Wrestling notebook: Jump from judo was a winning move for St. John's Prep duo

Boston Globe

22-02-2025

It goes back to last fall, at Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, when owner
Jimmy Pedro
told two of his national champion judokas to join the sport. Ternullo and
Octavio De Oliveira
dove right in, their respective first- and third-place finishes in the section contributing greatly to the Eagles finishing 38 points clear of the field.
'
'They bring a level of professionalism, fast friendships with the rest of the guys on the team. '
St.. John's Prep wrestling coach Ryan Harding, on seniors Mimmo Ternullo Jr. and Octavio De Oliveira
St. John's Prep head coach Ryan Harding (left) congratulates Mimmo Ternullo Jr. after his first-round victory at the Division 1 North sectional.
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
'They're both awesome kids,' said
Ryan Harding
, Prep's first-year coach who took over for the Bay State's career wins leader and
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'Their work ethic is outstanding . . . conditioning, making sure they're on time . . .there are no small things to them. Everything's important. They've come in and done an outstanding job.'
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It is not just that Ternullo defeated DeMaio for the sectional title after the junior had ended his Lowell Holiday Tournament with a 10-3 decision in December. He realized the moves from his 14 years of judo, the strengths that made him a two-time national champion and Pan-American medalist, were not effective in the match.
His sprawl go-behind for the lead came from the two-plus months of devotion to becoming a better wrestler.
D1 States: Mimmo Ternullo adds a takedown and wins his round of 16 matchup at 157 pounds
— AJ (@aj_traub)
'Wrestling is definitely a change from judo,' Ternullo said. 'In judo, you can't grab the legs, and in wrestling that's the biggest key. I knew I could fit my judo into wrestling. Me and Coach Harding worked together to find what my game could be.'
Ternullo and De Oliveira have their sights on the 2028 Olympics for judo, but have wanted to wrestle for a while, too. Knowing it's Ternullo's senior year, they decided to seize their last chance in high school.
Their drive to be the best is evident.
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Adding match experience, training with coaches such as Harding and Pedro, and sparring with teammates, Ternullo entered States on a 30-3 stretch following an 8-6 December. De Oliveira, a junior, went 9-7 in his first month and is 19-5 since.
St. John's Prep 215-pound junior Octavio De Oliveria (top) battles Brookline's Bryce Figueioredo (bottom) during a first-round bout in the Division 1 North sectional.
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
It's rounding out their combat sport abilities, especially when De Oliveira is wrestling in the 215-pound weight class despite his judo class being 181. It's helping his ground work, too.
'I was honestly happy,' said De Oliveira, a youth national champion and medalist at Pan America and Junior Olympics. 'I was excited and happy to wrestle bigger people because it's more of a challenge. Being able to beat them and do well against them when I'm smaller brings me satisfaction that I'm able to do that.'
The judoists excel in upper-body grappling, and know their throws. Harding works with them on identifying possible counters to their go-to moves, and how to re-counter.
De Oliveira spars with teammate
Alex Bajoras
, a New England heavyweight finalist, to sharpen his throws against heavier opponents.
Vince Bilotti
, a 190-pound senior with 100 wins, helped him learn the rules of the sport.
'It's hard to tie up with them, hard to get grips because they've been doing it so long. You have to think of new ways to do it,' said Bilotti, of his judoka teammates. 'I have to go for legs no matter what. Octavio, he's been getting better all season. He'll do something and work a throw into it, I have to figure out a new way to do it.'
Luke Calder
, a 165-pound sophomore, identifies with the upper-body style, so he picks up on Ternullo's expertise in some of the moves. It's a mutually beneficial challenge between Ternullo and
Will LaVallee
(150 pounds) since the sophomore prefers ground work and shooting.
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Ternullo's ability to change his stance and head position quickly prepares LaVallee for similar opponents.
'Mimmo has different types of explosiveness,' said LaVallee, who entered States at 82-23. 'His hips are a key part of his fundamental wrestling. He's also implemented his throws, I see it throughout his matches. For me, it helps me be more aware of my mat situation, where I am in different situations too.'
Ternullo resides in Saugus and De Oliveira is from Peabody, but since the latter started judo at 8 years old, the two have navigated their athletic careers together. For the length of this postseason, the two are formidable grapplers for a top New England squad.
'For me and him to be on the same team means a lot,' Ternullo said. 'We've been doing judo together for so long. Getting to know the sport [of wrestling] together because we were unfamiliar, and getting to see each other do well, it means a lot to both of us.
Near falls
▪ Northfield Mount Hermon (307 points) finished second at the NEPSWA championships to Greens Farms (331.5), with
Nate Consigli
(157 pounds),
Elliott Humphries
(175), and
Jimmy Bechter
(285) earning championships.
Belmont Hill (208) finished third, with
Brody Sayers
(106),
Isaac Novod
(120), and
Jack Dragoumanos
(132) atop the podium. Phillips Andover's
Julian Rios
won a title at 113 and was named outstanding wrestler.
Scituate resident
Sara McLaughlin
(126 pounds) helped Choate Rosemary Hall finish first in the girls' tournament with four champions and 168 points. Phillips finished second, with
Dani Nugent
(138) becoming the first girl to win four New England Prep championships and earning Outstanding Wrestler honors.
Serra Akyali
won at 100 and
Toni Elliott
at 185.
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Other girls' champs at Mass. schools include Northfield Mount Hermon's
Niayla Curley
(152), and Nobles's
Morgan Gibson
(132).
▪ St. John's Prep led the field, winning three weight classes at the War Dogs Who's #1 Freshman tournament.
Bryant Mason
won at 175 and 190, and
Jaxson Tammaro
won at 285. Natick, the host, was the other school to crown two champs:
Henry Massey
(120) and
Angelo Macchiano
(144).
▪ The National Wrestling Coaches Association selected Central Catholic graduate
Jackie Dehney
as NCAA Women's National Wrestler of the Month for January. The New England College freshman went 12-0 in the month and stands at 22-0 on the season. She won the Will Abele Open and Bobcat Open tournaments.
▪ UMass club wrestling is looking to
Tournament schedule
Division 1 (Day 2), North Andover High, Saturday.
Division 2 (Day 2), Salem High, Saturday.
Division 3 (Day 2), Foxborough High, Saturday.
All-States, Methuen High, Feb. 28-March 1.
New England's, Providence Career and Technical Academy, R.I., March 8-9.
AJ Traub can be reached at