Knights Defeated at Wrestling All-States

The wrestling squad sent a remarkable seven
athletes to the MIAA All-State Wrestling Championships at Salem High School’s
Veterans Memorial Field House on Friday and Saturday, yet still walked away utterly empty handed.

Despite sending the second highest number of wrestlers to the meet (Natick, 10), the
Scarlet Knights, just days after the shocking arrest of longtime head coach David Castricone -- third in the nation in all-time wins -- failed to qualify a single wrestler for the MIAA New England Interscholastic Championships this weekend in New Haven, Conn.

Perhaps the weight of the scandal is finally having an affect on the team, as its
presence in New Haven would surely be met by scores of inquiries from the media. As it was, the coaching staff and the majority of the team declined to be interviewed by Patch at the all-states.

At 103 lbs., Danielle Coughlin lost in the second preliminary round against eventual
finalist Eric Benevides of Durfee by pin, 2:50 in to the match. In the consolation
quarterfinals Coughlin scored an 8-4 win by decision over Burlington’s Steve Giampapa.

Milford’s Jake Dalessandro took an 8-4 win in the second quarterfinal round, ending Coughlin’s tournament.

Brad Drover went 2-2 in the 130 lbs. division, opening play with a 10-1 major
decision over Minuteman Tech’s Maveric Casia and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Framingham’s Gil Sa would pin a 6-4 decision on Drover however, ending his bid for a state title. Drover would advance to the consolation semis where he was knocked out by Hudson’s Patrick O’Connell, succumbing to a pin at 2:11.

Frank McCarthy would follow the same format, bowing out to Carrick Driscoll of East Longmeadow by pin at 4:24.

Dan Connelly went 1-2, falling out of the meet early on day two against Southeastern
Voke’s Brandon Conrad in a tight 7-6 decision.

Jake Mehlman was 2-2, Ryan Neals went 1-2 and Adam Bates failed to win a single match at the meet, going 0-2.