The T&G Hometeam wrestling all-stars for winter 2022-23
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, with the Central Mass High School Sports Awards program, presented by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union, is proud to announce the nominees for wrestling. The winner will be announced during the live show Wednesday, June 28, at the Hanover Theatre.
During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the athletes of the year in 31 other sports with Athletes of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, and a Courage Award.
Nominated athletes can register for their free ticket to the show here, thanks to sponsors: Nominee Registration for the 2023 Central Mass High School Sports Awards (smartsheet.com)
General public tickets are on sale here: 2023 Central Mass High School Sports Awards Tickets (enmotive.com)
Vote for your favorite school for the Spirit Award here: 2023 Show Your School Spirit - 2023 Show Your School Spirit (gannettcontests.com)
More information about the show, including other nominees, can be found here: Central Mass High School SportsCentral Mass High School Sports Awards (usatoday.com)
The Central Mass High School Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. Last year’s show can still be viewed here: 2022 Central Mass High School Sports Awards - YouTube
Sawyer Ayotte
Shepherd Hill Regional
Sophomore, 138 pounds
Ayotte recorded a 45-17 record for the Rams this winter and posted a sixth-place finish at the All-State championship to earn his first spot on the T&G Super Team. Ayotte also finished fifth at the Division 1 state meet and second at the Central/West championships. Ayotte qualified for the New England championships, and reached the round of 16, which was his most memorable moment. He is the son of Kim and Ray Ayotte of Charlton.
Miguel Borges
Marlborough High
Junior, 152 pounds
Borges has posted a 49-18 career record for the Panthers and won 29 of his 35 matches in the 152-pound weight class after missing the first three weeks of the season. Borges placed third at the All-State championships and was second at the Division 2 West sectional. Also a standout football player for the Panthers, Borges has been named to the Mid-Wach B all-star team the past two seasons. He is hoping to go to college to study law. The Marlborough resident is the son of Karine Hacilovic and Carlos Borges.
Curtis Ewing Jr.
St. John's High
Senior, 160 pounds
A two-year captain for the Pioneers and coach Kevin DeNorsica, Ewing posted a 33-3 record this winter and leaves St. John's with an impressive career mark of 84-12. Ewing is a two-time Central Mass. all-star and a two-time Catholic Conference all-star for St. John's and qualified for the New England Championships after finishing fourth at the Division 1 state meet. Ewing took the gold at the Division 1 Central/West Championships, which was his most memorable moment this season. Ewing will attend Roger Williams University and study mechanical engineering to pursue a career as an automotive engineer. He enjoys playing video games, listening to music and spending time with family in his spare time. He is the son of Victoria and Curtis Ewing Sr. of Worcester.
Brody Flannery
Nashoba Regional
Senior, 285 pounds
Flannery took third at the Division 2 state championships and advanced to the round of 16 at the All-State championships to earn a spot in the T&G Super Team. Flannery finished second at the Division 2 West championships and was fourth at the Division 2 state meet as a junior. Flannery also earned a win at the Dan Balboni Holiday Classic Tournament, which was his most memorable moment this season. Also a standout football player for the Wolves, Flannery was named to the Central Mass. all-star team the past two seasons. He will attend the University of Maine in the fall. The Stow resident is the son of Amy Sokolowski and Lawrence Flannery.
Landan Gray
St. John's
Junior, 138 pounds
Gray has recorded a career record of 55-10 for the Pioneers and already is a two-time Division 1 Central/West champion, topping Shepherd Hill's Sawyer Ayotte for the title this winter. His most memorable moment this season was his quarterfinal win in the Central/West championship, which he polished off in 41 seconds. Gray also placed fourth at the Division 1 state championship and fifth at All-States. He is the son of Krysta and Ryan Gray of Shrewsbury.
Troy Greaney
Leominster High
Freshman, 145 pounds
Greaney had quite the remarkable debut for the Blue Devils, becoming the only freshman in school history to reach the state finals, and he also recorded the most wins and pins as a freshman in school history. Greaney finished 37-6 this season and recorded 33 pins. Greaney captured the title at the Division 1 Central/West championships and was runner-up at the Division 1 state championships. He also was second at the Milford Tournament and fourth at the Chelmsford Tournament. Greaney enjoys fishing and playing lacrosse and football in his spare time. He is the son of Tara and Patrick Greaney of Paxton.
Rafael Knapp
Algonquin Regional
Senior, 170 pounds
Knapp polished off a spectacular season for the Titans, cruising to the title at the Division 1 Central/West championships and then becoming the first All-State champion in school history and just the second wrestler in school history to win a New England title. Knapp also competed at the NHSCA Nationals and finished the winter with a stunning 58-1 mark to increase his career mark to 133-14. Knapp, who also plays lacrosse at Algonquin, will wrestle at SUNY-Buffalo next year. He is the son of Rigleia and Matthew Knapp of Northborough.
Xadyn Natal
Monty Tech
Junior, 145 pounds
Natal earned his second straight appearance on the T&G Super Team after going 50-9 this season for the Bulldogs and finishing second at the All-State championships. Natal was third at the State Vocational championship and also took second at the Division 2 West championship and third at the Division 2 state meet. Natal also qualified for the New England Championship, reaching the round of 16. Natal enjoys working out and playing baseball in his spare time. Natal is working toward becoming a master plumber. He is the son of Lori Chace of Fitchburg.
Jonah Paulino
Monty Tech
Junior, 132 pounds
Paulino had another stellar season for the Bulldogs, capturing the All-State championship at 132 pounds and finishing third at the New England championships to finish 55-1 for the season. Paulino also repeated as champion at the Division 2 West and Division 2 state meets. Paulino is 80-4 in his career at Monty Tech, and his All-State title was his most memorable moment of the season. Paulino hopes to pursue a career in business. He is the son of Joni and Ruddy Paulino of Athol.
Nealon Stemple
Marlborough
Senior, 195 pounds
Stemple finished second at the Division 2 West championships and reached the quarterfinals of the Division 2 State championships to earn his second spot on the T&G Super Team. Stemple finished 22-4 for 2022-23, 15-0 in the regular season despite dealing with a torn meniscus and lateral collateral ligament. Stemple also was a standout football player for Marlborough and leaves as the School's second all-time leading tackler. Stemple, who will be wrestling next winter at Bridgewater State University, said his most memorable moment this season was winning the Marlborough Early Bird Tournament. He is the son of Shannon and Richard Stemple of Marlborough.
Anthony Vickers
Northbridge High
Junior, 113 pounds
Vickers went 31-8 this season for the Rams and recorded wins at the Division 2 West championship and Division 2 state championships before taking second at the All-State meet, the highest finish in Northbridge High history. Vickers capped his season by advancing to the quarterfinals at the New England championships. He is the son of Rebecca and Ed Vickers of Grafton.
Colton Wells
Quabbin Regional
Senior, 285 pounds
Wells put the finishing touches on a brilliant career for the Panthers, going 27-3 during the regular season and repeating as the Division 3 Central champion. Wells also is a two-time Agawam Holiday champion and advanced to the state tournament twice, finishing fourth this season. Wells went 52-4 over his career at Quabbin and was a two-time captain and Mid-Wach all-star for coach Mike Adams. Wells enjoys working out and fishing in his spare time and will attend Western New England University to study business, play football and perhaps wrestle. His most memorable moment this season was topping Ashland's Nate Cavanaugh for the Division 3 West title, which avenged a loss earlier in the season. He is the son of Jennifer and Shad Wells of South Barre.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Check out the T&G Hometeam wrestling all-stars for winter 2022-23
