MIAA divisional wrestling championships: What to watch for in Division 1, 2, and 3 brackets
Though St. John's Prep won its sixth straight Division 1 North sectional title, it was Haverhill taking D1 States last year. Shawsheen and Central Catholic had strong showings in the North a week ago and will look to make up ground.
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In probably the most unpredictable tournament of this weekend, Division 3 States features quite a few legitimate contenders. Tewksbury dominated the bottom three weight classes last year with sophomores Jack Lightfoot, Nick Desisto, and Ben Barrasso earning titles. The defending champ has its chance to repeat, but Bristol-Plymouth, Wayland, Wakefield, Ashland, and Gloucester all have well-rounded rosters that can contend.
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New England's best heavyweights: senior edition
Thomas Brown and Alex Bajoras always make for a must-watch matchup, even though Brown has been winning all the high school bouts between the two. Bajoras is the only Massachusetts opponent since Brown's freshman year to get within a point of the Chelmsford program wins leader and national champion.
The two were the best 285-pounders at the state, all-state, and New England level last year, and it would be a surprise to not see the first of three more matchups happen Saturday.
Lowell's quest to repeat
Last year's All-State girls' champion brings back the roster that made it potent, including first member Amada Moundele (165 pounds) in her senior postseason. But the Red Raiders have an inherent disadvantage at this level, in that girls' heavier weight brackets tend to be smaller and don't allow Moundele and 2024 All-State champ Amelyiah Martinez (235) to wrestle as many matches to earn points.
Putnam won the Lowell Holiday girls' bracket earlier this season over the host, and looks to be strong in D2, whereas Ashland is the defending D3 winner but graduated New England champ and two-time All-State gold medalist Nora Quitt.
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Elijah Prophete looking to do it again
Last year's 215-pound title match showcased the power of Taunton's sub-heavyweight, as he was all over the mat taking down Haverhill's Matt Harrold. This year, Prophete is at his more comfortable 190 weight class, but once again the No. 2 seed opposite the North sectional champ (Central Catholic's Caden Chase).
Morales next to reach 200 as a junior?
Shawsheen 150-pounder James Tildsley earned his 200th victory with his sectional championship last weekend, the wins leader in a trio of record-breaking juniors. Yandel Morales can get there with four wins in the 132-pound bracket at D1 states. Middleborough 150-pounder Matt Patterson needs six more.
Which bracket will girls wrestle?
Several girls placed at sectional tournaments last weekend, highlighted by second- and third-place finishes in Division 3 North at 106 pounds by Triton's Riley-Anne Tarmey and Tewksbury's Brooke Lightfoot.
They qualified for Girls' All-States with their performances, and have their choice of wrestling in girls' states or open states. Tarmey has chosen to wrestle the girls' bracket, but the state brackets are not yet updated to reflect each choice.
AJ Traub can be reached at
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