A perfect start for Walsh

Pat Walsh is off to a strong start on the mat with the Wyoming Seminary wrestling team.

The 2007 Stoughton High graduate is undefeated in six matches grappling for the prep school in Kingston, Pa., attracting interest from a number of Division 1 college programs. He has taken visits to Bucknell and Binghamton, but has not made a decision about where he will sign to wrestle in February. Walsh said he also has been contacted by Central Michigan and Oklahoma.

The 215-pound Walsh (inset) is wrestling as a heavyweight this season, though he plans to compete at 197 pounds in college. He is building an impressive résumé.

As a high school senior, Walsh went undefeated in the Hockomock League, compiled a 39-1 overall record, captured both the Division 2 and New England titles, and earned Globe All-Scholastic honors.

Walsh returned to Stoughton last week during the holiday break, stopping in at a few of the high school's wrestling practices and also helping a few youth wrestling programs.

"It's great to see everyone and see how they are improving," Walsh said.

Walsh was introduced to wrestling by watching his older brother, Andrew, who graduated in 2004. He needed only a few matches to fall for the sport.

"I was strong enough to beat a couple of kids, and I've loved it ever since," Walsh said.

Last year, his best friend, Daniel Cabral, and his family helped Walsh raise money to send him to the senior nationals in Virginia Beach, Va. He placed among the top 25 in the event despite recovering from a herniated disc. He also competed last year at the freestyle junior nationals, where he was seventh.

This season, Walsh has participated in one tournament and was awarded "outstanding wrestler."

The Bluefish Swim Club captured first place at the New England swimming senior championships Dec. 6 through 9 at Harvard University. There were 27 teams represented in the event as Bluefish scored 2,733.50 points.

Three swimmers from communities south of Boston were among the 33 swimmers competing with Bluefish:

Kristen Connors, 17, of Mansfield scored 56 points overall and was highlighted by third-place finishes in the 100-yard breast stroke with a time of 1 minute 5.23 seconds and in the 200-yard breast stroke at 2:19.32. She qualifed for nationals in both events.

Sean Reams, 17, of North Easton scored 147 points and was sixth in the men's division. His best finish of the day was second place in the 100-yard butterfly in 51.35 seconds. And he was third in the 200-yard fly with a time of 1:54.83.

Cara Vogel, 17, of Hingham, scored 55.5 points and was ninth in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:07.14.

Two school records fell in the first indoor track meet of the season for Notre Dame Academy of Hingham. In the Dual County League meet, Lincoln-Sudbury won, 63-32, and Notre Dame beat Boston Latin, 84-7. Junior Ellen Callahan won the 1,000 meters in 3:04.2, a school record. Sophomore Sophia Wojtasinski broke the sophomore class record in the mile in 5:32.