By HockomockSports.com Staff
Taunton senior Christian Balmain has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Jan. 2 through Jan. 8. Balmain is the 15th player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2021-22 school year and the fourth of the winter season.
Balmain became just the second Taunton wrestler to reach the 100-win plateau, after going a perfect 3-0 for the Tigers at this past weekend’s quad meet at Norton High. The 152-pound senior won by forfeit, major decision, and by pin to hit triple digits for career wins. Led by Balmain’s perfect day, Taunton improved to 8-3 on the season.
“Over the course of his senior year, Christian has been a great leader for our team on the mat,” said Taunton coach Adilson Galvao. “He not only comes to our team practices but does extra practices twice a week to keep up his cardio and skill. He has faced the toughest opponents so far this year on the team and is still [undefeated] with him controlling many matches.”
Coming off a loss to league-leading Milford on Wednesday, Taunton went into a difficult quad meet at Norton. The Tigers would earn three impressive wins, beating Norton 50-24, Mansfield 61-15, and Quabbin 72-12. Balmain picked up six points with a forfeit win against Quabbin, added a major (12-4) decision against the Lancers, and then earned a first-round pin against the Hornets, needing just 1:20 to pick up the win. Balmain improved to 15-0 overall this season with six pins and also leads the Tigers in takedowns (32) and points (68). He is 13 wins away from matching the school record of 113.
The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision.
