Bristol-Plymouth Wrestling Program Grows in Strength and Numbers, Makes History With Two First Place Athletes at State Championship and New England Qualifiers 

TAUNTON — Superintendent Alex Magalhaes, Athletic Director Mark Lebeda and Wrestling Head Coach Bob Gay are very excited to announce that the Brustol-Plymouth Regional Technical School varsity wrestling program has made school history with two wrestlers winning first place in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) All-State wrestling championship and four wrestlers qualifying for the New England Tournament, all for the first time. 

On Saturday, Feb. 24, BP’s boys and girls wrestling teams competed in the MIAA All-State wrestling championship at Salem High School.  BP’s Brooke Weafer, weight class 114, and Jacob Bettencourt, weight class 114, both placed first in the state championship and qualified for the New England Tournament. Nathan Hicks placed second, Rileigh Fagan placed second, Jack Ramondetta and Raegan Price placed fourth. Hicks and Ramondetta also qualified for the New England Tournament. 

Just a few years ago, BP’s wrestling team was so small it took the form of a co-op with the former Coyle & Cassidy High School and Middle School. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Coyle & Cassidy closed, and the co-op was dissolved. 

Since then, Coach Gay and Athletic Director Lebeda have slowly built up a powerhouse program that’s proven its strength on a MIAA state level. Twenty-five students tried out for a spot on the 2021-2022 season team, with 20 students earning roster spots for primarily varsity matches. 

The following season, 40 students tried out and 30 were rostered for a mix of varsity and junior varsity (JV) matches. This year, 60 students tried out and 40 were rostered to wrestle in both varsity and JV matches. 

“Congratulations to our wrestlers for their outstanding achievements,” Superintendent Magalhaes said. “Their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship have made us proud. Keep striving for excellence both on and off the mat.”

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