Two competing for Mid-Wach championship.

Byline: Rick Eggleston

COLUMN: HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 

Just who will win the Mid-Wach wrestling title?

Ask Hudson, and they've already sewn it up by virtue of their head-to-head record. Ask Nashoba Regional, and the Chieftains say they could earn a potential share of the title - but only if they can beat Milford on Wednesday, and if Quabbin beats undefeated league leader Hudson.

"We'd both finish 6-1 (in the league)," Nashoba coach Matt Schiller said. "If Quabbin can beat them, then I believe we would share (the league title)."

However, the head-to-head scenario would suggest otherwise, as it was Hudson that handed Nashoba its lone league loss to date earlier this season.

Still, a lot of things will have to happen on Wednesday in order for such a situation to arise.

"We're very pleased with how the season has gone, but we're just focused on our next match against Quabbin," Hudson coach Aaron Polansky said. "We have to deal with them next, and they're a good team."

As cliche as the one-meet-at-a-time approach may sound, it's worked for the Hawks (14-5, 6-0), who are enjoying their best season yet since Polansky took control of the program five years ago.

"The kids have really brought it all together as a team this season," Polansky said. "They're not worrying about the things they can't control."

Case in point is the who, what and how things will shake out in the league. As long as the Hawks go out and do what they're supposed to, they'll be fine.

No doubt feeling better than fine this season are the Hawks' core group of six to eight wrestlers who Polansky said possess the stuff to compete and place in next month's Division 3 state meet. Prior to that, the Hawks will host the D3 sectionals.

Among the team's leaders this season are heavyweight Jordan Ware, Derek Jordan at 125, Tony Domenicucci at 103, Ethan Cecelyn at 160, senior captain Greg Tanny at 171, heavyweights Andy Skoog and Hiago Fontoura, Shaun Keene at 135 and Matt Schwall at 215.

"We stress intensity, technique and to be thought-provoking," Polansky said. "Every kid is different, so it's key for us to be able to figure out what works best for each of them."

Meanwhile, in the midst of an equally satisfying season are Schiller's Chieftains, who have relied on a keen mix of talented seniors and sophomores this year. Last season was Nashoba's best in a decade as they posted a 21-3-1 record and won the Mid-Wach title for the first time.

"We changed the program the old-fashioned way," said Schiller, who took control of a floundering program six years ago that had just nine wrestlers on the team. "We worked the kids hard, and some stayed and some left. Then we started winning and other kids started joining. Hard work is the key - you get out of it what you put into it."

Indeed, numbers - and work ethic - are way up at Nashoba behind the likes of seniors Frank DeMeo at 112, Matt Holfinger at 152, Keith Schleyer at 160, D.J. Siewierski at 171, Blake MacLeod at 189 and Tom Quinn at 140. Between the three of them, DeMeo, Schleyer and Siewierski have combined for more than 70 wins this season.

DeMeo, a two-time state sectional champion and 30-match winner last season, most recently won the Natick Tournament at 112 pounds, while Siewierski was the runner-up there at 171, falling to defending all-state champ George Hargrove by one point.

The Chieftains' super sophomores include Andrew Holfinger at 152, Scott Farrell at 125 and junior Dan Trefry at 215.

Following its showdown with Milford, the Chieftains will look forward to the Division 2 sectional.

"The top four teams advance to the state meet," Schiller said. "I expect us to be there."

NAME: HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL; NASHOBA REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL