Historic Winter for Burlington: State Wrestling Champs, Hockey Final Four, Record Basketball Season

Burlington’s winter season closed with historic performances, deep tournament runs, and championship moments across multiple sports.

From state titles on the wrestling mat to a Final Four appearance in hockey and the best boys’ basketball record in school history, the Red Devils delivered a winter to remember.

Wrestling Reaches the Regional Stage

The wrestling program capped a remarkable postseason run at the Massachusetts All-State Tournament, finishing 12th overall with two standout sophomores leading the charge.

Maximillian Shvartsman finished second at All-States, while Cameron Bonnell placed fourth, continuing the momentum from their Division 2 state championship victories earlier in the postseason.

Both wrestlers advanced to the New England Championships last weekend. Bonnell went 0-2 against the region’s top competition, while Shvartsman battled to a 2-2 record and a top-eight finish, narrowly missing the podium in one of the toughest tournaments in the country.

Boys’ Hockey Skates to the Final Four

The boys’ hockey team put together one of the deepest tournament runs in recent memory.

After defeating Plymouth North in the opening round, Burlington shut down #13 Duxbury 3-1 in the Round of 16. Tulipano and Scalia scored second-period goals before Gordon sealed the win late.

The Red Devils then delivered a statement performance in the Elite Eight, defeating Concord-Carlisle 4-1 — the program’s first quarterfinal win since 2013. Tulipano broke a scoreless tie in the second period before Shanahan, Gordon, and McWhinnie added third-period goals behind a strong night in net from MacLeod.

Burlington advanced to the Division 2 Final Four, where the Devils battled Canton in a physical semifinal. Gordon opened the scoring in the first period and Tulipano added another in the second, but Canton surged late to claim a 6-2 victory, ending Burlington’s outstanding season just one win shy of a state championship game.

Boys’ Basketball Posts Best Record in School History

The boys’ basketball team followed its opening-round win with a dominant 70-46 victory over Longmeadow in the Round of 16 after weather delays pushed the game back several days.

Burlington jumped out to a 24-7 first-quarter lead and carried a 42-15 advantage into halftime on the way to its 19th win, the most in program history. Poehler led the scoring with 26 points, Matty Gray added 17, Ssekandi finished with 13, and Shannon and Ellis delivered strong all-around performances.

The run ended in the Elite Eight against Masconomet. Burlington trailed throughout as Masco’s defense controlled the pace, ultimately falling 61-35 in the quarterfinals.

Despite the result, the Devils closed the year 19-4, completing the most successful season the program has ever produced.

All-Stars and Record Breakers

Several other Burlington teams also delivered strong winter seasons highlighted by postseason appearances, records, and individual honors.

Swimmer Shay Woodbury took 6th place at States in the 100 freestyle and broke a 46-year-old school record in the 100 backstroke at the same meet.

The girls’ gymnastics team posted a season-high score of 136.4 in a meet against Wilmington and Bedford and qualified for the sectional postseason competition. Senior captain Hana Ly led the team as one of Burlington’s top all-around performers and scorers, qualifying for the State Individual Meet on all four events — vault, bars, beam, and floor exercise — and earning Middlesex League All-Star honors. Sophomore Yuvethi Kannan also competed as an all-around gymnast and qualified for the state meet on vault and bars, while junior Vivianna Pelayo was among the team’s top scorers on bars, beam, and floor exercise. Additional depth came from sophomore Anya Hazen and freshmen Natalia Pelayo and Brooke Murray, who helped the Lady Devils put together a competitive season.

The boys' indoor track and field team finished the season 3–2 and turned in strong performances at the championship level, placing third at the Division 3 State Relays and 13th at the MIAA Division 3 State Championship. At the State Relays, Sam Fernandes, Ryan Brooks, and Shane Sheehan set both a school and meet record in the 3x long jump. Individually, Perkins Augustin placed second in the shot put at the state championship, while Shane Sheehan finished third in the long jump. The team also earned numerous Middlesex League All-Star honors, including Steve Dalalelis (55m dash), Matt Conte (55m hurdles), Roy Kanyike (two-mile), Perkins Augustin (shot put), Ryan Brooks (long jump), Sam Fernandes (long jump), and Shane Sheehan (long jump and 55m hurdles).

The girls' indoor track and field team compiled a 4–1 record and recorded more than 200 personal records over the course of the season. Burlington earned three Middlesex League All-Star selections with Leila Gilligan (600 meters), Ava Eldridge (two-mile), and Cassidy Hanlon (shot put), while Lyla Kuhn earned All-Conference honors after winning the high jump at the league meet. At the MIAA Division 3 Championships, the 4x400 relay team of Kuhn, Lauren Kane, Georgia Bilodeau, and Gilligan placed fourth. Eldridge also delivered a standout season in the two-mile, cutting more than a minute off her personal best and finishing seventh at the state championship, while Avery Callahan placed seventh in the shot put. Gilligan concluded her season at the Massachusetts Pentathlon Championships, finishing 20th among roughly 120 competitors.

A Winter to Remember

Across the winter season, Burlington athletes captured two state wrestling championships, produced a Final Four hockey run, broke a decades-old swimming record, and earned multiple league MVP and All-Star honors while several teams and individual athletes reached the state tournament.

The performances highlighted both elite individual achievements and the growing strength of Burlington’s athletic programs.

Spring Sports on Deck

Even as the winter season wraps up, the next chapter is already beginning.

Spring teams have opened preseason meetings and will begin regular season competition on March 26. Burlington will field teams in baseball, golf, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse, boys’ and girls’ outdoor track, softball, boys’ and girls’ tennis, and boys’ volleyball.

With momentum carrying over from a memorable winter, the Red Devils now turn their focus to the spring season — and the opportunity to create the next round of highlights.