BRADFORD, Mass.—For someone who took up wrestling to get in shape for football, 220-pound stalwart Ben Tavitian certainly came a long way this winter in his alternate sport.
The senior from Central Catholic High School in nearby Lawrence won the North Sectionals against 16 participating schools and also walked away with an award for earning the most falls in the least amount of time.
Seeded third in the Division 2 Sectionals, Tavitian was not considered a pre-meet favorite—not by any stretch—when he had one of those days any high school wrestler would cherish: On a day when most matches went as predicted, he pulled off the biggest upset.
Tavitian breezed into the finals, needing fewer than three minutes to record a pair of pins and earn a spot in the title match. There he posted his third pin of the day in 2:34 over a top-seeded athlete from Dracut.
“I expected to place but not much more than that,” said Tavitian. “I was thinking there might be a chance I could win if I worked hard enough and stuck to my guns. In the end, it was just how hard I wanted to work.”
For four years, Tavitian has toed the mark at Central Catholic High School, one of the top private Catholic schools north of Boston. He’s shined in the classroom and on the gridiron where he anchors the line.
Wrestling appeared an after-thought at first until he began his conquests and showed his innate talents. Whether his college offers point to football or wrestling, he’s got options in his favor any coach would admire.
“Four years ago at Central’s open house, the wrestling program wasn’t even a thought in Ben’s mind,” admit his parents, Joe and Brenda. “His football coach had recommended it. We’re so glad he did.”
It only got better after the Sectionals. Tavitian kept winning and wound up with an incredible 54-2 record following the state meet where his first two matches lasted just 45 and 50 seconds, respectively. The Sectional title was a repeat.
Then came New England’s, where he picked up two more victories, a close 5-4 decision and a 13-6 romp.
Though he never got to defend his Division 2 state title crown from a year ago, very few could boast of 56 wins in his playing deck—for a single season. Of these victories, 45 went for pins—both school records.
In football, Tavitian has been All-Merrimack Valley for two years as a two-way lineman.
Through it all, he’s amassed a vast collection of awards that would make any school, family, and community proud.
With three sisters, there’s never a dull moment around the house.
According to his coach, “Ben is probably one of the most sincere kids I’ve ever coached.”
A half-page write-up in the local Eagle-Tribute paper applauded his efforts over the past four years, pointing to what might become a successful career in football that was refined through wrestling.
Of the 10 colleges he’s applied to, the first six replies were acceptances: Assumption, UMass-Dartmouth, Merrimack, Pace, St. Anselm’s, and Stonehill.
Ben’s favorites
TV show: “Family Guy”
Book: Harry Potter series
Food: Armenian
Music: hip-hop
Boston pro team: New England “Patriots”
Athlete: Ray Lewis (Baltimore “Ravens”)
Class: Accounting
Tom Vartabedian
Latest posts by Tom Vartabedian (see all)
- Vartabedian: My Final Column - November 13, 2016
- A Hat to Match Any Occasion - October 19, 2016
- More Smiles Keep the Frowns Away - October 12, 2016
Be the first to comment