Natick's Jake Ashman earns 100th career victory, Redhawks top Framingham for league title
FRAMINGHAM – No trophy, but a banner was unfurled.
Natick continued its wrestling dominance atop the Bay State Conference. But Framingham crept a little closer to that lofty pinnacle.
A year after dropping a 65-11 decision to the Redhawks, Framingham entered Wednesday night’s regular season finale tied for the top spot in the conference; both teams were undefeated in league duals. Natick’s three quick pins shot the Redhawks out to an early cushion before the Flyers eventually won four matches in a 50-18 setback.
After heavyweight Mike Whalen earned a pin in the evening’s final match, Natick was free to celebrate – but not smile – during a team photo on the mat. The Redhawks held up index fingers as parents snapped away before the team began clapping to mark the achievement. Only then, when phones were put down, did a few grins break out.
The jovial mood continued when the team serenaded longtime Natick assistant coach Kevin “Tuna” Thomas with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
The Redhawks won their 28th conference title.
“It feels great,” said Natick senior Jake Ashman. “Unreal. It feels like we put a cap on the season. This is where all the hard work we put in during the season really shows.”
When the team scattered after their paparazzi moment, Ashman posed with his parents while holding a banner commemorating a milestone victory: 100 wins. The 157-pounder's 9-6 decision increased his career total to triple-digits.
Ashman, a wrestler since second grade, had a slow start to reaching the feat, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic, which shortened his freshman year.
“I was dialed in this year to get the 100 wins and that’s something I’ve been working toward,” Ashman said. “It feels like a weight is off my shoulders.”
Framingham posted a sub-.500 record a year ago, but heads to this weekend’s sectionals with an overall 17-7 record.
Kizen Semprum earned the Flyers’ first points Wednesday before Ben Lincoln (pin), John Nogueria and Alexi Florian (pin) posted victories.
“We knew it was going to be a battle with Natick,” said Framingham assistant coach Bryan Silva. “We’re trying to take the title from them, but we came up short. Our guys came out and fought hard. There’s a healthy rivalry between us two. It’s always fun. That’s why we have it at the end (of the season).”
Mike Mortarelli, Jack Sullivan and Matt Pini began the night with pins for Natick. After Semprum’s decision over Marco Mariano, Joe Linton and Diego Montero earned decisions for the Redhawks. Adam English won a major decision ahead of Ethan Opela’s pin and Ashman’s landmark victory for a 38-3 lead.
Natick’s Sean Keady needed all but the final 12 seconds of the third period to outlast Jojo Alves in a pin that charged up the visiting crowd.
Florian’s pin was the final victory for Framingham, which continues to improve and will lose just six seniors to graduation.
“Absolutely,” Ashman said when asked if the Flyers are a program on the rise. “They came in super, super-solid today. I had no expectations for this match, but they had super-high energy. They were hungry tonight.”
The loss can only serve as motivation for next winter, according to Silva.
“This year win didn’t beat Natick – I know these guys have a chip on their shoulder,” he said. “They need to work hard in the offseason. Put in the work. That’s where champions are made. That’s where guys get better. We’ll be ready next year.”
Tim Dumas is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached at tdumas@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimDumas.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Ashman's 100th keys Natick over Framingham for league wrestling title
