Just the simple fact of making it to the New England Wrestling Championship is a feat worthy of hefty praise.
To survive to Day 2 of competition is something else entirely.
Over the weekend, two Triton athletes were able to do exactly that: Douglas Aylward and Riley-Anne Tarmey.
It was already an historic season for Tarmey, who became the first ever Triton female wrestler to make New Englands. She placed third at 100 at All-States last week, and started out her New England run by earning a first-period pin over Shaye Watson of Windham (N.H.). That moved her on to the Quarterfinals on Day 2, where she would fall to eventual champion Hannah Perro of Noble, Maine. Then after dropping a 7-2 decision to Sophia Gordon of South Windsor, her tournament was over without placing.
But what a terrific freshman year it was for Tarmey.
“She was new to the sport this year, but has really improved from December to now,” said Triton coach Shawn McElligott. “She finished with a 12-9 varsity record — most losses were at 106 against guys — being a Division 3 State Finalist, third in the All-State and placing top-12 in New England. She had a great freshman year, and we look forward to her coming back here for the next few years if she puts the work in.”
For Aylward, an excellent 5-year career ended appropriately at New England’s.
The 215-pounder won two matches on the opening day to reach Day 2, before losing his first match and finishing top-16. His final record for his senior season was 43-7, and the career mark ends at a sparkling 114-27. Which, those total wins ties hime for 12th all-time in Triton wrestling history with Mark Young (TRHS 1980).
Even more remarkable: Aylward finished his entire varsity career having never been pinned.
“He leaves behind being a 2023 Sectional and State Champion, mulitple-time League All-Star, 2024 CAL Wrestler of the Year, 2023 Academic All-American and a two-time captain,” said McElligott. “He is one of the best wrestlers and leaders in the room, and he will be greatly missed.”
DALGAR TAKES 5TH IN THE MILE AT NE’s
The sub-5 Mile is so close, Kaylie Dalgar can almost taste it.
The Pentucket superstar was down at the Reggie Lewis Center for the New England Track and Field Championship over the weekend, and continued to impress on an even bigger scale. After winning the Division 5 State Championship in the Mile (5:06.13), then lowering that time to place fifth at Meet of Champions (5:01.74), the success — and the personl records — only got better.
Dalgar went into the Mile at New England’s seeded No. 8, but ran a personal-best 5:00.51 to take fifth.
Running a sub-5-minute Mile is the ultimate goal for the UMass Amherst commit, something she’ll try to do at the upcoming New Balance National meet.