Coming off the program’s first-ever Western Mass. championship, the Franklin Tech wrestling team is ready to defend its title this season.
Complacency will not be a problem for the Eagles.
“With the success that they’ve had,” Franklin Tech coach Mike Aiken said. “Trying to keep everybody motivated, understanding that with having success it’s not guaranteed the next year. We have to earn it every year. We had some success but that doesn’t mean we change who we are.”
Carston Couture enters his senior season for the Eagles after winning a sectional crown in the 150-pound weight class last year. Couture moved up five weight classes.
“It’s definitely heavier,” Couture said. “But I feel I am going to wrestle better from being more healthy. I was cutting like 10 pounds a week last year and it sucked. I was dehydrated and malnourished. This year being able to eat and be hydrated it’s going to affect me and make me wrestle better overall.”
Landon Purington also grabbed some hardware at Western Mass. last year in the 132-pound weight class. Purington remains in the same weight class this year.
At 285, Dillon Laffond enters his senior looking to wreak havoc against any heavyweight in his path. Laffond placed second at Western Mass. and second at the statewide competition last year.
“I can’t really think about what happened last year,” Laffond said. “I just have to move forward with the season. I am shooting for New Englands.”
Maxon Brunette will wrestle in the 144-pound weight class in his senior season. This is a move up for Brunette, who would like to secure a Western Mass. championship this year.
“This year I took a different mindset,” Brunette said. “I am going to feel better when I wrestle. Feel stronger, healthier and more hydrated.”
Couture, Purington, Laffond, Brunette and Jackson Morey are all approaching the 100-win milestone for Franklin Tech.
The Eagles enter a new league alignment against Westfield, Holyoke, Frontier, PVCICS, Smith Vocational and Longmeadow. The teams make up the new Suburban league.
Athol
The Bears have multiple talented wrestlers in several weight classes. Starting with Adam Rodriguez at 120 pounds. Brady O’Connell (132), Evan Ke (144) and Jaiden Santer (190) should also win consistently.
Nick LeBlanc (285) will look to dominate the mat at heavyweight. Athol had several podium wrestlers in playoff situations last season and will expect growth from these athletes.
Frontier
Jocelyn Antes returns to defend her crown at 120 pounds. Antes was a state champion last season in the girls field. Antes is close to the 100-win milestone for the Redhawks.
Konnor James returns to compete at 157 pounds. Max Hunter placed fifth at Western Mass. last year at 285 pounds.
Jacoby Merrill will compete at 175 pounds for the Redhawks.
Track and Field
Athol
Enyert Arias-Cepeda is someone to watch in sprinting events for the Bears. In the shot put, Elijah Etienne averaged 30 feet last year and got stronger over the offseason.
Piper Bailey crosses over into the track and field world from gymnastics and could surprise in the high jump.
Pioneer Valley Regional
Carter Berthiaume is relatively new to jumping but is making an immediate impact in the event. During the spring season, Berthiaume closed in on a school record and just missed qualifying for states in the high jump. The Panthers expect big things from him in the winter.
Addison Chapin has natural abilities in the high jump and sprinting events for the Panthers. Lucy Burnap provides versatility in multiple events. She excels in the high jump, hurdling and sprinting events.
Freshman Harper Hake is one of the best distance runners in Franklin County,
Mahar Regional
Stellina Moore is a dominant force for the Senators. Moore is the school record holder in the high jump, hurdles, pole vault and pentathlon as a junior.
Mahar has 26 athletes on its roster with six seniors. Last season, the boys went 8-3 while the girls went 4-8.
Greenfield
Coming off a league championship, the Greenfield boys return Mason Youmell. The versatile Youmell is a threat to win any event he enters for the Green Wave.
Zach Ozdarski is a strong returning thrower for Greenfield. Alex Scotera brings experience and skill to distance events for the Green Wave. Dylan Breiwick and Ryan Spofford also could also see several podiums in distance events.
“We’re hoping to continue last season’s success and win our league,” First year coach Erich Leaper said.
Mohawk
Joe Chadwick has 11 girls on his roster for his 26th season. Ella Thompson is the lone senior for the Warriors. Thompson participates in hurdles, the 600 and relay events for Mohawk.
Virginia Krezmien is a distance runner while Morgan Raffa handles sprinting events for the Warriors. Heidi Helenek will compete in the hurdles, the 55-meter, the long jump and relays for Mohawk.
Frontier
The Redhawks’ girls team has three seniors in Maddie Antes, Julia Morse and Ashley Rivard. Antes competes in multiple events for Frontier. Morse competed in hurdle events last year. Frontier went 8-1 last season.
Louise Flagollett joined the team this season and had a podium finish (five feet) in the high jump last year for Pioneer at the Division 5 Indoor Track Championships in Boston.
Boys basketball
Turners Falls
The Thunder won five games last season and enter the Tri-County North league this season. They will play McCann Tech, Westfield Tech, Frankloin Tech, Mohawk, PVCICS and Smith Vocational.
“I have enjoyed the first week as the boys have shown excellent effort in practices and have demonstrated some good things,” Turners Falls coach Gary Mullins said. “I hope we shoot the ball better this year, and I think we will. I believe our seniors, who experienced a lot of success on the soccer field, think we can win some games on the hardwood.”
Jackson Cogswell is a senior who has good size and averaged 16 points last season. Freilyn Abarua, a sophomore, worked on his game over the offseason and could be another reliable scorer for the Thunder. Kainen Stevens brings some athleticism to both ends of the floor.
Mohawk
The program makes its return to varsity basketball this season and is eager for its first victory. Mohawk has four seniors in Malcolm Briggs, Noah Sprague, Brayden Marcoux and Charlie Georgantas.
Briggs will run the point for the Warriors. Sprague and Georgantas bring athleticism and energy while Marcoux can shoot from outside for Mohawk. There will be an adjustment period for the players now playing at the varsity level.
Girls basketball
Turners Falls
After some time away from varsity play, the Thunder return this season. For the last two years Turners Falls played a junior varsity schedule due to low numbers among high school aged players.
Turners Falls has a 10-player roster this season. Junior Ivy Lopez will lead the team as captain. Autumn Thornton played junior varsity as a sixth grader and can shoot and take it to the hoop.
Jojo Hayman, an eighth grader, has a strong work ethic. Hayman provides a smooth jumper and has a good feel for rebounding. The young and inexperienced roster will look to build a foundation for the future.
Jason Salls takes over the program for Turners Falls.