Milford boys erase bitter memory of stinging setback with sweet Division 2 title victory
Milford's Michael Boulanger (top) beat Melrose's Marco Albaneseon in a 157-pound bout.
Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
Milford had seven wrestlers compete for individual titles during Saturday's Division 2 tournament at Salem High.
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Aidan Baum (144) and Michael Boulanger (157) won their respective weight class in their final season of eligibility while junior Derek Marcolini was victorious in the 126-pound bracket.
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Brayden Boccia (113), Josiah Carney (138), Ryan Flis (150) and Luke Donis (190) were runners-up in their respective brackets as the Scarlet Hawks captured the Division 2 title with 177.5 points.
Milford's Derek Marcolini (top) had the upper hand on Somerset Berkley's Alex Javier en route to winning his 126-pound bout.
Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
It marked Milford's third Division 2 state title in four years, which included back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
'It was exciting, but I've tried to keep my emotions in check,' said Boulanger, who will wrestle at Duke next year. 'I've been here before, so I wasn't trying to get too amped up. I feel like when I get too excited, sometimes the matches can get a little stressful.'
Baum, who will continue his athletic career at Division 3 Wisconsin-La Crosse, practiced with Boulanger throughout their five seasons together after being awarded waivers during the COVID-19 season to compete at the varsity level as eighth-graders.
'My son [Brayden] has looked up to [Boulanger and Baum] for a long time,' Boccia said. 'That's all he knows. He knows the success. He knows how hard they work. He's seen it his whole life. So they definitely set the standard.'
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MIAA Division 2 Championship
at Salem High
106 pounds — Alexavier Orellana, Woburn def. Sean MacDonald, Longmeadow, DEC, 10-7.
113 pounds — Johnny Moraes, Melrose def. Brayden Boccia, Milford, DEC, 10-8.
120 pounds — Peter Rincan Jr., Billerica def. Steven Santiago, Dean Tech, F, 1:32.
126 pounds — Derek Marcolini, Milford def. Alex Javier, Somerset Berkley, TF, 19-4, 4:36.
132 pounds — Kai Ly, Minnechaug def. Jack Alves, Bridgewater-Raynham, TF, 20-4, 5:48.
138 pounds — Brent von Magnus, Bridgewater-Raynham def. Josiah Carney, Milford, F, 2:41.
144 pounds — Aidan Baum, Milford def. William Merkle, Reading, TF, 21-5, 5:55.
150 pounds — Miguel Arcila, Salem def. Ryan Fils, Milford, DEC, 4-2.
157 pounds — Mikey Boulanger, Milford def. Marco Albanese, Melrose, F, 1:01.
165 pounds — Sawyer Ayotte, Shepherd Hill def. Luke Driscoll, Bridgewater-Raynham, DEC, 3-0.
175 pounds — Cyrus Jones, Sharon def. Abel Varzeas, West Springfield, F, 3:51.
190 pounds — Fletcher Rinke, Bridgewater-Raynham def. Luke Donis, Milford, DEC, 6-3.
215 pounds — Max Holloway, Agawam def. Logan Hauck, Whittier, DEC, 6-2.
285 pounds — Jack Disharoon, Tri-County def. John Bermudez, Minnechaug, F, 2:44.
Team results — 1. Milford, 177.5; 2. Bridgewater-Raynham, 154; 3. West Springfield, 89; 4. Duxbury, 84.5; 5. North Attleborough, 84; 6. Nashoba, 75; 7. Melrose, 71; 8. Minnechaug, 68.5; 9. Woburn, 68; 10. Agawam, 64.5.
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