Be sure to pick up today's Eagle Tribune as it features a preview of the Methuen High School Wrestling team, below is a preview of what is expected from our wrestlers this season.
Methuen
2015-16 season: 29-1; 2nd D1 North
Returning starters (8): Darius Franklin, Sr., 182; Nate Green, Sr., 113; Travis Abdallah, Sr., 132; Trevor Abdallah, Sr., 170; Travis Manick, Jr., 195; Dan O’Connell, Jr., 160, Jarmany Colon, So. 106, Matt Cabezas, So. 138
Returning lettermen: Christian Rosado, Sr., 138; Chris Ramos, Jr., 1126/132; Will Trainer, Jr., 160; Jack Kraunelis, Jr., 145; Lukas Max, Jr., 220; Aaron Searth, Soph., 195
Promising newcomers: Chris Fowler, Jr., 220; Femi Marquis, Jr., 152; Evan Stoddard, Jr., 106; Dylan Barstow, Soph., 113; Bryce Smith, Jr., 285; Zabian Cruz, Soph., 152; Jose Diaz, Soph., 170; Alex Fitzgerald, Soph., 170; Alex Guzman, Soph., 195; Erick Lucas, Soph.; 182, Manny Moore, Soph., 160; Liam Norton, Soph., 285; Jon Ouellet, Soph., 140; Dereck Raminrez, Soph., 285; CJ Brown, Frosh., 145; Corey Ciccotelli, Frosh., 106; Max Faretra, Frosh., 126; Junior Gelin, Frosh., 152; Nathan Gillespie, Frosh., 126; Gokay Goktug, Frosh., 220; Erick Gonzalez, Frosh., 126; Joe Harrington, Frosh., 126; Chase Mandeville, Frosh.,182; Andrew Perez, Frosh., 132; Jay Ramos, Frosh., 170; Joe Suzor Frosh., 170
Candidates: 70; Captains: TBA
D1 North placers: 2. Matt Cabezas, 2. Travis Manick, 2. Darius Franklin, 3. Cam Heffernan, 4. Nate Green, 4. Trevor Abdallah, 5. Abimael Gonzalez
Assistant coaches: John Sughrue, Kevin Sughrue
Fast facts: Matt Cabezas, Travis Manick and Darius Franklin are all returning Division 1 state finalists. Manick was 42-2 last year and Franklin, after a 35-3 mark, has a career record of 103-10. ... Over 80 candidates tried out, the largest number in recent memory. There are 30 sophomores. ... Football All-Star Bryce Smith is wrestling for the first time and looks to have some potential. ... All nine seniors from last years team are attending four year colleges. ... Sophomore Dylan Barstow has some youth wrestling and boxing experience and should add some depth to the lighter weights.
Coach Bill James (16th year, 285-64-1): “We have a good core of experienced wrestlers, but we also graduated almost half our starters so we hope to get the most we can out of all our wrestlers. There are definitely some weight classes that we need to develop. It is important for us to stay positive and work hard everyday. If we do that we will improve as the season progresses and hopefully be competitive with every team that we wrestle.”
