WILLIAMSTOWN — As a defending sectional champion, Hampshire Regional’s Adin Clifford knew everyone would be trying to knock him off on during Saturday’s Western Mass. Division 3 Wrestling Championship at Mount Greylock Regional School. 

Clifford didn’t let that deter him, earning a pair of victories to reach the championship match at 144 pounds. 

There, he wrestled against Taconic’s West Dews but was unable to recapture his title, falling by a 20-13 decision. Still, the second place finish secured him a spot at the MIAA Div. 3 state meet in Foxborough next week as the top four placers in each weight class advanced to states, where Clifford will be looking to avenge the runner-up performance. 

“States next week,” Clifford said. “I'm excited. Historically I haven't done my best at states but I'm looking forward to trying to change that.”

Clifford was most proud of his semifinal victory over Mount Everett’s Max Manning, who had beaten him twice during the season. Clifford got the best of him on Saturday however, earning a 7-6 decision to reach the finals. 

“It went pretty well," Clifford said. “I got first last year but all in all it went pretty well today. I'm happy with my performance. I lost to [Manning] twice during the season but beat him today so that felt good. That Mount Everett match was tough. Credit to him. I'm glad I was able to beat him finally.”

While Clifford trailed Dews throughout the title match, he nearly got him late in the third period with a pin but Dews was able to roll away from the danger. 

“It was close,” Clifford said. “I think we rolled a little and I almost got him. He just got out of it. It was a good match.”

Clifford helped the Raiders earn a seventh place team finish on Saturday. Cody Gaida earned third at 175, Alex Florek placed fourth at 120 while Taylor McColgan took fourth at 132 to join Clifford at states for Hampshire.

Robert Zononi (126), Samuel Mathews (215) and Finn Dewitt (138) all earned fifth for the Raiders. 

A pair of brothers on the Frontier wrestling team clinched spots at states on Saturday. 

Konnor James walked away with a third place finish at 157 while his older brother Kaden James earned a third place finish at 215. 

Franklin Tech’s Jackson Morey took Kaden out of the running at 215, as Morey was able to secure a first period semifinal pin to reach the finals. 

“I was hoping for first,” Kaden James said. “I wrestled a Mount Greylock kid at a quad meet and it was close but that Tech kid came out of nowhere. He’s a strong kid. I give props to him, he did a great job. I got a few takedowns on him but his upper body is just so strong and kept me down.” 

Kaden James went on to beat Springfield International’s Judah Taylor and Hampden Charter’s Nelson Torres to earn third place. 

“I’ll take third,” Kaden James said. “Onto states. I can’t wait to get out there. Anything can happen once you make it.” 

Konnor James fell to Mount Everett’s Ian Lanoue in the semis at 157 but stormed back to beat Duggan’s Caesar Soto and Hampden Charter’s Jedhiael Vazquez Agusto to earn third and clinch a spot at states. 

Jonathan Olvera (175) and Max Hunter (285) earned fifth place finishes for Frontier. 

Belchertown’s Jack Bergeron earned a fourth place finish at 175 to lock up a spot at states, as he went 2-2 on the day. Brogan Bottari (120) and Evan Perkins (150) took fifth while Eli Grillo (285) and Ronan Mosher (165) placed sixth for the Orioles. 

WMass Div. 2 championship

Holyoke competed at the Western Mass. Div. 2 sectional championship at Algonquin Regional High School, with the Purple Knights placing sixth as a team. 

The Purple Knights were led by Steven Santiago, who walked away with a sectional championship at 120 pounds. 

Santiago won a trio of matches to reach the finals, where he earned a 6-3 triumph over Shepherd Hill’s Trevor Blair to take home the sectional title. 

A number of Holyoke wrestlers will be joining him at the Div. 2 state meet. Luis Rivera took third at 144 while Zaire Burton-King (113) and Jack Perez (165) took fourth. 

Jaydin Molina Santana (126) and Parker Brunelle (285) each took fifth while Cecilo Sanchez (157) and Josiah Cedeno (106) both took sixth for Holyoke. 

Central Mass. Div. 3 championship

South Hadley and Granby made the trip to Wayland High School for the Central Mass. Div. 3 sectional championship on Saturday. 

The Tigers earned an eighth place team finish, with Jamie Medina (215) and Roberto Melendez (285) each placing third to secure spots at states. Jasiel Ramos will join them, as he took fourth at 175. 

Jackson Erali (138) and Patrick Lavelle (120) placed fifth while Javier Rosado (113) earned sixth for South Hadley. 

Granby’s Nathan Benson placed fifth at 113.