On Thursday, Jan. 15, the wrestling team defeated Ashland High School at Ashland Middle School with a final score of 57-16. The meet included many standout personal events, with multiple Wayland wrestlers securing match victories by pin.

During the 2024-2025 season, Wayland was still in Division III, and Wayland faced Ashland twice, with Wayland winning 42-28 in the regular season dual meet.

At the Division III Dual Meet State Championship Semifinals last February, Wayland tied Ashland 36-36. However, since it was a tournament, one team had to advance.

The tie breaking criteria was most pins, then most tech falls and so on. Pins end a match immediately when a wrestler holds both of an opponent’s shoulders to the mat, while technical falls occur when a wrestler builds a large point lead to stop the match early, both earning valuable team points. Everything was tied until the ninth criteria: most near fall points. Ashland had more near fall points, allowing them to advance to the finals and robbing Wayland of the chance for a state title.

According to senior captain Nathan Hartunian, the meet’s victory serves as revenge for last year’s loss.

Hartunian also emphasized the energy and impact that this victory had.

“It felt amazing to blow past a team that we’ve been close with in the past,” Hartunian said. “Everyone rose to the occasion, and our entire team should be proud of themselves.”

Sophomore Brayden Lyons also reflected on the significance of the win, especially after last season’s loss to Ashland.

“I knew Ashland was a stronger team last year, so getting the win this time felt really good,” Lyons said. “We put in a lot of hard work [over the season], and it really showed on the mat. Everyone was focused, and everything just clicked.”

Lyons said the win marked a turning point for the team after last season’s postseason setback.

“Last year’s upset stuck with me, so finally coming back and beating Ashland was such a relief and a big confidence boost,” Lyons said. “I’ve been waiting for a moment like this all season, and it was a really big meet for us.”

Despite the win, Lyons said there are still areas of his skills that he wants to improve on.

“I want to keep improving my top game,” Lyons said. “I’ve been working on bars and breakdowns, and I want to get stronger and more consistent there. If I can sharpen that, I’ll be more dangerous [in my matches] moving forward.”

This brings Wayland’s record to (9-2). The team continues their season with their next meet on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Wilmington High School. The full schedule can be viewed on Arbiter.