84 Girls From 6 States Compete In Concord Freestyle Wrestling Matches

CONCORD, NH — Female wrestlers from five New England states competed in Concord on Sunday as part of the 2024 Northeast Women’s Freestyle Duals.

Eighty-four girls from Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont participated in multiple bouts at the Broken Ground Elementary School in 15 weight categories from 95 to 235 pounds. The teams included the Maine Trappers Wrestling Club, the Lebanon Die Hard Wrestling Club of Maine, the Massachusetts Dough Girls Wrestling Club, Team NH Women’s, Team RI, and Team VT.

Freestyle wrestling differs slightly from high school wrestling in allowing competitors to use their legs as offensive and defensive weapons. The point structure is also different.

Nicholas Zeras, a Concord teacher who was one of the organizers, said the event was an excellent opportunity to highlight all the fantastic girl wrestlers in the region. He said some would be heading to Pennsylvania to compete with other young women nationally. Along with Zeras, Mark Williams, the assistant coach of the Londonderry, led the New Hampshire team, while Pete Runez, the head coach at Keene High School, helped coach the girls, too. He called Williams “always super helpful,” while Runez “always wants to create more opportunities for kids.”

Adam Langlois, the head coach of Nashua South and the director of New Hampshire USA Wrestling, made the event possible for New Hampshire girls.

Zeras said Rick Ross, the president of the officials’ association, Benjamin Tessier, the vice president of the association, who also has a podcast, Ben's Den, which features wrestling, and Troy Colby, a coach for CHS, helped out officiating the event.

“All three officials were willing to learn the Olympic style of officiating and grow in their profession,” he said. “(We) really appreciated it.”

Five New Hampshire girls were out sick, and to get as many competitive matches as possible, some girls in extra weight classes switched teams to limit forfeits.

Wrestlers for the Maine Trappers included Peyton Bishop of Vassalboro, ME; Parker Theriault of Lowell, ME; Logan Smith of Chesterville, ME; Catori Watson of Mexico, ME; Kaydn Hansen of Roxbury, ME; Grace Blazina of Plattsburgh, NY; Brooklynn Webber of Chesterville, ME; Deliah Carter of Bucksport, ME; Natalie Healey of Foxcroft, ME; Piper Leone of Swanville, ME; Kloie Magoon of Vassalboro, ME; Kloie Magoon of Vassalboro, ME; Koda Hall; Ava Mcginnis of Palmyra, ME; Zady Paige of Swanville, ME; Aubrie Cobb of Bath, ME; and Lillian Soper of Orland, ME.

Lebanon Die Hard included Kadence Fogg, Amelia Hough, Sora Bukowski, Sophie Noyes, Hannah Perro, Sophia Colon, Savannah Thyng, Delaney Frost, Lilou Gardien, Mackenzie Lacoss, Sadie Nadeau, and Karissa Nason.

The Massachusetts Dough Girls included Elsa Scott of Sharon, MA; Olivia Polansky of Raynham, MA; Saphira Sao of Lowell, MA; Madeline Li of Andover, MA; Ana Zeigler of Bridgton, ME; Kamila Schneider; Liz Donovan of Pelham, NH; Abi Alicandro; Xavia Banigan of North Reading, MA; Tessa Master of Watertown, MA; Daniella Nugent of Boxford, MA; Emma Leonido of Hanover, MA; Amada Moundele of Lowell, MA; Arianna Nivar Agawam, MA; Jocelyn Allen; Jaden Coppins; Sky Koerne; and Shelby Galex.

Team NH included Oliver Greer of Marlborough; Riley-Anne Tarmey of Amesbury, MA; Morgan Gora of Hudson; Satori Swanson of Seabrook; Liz Donovan of Pelham; Emily Angelo of Edinboro, PA; Isabelle Brandt of Souhegan; Hailly Demers of Plymouth; Jillian Boncore of Hudson; and Madison Beauregard of Concord.

Team RI included Payton George of Warwick, RI; Zakiyah Mian of Providence, RI; Alia Goncalves of Central Falls, RI; Daisey Hawkins of West Greenwich, RI; Jolene Cole of Coventry, RI; Sydney Fratus of Coventry, RI; Kate Egan of Cranston, RI; Chloe Ross of Coventry, RI; Alexis O'Neill of New Vineyard, ME; Sofia George of Warwick, RI; Ksenia Gorman of Plainville, MA; Aubrey Hastings of Cumberland, RI; Yasmin Bido of Providence, RI; Jeskyiah Robinson of Johnston, RI; and Serenity Retana of Providence, RI.

Team VT included Mary Lopes of St. Johnsbury, VT; Gracelynne Maguire, Markkleeberg, SN, Germany; Alyn Capen of Morrisonville, NY; Kilee Merrill; Payton Douglass of Williamstown, VT; Lily Blazina of Plattsburgh, NY; Maisa Allen of Brandon, VT; Jaden Coppins of Colchester, VT; Sutton Kemp of Essex, VT; Hailey Isham of Bristol, VT; Jillian Glaski of Bennington, VT; Payten Lathe of Saint Johnsbury, VT; and Jillian Patneaude of Roxbury, ME.

View the full results here on Flowrestling.org.

One girl incurred a leg injury during one of the matches and was taken by Concord fire and rescue teams to the hospital.

Zeras said Chrigus Boezeman, the Merrimack Middle School principal and a former CHS teacher and coach, clerked the event while Dan Breen, a CHS coach, also helped. Jakob Manseau and Dominic Schinella, wrestlers from the CHS team, worked the event, too, “and made it a huge success.”

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