Congratulations to Lucy Grignaffini, first-place winner for her weight class of 148 lb. at USA Wrestling’s Girls’ New England High School Wrestling Championship at Springfield Technical Community College The Wellesley High School junior is not only the first-ever girl on the WHS wrestling team, but she is also the first-ever girl named one of the team captains for next season.
Grignaffini is used to firsts — she was also first on New Years Day 2017 to jump into a frigid Morses Pond during the wrestling team’s annual Monk Dunk. Such toughness has taken her far, and she’s not done yet. Next up: she will head to Oklahoma to compete in the Girls’ Nationals on March 24th.
I can tell you from personal experience that Lucy, in addition to being an accomplished athlete, is also a really nice kid with an artsy side that complements her tough streak. She came to my Seminar Day presentation last week and helped frame photographs for Wellesley Dump Art. Apparently she’s not unfamiliar with the RDF’s Reusables Area and the fun it can supply.
The Griganffini family has a long history of wrestling in Wellesley. Lou Grignaffini, (her dad), is a former WHS Class of 1987 wrestler and has coached the team for 16 years, the past four as head coach. His father, uncles, and brother also wrestled for Wellesley High, as did his two sons, A.J., and Lou Jr., who wrestled on their father’s teams, and now coach beside him.
I think if you look back to the 1980 (?) or thereabouts wrestling team you’ll find the first female member of the team….check the yearbook team photos
There have been girls who try out, but Lucy was the first to complete not one season, but 5.