Mansfield High Wrestling Eyes Division Meet

The Mansfield High will look to carry the momentum from several outstanding performances last week into the MIAA Division 1 State Individual Tournament this weekend in Methuen.

Last week during the Division 1 South Sectional Individual Tournament in Weymouth, the Hornets placed 10 of their 14 wrestlers in the top six in their respective weight classes.

had a total of seven athletes place in the top four in their divisions, all seven earning trips to the Division 1 State Meet this weekend in the process. Two other Hornets will also make the trip to Methuen on Friday as alternates.

Senior captain Kyle McGuire finished in second place in the 215-pound tournament during the Division 1 South Sectional a year ago, but won the championship this year to remain undefeated on the season at 23-0.

Senior Brett Reed finished in second place in the 103-pound tournament last Saturday in Weymouth and freshman Aurian Dawkins did the same at 112. Sophomore Joe Herrick placed third at 125 pounds and senior Domenick Auld finished second at 130.

Senior captain Henry Larose was fifth in the 140-pound tournament and classmate Ryan McCaffrey was sixth at 145. Junior Dan Gilmore reached the finals of the tournament at 152 pounds before finishing in second place.

Junior Tyler Budwey placed fourth at 171 pounds and senior captain Mike Trowbridge finished fifth in the 285-pound competition.

The MIAA Division 1 State Individual Tournament will be held on Friday and Saturday at Methuen High School.

With their performances last week, Reed, Dawkins, Herrick, Auld, Gilmore, Budwey and McGuire have all qualified for the divisional meet this week. Larose and Trowbridge will join the other seven wrestlers as alternates this weekend.

In his first-round match on Friday at 103 pounds, Reed will face Ken Hernandez of East Longmeadow, while Dawkins’ first opponent in the 112-pound tournament will be Connor Liebel of Agawam.

Herrick will face a stiff challenge in his first contest at 125 pounds on Friday, having to wrestle Franklin standout Greg Williams. Auld will battle Weston Fazzino of East Longmeadow in his opener at 130 pounds.

In his first-round match on Friday at 152, Gilmore will face Philip Calistro of Brookline, while Budwey will wrestle Illi Cojacaru of West Springfield in his opener at 171 pounds.

McGuire will look to continue his undefeated campaign when he faces Kevin Smith of Waltham in his first-round match at 215 pounds.

The top six wrestlers in each weight class this weekend will advance to the MIAA All-State Meet, which is being held this year on Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26 at Salem High School.