On Thursday, March 13, at the Gerry 5, the Marblehead Black & Blue co-op wrestling team officially wrapped up the season with the annual awards banquet. Head Coach Mike Stamison presided over the festivities. He has headed up the program throughout the past decade after serving as an assistant coach for six years.
This past season, Stamison’s team compiled a winning record of 10-8. They had wins against Pentucket/Newburyport, Plymouth South, Danvers, Lynn, Salem/Hamilton-Wenham, Billerica, Great Lawrence Tech, Pelham, York, Maine and Essex Tech/Masconomet.
The team also placed ninth out of 15 squads in the Anthony Lisitiano Memorial Tournament at Wakefield High School. They were fifth out of 14 teams in the Sharon Lombardo Tournament at Rhode Island’s Mt. Hope School, and came in 10th out of 21 schools in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament. The Black & Blue wrestlers were number one at Pelham, New Hampshire’s Daniel Gionet Memorial Tournament after defeating 13 other clubs to secure the top spot. It was their first triumph there since 2018.
The Black & Blue boys finished sixth out of 10 teams in the CAL/TEC Tournament at Triton, which began the postseason. They then ended up eighth out of 13 teams in the Division 2 North state sectional tournament at Woburn High, before tying for 24th during the Division 2 state tournament in the coed division out of 46 teams at Salem. The Marblehead co-op girls were 28th out of 31 teams.
For the 20th straight year, Stamison’s crew earned the NEC Sportsmanship Award.
The team is graduating 10 seniors this year, but will still return essentially a full lineup that has a ton of experience, led by captains Liam O’Brien and Colin Hart, according to Stamison.
During the banquet, Stamison thanked many for their support to help the team end up with a winning record. “First and foremost, I want to thank my assistant coaches that include Rob Hopkins, Jeff Hinshaw, Andrew Norton, Eli Smith, Chris Thomas, Jimmy Luscombe and Igor Babushkin,” he said.
“While Jimmy and Igor weren’t around too much this season, due to their growing families and work commitments, they were still ultra helpful when they did show up to help out.
“Chris (Thomas) joined our staff midway through the season as the heavyweight coach, all the way from his home in Salem, N.H. He was instrumental in developing Justin Gonzalez, Jayvery Monegro and Xavier Tejada.
“Eli (Smith) was invaluable to us as a technical coach. He was also a great sparring partner for the kids. Andrew Norton, one of my former teammates, was also an invaluable member of the coaching staff. He came to a ton of practices and matches, and was a great resource.
“Jeff (Hinshaw) has just completed his third year with us. He runs excellent conditioning practices, and scares me just how much he knows about opposing wrestlers.
“Also, in his third year as an assistant coach and 12 years altogether in the program, Rob (Hopkins) continues to be a tremendous asset to the team for his passion for the sport.”
Stamison also recognized the team’s parents and boosters, saying, “The season doesn’t run as smoothly without (them). Special thanks to booster club president Julie O’Brien and Kristin DiBarri and Milena Connolly, who were the masterminds behind this banquet.”
The veteran coach also thanked his friend Steve Lewis of Smokey Lab Barbecue. They were together on the Marblehead High football staff for three seasons, which also included the 2021 Division 3 Super Bowl year. But this time, Stamison praised him for his culinary skills. “He absolutely crushed it with tonight’s dinner.”
Stamison also thanked Marblehead High Athletic Director Kent Wheeler, Assistant Athletic Director Mark Tarmey, trainer Maddie Rowe and Swampscott High AD Kelly Wolff for their support, not to mention Juan Garcia, who not only doubled as Justin Gonzalez’s personal coach, but was also the team photographer.
And now here’s a listing of the team’s individual awards for this year:
Rookie of the Year: Gary Podstrelov
“Never ever having wrestled before and entering a new sport as a senior middleweight, this was going to be an uphill battle,” said Stamison, “but he always answered the bell for us, winning big matches, while stepping up when needed at different weight classes. He ended up 14-10, while taking to the sport so naturally. We’re just sorry that he wasn’t with us all four years.”
Coach Pat Cook Fire Award: Nolan Glass
“This kid, also never wrestled before, but he is an eighth grader, who has the work ethic of a veteran,” said Stamison. “He’s a fearless competitor, and I can’t wait to watch him wrestle next season, and also play football. If he brings his current attitude to high school, he will be a force as a Marblehead athlete for years to come. He picked a great time to win his first varsity match, when he pinned his Pelham opponent. Without that pin, we lose that dual meet.”
Coach Jeff Greenberg Toughness Award: Captain Clive Connolly
Named after the current Marblehead firefighter and former national guardsmen, this year’s award goes to a four-year starter, who had won numerous tournaments this past season, plus 50 career matches,” said Stamison. “Clive was a two-year captain, and was a captain in every sense of that word. Leading by example, he persevered through injury, including most of this season with bruised ribs. He truly personified this award with his tough, respectful and hardworking approach to the sport. He is heading to Trinity College in the fall, and I’m confident he will continue to succeed.”
Alex Carew Coach’s Award for Leadership: Captain Justin Gonzalez
“Named after the longtime Black & Blue head coach, this award goes to someone who’s just like Alex, a thoughtful person, who leads by example,” said Stamison. “Justin stepped up big when we needed him most this year. At the Gionet Tournament, he had to win his final match for us to secure the overall win, and he did it. Against Pelham in the Tri-State Cup, he needed to pin his opponent to force a tie, which he did. It ultimately resulted in us winning that match via the tie breaking rules. He also needed a win to earn a spot in the All-States as an alternate. Facing off against his Shepherd Hill opponent, who defeated him four times in the past three seasons, including eliminating him from last year’s Division 2 state tournament, he was able to return the favor to secure the win with a 4-3 decision. He was 28-11 this year. He also placed in every tournament. He also won his final high school match, something many can’t say.
Most Improved Wrestler: Alejandro Haven
Over three seasons, the last two as a starter, Haven grew into his role as a varsity wrestler. From going 3-6 as a sophomore to 12-15 last season to a great 23-11 record this year, he definitely showed his work ethic. “This was an easy pick for me,” said Stamison. “I hope he continues to find his way to the wrestling room at whichever college he chooses.”
Outstanding Wrestler, Lower Weights: Captain Liam O’Brien
“This two-year 132-pound junior captain was credited with a 41-7 record this year, and was the sectional champ, before finishing fifth in the state meet. He was undefeated during the regular season,” said Stamison. “He also won the CAL / NEC, Pentucket Holiday and Gionet tournaments, and was third at the Lisitano and second at the Lombardo. He went a solid month and a half — Dec. 22 to Feb. 4 — unbeaten after losing in the finals at the Lombardo, 3-2. A 13-12 loss to Winchester snapped that streak. He’s now our all-time Black & Blue leader in wins with 142 with one more year to go.”
Outstanding Wrestler, Upper Weights: Senior Captain Mason Hinshaw
Hinshaw, who wrestled in the 157-pound weight class, had a 40-8 record this year, and was second in the sectionals and sixth in the state. He’s second on the all-time Black & Blue list for wins with 139. Here’s just a few of his career tournament wins: Three-time All-State qualifier, two-time CAL/NEC champion (2023, 2025), 2024 Lombardo and Pentucket Holiday tournament champ and three-time Gionet Tournament champion from 2023-2025.
“I can’t wait to see what this young man accomplishes, but we will definitely miss him and his work ethic, toughness and leadership next year,” said Stamison.
