Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 17, 2025 Like brother, like brother: Max LoRusso joins brother Sam in 100-win wrestling club By Dom Nicastro Another LoRusso wrestler out of Saugus. Another 100 wins. Max LoRusso, senior captain on the Saugus/Peabody cooperative high school boys wrestling team, nabbed win No. 100 earlier this season. He’s 9-0 after nine dual-meet matches and is surging toward a terrific finish to his career — just like older brother Sam did last year. “Reaching 100 wins is a great milestone and shows the amount of time and dedication you’ve put into the sport,” Saugus’ LoRusso said. “To me, it’s a symbol of all the hard work I’ve put in, but I always strive for more.” Ironically, LoRusso’s technical 100th victory came via forfeit. Personally, though, he wanted the real deal so he considered a victory at the Bruce Rich Invitational in Chelmsford his actual induction into the Century Club, joining older brother and former teammate Chase Ledbury, also of Saugus and now wrestling at Trinity College. Speaking of real deal, that’s all Max LoRusso has been in his career with Saugus/Peabody. He now wrestles at 144, but his eighth-grade year he started at 113, which he continued into freshman year. As a sophomore, he bumped up to 126 and last year checked in at 138 pounds. This year? He’s got his eyes on qualifying for New England’s, which he will earn with strong placements at regional and state meets in Massachusetts. Brother Sam finished top eight in New England’s and was fourth in Division 1 states and fourth in the All-States. Sam said his younger brother has also gotten by meaner, stronger, bigger and added a lot of muscle this season on the mat. “Max’s strengths are consistency and toughness,” oldBrothers Sam, left, and Max LoRusso. Saugus wrestler Max LoRusso and Coach Mike Penta. The late Freddy Espinal of Peabody, left, and teammate Max LoRusso of Saugus. er brother Sam said. “He absolutely hates strength and conditioning and does not enjoy lifting weights, but he will never miss a workout. He’s mentally tough, and me and him wrestle all the time anywhere anytime. He’s always down for a scrap, and he’s a really good tactician. He’s shown the most growth in his wrestling IQ. … Max has a lot of opportunity this year and can make top five in New England.” Max may debate those conditioning and weight-training comments from older brother. However, one thing he doesn’t sugar-coat: wrestling takes some intense sacrifices to get Vincent LoRusso and Kelly LoRusso with son, Max. to the highest of levels. “Wrestling is easily the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Max said, “and it makes all other aspects of life much easier. It gives you outstanding disciBROTHERS | SEE PAGE 13
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