Marblehead/Swampscott Wrestlers Punch All-State Tickets

Liam O'Brien and Anna Cruikshank earn medals at Division 2 state championships

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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In the Division 2 state wrestling championships, Marblehead/Swampscott's co-op team had two wrestlers earn medals and qualify for the upcoming All-State tournament. Liam O'Brien, the team's captain, went 2-0 on the first day to reach the quarterfinals, while Anna Cruikshank became the program's first female state medalist with a fourth-place finish in the girls tournament.

Why it matters

The success of the Marblehead/Swampscott wrestlers at the state championships highlights the growth and competitiveness of the co-op program, which has produced multiple state qualifiers and medalists in recent years. Their achievements also showcase the increasing participation and recognition of female wrestlers in Massachusetts high school sports.

The details

O'Brien, wrestling at 138 pounds, won his opening match by pinfall and then earned a 5-0 decision victory in the quarterfinals. Cruikshank, competing at 165 pounds, lost her first match but then rallied to pin her opponent from King Philip in the second round of the girls tournament. O'Brien later avenged an earlier loss to Connor Buckley of Salem/Hamilton-Wenham, pinning him in the consolation round to finish third in his weight class.

  • The Division 2 state championships were held on Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22, 2026 at Whitman-Hanson High School.
  • The All-State tournament is scheduled for Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, February 29, 2026 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

The players

Liam O'Brien

The captain of the Marblehead/Swampscott wrestling team, who competed in the 138-pound weight class and finished third at the Division 2 state championships, earning his third career All-State tournament berth.

Anna Cruikshank

A wrestler for the Marblehead/Swampscott co-op team, who became the program's first female state medalist with a fourth-place finish in the 165-pound weight class at the Division 2 girls tournament.

Michael Stamison

The head coach of the Marblehead/Swampscott wrestling team.

Connor Buckley

A wrestler from the Salem/Hamilton-Wenham co-op team, who faced off against Liam O'Brien multiple times this season.

West Springfield

The Division 2 team that won the Sportsmanship and Professionalism award, which the Marblehead/Swampscott team was also nominated for.

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What they’re saying

“She wrestled tough all day, losing her first match, despite almost making it the distance. Then, in her second match, down 11-0, we elected to start her on top in the second period and she was able to run her opponent from King Philip over with a half nelson and pinned her.”

— Michael Stamison, Head Coach (marbleheadweeklynews.com)

“Liam was able to pin Buckley this time — the first time he's pinned this worthy opponent over seven matches dating back to last season, going 7-0 in that span.”

— Michael Stamison, Head Coach (marbleheadweeklynews.com)

What’s next

Liam O'Brien and Anna Cruikshank will compete in the All-State tournament on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, February 29, 2026 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

The takeaway

The success of the Marblehead/Swampscott wrestling co-op program, with two state qualifiers and a historic female medalist, demonstrates the growth and competitiveness of high school wrestling in Massachusetts, particularly the increasing participation and recognition of female wrestlers.