NORTHAMPTON — Hampshire Regional wrestler Mason Willard defeated Smith Vocational’s James Buddulph 1-0 during their 170-pound finals match at the 2019 Berkshire Holiday on Saturday.
The two faced off again Thursday night when the Raiders and Vikings competed in a dual at Smith Vocational.
Like the first match, it was close until the end, but Willard did enough in the final period to pull out the 4-1 victory.
Willard used his experience from wrestling Buddulph on Saturday to help him on Thursday.
“The first (match) really just showed me a lot about my wrestling. … Shooting in the beginning and not adjusting to his stance,” Willard said. “I took small things from it. Where he would let up and where I could take advantage. It made me feel a lot more confident in how I could wrestle on top. … It helped me out a lot.”
Willard’s performance helped lead the Raiders to a 45-30 victory over the Vikings.
There were seven forfeits. Smith Vocational was forced to forfeit at 106, 113, 120 and 126. Hampshire forfeited at 138 and 145. Both teams forfeited at 195.
Division 3 state medalist Michael Baldwin pinned the Vikings’ Race Drobiak in 1 minute, 59 seconds to win his match at 182.
The Vikings’ Casey Baldwin pinned Hampshire’s Bryce Illingsworth in 5:42 at 160.
Casey Baldwin enrolled at Smith Voc. after competing as an eighth grader for Hampshire Regional last year. Illingsworth used to be his sparing partner when the two were teammates.
“It was nice seeing him again,” Casey Baldwin said.
The Raiders’ Max Abel pinned Smith Vocational’s Tanner Smith in 4:56 to win at 152.
Hampshire’s Gideon Touchette pinned Zac Martinez in 2:48 at 220.
Smith Vocational’s Abdullah Sheikh pinned Hampshire’s Luke Johndrow in 2:33 to win at 132.
The final match at 285 between Smith Vocational’s Joseph Lamanna and Hampshire’s Evan Carmody was one of the most exciting of the night.
The match featured two first-year wrestlers and went back and forth.
Lamanna overpowered Carmody late in the third period to earn his first win via pin in 5:38.
No one from Hampshire or Smith Vocational sat down during the match. Both sides were involved and cheered on their teammates.
“It was like a tank bowl. Kind of like the Dolphins versus the Bengals,” Lamanna said about his match. “It was fun. I had fun.”