Watertown’s wrestlers made more history this week as two athletes placed at All-States and will move on to the New England Championships. The Watertown-Wayland boys hockey team skated in a close game at Triton in the Round of 16 of the State Tournament.
Wrestling
For the first time, two Watertown wrestlers will compete at the New England Wrestling Championships, and for the first time a Raider will be in the boys’ bracket.
On Saturday, Watertown’s Tessa Master finished third at the All-State Wrestling Meet in Methuen. The senior hoped to repeat as All-State Champ in the 145 pound class, but lost to the ultimate winner in the semifinals, said Watertown Wrestling Coach Kevin Russo.
“The girl was very tough and the only one to score any points on Tessa in the past two weeks. The girl was from Methuen and she moved in from New York and gave Tessa her worst loss in a few years in female competition,” Russo said. “Tessa took it like a pro and rebounded well pinning her next two opponents and then winning her third place match on a disqualification.”
Master is headed to New Englands in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 8 and 9.
“Tessa will now be the underdog, something she has not experienced in over two years,” Russo said. “She, and her coaches, welcome the challenge, as competition is healthy and we will use the loss as motivation to improve as she always does. She is the first Watertown wrestler in history to qualify for the New England’s twice.”
Joining Master in Providence will be senior Brady Gleason, who finished seventh in the 175 pound class at All-States. He will be the first WHS male wrestler to compete at New Englands.
“He also was the first male Watertown wrestler to place in the All States, making his place in history,” Russo said. “We have had great accomplishments the past couple years from our top wrestlers, and Brady took it to another level. He wrestled well and will travel to Providence with a goal of being the first male wrestler to win at New England’s from Watertown. He leads by example.”
The Raiders have been on a roll the past two years, Russo noted, with wrestlers placing in the top three at States — first (Master), second (Tommy Dicker in 2024), and third (Brady) — and three placing at All-States — Master getting first in 2024 and third this year, and Gleason finishing seventh. Plus, Master finished third at New Englands last year.
“I could not be more proud of the accomplishments, as I see first hand how hard they work every day to improve as wrestlers and also as fine young human beings,” he said.
Boys Hockey
The Watertown-Wayland boys hockey team traveled to Newburyport on Sunday for the MIAA Div. 3 State Tournament Round of 16 matchup. The Raiders battle back multiple times to keep the game tied with the hosts, Triton.
The 12th-seeded Raiders trailed the fifth seeded Vikings 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but each time tied the game. The second period ended with the game tied at three apiece.
In the third Triton took a two-goal lead, but Watertown-Wayland pulled the score within one with 3:43 left. The Vikings scored the final goal, an empty-netter, to make the final score 6-4 Triton.
Sophomore Isaac Maillis of Watertown, scored in the first and third periods, while senior Shane Desmond of Wayland scored twice in the second.
Watertown-Wayland ends the season with a record of 8-13-1 and won the Round of 32 game against Pembroke in double overtime.