Andrew Bouchard Shines at Region 5, Upsets Returning State Medalist

photo & coverage by: Antonio Morales

For Andrew Bouchard, Region 5 was about more than just a championship—it was about redemption. After suffering a 13-4 loss earlier this season to returning state medalist Anthony Verdi, Bouchard flipped the script in the finals, pulling off a gritty 4-1 decision to claim the 175-pound title and punch his ticket to Atlantic City with major momentum.

Bouchard’s path through Region 5 was steady but filled with challenges. After a quarterfinal victory by injury default and a dominant major decision win in the semis, he found himself staring down a familiar opponent in Anthony Verdi, knowing that this was his chance to even the score.

The final match was a tense battle from start to finish. Both wrestlers traded shots throughout the three periods, each looking for an opportunity to strike. With the score tied at 1-1 in the closing seconds, Bouchard executed a perfectly timed high crotch, scrambling to secure a match-winning takedown and the three points needed to seal the victory.

“This win was huge for me,” Bouchard said after the match. “I went in relaxed, knowing I could hang with him, and my mindset was just to let loose and wrestle.” Already qualified for Atlantic City, he focused on cleaning up his technique and sticking to his game plan—a strategy that paid off.

Bouchard credits his coaches for keeping him level-headed throughout the tournament. “They constantly reminded me that at the end of the day, it’s only wrestling. Whatever happens, happens. They believed in me, and that gave me a lot of confidence.”

Now, with a Region 5 title in hand, Bouchard heads into the biggest stage in New Jersey wrestling with momentum and a better state tournament seed. But more than anything, he’s embracing the moment.

“I feel good going into the coming week. Really just looking to enjoy my last season and let it fly. I’m looking forward to wrestling tough and making a name for myself in AC.”

With this statement win behind him, Bouchard is primed to turn even more heads in Atlantic City. The 175-pound bracket just got a lot more interesting.

WATCH HERE: SEMI FINAL | FINALS