By Chris Villani

Sports Writer

The Milford High wrestling program capped off perhaps the most successful season in the history of the storied program when it captured the Division II state championship, the second straight title for the Scarlet Hawks.

Milford came in as the favorite at the D2 meet and the deep MHS lineup saw a dozen wrestlers compete in the 14 weight classes. The Hawks had a pair of individual state champs with Michael Boulanger winning the 126lb division and Hampton Kaye-Kuter capturing the title in the heavyweight class.

The Scarlet Hawks also had three wrestlers place second in their respective divisions. Ryan Donovan earned runner up honors in the 152lb weight class, Aiden Baum finished second at 113lbs and Derek Marcolini placed second at 106lbs.

Altogether, Milford amassed a team total of 187.5 points to easily outpace second-place Minnechaug. 

Prior to last season, Milford had last captured a state title in 1996, when head coach P.J. Boccia was a member of the team. The victory at states provided a fitting end to a year of nothing but winning for Milford. The Scarlet Hawks rolled through the dual meet campaign with a perfect 27-0 record. 

MHS won the state dual meet and sectional crowns as well and 10 wrestlers qualified for the all-state competition. The individual success continued against the state’s best, with Kaye-Kuter and Boulanger both earning second-place finishes in their weight classes.

Milford showcased its depth in the D2 state meet. In addition to having five wrestlers place in the top two, Sean Donovan earned a third place finish, Milford’s Robby Lyons and Matt Donis both placed fifth and Mike Mastroianni earned a sixth place finish. Luke Donis added a seventh place finish and Owen Matthews checked in eighth.

Boccia earned a repeat performance of his own in 2023, winning Division II Coach of the Year honors for the second season in a row.