With a young team and full lineup, the Silver Lake wrestling team is in a good position to compete in the Patriot League this season.
Last year was a bit of a rebuilding year for the Lakers, who won nine matchups. As a team who is building experience, the Lakers will likely improve as time goes on as well.
The Lakers lost a pair of their top wrestlers from last season: Alec Snell (145) and Grant Laws (285), both of whom competed at states last season. Snell graduated and Laws transferred to Xaverian. Regardless, the Lakers still have plenty of talent in their program and are in the fortunate position of not having to forfeit any weight classes.
One of the Lakers’ top wrestlers this season is their 120-pounder, Daniel Walsh, who is only a junior. Last season, he came in fifth at sectionals in the 113-pound bracket. Walsh got off to an 8-0 start in the team’s first five meets. Plus, senior Gavin Hamilton had more than 20 wins last season. He placed fourth at sectionals and is the team’s 182-pound wrestler. In the team’s quad meet against Brockton, Bristol-Plymouth/Coyle and Cassidy and Dighton Rehoboth, Hamilton was the only Laker to win all three of his matches.
In terms of underclassmen, the Lakers have many valuable contributors. Sophomores Pat Ganley (126) and Will Barkowski (152) and freshmen Scott Snell (106) and Kyle Sipullo (195) have emerged as staples in the varsity lineup. Plus, sophomore Kyler Baur (106) placed fourth at the Devin Ness Memorial Tournament, the first tournament of the season. Geoffrey Cook also got his first varsity win in the team’s last quad meet.
Through eight matches, the Lakers are 2-6 this season.
The Lakers next head-to-head meet is this Wednesday, Jan. 10 against and at Plymouth North High School on the road, 7 p.m. start time.