High school wrestling teams across Hampshire County have already hit the mats to get the wrestling season underway. Each of the eight squads has a different set of expectations for the year, creating an exciting level of variance.
Here’s a closer look at each area team as the 2025-26 season gets going:
Frontier
Coach: Brian Bagdon/Seventh season
League: Suburban
Roster: Jocelyn Antes (Sr.), Larry Grincavitch (Sr.), Jacoby Merrill (Sr.), Jack Phillips (Sr.), Casey Bestler (Jr.), Max Hunter (Jr.), Konnor James (So.), Thomas Bagdon (Eighth), Sean Eich-Richardson (Eighth), Ainsley Southergill (Eighth).
Outlook: The Redhawks have a top-heavy team this season, hoping to bounce back after finishing 6-11 overall last year. Jocelyn Antes is the main name to keep an eye on, as the senior heads into her final year after winning the state championship at 120 pounds last season. She also needs roughly 26 wins to eclipse 100 total victories. Sophomore Konnor James also showed out at states last year, finishing in eighth place at 157 pounds. After transferring in from New Hampshire, Jacoby Merrill will hit the mats at Frontier for the first time, fresh off being the football team’s leading tackler this fall.
Belchertown
Coach: Kevin McNeill
League: Valley Wheel
Roster: Evan Perkins (Sr.), Eli Grillo (Sr.), Alex Maroney (Sr.), Thomas Normandeau (Sr.), Daven Suchenicz (Sr.), Hunter Champagne (Sr.), Edan Chaverri (Sr.), Chase Fraga (Sr.), Rulon Anderson (Jr.), Jordan Griffin (Jr.), Andre Jarry (Jr.), Ella Ricker (Jr.), Troy Robinson (Jr.), Lila Roy (Jr.), Carter Hampson (So.), Ryan Lacroix (So.), Ronan Mosher (So.), Oliver Hellyar (So.), Liam Verrochi (So.), Brogan Bottari (So.), Artem Barabolkin (Fr.), Logan Ridenour (Fr.), Evan Beaulieu (Fr.), Dylan Braid (Fr.), Charles Maurer (Fr.), Jesse Williams (Fr.).
Outlook: In their second year back on the mats at Belchertown High School, the Orioles are excited to continue to build up their wrestling program. Head coach Kevin McNeill has a large roster at his disposal, with 26 athletes on the team. Eight seniors will be in their final season, with six freshmen getting their first action.
PVCICS (Co-op with Granby & Amherst)
Coach: Anthony DelValle/Second Season
League: Suburban
Roster: Daniel Sherpa (Sr.), Frank Partida (Sr.), Qipeng Chen (Jr.), Andrew Martineau (Jr.), Finnegan Sheehan-Steward (Jr.), Robin Sloan (Jr.), Theseus Doherty (So.), Wyatt Humphrey (So.), Eunice Lo (So.), Farees Chabi-Yo (So.), Simon Speek (So.), Aaron Snow (Fr.).
Outlook: After just one team win last season, the Dragons are aiming for a bounce-back year. Granby and Amherst will be a part of the co-op as well. Daniel Sherpa and Simon Speek are the main wrestlers to watch this season, with 10 others ready to make their marks on a fresh year.
South Hadley
Coach: Byron Joy/Fourth season
League: Valley Wheel
Roster: Patrick Lavelle (Sr.), Jackson Erali (Sr.), Ethan Markham (Sr.), Logan Luis (Sr.), Eli Yakalov (Sr.), Adrian DeBeer (Sr.), Jasiel Ramos (Sr.), Renzo Carrero (Sr.), Jamie Medina (Sr.), Ryan Lachance (Jr.), Gavin Nicholls (Jr.), Logan McClure (Jr.), Roberto Melendez (Jr.), Joe Quatacker (So.), Lillian Fitzgerald (So.), Alex Linnehan (So.), Graicyn Drew (So.), Dylan Lavelle (Fr.), Zack Willette (Fr.), Javier Rosado (Fr.), Theo Kohm (Fr.), Samuel Sprague (Fr.), Myles Munoz (Fr.), Daueah Peters (Fr.), Shaelynn Nicholls (Fr.), Gavin Markham (Fr.), Grach Brach (Fr.), Ryder Mayer (Fr.).
Outlook: The Tigers finished last season in eighth place in the Div. 3 Central Sectionals, boasting a 15-7 record and hoping to continue to improve this year. With 28 wrestler, the team has depth all around, led by a strong senior class. Patrick Lavelle (126), Jackson Erali (144), Logan Luis (157), Eli Yakalov (165), Adrian DeBeer (165), Jasiel Ramos (175) and Jamie Medina (215) all have something to prove in their senior seasons.
Smith Vocational
Coach: Josh Bialek
League: Suburban
Roster: Mateo Henriques (Sr.), Eziquiel Torres (Jr.), Mason Cruz (Jr.), Jesse Boudreau (Jr.), Kiichi Como (Jr.), Ruth Pollin Galay (Jr.), Logan Hawley (Jr.), Ryan Labbe (Jr.), Michelle Angelica Minor (So.), Levi Moran (Fr.), Onyx Scher (Fr.), Gave Hannah (Fr.), Jacob Johnson (Fr.) Tristan Feinstein (Fr.).
Outlook: After a 4-21-1 finish last season, the Vikings will be looking for a reset. A bright spot for the team was its success in league play, finishing the year 3-2 against fellow Suburban League opponents. The unit has a good mix of youth and experience across a wide variety of weight classes.
OTHER AREA TEAMS – Holyoke had some representation from Steven Santiago in last year’s MIAA All-State tournament and will be looking for success again this season. Santiago eclipsed 100 career wins during last year’s New England Championships, too.
Hampshire’s Adin Clifford made his presence known in the tournament as well last year, and should lead the Raiders in the Tri-County League this time around.
Gateway will be back in the Tri-County League as well, aiming to be a group that makes some noise.