The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua middle school wrestling team took third place in the team competition at the New England Rebel Classic. The team was also awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the event.

In the seventh- and eighth-grade division, Tyler Ellwood (3-0, one pin) placed first in the 112-pound weight class. Laim Curran (2-2, one pin) took the fourth-place copper medal at 83.

In the fifth- and sixth-grade division, Connor McBride (3-0) defeated the only wreslter who had beaten him at the New England Middle School Championships to win the gold medal at 98. Kevin Melanson (3-0, one pin) and teammate Jake Valeri (2-1) placed first and second at 61, respectively. Marcel Laplante (2-1) won the second-place silver at 78, while Cam Bennett and Joe Chimelski (2-2, one pin each) placed third and fourth at 70 and 108, respectively.

The sole entry in the third- and fourth-grade division, Ryan Rice, won the championship, going 3-0 with one pin at 71. Ryan Jigarjian (3-0, two pins) placed first at 47 in the first- and second-grade division. In the kindergarten division, Keegan Mills (3-0, two pins) placed first at 58 , as did Nate Zalzal (2-0, one pin) at 50.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua hosted the fourth annual Elementary Wrestling Championships at Nashua High School North last weekend, eventually emerging as state champions in the team competition.

Nashua scored 128 points, followed by the Salem Boys and Girls Club (120), the Derry Boys and Girls Club (101), the defending champion Manchester YMCA (99), Keene (75), Merrimack Youth Association (56), Tyngsborough Tigers (52), Goffstown (36), Plymouth (14) and Bow (13).

Leading Nashua as individual state champions were Patrick Melanson (kindergarten division, 37 pounds), Keegan Mills (kindergarten, 54), Chase Nickerson (kindergarten, 45), Ryan Jigarjian (first-second grade, 46), Jordan Rowlette (third-fourth, 62), Ryan Rice (third-fourth, 67), John Sweeney (third-fourth, 85).

Runners-up were John Jigarjian (kindergarten, 45), Colin O'Connor (first-second, 46), Blake Poteet (first-second, 52), Alex White (first-second, 69), Evan Robinson (third-fourth, 53), Angelo Vitali (third-fourth, 62), Cole Nickerson (third-fourth, 67), Dakota Lane (third-fourth, 75), Levi Gosselin (third-fourth, 82).

The Nashua squad's bronze medalists were Dante Young (kindergarten, 45), Sam Smythe (first-second, 46), Andre Laplante (first-second, 48), Aren Kennedy (first-second, 78), David Muite (third-fourth, 62), Evan Allgaier (third-fourth, 134).

Finishing fourth were Nate Zalzal (kindergarten, 54), Kevin Hallerman (first-second, 52), Hunter Chenard (first-second, 60), Zack Torla (third-fourth, 62).

Ben Pressly and Anthony Sok rounded out the Boys Club roster.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua's Elementary School (kindergarten-fourth grade) wrestling team participated last weekend in the Big East Championships at Tyngsborough (Mass.) High School.

Champions and runners-up from earlier Regional tourneys competed in the Gold Class, while lower finishers wrestled in Silver, Bronze and Copper classes.

Six grapplers from the Boys Club squad were crowned individual Big East champions.

In Bantam (K-2nd) action, champions in their respective weight classes included Nate Zalzal, Alex White, Colin O'Connor, Ryan Jigrjian and Aren Kennedy. Runners-up earning silver medals were Sam Smythe, Kevin Hallerman, Blake Poteet and Melvin Campbell. Dante Young and Andre Laplante were bronze medalists.

At the Midget (3rd-4th) level, the sole champion from the Boys Club was A.J. Vitali. Evan Robinson, Ryan Rice, Levi Gosselin, John Sweeney and David Muite were runners-up.

Third place bronze finishers included Zack Torla, Dakota Lane, and Jordan Rowlette. Rounding out the BGCGN roster were Ethan Allgaier, Phil Perreira, Patrick Roy and Cole Nickerson.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua's Elementary School (kindergarten-fourth grade) wrestling team participated last weekend in the first round of the Big East Championships by competing in the Nashoba Regional in Bolton , Mass.

