Monument Mountain Captures Division 3 Title

HOLYOKE, Mass. — Although only one wrestler placed first for Monument Mountain, the team's effort earned it the Western Massachusetts Division 3 title on Saturday evening.

"We had 11 of 13 guys place in the top six and that's what did it for us," assistant coach David Colli, filling in for coach Gordie Soule. "We're excited. We thought we had a chance but it was nice to perform."

Monument Mountain Regional High School scored 194 points, beating out Sabis (162 points) and Mount Greylock Regional High School (154 points).

"We expected to do very well," Colli said. "We felt if we just wrestled to our seeds or our potential that we'd be in it. We did."

Monument Mountain, like many of the other county schools, adjusted to fewer practices following the onslaught of snow cancelling school. Colli said the team practiced hard from Monday through Wednesday and stayed loose on Friday. The tournament, originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, was crammed into Saturday.

"I think it was a little easier doing one day because you're here, but yesterday was just so up in the air," Colli said. "We didn't know if we were going to have it in the morning or if we were going to have it in the afternoon..."

Robert Yaun was the lone Spartan to place first, pinning his opponent Riley Barker of South Hadley High School in the 195-pound match. Ten of his teammates also placed in the top six of their respective brackets.

Mount Greylock Regional High School's team had both Devin Pelletier (138) and Johnny Colon (182) clinch their brackets, also by way of the pin.

Despite not having a contender in five weight classes, Mount Greylock scored well enough for third.

"We came with the kids we had, I was happy with what they did, coming away with two sectional titles," said coach Ray Miro. "I was pleased with this weekend. Our kids came to wrestle, and they did. I'm proud of that."

Mount Everett's Bradley Lupiani won the 126-pound bracket, defeating Chris Vega from Dean Technical High School in three rounds. Lupiani jumped to an early 10-2 lead in the second round and didn't give Vega a chance to get out of the circle. Vega battled back, hoping for a late pin but couldn't overcome Lupiani.

"I knew I had a big lead and I had to stay away from his throws because he throws a lot so if I could stay away from that I knew I was in good position," Lupiani said, noting that he recently faced Vega last weekend and beat him before, but took a costly throw in the process.

Next Friday and Saturday, Monument Mountain wrestlers will go to Foxborough High School to compete for the state title.

"We're looking forward to it, we've got, I think, seven guys in states," Colli said. "We might be able to place in the top 10, that would be awesome."