Burlington Launches Tournament Season with State Wrestling Champs, Swim Record, and All-Star Honors

Tournament season has officially arrived — and Burlington athletes are making sure it’s unforgettable.

From state titles on the mat to record-breaking swims, the Red Devils are peaking at the right time.

Swim: Record Falls at States

At the Division 2 State Championship at MIT, junior Shay Woodbury delivered a historic performance. Woodbury broke Burlington High School’s 30-year-old 100 Freestyle record (49.88) with a blazing 49.75. He also placed sixth overall in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 55.18, earning a state medal and capping a tremendous 2025–26 season.

Wrestling: Two State Champions

Burlington Wrestling’s postseason run turned into history.

After finishing sixth out of 13 teams at the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament — with eight wrestlers placing top six and five qualifying for states — the Red Devils exploded at the Division 2 State Championship.

Maximillian Shvartsman pinned his way through the bracket, including a comeback from 7–0 down in period 1 of the finals to secure a second-period pin and become Burlington’s first state champion since Timmy Vadnais.

Cameron Bonnell followed with a dominant 6–1 victory at 165 pounds, giving Burlington two state champions for the first time since 2010.

The Red Devils finished 11th out of 54 teams in Division 2 — a statement showing for a program that continues to surge.

Basketball: All-Stars and Tournament Battles

The girls’ basketball program celebrated three Middlesex League Freedom Division All-Stars: Zarah Ochi, Erin Reilly, and Ava Sicari — each recognized for leadership and two-way impact.

In tournament play at the Spartan Classic, the Lady Devils fell to Central Catholic (70–34) before battling Acton-Boxboro in the consolation round. The 53–39 final didn’t reflect the effort, as Sicari poured in a career-high 23 points and earned All-Tournament Team honors. Ochi added six points and eight rebounds. The girls sit at 11-9 ahead of the state tournament.

On the boys’ side, postseason honors poured in. Matty Gray was named Unanimous Middlesex Freedom League MVP and All-Conference selection. Charlie Poehler and Cole Shannon also earned league All-Star recognition.

In the Lexington 4E Tournament, Burlington opened with a commanding 71–38 win over Westford behind Gray (23), Sekandi (11), and Poehler (11). A hard-fought 60–50 loss to Lexington followed despite 21 from Gray and 11 from Poehler. The Red Devils finished the regular season 17–3.

Hockey: Tournament Tests

Boys’ hockey closed the regular season with a 5–3 loss to Stoneham (one goal from Bannister — first career — and two from Tulipano) before entering the Cahoon Tournament.

After falling to Framingham 6–4 despite three third-period goals, Burlington rebounded with a 6–0 shutout of Medford in the consolation game. Goals came from McWhinnie, Gatimu (first career), Tulipano, Gordon (2), and McElroy, with MacLeod earning the shutout. Tulipano was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Girls’ hockey shut out Stoneham 4–0 behind two goals from Steiner and single tallies from Cleary and Kocur. In the Lobster Pot Tournament, Burlington fell 3–1 to Falmouth, with Kocur scoring. The regular season concluded with a 3–0 loss to Central Catholic as the Lady Devils now turn the page with a playoff game against Nauset Regional.

With two state champions crowned, school records shattered, league MVPs honored, and multiple teams awaiting the first of hopefully several postseason games, Burlington has officially entered tournament season — and the momentum is real.

Tournament Schedule

The MIAA Division 2 state tournament begins this week, and all four basketball and hockey teams will be playing.

• Tuesday at 6:00 – Lady Devils basketball (#30) will take on Middleboro (#35) in a home wildcard game.
• Wednesday at 5:30 – Boys' hockey (#4) will play #29 Plymouth North at the Burlington Ice Palace.
• Wednesday at 6:10 – Girls' hockey (#25) plays Nauset Regional (#8) at the Charles Moore Arena.
• Friday at 6:00 – Boys' basketball (#6) faces Holliston (#27) at home.