PITTSFIELD — The MIAA Division III West sectional wrestling championship belongs to Holyoke High School.
Amid a field full of talented wrestlers and teams, Holyoke emerged on top Saturday, claiming the team championship trophy at Taconic High School.
Holyoke amassed 198 points to take first, followed by Mount Greylock (186) and Monument Mountain (149). Defending champion Franklin Tech took fourth (137), and Hampshire Regional was fifth (124).
Beyond the team’s victory, Holyoke also celebrated individual excellence: their coach, Vin Silano, was selected as Coach of the Year, while Parker Brunelle took home the honor of Most Outstanding Wrestler. Though many athletes shined, it was Holyoke’s day, as the Knights set the bar in the division.
It was Holyoke, Mount Greylock and Monument Mountain neck-and-neck until the 215-pound weight class.
“I’m feeling surreal right now, still letting it sink in,” Silano said. “I have to thank my coaching staff for keeping my head up when I get down, and the same goes for the athletes who keep me locked in and engaged. I’m so thankful to have this team and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The outcome of the team title came down to 215, where it was Holyoke’s Jesus Morales against Mount Greylock’s Logan O’Connell. Although it was a hard-fought battle, Morales was able to get the upper hand on points with a takedown in the final 20 seconds, giving him a 10-5 lead.
With the lead Morales, chose patience, withstanding O’Connell’s takedown attempts and keeping his lead. As time ran out, the Holyoke squad began celebrating, as it was clear from the point total that the team had secured a Western Mass. title.
“This year alone has been a journey for Holyoke High School,” said Morales. “We’ve had our ups and downs, and earning this has been unbelievable. I’m so thankful to my coaching staff, for this journey they’ve allowed me to go on with them. I’ve only done this two years, but this has been the most structural moments of my high school career.”
Morales has only been a part of the wrestling program for two years and has already made a lasting impact, according to Silano who expressed his appreciation for having an athlete like Morales on the team.
“He’s monumental to this program… a team player in a sport that asks you to be individual most of the time, Jesus will still be that team player somehow,” said Silano. “I’ve seen a lot of teammates come in and out of this team, but he’s one you can never forget.”
Brunelle officially sealed the team trophy when he secured the 285-pound title. With the medal, Brunelle also received the Most Outstanding Wrestler award, for his hard work and dedication on the mat, an achievement among many for the Holyoke squad.
“Honestly I’m just star struck,” said an exhausted Brunelle afterward. “I came to most of these meets without doubting myself, and my teammates were always right there to support me. Without them I’m not sure my season would have played out the way it has.”
Holyoke’s Steven Santiago continued his dominance over the course of his career, as he captured the title at 120 pounds to give him multiple sectional titles.
Although it was a day of celebration for Holyoke, many other wrestlers left their mark.
Mathew Lemay from Duggan Academy embodied the relentless drive of a true competitor. This was his third year at the Western Mass. tournament, having taken second last year and third the year before.
“The past four years I’ve been working my hardest to reach this moment,” said Lemay. “Last year taking second, the year before taking third, I knew what I had to do to take it home today.”
He started the 144-pound title match trailing, but with every ounce of his determination, he clawed back. As his father watched from the crowd, that fire in his eyes never faded. When Lemay finally secured the win against Franklin Tech’s Carsten Couture in the final seconds of the match with a quick take down for a 4-3 decision, the emotion poured out. This was more than a competition for Lemay, it was a well-deserved triumph.
“I feel proud of myself, full of excitement but only because I’e worked so hard for this moment,” Lemay said. “I feel confident in myself placing for all states, and I know I have the potential to make first. Just have to see what I can do.”
With Lemay was Mount Greylock’s Maximus Soto, who won the 157-pound weight class. The Mounties came in second place as a team for the tournament (186 points), and among the hard-working athletes was Soto who was able to take a medal home against a talented Konnor James from Frontier (10-5 decision).
“I faced James before at Western Mass. about two years ago, so I was familiar with how to handle the match,” said Soto. “With him I knew to prepare for the best, keep your head straight at all times and get ready to work for it.”
Soto made sure to stay aggressive during his match, performing multiple takedowns and slams so that James could not gain any footing.
Full list of winners
106 – Mason St. Peter, Monument Mountain
113 – Christopher St. Peter, Monument Mountain
120 – Steven Santiago, Holyoke High
126 – Robert Zononi, Hampshire
132 – Amani Ezeugwu, Southwick
138 – Landen Purington, Franklin County Tech
144 – Mathew Lemay, Duggan
150 – Max Manning, Mount Everett
157 – Maximus Soto, Mount Greylock
165 – Ian Lanoue, Mount Everett
175 – Jacob Borawski, Mount Greylock
190 – Ramon Tierney, Southwick
215 – Jesus Morales, Holyoke High
285 – Parker Brunelle, Holyoke High
