Wrestling wonders: Saugus-Peabody growth reaching new heights this winter

By Dom Nicastro

Perfection? They’re super close. But even if the Saugus-Peabody wrestling team didn’t pull off the dream win in its Northeastern Conference (NEC) dual meet finale against fellow unbeaten powerhouse Beverly this week, it’s still one heck of a season.

The Northeastern Conference dual meet championship was decided on Jan. 29 in a clash that will continue to redefine the program’s trajectory.

“When I took the job in Saugus, my goal was to win the conference within five years. If we do it this year, we’ll be a year early,” said Saugus-Peabody Head Coach Wayne Moda. “This is the first year we’re really good enough to challenge Beverly. On paper, we absolutely have a shot.”

That match was to be decided after press time. Beverly, the defending NEC dual meet and tournament champions, has been the team to beat for much of the last decade. “They probably won it four or five of the last seven years,” Moda said. “They’re generally on top. They’re the team to beat, no question.”

Win or lose, there’s no denying the Tanners’ success: 17-7-1 last year. 15-0 this year. Several standout wrestlers have carried Saugus-Peabody to its undefeated season, earning state and regional recognition along the way:

• Anna Felicio (Saugus, 106 pounds): “She’s 24-6, with four losses against boys and two against girls,” Moda said. “Anna’s ranked third in the All-State and eighth in New England. She really started taking it to heart this year, and she’s ripping it up.”
• Jackson Deleidi (Peabody, 120 pounds): “Jackson is ranked 14th in All-State and third or fourth in Division 1 North,” Moda said. “If he can get out of the division, he can make it to All-States and possibly New Englands.”
• Max LoRusso (Saugus, 144 pounds): “Max had only two wins as an eighth-grader, but he’s built himself into one of the best wrestlers around,” Moda said. “He’s ranked third in Division 1 North, eighth in the All-State, and fourth in Division 1 states. If things go his way, he’ll be in New Englands. He’s also on pace to break the Saugus all-time wins record (113), which is held by his brother.”
• Justin Bremberg (Saugus, 157 pounds): “Justin’s ranked around 19th in All-State, but he’s beaten some kids ranked ahead of him,” Moda said. “He looks really good, and he can beat anybody.”
• Antonio Anzalone (Peabody, Heavyweight): “Antonio missed part of the season due to injury, but he’s back now,” Moda said. “He was ranked 12th in All-State earlier this year. If he stays healthy, he’s got the talent to beat some of the top three kids in the state.”

The team’s transformation under Moda’s leadership has been remarkable, growing from 12 wrestlers in his first season to 35 this year. “We’ve built some wrestling culture,” Moda said. “Three years ago, the teams that were beating us … now we’re beating them.”

The co-op nature of the team has also forged strong bonds between students from Saugus and Peabody. “It’s funny how things have changed,” Moda said. “When I was younger, you didn’t talk to kids outside your own town, especially rivals. But now, with social media, these kids are building friendships across towns. Some of them are closer with teammates from the other town than with kids in their own.”

Moda knows the match against Beverly will be tough, but he believes his team is ready. “We’ve already beaten three teams this year that we lost to last year,” he said. “We’re not just winning – we’re wrestling better than ever.”

Looking ahead, Moda remains optimistic. “We’re really only losing two starters this year, so I think this success will last a little while,” said Moda, who is assisted by Saugus’ Tom St. Cyr, who wrestled at Malden Catholic and is a few years removed from high school. “Hopefully, people will see what we’re doing and want to be a part of it. Wrestling is a sport where you get better by facing tough competition, and we’re ready to take that step.”

As for the big showdown, Moda emphasized what it will take to pull off a win. “It’s going to come down to how we match up and how our guys wrestle individually,” he said. “Hopefully, it comes to fruition. It won’t be for lack of effort, that’s for sure.”