In the Bantam Division, four Boys Club grapplers earned first-place honors, going undefeated in their weight classes: Alex White (69 pounds, 3-0, 1 pin), Andre Laplante (50, 3-0, 2 pins), Dante Young (41, 3-0, 2 pins) and Ryan Jigarjian (45, 3-0, 3 pins).

Silver medalists, who will advance along with the champions to next weekends Gold Class Tournament in Tyngsborough, Mass., were Blake Poteet (51, 2-1, 2 pins), Keegan Mills (57, 2-1, 2 pins) and Aren Kennedy (75). Advancing to the Silver Class next weekend were Melvin Campbell, Hunter Chenard, Nate Zalzal and John Jigarjian.

In the Midget Division, Ryan Rice (3-0, 3 pins) was the Select Class 69-pound champ. In other Select Class action, John Sweeney (3-0, 2 pins) was tops at 85, while four BGCGN grapplers were runners-up – Evan Robinson (2-1, 2 pins) at 53, Jordan Rowlette (2-1, 1 pin) at 61, Dakota Lane (2-1, 2-1, 1 pin) at 75 and Cole Nickerson (2-1) at 64. David Muite took the bronze at 73.

In the Midget Division Novice Class, Patrick Roy and Angelo Vitali (3-0, 3 pins) were the champions at 67 and 62, respectively. Phil Perreira (2-1, 2 pins) was the runner-up at 140. Also wrestling in the Novice Class were Ethan Allgaier and Zack Torla. Anthony Sok placed second in the Apprentice Division Novice Class at 69.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua wrestling team traveled to Manchester Memorial High School to compete in the Crusader Open over the weekend, which featured youth wreslters from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts competing in double elimination brackets.

The only individual champion from BGCGN on the day was second grader Ryan Jigarjian (3-0, 3 pins) who won the 47-pound weight class. In other kindergarten-second grade action, 56-pounder Dante Young (2-1, 2 pins) was the runner-up in his bracket. Bronze medalists included John Jigsarjian (43 pounds) and Blake Poteet (51 pounds, 3-1, 2 pins). Patrick Melanson took the copper medal at 38 (2-2, 1 pin).

In the third-fourth grade division, AJ Vitale (63 pounds, 2-1, 1 pin) and Dakota Lane (2-1, 1 pin) were runners-up at 63 and 75, respectively. Cole Nickerson (3-1, 2 pins) finished third at 64, as did Ryan Rice (3-1, 2 pins) at 68. Jordan Rowlette (2-2, 2 pins) was fourth at 64.

In the fifth-sixth grade division, Kevin Melanson (3-1, 1 pin) earned the silver medal at 64, while Cam Bennett (70 pounds, 3-1, 1 pin) and Christain McKenna (95 pounds, 2-2, 1 pin) were third and fourth, respectively, in their weight classes.

Hunter Chenard, Andre Lalpante, Ben Pressly, Nate Zalzal, Evan Robinson, Zack Torla, Anthony Sok, Jake Valeri, Jake Redman and Chance Robinson also wreslted for the Boys Club squad.

BGCGN's fifth-sixth grade squad traveled to Concord for the Rundlett Middle School Invitational. Jake Valeri (2-1, 2 pins) took second place in the 65-pound class, while teammate Kevin Melanson (3-1, 1 pin) took third in the same bracket. Cam Bennett (2-1, 2 pins) drew a bye in the first round, and went on to take the third place bronze at 70. Jake Redman and Christian McKenna also wreslted for the BGCGN squad.

Nashua Catholic was represented by 12 wrestlers in Concord. In the fifth-sixth grade action, Marcel Laplante and Evan Manns were first at 80 and 115 pounds, respectively. Seventh and eighth graders Patrick O'Connell (130 pounds) and Cole Fokas (80) finised first and second, respectively, while Zack Kemos (85), Mike Allard (95), Angelica Levesque (127) and Ethan Plumey (165) all finished third.

The Elm Street Eagles did a fine job at the Rundlett Invitational. Tyler Ellwood won the 116-pound class with three straight wins. Going 2-1 for the day were Wilson Pellot (105) and Dean Kennedy (95) with silver medals. Bronze went to Dylan Johnson, Dan Bresee and Ryan Gawlik. Also wrestling for team Elm Street were Kristin Dechene, Allen McCarthy and Cody Ellwood.

Mike Silva highlighted Fairgrounds Middle School's day, winning the 80-pound class at the Rundlett Invitational. Brandon Pietsch came in second in the 200-pound division. Anthony Monaco placed third at 111, Ryan Villett placed fourth at 117 and Jenn Lowry placed fourth at 127. Also competing in the tournament were Cam Michalewicz, Andrew Keefe, Shanara Covan, Moses Fernandez and Jon Dube.

Out of its 10 wrestlers competing in Concord, Pennichuck placed four of them in the top four.

Sixth-grader Connor Mcbride won the 86-pound class with three wins all on pins. Fellow sixth-grader Joe Chimelski placed second at 100, losing 2-1 in a dramatic shootout in the finals.

Eight graders Joey Page (130, 2 pins) and Rigo Gaud (150) finished second and fourth, respectively.

Other great matches came from eighth graders Corey Ford (170), Eli

Claffey (135), Kyle Lefebvre (185), Jordan Ocasio (120), Dakota Lustick (125) and Gus Barroso (108).

Last Saturday, the BGCGN Elementary School (K-4th grade) team competed in the second MYA Tournament hosted at Merrimack Middle School.

Eight Boys Club grapplers won first place medals by going unbeaten throughout the day. Cole Nickerson (65 pounds, 3-0, 1 pin), Alex White (3-0), Blake Poteet (51, 3-0, 3 pins), John Jigarjian (43, 2-0, 2 pins), Ryan Rice (68, 3-0, 1 pin), Jordan Rowlette (60, 3-0, 2 pins), David Muite (73 pounds 3-0) and Andre Laplante (50, 3-0, 1 pin) each finished first in his respective weight class.

In K-second action, Aren Kennedy was second at 76, as was Patrick Melanson at 37 and Keegan Mills (2-1, 1 pin) at 51. Ryan Jigarjian and Nate Zalzal were third at 46 and 51, respectivley.

In the third-fourth grade division, 99-pound Phil Pereira took second, as did 61-pound AJ Vitale (2-1, 1 pin). John Sweeney and newcomer Anthony Sok also placed second at 70 and 85, respectfully. Patrick Roy earned a bronze at 66, as did Alex Chavira at 57. Rounding out the BGCGN roster in Merrimack were Colin O'Connor, Zack Torla, Austin Tingley and Colton Roy.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua and Elm Street Middle School wrestling teams traveled to Brookline, Mass., on Jan. 13 to compete in the Warrior Rumble.

BGCGN wrestlers stood out with first place finishes by fourth grader Ryan Rice, who defeated teammate and runner-up David Muite in the 70-pound finals; and fifth grader Kevin Melanson at 60 pounds.

Fifth grader Chance Robinson and sixth grader Joe Chimelski were runners-up at 95 and 105, respectively, while second grader Ryan Jigarjian took third at 45. Other Boys Club wrestlers posting victories in Brookline were kindergarten through second grade wrestlers Andre Laplante, John Jigarjian, Keegan Mills, as well as, third through fourth graders AJ Vitale, Patrick Roy and Dakota Lane.

The Elm Street Eagles also took a small group of its wrestlers to the Warrior Rumble Tournament, where they scored big.

Dylan Johnson was the champion in the 125-130 weight class, ripping through his competion by pinning every opponent. Teammate Kristin Dechene took second with two pins. In the 115-120 division, brothers Tyler Ellwood and Cody Ellwood brought home silver and bronze, respectivly for the Eagles.

Nashua's Chris Anderson did not have an available bracket for his age and weight, so he decided to wrestle up to the high school level where he recorded a pin against a ninth grader in his first match and and a 10th grader in his third match. He took fourth place overall.

BGCGN sixth graders Connor McBride (92 pounds) and Marcel Laplante (77) competed in the Jon Sphn Invitational at Salem High School. McBride (3-1) placed third, giving up only three points in the tournament, while Laplante (2-1, 1 pin) placed second in his weight class, with two of his three matches going into overtime.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua (BGCGN) wrestling team competed in the Londonderry Storm's annual preseason middle school tournament. The tourney featured fifth-eighth grade youth wreslters from New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont.

In the fifth-sixth grade division, Kevin Melanson (2-0, 1 pin) was the champion in the 65-pound weight class, earning the title with a decision over Boys Club teammate Jake Valeri (1-1, 1 pin). Travis Rice (2-2, 2 pins) wrestled his last tourney for the BGCGN squad before moving up to the Pennichuck Middle School team, placing fourth at 90 pounds.

Especially impressive were three Boys Club fourth graders, who based on their past acomplishments were entered into the fifth-sixth grade division. Ryan Rice (3-1, 1 pin) placed third at 68 pounds, while Cole Nickerson (2-2, 1 pin) earned fourth 65 and Cam Bennett pinned his older opponent in the consolation semifinals.

Also wrestling in this preseason event was the Nashua Catholic Regional squad. Six Nashua Catholic grapplers placed in the event.

Marcel Laplante (3-0) placed first in the fifth-sixth grade 78-pound weight class, while Evan Manns (2-1) was runner-up at 115.

In the seventh-eighth grade division, Gabe Gosselin earned the silver at 95, while Cole Fokas, Patrick O'Connell and Ethan Plumley were bronze medalists at 85, 135 and 160, respectively.

BGCGN splits up for two holiday tournaments

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua wrestling team split into two traveling squads last weekend, sending some of its members to the Tyngsborough (Mass.) Big Red Tourament at Tyngsborough High School, and others to the Manchester YMCA Holiday Tournament at Memorial High School.

The Tyngsborough event featured a round-robin format for youth wrestlers from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Wrestlers competed in separate Novice and Experienced classes.

In the Kindergarten-Second Grade Division, Blake Poteet (2-1) tied for first place in the 51 pound Novice class. Ryan Jigarjian (3-0, 2 pins) placed first in the 47-pound Experienced class, while his brother John Jigarjian (2-1, 1 pin) was second in the 39-pound Novice class. Finishing second in the Novice class were Nate Zalzal (first career pin), Keegan Mills (2-1, 2 pins), Dante Young (2-1, 2 pins) and Kevin Hallerman (2-1, 1 pin). Earning third place at the Novice level were Colin O'Connor and Aren Kennedy, while Alex White took fourth in his weight class.

In the Third-Fourth Grade Division Experienced class, Dakota Lane was third at 70. In the Novice class brackets, Matt and Mike Gilham placed third and fourth, respectively, while AJ Vitale (2-1, 2 pins) earned a silver medal.

Jake Valeri (2-2, 2 pins) was third in the Fifth-Sixth Grade Division's 62-pound Experienced class, while Jake Redmond took third in his Novice weight class.

At the Manchester YMCA Holiday Tournament, wrestlers from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts competed in traditional eight-man brackets.

With reinforcements in the older grade divisions from the Nashua Catholic Junior High and Pennichuck Middle School teams, seven of the 11 BGCGN competitors earned medals.

In the Kindergarten-Second Grade Division, Patrick Melanson placed second at 38 pounds, winning an action packed 19-15 vicotry over a Manchester opponent.

In Third-Fourth Grade Division action, Ryan Rice (3-1, 2 pins) and Levi Gosselin (3-1, 2 pins) earned silver medals at 70 and 83 pounds, respectively.

Travis Rice (2-1) of the Pennichuck team earned a silver at 83 pounds in the Fifth-Sixth Grade Division, while Cam Bennet placed third at 71, winning the consolation finals with a thrilling pin in the third period of a scorelss match. Kevin Melanson (2-2, 2 pins) placed fourth at 64.

In the Seventh-Eighth Grade Division, Pennichuck's Joe Page (3-1, 3 pins) earned the bronze at 133 pounds.

Rounding out the BGCGN roster in Manchester were Jordan Rowlette, Jamie Negron, Angelica Levesque and Dan McCormick.