By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
As the winter sports seasons get underway, North Attleborough’s wrestling team is hoping for a repeat of a previous big win.
In its winter season earlier this year, the high school wrestling team won the 2021 Hockomock League title and competed for a Division II Central Sectional Championship. According to Coach Geoffrey Burgess, North went 9-1 last spring in a COVID shortened season, winning the Davenport division. The team also competed for the Division II South Sectional Tournament, finishing second to Plymouth South.
Burgess said that Franklin and Foxboro have usually been North’s biggest rivals in wrestling, but improvements by other schools have led to Sharon and Milford seeing success at the sectional level.
“We have a number of starters from that team returning and should be competitive throughout the season,” said Burgess. “We also have 20 brand new wrestlers this year so our focus is on the fundamentals. Our goal is to make our athletes bigger, stronger, and faster while improving their wrestling technique and match awareness.”
When asked about notable players for this season’s team, Burgess cited seniors Keysun Wise, Chris Galligan, and Tanner Ferguson, saying all three placed well in tournaments in the past and were poised to place at the state level.
“Keysun and Chris have been chosen as the team captains and will hopefully lead the team to a championship or two,” said Burgess.
Juniors Greg Berthiaume and Austin Dean exemplify the concept of champions being in pairs in the sport of wrestling, said Burgess, adding that both are very talented and work hard. The coach said sophomore Braxton Ferro has a passion for the sport that drives him to improve and perform.
“That drive earned him a varsity spot as a freshman and he hopes to have some post-season success,” said Burgess.
