By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

Natick High’s wrestling program during coach Bob Anniballi’s 35-year career has been remarkable. There’s been 25 Bay State Conference championships, 15 sectional titles and three state crowns.

The 2021 state championship, a 45-18 triumph over Plymouth South, is the Redhawks’ latest achievement and it arrived last month — in the summer no less on July 1. Instead of a normal winter season, Natick, like all the other interscholastic squads, had to compete in the spring because of the covid-19 pandemic. And, they wrestled early on hoping there would be a tourney format.

“We went four-plus weeks into the season uncertain if we’d have playoffs,’’ Anniballi noted. “It would have been easy for our kids, especially seniors, to check out. We had 29 boys finish the season and they sacrificed in a big way. Some missed family vacations, others delayed going to work and some lost out on internships. It’s amazing what was accomplished and the credit goes to the kids, the parents, our coaches and administration. It truly was a family affair.’’

After a bye, Natick opened the sectional by defeating Shepherd Hill, then downed Milford to capture the Division 2 Central crown. A triumph over Whittier Tech (North champions) in the state semifinals earned the No. 1-seeded Redhawks a berth in the final against second-seed Plymouth South. 

“On paper, the teams were evenly matched,’’ said Anniballi, who in 2018 was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “But, there were two key developments that gave us a decisive team victory. Three of our sophomores beat Plymouth’s senior captains and we strung together seven straight wins. We took 11 of 14 weight classes.’’ 

The three sophomores were Viktor Akhonen (113), Mike Anniballi (145) and Bennett Sonneborn (195). 

“Those three wins made a big difference in the outcome,’’ Anniballi said. “Winning the state title was a team effort but the victories by the three sophomores put us in the driver’s seat. The outcomes of those matches were surprising but welcomed.

Then came the winning streak. 

Although the Redhawks posted the first points (an 8-0 decision by Tucker Vician), they trailed, 6-4, before, Natick won the next seven bouts. Jake Adelmann started the run with a pin at 170 pounds. David Seiche (182), Will Lederman (220) and Joe Babson (heavyweight) won their matches by decisions. Then Sonneborn notched his victory and Louie Linton (106) kept the momentum on track with a pin before Akhonen added his points on a decision.

The Panthers, however, registered a pair of back-to-back pins, cutting their deficit to 32-18. But, Natick’s Nick Kruczynski (132) clinched the outcome with an 8-0 decision. Sammy Papadopoulos (138) and Mike Anniballi collected the remaining points.

“Getting seven straight wins was the turning point,’’ Anniballi said. “That stretch provided us with great momentum. It was significant but there were some close, hard-fought decisions and not all the wins came on pins.’’

Anniballi emphasized that balance and depth were key elements in Natick’s success. And, he stressed how unusual it was for a team to win a state crown without having a  returning sectional or state champion. 

“Our sectional title this year was our third straight,’’ he said. “Last year, we captured the sectional crown without having an individual champion. To return this year and to win the states with no star power is very rare. It shows that we relied on everyone. And, it shows that all 14 of our kids who competed gave us a championship effort. Our guys were simply outstanding.’’

Anniballi stressed how well his wrestlers adhered to all the covid-19 protocols, citing  their mature approach. “They never complained,’’ he said. “They rolled with it, whether it was wearing masks or distancing. About 95 percent of our kids were vaccinated. We seem to be trending in a good direction. The pandemic has been a tragic event but I believe we’re back and it’s in our rear-view mirror.’’

Another factor that no doubt helped Natick add another state crown was a collection of attributes the players possessed that were crucial for wrestling success.

“We had kids who were mentally and physically tough, who were coachable and had a high wrestling IQ,’’ he noted. “We also had athleticism, strength and quickness and many of our competitors relied on sound technical skills.’’

Those traits enabled the Redhawks to go 17-0 during the regular season and that record led to another BSC championship.

Anniballi’s coaching style didn’t change during the pandemic and his system remained in place. “We work hard and we do things for a reason,’’ he noted. “Everything is designed to peak at the right time and we clearly did that. We aim to turn out good citizens and to build character but our goals always include winning titles.’’ 

A banquet is in the works to celebrate the team’s achievements and it’s a good bet that at that gathering Anniballi will repeat the words he emphasized to his players after they hoisted the state trophy. 

“I told them they did it and their championship can never be taken away,’’ he said. “I stressed that their commitment and sacrifice were the difference in what was a very different and difficult year. They adjusted well and they relied on a total team effort.’’

It’s never easy to rate one championship over another but there should be no hesitation in labeling Natick’s 2021 state wrestling title as “special.’’

Very special.