On Thursday, Jan. 28 the sixth annual Coaches vs. Cancer wrestling match between rival programs Hopkinton and Ashland raised over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Despite their storied rivalry, though, the teams came together for a greater purpose: fighting cancer. It ended 41-36 for Ashland, but it was a nice showing by Hopkinton wrestlers. Winners on the Hopkinton side included Senior Captains Stephen Moody and Jacob Desilets, Junior Captain Aaron Butkus, junior Jamie McDonald, and sophomores Finn Durocher, Edwin Xiao and Lucas Reed.
The positive mojo continued for the Hillers. After trailing, the McDonald victory by pin in the third period set the stage. Desilets kept his cool through two tough periods before getting his pin, while Reed’s dramatic overtime win followed a key takedown in the waning seconds of regulation. Xiao scored a points victory in the 132-pound class.
Moody, Durocher and Butkus each pinned their opponents in the first or second period, highlighting the strength of the Hopkinton Team. Despite the rivalry, the ultimate victory of the night was celebrating cancer survivors and those lost to cancer. Whether it is raising funds or bringing the communities together, the event has proven that some adversities run deeper than the wrestling mat.
Click photo for larger view. Photos by Henry Dunne
