Two-year Wrestling Captain a Dynamic Leader

By Ken Hamwey
Staff Sports Writer

A pleasant dream often becomes a personal goal that may lead to success in achieving the objective. King Philip senior Griff McCreedy aptly fits that profile.

Griff McCreedy dressed up as a Naval Midshipman for Halloween when he was in second grade.

McCreedy, a two-year captain in wrestling and a capable linebacker in football, dreamed about becoming a U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman when he was in elementary school and it has become his top priority.

“When I was in the second grade, I wore a Navy Midshipman’s costume for Halloween,’’ McCreedy said. “To go to the Naval Academy has been my goal since I was eight years old. My dad (Bradley) is a 2001 graduate of the Naval Academy, and all my academic and athletic achievements have been tailored with the Naval Academy in mind.’’

McCreedy, who has a 4.28 GPA, needs a Congressional nomination to be eligible for acceptance to the academy and he’s hoping the necessary paperwork will arrive at Annapolis this month. A decision on his acceptance likely will occur in April.

The 5-foot-9 McCreedy is not only serious about attending the Naval Academy, but he’s also very intense about competing on its wrestling team if he’s accepted. On three separate occasions, he’s attended the Navy SEALs Wrestling Camp and last summer he committed to the Naval Academy Summer Seminar.

“I attended the SEALs camp to experience what Navy SEALs life and training are like,’’ he said. “The summer seminar is for prospective academy applicants. If accepted, I’ll be a walk-on candidate for wrestling.’’

A four-year varsity wrestler at KP, McCreedy was fourth last year at both the Hockomock League Tournament and the Division 1 West/Central Sectional. His dual-meet record as a junior last year was 35-15 in the 165-pound class. He qualified for the State Tournament but did not advance to All-States after he finished with a 1-2 record.

Now in his second year as a captain, McCreedy leads by example and delights when his teammates succeed. 

“Griff is a multi-year captain and it shows with the respect he has earned from everyone on the team,’’ said KP wrestling coach Mike Poirier. “Griff puts the work in. He also challenges himself and others to be their best every day, on and off the mat.’’

McCreedy’s mat strengths include very good skills, a relentless work ethic, mental toughness, and determination. He’s also coachable and athletic. His favorite maneuver is a fireman’s carry, which is a takedown move that starts with a leg grab.

“Griff excels because of his high wrestling IQ and toughness,’’ Poirier emphasized. “He’s able to get himself out of some difficult positions within a match and come out on top. His grit and determination are unmatched. Even when he is down big in a match, I never count Griff out.’’

McCreedy’s team goals are for KP to qualify half of its wrestlers (seven) for the sectional and to compile a winning dual-meet record. Last year, the Warriors were 7-7-1 in dual meets. 

“My personal goals are to finish first in the sectional and improve my seeding for the state tourney,’’ he noted. “I also want to finish with 100 career wins.’’

McCreedy took a major step towards reaching 100 triumphs when the Warriors opened their season in a meet that included Quabbin, Holliston, St. John’s of Shrewsbury and Algonquin Regional. He won all four of his matches, increasing his win total to 82.

“I was physically ready and the four victories were a great way to start the season,’’ he said.

A native of Norfolk, McCreedy, who’s now wrestling in the 175-pound class, relies on a style that’s tactical and patient but he can shift gears and get aggressive. “I’m aggressive when I see an opportunity to take advantage of my opponent,’’ he said.

That’s what happened in his fourth match at the sectional last year. “I had to win to move on to the state tourney,’’ McCreedy emphasized. “My opponent and I were tied in points but I rallied late to win and qualified for the state tourney. 

Another memorable match took place a month after KP lost to Catholic Memorial in the Super Bowl in 2024. “We faced them and all four of the KP football players on the wrestling team beat their opponents,’’ McCreedy recalled. “I was losing but ended up winning by pinning my opponent.’’

McCreedy is a fan of KP’s other captain — junior Nick Wendling — who wrestles in the 132-pound category. “Nick did lots of hard work to improve his ability,’’ he said. “And, he leads by example and is very encouraging.’’

Colby Cloutier, one of KP’s finest wrestlers, remains as McCreedy’s role model. “When I was a freshman, he set a great example for me,’’ said McCreedy. “Colby is a caring person who was a terrific teacher of the sport.’’

During McCreedy’s first two years on the varsity, he was coached by John Adams. His last two have been on Poirier’s watch. “Coach Adams set the standard for what a KP wrestler should be like,’’ he offered. “Coach Poirier is a good motivator who has given me opportunities to lead and inspire others.’’

McCreedy’s academic standing is definitely inspiring. Besides his impressive GPA, he’s 45th in a class of 297, takes five AP courses and a college-level course, is vice president of his class and is a two-time National Honor Society student. 

If his Naval Academy goal doesn’t materialize, McCreedy has a back-up plan.

“I’ll major in mechanical engineering no matter what college I attend,’’ he said. “I’ve also applied to Purdue, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina and Florida. The Air Force Academy is also on the list.’’

A three-year varsity football player, McCreedy, whose hobby is skiing, went from reserve to starter, getting lots of playing time last fall when linebackers Kyle Danson and Brodie McDonald were injured.

“My first start was against Norwood and I tied for most tackles (6), two of which were for losses,’’ he noted. “And, against Milford, I got my first interception. I was on the team as a sophomore when we beat Marshfield in the Super Bowl. But, against North Attleboro in the Super Bowl, I started the entire game at outside linebacker in our 21-10 victory.’’

McCreedy called the state title “an amazing feeling.’’

“It’s so cool to achieve our goal and it was surreal to play at Gillette Stadium,’’ he said. “Our team worked so hard starting last January and we got the job done.’’

McCreedy relies on a competitive philosophy that emphasizes winning and reaching one’s potential. “But, I can learn a lot about life when I lose a match,’’ he offered. “Life lessons I’ve learned in sports are to develop a strong work ethic, be able to overcome adversity and know that failure can be valuable because it teaches how to be resilient.’’

McCreedy has all the attributes to be a top-notch Navy Midshipman. He’s a high-character individual, an inspiring team-first player, and he’s very intelligent. He’s also mentally tough, determined and has a relentless work ethic.

And, let’s not forget his desire, dedication and devotion to the task at hand.