As Belmont Hill Varsity Wrestling enters the latter half of the season, the team has shown nothing but sportsmanship, hard work, and success. With just five matches remaining, the team’s 19-1 record speaks for itself. Although the team lost several strong seniors from last season, new incoming starters, namely Isaac Novod ’27 (106 lbs), Scotty Moreau ’26 (113 lbs), Jack Dragoumanos ’26 (126 lbs), and Haden Botillegeri ’24 (170 lbs), have bolstered the lineup. From the start of the season, the team has dominated the ISL. Before winter break, the team defeated Governor’s Academy 67-9. In January, they continued to defeat other ISL squads, including Thayer, BB&N, Lawrence Academy, Middlesex, Brooks, Milton, Tabor, and Nobles. Highlighted by heavyweight Dave Lograsso’s ’23 buzzer-beater takedown, the team beat St. Sebastian’s 69-12. On the 23rd, the team proved their league superiority, overwhelming previously undefeated Roxbury Latin 72-6.
Outside of the ISL, the team continues to find success against some of the largest schools in New England, including Phillips Exeter and Phillips Andover. In a close December match, the team proved themselves by defeating Greens Farms Academy, the second-place team at last year’s New England’s tournament. At their most recent match, the team secured a perfect score win, 84-0, over Avon Old Farms. Unfortunately, the team lost in a close match against Northfield Mount Hermon, the current New England champions. However, they look forward to a rematch with a full, healthy starting lineup next month at the New England’s tournament.
Meanwhile, the second varsity team continues to prove the depth of the program. While the starters competed at the Battle of Germantown in Pennsylvania, the second team began their season at the Taft tournament. After defeating Beaver Country Day, the team competed at the Skiff Mountain Scuffle Tournament at the Marvelwood School, finishing in second place. The second team is looking forward to taking on Landmark, Portsmouth Abbey, and Eagle Hill in the coming week.
As the final dual meets come to a close, the team looks forward to competing in postseason tournaments, namely the Graves-Kelsey (the ISL championships), New England’s, and Prep Nationals. Having placed third at New England’s tournament last year, the team seeks to regain their title as the previous three-peat champions. Propelled by excellent captain leadership from Alex Garvonsky ’23, Turner Rayment ’23, and Freddy Pimentel ’23, BH wrestling will continue to push the pace over the coming weeks, with the goal of winning the ISL, New England’s, and placing as many All-Americans as possible on the podium at the Nationals at Showplace Arena in Maryland.
