Meet the members of the Daily News boys wrestling All-Star team for 2023-24
After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for boys and girls basketball, boys and girls hockey, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls track and field, gymnastics, skiing and wrestling.
Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this winter while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the court, field, ice, mat or track, or in the gym or pool.
the Daily News presents its 2023-24 All-Stars for boys wrestling
Aidan Baum, Milford
After earning his 100th career win in late December, Baum won the Division 2 state championship, his first D2 title, and placed second at All-States after finishing fourth last year. The 144-pound junior won three of his five matches at New Englands. He was 39-4 as a sophomore.
Michael Boulanger, Milford
Already with 130 career wins, Boulanger won his second consecutive Division 2 state championship, pinning Middleborough’s Matt Patterson in the 138-pound finals. This junior and Hockomock MVP placed second at All-States and fourth at New Englands. The three-time Daily News All-Star earned his 100th career win against Taunton. He is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Film Club. Boulanger also wrestles for MetroWest United and aspires to study engineering and compete as a wrestler at a Division 1 university.
Riley Carlucci, Franklin
A 44-8 season included this junior’s 100th career win and a team MVP award. The 138-pounder was a Sectional champion and placed fourth at the Division 1 state tournament. Carlucci is a two-time Hockomock League All-Star and a three-time state place winner. He enjoys golfing and snowboarding and plans to study sports management in college.
Logan Costello, Ashland
The 106-pounder placed second at Division 3 State and was a Sectional champion. This freshman and Tri-Valley League All-Star was sixth at All-States and compiled a 37-9 record. He wrestles out of New England Gold Wrestling Club and also plays soccer. He enjoys music and history. “This season was just the start of something special,” said coach Pete Zacchilli. “Logan has a bright future ahead.”
Daniel De Almeida, Hudson
As a member of the Nashoba co-op team, De Almeida’s junior season included a third-place finish in Division 2 and sixth place at All-States at 175 pounds. His season record was 45-9 and his career mark is 65-25. He enjoys other forms of grappling, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay-Thai sparring. De Almeida likes to run: his longest distance is 7.67 miles. Plans to study physical therapy or nursing.
Landry Fitzgerald, Blackstone Valley Tech
Wrapped up a two-year career with a sensational senior season, becoming the first wrestler from the Bellingham/BVT program to win a state championship. Fitzgerald, a heavyweight, placed seventh at All-States and was the State Voke champ for the second year in a row. He also repeated as Wayland Holiday Tournament champion. His career record is 43-3. Fitzgerald also played football and is planning on a career as a plumber. “Hard worker, dedicated. A true character,” said coach Thomas Forbes.
Jonah Ginsberg, Wellesley
This Bay State Conference All-Star and three-time captain posted a 41-7 record as a senior and totaled 92 career wins. He finished third at All-States and fifth in Division 1 at 175 pounds. Ginsberg is a big reason why the Raiders improved from 11-9 last year to 17-7. He will wrestle at New York University. “The greatest thing Jonah has accomplished is something most people won’t understand,” said coach Chris Sywetz. “We started our season three years ago with five kids and now we have almost 40. Bringing a program back from the brink of death is nothing short of a miracle.”
Adrian Guzman, Ashland
As part of a 35-3 record, this junior won the 157-pound division at the Division 3 championship, where his pin in the finals helped the Clockers win the team title with 291.5 points, 86.5 more than runner-up Wayland. He was also a Central sectional champion and is a part of Muz Trained Wrestling and Metrowest United Wrestling Club. Guzman is a three-time Tri-Valley League All-Star and is a YMCA lifeguard and enjoys playing guitar. “Adrian is one of the most talented kids we have ever had. I am excited to see what lies ahead,” said coach Pete Zacchilli.
