Norwood Wrestling

Participating in their last season in the Bay State League last winter, Norwood finished in 9th place competing in the MIAA Division 2 Metro Sectionals with 71 points. Jon Maffeo (wrestling in the 145 pound division), Colin Plasko (182 lbs), Kevin Curtis (220 lbs) and Colin Souther (285 lbs), all posted victories in the sectionals. Plasko, who has since graduated, and Souther, were the team’s only participants in the Division 2 State Tournament.
This year, the Mustangs have moved to the Tri-Valley League and Norwood Coach Billy McDermott is hoping that his team can move up the ladder and have more athletes take part in the Sectional Tournament.
“The Tri Valley League is a very comparable league in terms of wrestling,” the Norwood Coach said. “Some of the kids on this year’s team has been with me for four years and they are passing on their experiences to the younger wrestlers.”
Leading the team onto the mats are senior captains Danny Barron and Souther. According to McDermott, Barron, who wrestles in the 160 pound division, is finally breaking through, while Souther already finds himself 10-4 in the heavyweight division.
“Cordell finished second in the Sandwich Tournament and then sixth in the Marshfield Tournament, McDermott said. “He is wrestling really well and should continue to do so the rest of the season. If he does, he should be back to the States.”
Two other seniors on the squad are Curtis and Moffeo. Curtis has been wrestling around .500 through the first month of the season while Jon Moffeo is currently 9-4 and wrestling at a high level. All four seniors have a shot at earning a spot in the State Tournament if they continue to wrestle the way they have been.
“We should have some State qualifiers this season,” the Mustang Coach said. “All four seniors have a definite shot at the States and we could see some of the younger kids get in. If they do, it will not only be a good reward for them and their season, but will be an excellent experience.”
The freshman and sophomore classes have some very talented wrestlers, giving Norwood a very bright future on the mats. The younger athletes have been wrestling well thus far and McDermott believes if they can stay off their backs they’ll continue to have success for the team.
One sophomore who has been having a fantastic season is Ryan Hsu, who is 9-2 wrestling in the 195 pound division.
“Ryan is wrestling in a tough weight class for a sophomore,” McDermott said. “His goal is to grow into his weight class and stay there throughout his high school career.”
At the time of this writing, The Mustangs are 7-4-1 and are currently on pace to have themselves a good season during their inaugural season in the Tri Valley League. All Norwood needs to do is keep pace during their quad meets and they should find themselves in a good position at the end of the season.