Meet the four Massachusetts girls' wrestlers who claimed New England titles

Boston Globe10-03-2025

The Lowell 235-pounder, who did not place last year, trailed, 8-0, and looked on the verge of losing by pin after a prior injury flared up, saying 'I felt like I just got my arm cut off.'
Twelve points later and a pin with two seconds left , the junior had her hand raised Sunday during the New England Championships at the Providence Career and Technical Academy.
NE: Amelyiah Martinez made the comeback from down 8-0 to win the 235-pound title by pin!
— AJ (@aj_traub)
'They're amazing,' she said of her coaches. 'They spend so many hours just pouring into me technique and knowledge. Without that, I wouldn't be able to be here.'
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Two bouts later, Ludlow junior Samantha Bertini, a 2024 finalist, secured a pin in 3:15 at 107 pounds for her first New England title. Then came the 145-pound battle between a 2024 All-State champ and a
Advertisement
Like she did in their semifinal matchup last weekend, Methuen senior Janessa Santiago piled up points and
NE: Janessa Santiago is champion at 145 pounds!
— AJ (@aj_traub)
'She already knew I was a thrower, so that's something I had to work around,' she said. 'I had to work more of my shots. I was nervous at some times, but coming in with that pin saved me at the end.'
The meet ended with
'It was all-the-doubt release,' said the Northeast Tech senior. 'Everything that I've been told the past four years finally was proven wrong. I can do it. I'm able to do it. That final little push of you can do it, you can do anything.'
AJ Traub can be reached at