Snapshots: Lions hang tough in home wrestling meet

NSHS Wrestling, Jan 24 2026

Drew Unger gets on top of Melrose's Johnny Moraes in a 120 lb weight class match. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

The Newton South wrestling team hit the mat on Saturday, grappling their way to a 1-2 record in a quad meet against Melrose, Tewksbury and Plymouth North.

Leading the way for the Lions were Jim Shreve (215 lb weight class) and Nick Genin (150 lb weight class), who each recorded three wins. Shreve pinned all three of his opponents; Genin pinned two of his.

Head coach Matt McAndrew was pleased with his squad’s performance on the day. After starting the season with a string of losses, he says the team has recently been “elevating,” picking up wins over Weston, Waltham, Brookline and, on Saturday, Plymouth North. But there is still work to do as wrestlers begin turning their attention toward the post-season.

“We are still going to work on fundamentals,” says McAndrews.

Check out these images from the match.

Captain Drew Unger gets focused ahead of his match against Tewksbury. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Nick Genin (R) gets close to his opponent from Tewksbury. One of the top wrestlers in the state in his weight class, Genin defeated all three of his opponents on Saturday. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Greg Gionatis (R) looks to evade the grasp of his opponent. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Alex Brady fastens his headgear. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Coach Bill Fagen wears a Newton South wrestling shirt. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Matthew Luxama gets a handle on his opponent from Melrose. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South wrestling coach Matt McAndrew gets low as he watches a wrestler compete. After a slow start to the season, “now we are elevating,” he says. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon