Wrestling season is upon us and you know what that means: Time to spend eight hours in a hot gym on a Saturday! For some people, that’s hell on earth; but for me—and you, I presume, if you’re reading this article—you love it!. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the Schwartz Report’s five toughest non-postseason tournaments in our region.
*11/10/23 TOURNAMENT TEAM RANKINGS USED
Honorable Mentions (listed chronologically)
First, let’s roll through five prestigious tournaments that have built up quite the reputation.
Londonderry Holiday (Londonderry High School, NH) 12/16/23
The Londonderry Holiday Tournament on December 16th is one of the first tournaments of the scholastic season. This year's tournament is set to draw teams from 5 of 6 of the New England states, with Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts all being represented. The contenders look like No. 19 Andover (MA), Sanford (ME), New Fairfield (CT), and, of course, host Londonderry (NH)
Marshfield Holiday Tournament (Marshfield High School, MA) 12/27/23 “The Lowell tournament’s little brother” the Marshfield Holiday tournament is a perfect example of a gauntlet to get through with 38 teams competing. No. 8 Saint John’s Prep is the clear frontrunner at this event.
Ryan Sabbagh Holiday Tournament (Danbury High School, CT) 12/27/24
The Hatters know how to wrestle, and they know how to run a tournament. The Ryan Sabbagh is a tough one that features top Connecticut teams like New Milford and host Danbury. The tournament also attracts strong teams from Rhode Island like No. 4 Coventry and Massachusetts’ Putnam Tech and even Northfield Mount Hermon (Prep) have made the trip to the Nutmeg state.
Sanford Annual Wrestling Tournament (Sanford High School, ME) 1/5/24
One of the toughest annual tournaments in Maine, Sanford always draws good competition. Danbury (CT) has won it the past few years but looks to be challenged by Timberlane (NH), No. 14 Massabesic (ME), No. 22 Windham/Westbrook/GNG (ME), No. 23 Wells (ME), and No. 25 Noble (ME)
Methuen Invitational (Methuen High School, MA) 1/27/24
Another great event to raise your rankings: The Methuen invitational. If the same participating teams go as last year, we are in for a treat! No. 2 Xavier (CT) won the event last season and looks to repeat. Host No. 9 Methuen (MA) is in contention along with some other powerhouse programs—Minnechaug (MA), Mount Anthony (VT), Salem (NH), and Melrose (MA)
TOP 5 NEW ENGLAND REGULAR SEASON TOURNAMENTS
5. Blue Devil Classic (Salem High School, NH) 12/8/23
Participating Teams:
Kicking off the Top 5 is Salem’s Blue Devil Classic. This tournament may only have 16 teams, but it’s a great example of quality over quantity. Four of the 16 teams are ranked in the Top 25 and Salem (NH) and Lowell (MA) are two teams right on the verge of breaking into the Top 25. The real kicker? Prep school Northfield Mount Hermon (MA) will be at the event with all non-post graduate wrestlers. The Blue Devil Classic is surely gonna be a battle.
4. Noble Invitational (Noble High School, ME) 12/27/23
Participating Teams:
Coming in at No. 4 is the Noble Invitational in Maine. This tournament is the toughest in Maine. On top of the four Maine teams ranked in the Top 25, you also have two Top 15-ranked teams in No. 3 Haverhill (MA) and No. 13 Bishop Hendricken (RI). Spaulding (VT) is also ready for the challenge. With 29 talented teams involved, if you win this tournament you have something to be proud of.
3. Joe Capone Invitational (North Providence High School, RI) 12/16/23
Participating Teams:
We all know the smallest state in New England packs a punch.. So it’s no surprise that the North Providence Invitational makes the list, coming in third. This tournament features 25 teams—and four of them are in the Top 15. No. 3 Haverhill (MA), No. 7 Scituate (RI), No. 8 Saint John’s Prep (MA), and No. 13 Bishop Hendricken (RI) will all be gunning for a title. Don’t be surprised to also see Central (RI) and Salem (NH) make some noise in the tournament as well. No. 1 Ponagansett (RI) will be sending freshman and JV to this event so we could see wrestlers such as Cole Lemotiz (106), Robert Douangmala (126), and Carnell Davis (144) in action, they are No. 6, No. 8, and No. 4, respectively, in the New England class of 2027
2. Colter Abely Mid-Season Classic (Mercy High School, CT)
Participating Teams:
Hosted by No. 2 Xavier (CT) at their all-girls counterpart Mercy High School, the Colter Abely is very unique. Wrestlers are broken up into pools and get three matches. The winners of each pool then advance to the semi-finals where the winners there wrestle for first and the loser for third. Last year the hosts were victorious, and this year they have a similar lineup of challengers. No. 7 Scituate (RI), No. 10 Newtown (CT), No. 12 East Hartford (CT), No. 13 Bishop Hendricken (RI), and No. 16 Simsbury (CT) are all threats. Dark horses to look out for include Ridgefield (CT) and Trumbull (CT).
1. George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament (UMass Lowell Rec Center, MA) 12/22/23-12/23/23
Participating Teams:
Was there any doubt about which event would hold the top spot? Named for the legendary Massachusetts coach, The George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament is THE tournament to go to during the season. Over 80 teams will be there, including 10 from the Top 25 and 6 from the Top 15. With the amount of talent in the field, this event is by far the toughest in New England.
Lowell High School co-head coach Nick Logan certainly agrees. “The holiday (tournament) can sometimes be tougher than states, tougher than All-States, it’s more comparable to a New England tournament, you have kids from all over these other states.”
Most wrestlers that win a Lowell title go on to have an amazing postseason. In fact, 14 of the past 28 tournament champions have gone on to make the New England finals that same season. Who will it be this year?