WHS wrestling team caps winning season with tourney bids

Waltham High School varsity wrestling ended its season last week with an impressive 7-5 dual-meet record in the Dual Country League, competing against top local teams such as Newton South, Wayland and Westford Academy.

“It’s Waltham’s first winning record in a long time. I’m proud of our wrestlers who all worked so hard this season,” head wrestling coach John Brokish said. 

The WHS team featured two seniors who ended the season with more than 100 wins. James Agostino (120 wins) and Michael Ayanyan (109 wins) broke the century mark after wrestling for all four years at the high school.

After the regular season, the WHS team participated in the Sectional Tournament at Malden High School on Feb. 14 and had a great showing. 

Eight out of 13 WHS wrestlers either placed or won medals at the event.

Of the eight, five qualified for the Division State Tournament, a high-level championship event where top wrestlers compete for titles and qualification to a higher, all-state level. The were Joseph Ayanyan, Michael Ayanyan, Matthew Hovsepian, James Agostino and Tai Vetrone. Hamza Yousaf and Stephen Mutebi from WHS were named as alternates.

The State tourney was held on Feb. 21 at North Andover High School in front of a packed crowd of contestants, coaches and fans from across Massachusetts. 

Senior Matthew Hovsepian, who placed second at the Sectionals, was injured before the event and had to sit out. However, each of the other four WHS wrestlers won at least one match, ending a 0-12 three-year losing streak at States. Tai Vetrone placed seventh and James Agostino placed eight at the meet.

Earlier in the year, the WHS team took second place at the Sharon Lombardo Tournament in Rhode Island and fifth place at the Essex High School Classic in Vermont, a multi-state tournament.

“We took a few trophies home this year, and we placed higher in every tournament we attended since 2023,” Coach Brokish said.