Andover Wrestling looks to continue its long tradition of success this year with eight returning varsity starters. Last year the team ranked second in Class A, second in all of New England and 21st in the nation.
Of the team’s eight returners, Anthony Tedesco ’12, Christian Vallis ’14 and Co-Captains Colton Dempsey ’12 and Brandon Sneider ’12 participated in last year’s New England finals.
Consisting of primarily veterans, Andover plans to make another deep run in the New England Championships.
Much of the team’s success will rely on the performance of their three four-year varsity Seniors Dempsey, Tedesco and Sneider. All three contributed greatly last year, with crucial victories and points for the team.
Vallis said, “The team will greatly depend on the performance of our three Seniors. Their leadership presence will boost team morale and also cause the whole team to perform better.”
Now a Lower, Vallis himself has already proved himself on the mat. With an impressive record of 26 wins and just five losses, Vallis placed second in New England and eighth in the nation, no easy feat for a freshman.
Andover’s greatest strength this winter might be its dominance in the majority of the weight classes. With strong contenders wrestling between 120 and 160 pound weight classes, Andover will be especially strong in the middleweights, and opponents will have a tough time gaining points from these wrestlers.
The team will face many good opponents this winter, but their most challenging dual meets have traditionally been with NMH and Belmont Hill.
Last year, Andover lost to both teams in the regular season but came back to beat Belmont Hill in the New England Tournament.
Andover Wrestling looks to start their season on a good note with its first dual meet away at Nobles this Saturday.
