As it prepares for the ultimate competition of its 2024-25 Rhode Island Interscholastic League schedule, the Mt. Hope High School wrestling team offered up an impressive performance this past weekend in the inaugural "Red and Green" state qualifying meet held at LaSalle Academy in Providence where the Huskies placed second overall to winner Bishop Hendricken.

The Huskies tallied 206 points, sparked by seven top-three finishers. The Hawks claimed the top spot in the competition with 278 off of five wins, a runner-up result and four third-place finishes. South Kingstown was third in the team standings with 175.5 points.

All 14 of the Mt. Hope wrestlers who took the mat at the qualifier earned the right to vie in the 2025 RIIL State Championships set for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28 and March 1, at the Providence Career and Tech Academy Field.

"The team wrestled well today. They each demonstrated composure and experience in nearly every match," Mt. Hope head coach Ryan Fazzi said after the main event held Saturday, Feb. 22.

Fazzi spotlighted the efforts of Ben Martel, who secured a fall in the last few seconds to win the heavyweight (285) division, and Luka Saganic, who the junior varsity state title at 144 pounds the week prior and who placed seventh competing well above his listed weight Saturday (153) at the varsity qualifier in the 165-pound class.

Besides Martel, the Huskies' impressive freshman Kyle McCarthy won the 144 class. Anthony Lombardi (150) and Michael Beauchard (113) placed second, each losing their respective finals bout. Colin Maloney (215), Eli Francis (126) and Ethan Martel (138) wrestled back to third place. L.J. Pacheco fell in his consi final to place fourth at 175.

In addition, Aidan Squatrito (132), Bryce Brown (120), Matthew Thibaudeau (157) and Robert Annis (190) each also placed seventh. Logan Sousa (106) was ninth.

"A strong tournament team starts with qualifying a full lineup, and we’ve accomplished that," Fazzi added. We'll continue to put in the work and prove that Mt. Hope isn’t just a team of the future. We’re a team to watch out for right now."

"Red and Green" review

Last weekend, Ben Martel was dominant in his first three bouts in the 285 division, winning each by fall in 40 second, one minute and 2:38. As expected, he had a much tougher time in the final, finally pinning South Kingstown's Greg Hopkins with just 11 second left in his match (5:49).

Meanwhile, McCarthy received a bye through the first round, won his opening match by pin in two minutes, his semi by a narrow 5-4 decision over Scituate's Aidan Baker then scored an 8-5 victory over Hendricken's Seth McGrew for the 144 title.

Lombardi opened his tournament at 150 with a pair of pins then won his semi by tech fall (18-2) before falling to Barrington's James Rocco via major decision, 16-5, in the final. The three victories in the meet lifted Lombardi's career total to 95.

Bouchard's runner-up run began with a bye then a pair of pins to reach the 113 title match where he dropped a 6-2 decision to Smithfield's Dominick Sousa.

Ethan Martel completed his wrestle-back at 138 with a pinfall win over Central's Yandel Francisco-Vilchez in 1:51. Mahoney did the same at 215, pinning East Providence's Joe Vitolo by pin in 3:15. Francis earned third place at 126 with a 6-3 decision over Pilgrim's Jacob Oliveira. Pacheco was pinned by the Central Falls/Blackstone Prep co-op's Zion Taylor (1:18) in his consi final.

Looking ahead

The "Red and Green" results left the Huskies feeling quite good about themselves heading into states, which begin Friday night at 5 p.m. Those wrestlers who advance in the draw return to the PCTA Saturday morning at 9 a.m. The championship matches typically start at approximately 7 p.m.

"We are a young team, yet every single one of our wrestlers has qualified for the state tournament," said Fazzi. "We're sticking with the formula that has brought our team success this season while making strategic adjustments to sharpen our existing assets. Our wrestlers are strong, composed, and fully prepared for the challenges ahead this weekend."