The Daily Hampshire Gazette’s All-Stars schedule continues with wrestling as several local grapplers had tremendous seasons on the mat this past winter.
All-Star selections were largely based on qualifications into postseason meets, with All-State meet qualifiers receiving automatic All-Stars status.
As with the other released All-Stars stories so far, the Gazette sports department included honorable mentions for wrestlers who didn’t make the cut for All-Star recognition.
Wrestling All-Stars
Steven Santiago | Holyoke
Santiago was one of the Purple Knights’ top wrestlers on its first Division 3 West championship squad in 13 years. Santiago won the 120-pound individual championship at Taconic High School in February, helping Holyoke to the D3 West crown. Santiago also took seventh at the D3 state meet and seventh at the All-State meet in Springfield.
Jesus Morales | Holyoke
Another D3 West individual champion for the Purple Knights in Pittsfield, Morales won the 215-pound title against Mount Greylock’s Logan O’Connell by a 10-4 decision. Morales then competed at the D3 state meet and All-State meet for Holyoke.
Parker Brunelle | Holyoke
Rounding out the Purple Knights’ impressive title-winning trio, Brunelle beat Monument Mountain’s Ryan Murray by fall in the D3 West 285-pound final, pushing Holyoke to 198 team points. Brunelle then took to the mat at the D3 state meet and the All-State meet.
Robert Zononi | Hampshire
Zononi was the only other Hampshire County individual champion at the D3 West meet, taking first in the 126-pound final over Holyoke’s Zaire Burton-King. Zononi’s season wrapped up at the D3 state meet.
Jasiel Ramos | South Hadley
Ramos cruised to the D3 Central title in the 175-pound division, winning all three matches of the day decisively. Ramos beat Grady Kiley in the final by a 14-4 major decision as the Tigers’ only individual champion.
Ruth Pollin-Galay | Smith Voc / Northampton
As the first girls’ state champion in Northampton’s history, Pollin-Galay was a shoo-in for All-Star status. Pollin-Galay claimed the Division 2 138-pound state crown at Whitman-Hanson High School in February, before competing at the All-State meet.
Grace Brach | South Hadley
Brach earned bronze at the D3 girls state championship, easing past Excel Academy’s Gen Andrade in the 152-pound division. Brach was then the lone Tigers representative at the All-State meet.
Emilee Silvagni | Gateway
Silvagni was a bright spot for the Gators this season, taking third at the D3 girls state championship in the 165-pound division. Silvagni edged Triton’s Madison Marino for a podium finish. Silvagni wrestled at the All-State meet to close out the season.
Mikiadenise Johnson | Holyoke
Johnson took third place at in the 145-pound division at the D3 girls state championship for the Purple Knights after beating Excel Academy’s Naomi Herrera. Johnson then concluded the season at the All-State meet.
Eli Willard | Hampshire
Willard made it to the D3 West 106-pound final, but was bested by Monument Mountain’s Mason St. Peter. Willard also made it to the D3 state meet for the Raiders.
Zaire Burton-King | Holyoke
A runner-up finish in the 126-pound final at the D3 West meet and a D3 state qualification was enough for Burton-King to receive an All-Star selection.
Taylan McColgan | Hampshire
McColgan, the last Raider wrestler chosen, reached the championship at the D3 West meet in the 138-pound division, but came up short against Franklin Tech’s Landon Purington. McColgan then competed at the D3 state meet.
Honorable mentions: Andre Jarry (Belchertown); Evan Perkins (Belchertown); Alex Maroney (Belchertown); Ezekiel Jimenez (Hampshire); Finn DeWitt (Hampshire); Tristan Somes (Hampshire); Harrison Farrar (Hampshire); Jan Luis Rivie Cartagena (Holyoke); Jayden Molina Santana (Holyoke); Jonathan Rivera Marrero (Holyoke); Josiah Cedeno (Holyoke); Simon Speek (PVCICS / Granby); Joseph Quatcker (South Hadley); Ryan Lachance (South Hadley)