Robert Lyons, Milford
A four-year starter and two-time captain, Lyons completed his career with 122 victories, a third-place finish at Division 2 States and seventh at All-States in the 126-pound weight class. A Hockomock League and Sectional champion, Lyons won two matches at New Englands. He wrestles out of Doughboys Wrestling Club in Lowell and is a recipient of the Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizen Award. Lyons enjoys listening to Rage Against the Machine and is committed to Norwich University for wrestling and criminal justice, in hopes of becoming a state trooper.
Derek Marcolini, Milford
This sophomore won the Division 1 state championship at 113 pounds with a 9-1 win in the finals at Algonquin and finished 44-3, including a Hockomock League title. Marcolini already has 87 career victories and is a two-time state finalist. He also wrestles at Top Flight Wrestling Academy and enjoys fishing, working out and baseball. Marcolini aspires to wrestle at a “top flight” Division 1 university.
Owen Menendez, Marlborough
The Division 3 State and Central champion in the 138-pound weight class compiled a 40-6 record for the Panthers. This senior and two-time captain was a Framingham Holiday Tournament champion and a finalist at tournaments in Marlborough and Cumberland, R.I. Menendez leaves the program with a 74-20 record and a team Most Valuable Wrestler award. He is a member of the National Business Honor Society who plans to wrestle at Bridgewater State and study business management.
Henry McElligott, Holliston
A 42-9 record left McElligott two wins shy of Holliston’s record for wins by a freshman. He placed fourth at Division 3 States at 144 pounds. McElligott was the Belmont Tournament champ and placed third at Marlborough and in Sectionals. He was also a Tri-Valley League All-Star and named the team’s Rookie of the Year. The Honor Roll student is a member of DECA and New England Gold Wrestling.
Bavly Mikhail, Holliston
Mikhail won the Central Sectional championship at 113 pounds, defeating an All-State placer from Athol in the finals. This senior went on to finish fourth at Division 3 States and qualified for New Englands by placing seventh at All-States. His season record was 42-11 and he finished third at the Marlborough and Belmont tournaments on his way to becoming a Tri-Valley League All-Star. Mikhail enjoys practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He plans on attending UMass-Amherst in the fall and studying engineering.
Anton Puhach, Ashland
The Tri-Valley League MVP won the Division 3 state championship at 175 pounds and finished 50-7 on the season. Puhach won his second consecutive Central title and placed fourth at All-States. He was 2-2 at New Englands and has 116 career wins. Member of Muz Trained and Metrowest United Wrestling clubs. Plans on applying to West Point and studying civil engineering. “Anton is so fun to coach. He strives for greatness and he has continued to improve his mindset which paid dividends in the postseason this year,” said Ashland coach Pete Zacchilli.
Zak Robinson, Holliston
A rare three-year captain, this senior leaves the Panther program with 90 career wins. Robinson placed third at the Division 3 state tournament at 138 pounds and eighth at All-States, part of a 37-10 season. He was also third at sectionals, and at the Marlborough tournament and the Belmont tournament. Robinson is a three-time Tri-Valley League All-Star and will continue his wrestling career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Dan Sullivan, Framingham
A junior captain, Sullivan placed fifth in Division 1 at 132 pounds and was a Bay State League All-Star. His next win will be his 100th. He is a two-time Sectional finalist and finished the season with a 41-9 record. He was a runner-up at the Wayland Holiday, Dan Balboni and Chelmsford Invitational tournaments. “Dan is a complete workhorse,” said Framingham coach Erik Delahanty. “He is one of the most reliable wrestlers I have ever coached. He is fully committed and working tirelessly to achieve the goals he sets for himself.”
Honorable Mention
Jake Ashman, Natick
Cole Chase, Wayland
Elijah Colon, Lincoln-Sudbury
Nate Garozzo, Lincoln-Sudbury
Ben Lincoln, Framingham
Mike Mortarelli, Natick
Jack Sauer, So, Franklin
Kizen Semprum, Framingham
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Meet the members of the Daily News boys wrestling All-Star team
