Goddard makes wrestling history

Andrew+Goddard+earned+first+place+at+the+MIAA+Division+II+State+Tournament.+He+is+the+first+state+champion+ARHS+wrestler+since+Baird+Lashley+in+1988.

Submitted Riley Garand

Andrew Goddard earned first place at the MIAA Division II State Tournament. He is the first state champion ARHS wrestler since Baird Lashley in 1988.

Riley Garand and Jenny Lambert

Senior Wrestling co-captain Andrew Goddard made school history, becoming State champion in the 2019 MIAA Division II State Tournament on Friday, Feb. 15.

The homeschooled Northborough resident’s quick 2-0 win in the finals against Richard Conova of Danvers High School makes him the first Tomahawk to win a Divisional State Title in wrestling since Baird Lashley in 1988.

“I pinned him during the first period,” Goddard said. “I had a standard single leg and took him down. Once he was down he stayed down…it was quick, a little over a minute.”

Goddard’s win marked a historic moment in Algonquin wrestling.

“Andrew was the first Division II State Champion in thirty years,” coach Brian Kramer said. “So it has been a long time, and in my eight years here we have had five finalists who have lost in the final…it was really cool to go see Andrew take home that trophy.”

Goddard’s teammates were also impressed by his win, but they were not surprised by his abilities in the match.

“Seeing him [Goddard] win states was unbelievable,” junior John Fontecchio said. “I knew he was going to do it because of how good he is and how long he has been wrestling.”

After winning states, Goddard went on to win second place at the 2019 Division II All-States, a competition with wrestlers from all of Massachusetts, on Feb. 22 at St. John’s Prep in Danvers.

“Especially in this past year, I had the goal of being an All-States Champ, never happened but it was definitely my biggest goal,” Goddard said.

Although Goddard did not reach his goal, he put an immense effort into the match he lost at All-States.

“[My opponent] took me down, and rode me out through the first period,” Goddard said. “Second period it was 2-0. I started on top and he escaped making it 3-0; I shot in on him while I was in on his legs; he hit me in a judo throw and I was pinned.”

This season, Goddard also accomplished 100 wins over his high school career.

“It felt pretty good to get 100 wins; it also felt even better to know that there has only been one other Algonquin wrestler to get 100 wins in three years of competition, so being the second one felt pretty good,” Goddard said.

Goddard also placed sixth at the 2019 New England Championships on Friday, Mar. 1 and Saturday, Mar. 2. He credits his success to his strong support system.

“If I didn’t have my family and I didn’t have my coaches, I definitely wouldn’t be here,” Goddard said. “It’s a little bit of a cheesy thing to say but it is absolutely true.”

When planning his future, Goddard looks to college as well as his faith.

“I am attending the Masters University in California; I want to get a degree in business there,” Goddard said. “My biggest goal obviously would be to pursue God in everything that I do. That’s my goal throughout everything.”