states and an appearance in the finals at all states.

Cyrus Jones, Sharon – After winning the D2 central sectional crown last year, Jones — last year’s Davenport division MVP — will be in the mix for a state title after reaching the finals last year.

Derek Marcolini, Milford – During his sophomore season, Marcolini earned Hockomock all star honors, won Hocks and sectionals at 113, and finished runner-up at states.

Jayden Mendes, North Attleboro – Mendes reached the finals at 113 for both Hocks and sectionals and battled to a third-place finish at states.

Elijah Prophete, Taunton – The senior recently earned his 100th career win and won a Division 1 state title at 215 last season.

Willer Rossow, Oliver Ames – Rossow has piled up the wins (almost 50) in a hurry and landed fourth place finishes at sectionals and states last year, and was named a league all star.

Jack Sauer, Franklin – A returning Hockomock League all star, Sauer put together a terrific season last winter with a Hock title at 132. He’s started this year with a tournament title at 144 at the Ashland Early Bird.

Amaya Smith, Oliver Ames – Coming off a third-place finish at states and a fourth-place finish at all states, Smith enters the season with lofty goals.

Nick Varvak, Sharon – Varvak was one of four Eagles to reach the Hock finals last year and also had strong showings at sectionals (second) and states (third).