WEST SPRINGFIELD — After taking home its third consecutive sectional title last weekend, the West Springfield wrestling team is hoping to turn that success into a state title this weekend.
The Terriers comfortably bested the field at the MIAA Division II West sectional tournament, showcasing both top-end talent and a deep lineup. Now they turn their attention to the Division II state meet, to be held Friday and Saturday at Whitman-Hanson High School.
West Springfield head coach Garrett Kendziera said that while there were some early-season obstacles, the program has rounded into form nicely over the course of the past two-and-a-half months.
“I think in any team event, right, you start off as a bunch of individuals, and we kind of came in the year as a bunch of new guys, some returners,” explained Kendziera. “Everybody wasn’t really on the same page yet, and I think as the season progressed, we had success in tournaments, and they started to bond really well. And it was just cool to see them take ownership of the team, not necessarily the coach that take ownership, but the kids actually take ownership, and it’s all them. They’re the ones that work hard every day and show up every day.
“This was probably the least stressful season I had about kids being at practice every day, kids making weight. It was honestly, for me, it was an awesome season. And you know, it’s because of them.”
West Springfield has slowly progressed on the big stage the past two years. In 2024, the Terriers finished fifth at the D-II state meet. Last year, they were third.
To continue climbing the standings, West Springfield will need its stars to shine.
Junior Abel Varzeas is undefeated this season (52-0) and cruised to a sectional title at 190 pounds. Varzeas has big goals for the postseason, and he’s plenty experienced to make a deep run. Two years ago, he took fifth at the state meet, then last year, he was the runner-up at 175 pounds.
Varzeas said he’s eyeing a lengthy run that will hopefully last all the way until the 61st Annual New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championships in Providence, R.I. March 7-8.
“It’s gonna be hard but I’m going for it all,” said Varzeas. “I’m going for New Englands. I really am, I feel like I deserve it. I work really hard and I have great training partners to get me to that point. So, yeah, I think I’m going for it all.”
A chance to challenge for a New England title wouldn’t surprise Kendziera in the least.
“Abel’s good. There’s no way around it. Abel’s good, and Abel will go as far as Abel goes,” said Kendziera. “Like, he is tough. He’s tough in all positions, bottom, top, neutral. He’s just always in a good position. The kid works hard, and he doesn’t stop. He’s got a good motor. So you’ve got to be willing to wrestle six minutes with him. And he’s going to go six minutes. I think (the WMass final was) the only match this year that’s gone six (full) minutes.
“I think the future, as far as states and all-states, obviously the competition will get a little bit tougher, but I think he’s game for it. I’m excited to see what he does this year. He’s tough.”
Beckett Leclair also took home an individual title at 144 pounds on Saturday. The No. 2 seed in the bracket, he certainly didn’t perform like an underdog in the final, taking down top-seeded Jordin Agosto of Agawam.
“I’m super proud of him,” said Kendziera. “Last year, he lost in the finals, and I know it’s disappointing for him and he lost by one or two points so he was right there. But the kid’s got a game plan, he knows what he wants to do, and he really executed to a ‘T’ (Saturday). He was aggressive and he kept the pressure going all match. It was great. His effort was a fantastic.”
Leclair wrestled his way into the semifinals at 126 during last year’s state meet, and ultimately settled for sixth place in the bracket.
“Hopefully I can keep this going next week at states and just keep winning,” said Leclair after Saturday’s win.
Leclair said the team’s sectional three-peat was well deserved.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “Three in a row wasn’t necessarily the goal, but just getting there, doing it as a team with all my family, it’s just amazing. It feels great.
“Just overcoming all the challenges, we’ve had a lot of things thrown at us, a lot of injuries, kids that were supposed to wrestle that weren’t on the team… just don’t let that get in the way. We had to go out and do it no matter what and we proved it.”
Devon Mateo was the Terriers’ other WMass champ at 113 pounds, and the three-time sectional winner has also fared well in the state meet. Last year, he made it through to the semifinals and then won the third-place match to provide key points toward the team total.
“I’m looking for a New England title this year,” said Mateo. “I lost pretty badly against the top wrestler in New England (last year), but I’m confident I could beat him. I just got caught.”
