Saugus Winter Sports Roundup: Bremberg hits 100 wins as hockey co-op opens season

By Dom Nicastro

Milestones and early measuring-stick games defined the latest stretch of the winter season for Saugus athletes. In this roundup, we lead with a major career achievement by one of the area’s top wrestlers, then shift to the ice as the Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott boys hockey co-op opens the year against one of the league’s established programs.

  Wrestling: Justin Bremberg reaches 100 wins, continues standout season and career

Justin Bremberg of Saugus added another defining moment to his high school wrestling career this winter, reaching the 100-win milestone while competing at the George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament this past weekend.

The Saugus senior captain reached the mark at 157 pounds in one of the state’s most competitive holiday tournaments, a fitting stage for a wrestler who has consistently tested himself against top-level competition. Bremberg finished sixth overall in the weight class at Lowell, capping a weekend that highlighted both his durability and his place among the state’s elite.

“Justin’s 100th win was special,” said Saugus/Peabody head coach Wayne Moda. “He has worked incredibly hard since his eighth-grade year. His performance this weekend shows that he will make his mark in the 157-pound weight class in the state.”

Despite battling illness and injuries, Saugus/Peabody placed 25th out of 75 teams at the Lowell Holiday Tournament, with six wrestlers advancing to Day 2. Moda also noted that first-year wrestler Jordi Vasquez of Peabody competed well while gaining valuable experience, even as the team relied on some JV wrestlers due to the flu bug. Saugus’ Cesar Cruz, Peabody’s JJ Figueroa and Peabody’s Jaden Ceac made it to the blood round at Lowell.

Earlier this season, Bremberg went 4-0 at a Dec. 14 tournament, helping Saugus/Peabody finish second overall. He also turned in a championship performance at the Glen Doherty Memorial Tournament, winning the 157-pound title with a 4–2 decision over Quinn Carbone of Shawsheen.

Bremberg’s success continues momentum from last winter, when Saugus/Peabody captured both the NEC dual meet championship and the NEC/Cape Ann League tournament title. He will continue his wrestling career next year at Springfield College and was recently recognized as a 2025 John and Abigail Adams Scholarship recipient. He also runs cross country and track for the Sachems.

  Boys hockey: Saugus players contribute as co-op opens at Beverly

The Peabody/Saugus/Swampscott boys hockey co-op opened the 2025–26 season with a 7–3 loss to Beverly at Bourque Arena, facing a deep and experienced opponent in its first game under head coach Donnie Shaw.

Despite the result, Shaw said there were positives to build on, particularly in effort, structure and composure.

Peabody’s Matvey Stupnikov provided a spark offensively, scoring two goals for the co-op, including one late in the second period that cut the deficit to 3–2. Saugus players factored prominently in the third period, as Saugus’ Josh Kelley scored a power-play goal off an assist from Saugus teammate John Morello.

Swampscott’s Dom Pappalardo was busy in net, stopping nearly 40 shots as Beverly controlled long stretches of play.

Peabody’s Brandon Barone and Swampscott’s Jason Rothwell each added assists.

With the opener in the books, the co-op will look to build on its early positives as it settles into the winter schedule. The team was scheduled to take on Everett/Revere Dec. 23.