MHS sophomore finished 5th at national meet

By Chris Villani

Milford High wrestler Brayden Boccia has accomplished a great deal in his wrestling career, including becoming an all-American and the fastest wrestler in the program’s storied history to hit 100 victories.

And he’s only halfway done.

The MHS sophomore finished the year with a fifth-place finish at the NHSCA High School National wrestling meet. This followed an individual state title in the divisional meet and third-place finishes at both the New England regional championships and the all-state meet.

Boccia said winning his first state title felt good, especially after losing in the finals the previous season. While he was hoping to capture a New England title, he was able to fight back after losing his first match and win six in a row in order to rise to third place. 

He said he drew inspiration from his coach at Doughboy Wrestling Club in Lowell. “He told me at nationals he lost his first match and ended up wrestling all the way back,” Boccia said. “I just kind of remembered that, and I knew I just had to win a couple to get going again.”

Wrestling is literally in Boccia’s blood. His dad, PJ, is Milford High’s coach and a Hall of Fame wrestler who won a New England title and helped Milford to a state title as a team three decades ago. 

Brayden Boccia grew up around the program, and his dad said he has been coming to practices in the wrestling room since he could crawl. “He deserves all the credit for his achievements, he puts in the work year-round,” the elder Boccia said. “He goes to club practice, lifts, goes for runs, goes to his personal trainer Mike Jones and is constantly working to improve on the mat.”

The coach added, “He is a self-motivated kid and I have enjoyed coaching him the past two years.”

Brayden Boccia said he likes having his dad as his coach. “Even when I go home, we can talk about wrestling. I have a coach I can ask questions to at any time.”

Boccia wrestled at the 126lb division this year, but plans to move up in the next two seasons. He has several wrestling goals in mind, including winning a New England title and wrestling at the collegiate level. He also has his sights set on Aidan Baum’s program record of 187 career victories.

“I want to beat that record,” Boccia said. “I want to get to 200.