Using 11/17/24 TOURNAMENT rankings
The Season is finally here. . As of today, every state in New England has started wrestling practices and, in a week (or two for some teams), we will all be holed up in hot gyms for tournaments. Last year I ranked the top five toughest tournaments run concurrently during the 23-24 season and this year I’m doing it again, but, this time, it's the top eight!
*Tournaments must have had schools listed on FLO to be in contention.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Michael J. Baker Classic (Essex, VT), Salem Blue Devil Classic (Salem, NH), Greater Hartford Open (Hartford, CT), SWAT Invitational (Sanford, ME)
8. Timberlane Invite (Timberlane, NH)
January 25, 2025 @ Timberlane Regional High School
(2) Haverhill (MA)
(20) Chelmsford (MA)
Bedford
Goffstown
Haverhill B
Lowell (MA)
Lyman Hall*
Manchester Central
Manchester Memorial
Manchester West
Noble (ME)
North Andover (MA)
Reading (MA)
Sanford (ME)
Sheehan* (CT)
Southington (CT)
Spaulding
Timberlane
Timberlane B
Trinity
The Outlook:
Starting the top eight,is the toughest tournament in the Granite State. Not the only major tournament in New Hampshire, Timberlane is arguably a stronger competition than New Hampshire’s postseason Meet of Champions because of the out-of-state competitors. No. 2 Haverhill (MA) certainly looks to be the favorite and it will be interesting to see the depth of the Hillies as they have their B-Team entered as well.
No. 20 Chelmsford (MA) is another clear challenger and don’t count out host Timberlane (NH). Sanford (ME) is a strong northern threat and Southington (CT) should be good competition too. This year there are only five returning individual champions: Michael Morris (Haverhill, MA), Brady Ouelette (Noble, ME), Emmett Logan (Lowell, MA), Matt Harrold (Haverhill, MA) and Thomas Brown (Chelmsford, MA), so look for many new gold medalists at this event.
Last Year’s Top 5
Haverhill (MA) - 248
Chelmsford (MA) - 188.5
Bedford (NH) - 154
Sanford (ME) - 152
Noble (ME) 151.5
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Haverhill (MA) - 254
Chelmsford (MA) - 176
Noble (ME) - 145
Sanford (ME) - 133
Timberlane (NH) - 130
Returning Champions:
113: Michael Morris (Haverhill, MA); 120: Bradey Ouelette (Noble, MA); 126: Emmett Logan (Lowell, MA); 215: Matt Harrold (MA); 285: Thomas Brown (Chelmsford, MA)
7. Gary Tiger’s Ridgefield Challenge (Ridgefield, CT)
January 25, 2025 @ Ridgefield High School
(5) Newtown
Amity
Arlington (NY)
Bethel
Brewster (NY)
Bristol Central
Bunnell
Coventry (RI)
Fairfield Prep
Greenwich
Middlebury (VT)
New Milford
Norwalk
Ridgefield
Roy C Ketcham (NY)
Washingtonville (NY)
The Outlook:
The Ridgefield Challenge is always a tough competition, gathering teams from New England and New York. The 16-team tournament was won by No. 5 Newtown (CT) last year and they look to be the favorites again. Host Ridgefield (CT) is very strong this year and, by the time this tournament rolls around, they may be the new favorite. New Milford (CT) is a squad that is always solid 106 through 285. Last year the Green Wave beat Newtown in a dual meet. New York, one of the better known wrestling states in the country, has a total of four schools at the event. Arlington, Washingtonville, Roy C. Ketcham, and Brewster. Washingtonville had five New York State qualifiers in 2024 and returns three of them.
Last Year’s Top 5
Newtown (CT) - 282
Ridgefield (CT) - 189.5
New Milford (CT) - 194.5
Washingtonville (NY) - 151.5
Norwalk (CT) - 142
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Newtown (CT) - 254
Ridgefield (CT) - 232
New Milford (CT) - 189
Washingtonville (NY) - 154
Bristol Central (CT) - 138
Returning Champions:
106: Owen Milmore (Washingtonville, NY); 113: Dylan Meyers (Ridgefield, CT); 138: Lorenzo Lanzilli (Ridgefield, CT); 150: Jake Maddox (Newtown, CT); 157: Marc Maurath (Newtown, CT); 190: Charles Dunn (Newtown, CT)
6. Wilmington Sons of Italy (Wilmington, MA)
December 14, 2024 @ Wilmington High School
(2) Haverhill
(4) Shawsheen Tech
(7) Tewksbury
Brookline
Essex Tech/Masco Co-Op
Gloucester
Melrose
North Andover
Salem
Saugus/Peabody
Whittier
Wilmington
Winchester
The Outlook:
A tournament that opts for quality over quantity, this all-Massachusetts event boasts three top-10 tournament teams. No. 2 Haverhill (MA) may be the slight favorite here on paper but could definitely be challenged by a very tough No. 4 Shawsheen Tech (MA) team which won the event last year. The Tildsley brothers are looking for their combined 6th and 7th titles at the event for the Rams. Keep an eye on No. 7 Tewksbury (MA)—, the MIAA DIII Powerhouse is right in the mix.
Last Year’s Top 5
Shawsheen Tech (MA) - 258
Haverhill (MA) - 193
Tewksbury (MA) - 163
Salem (MA) - 135.5
Saugus/Peabody (MA) - 133
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Haverhill (MA) - 228
Shawsheen Tech (MA) - 224
Tewksbury (MA) - 188
Salem (MA) - 129
Melrose (MA) - 125
Returning Champions:
106: Jack Lightfoot (Tewksbury, MA); 113: Michael Morris (Haverhill, MA); 120: Cale Wood Jr. (Haverhill, MA); 138: Sidney Tildsley (Shawsheen Tech, MA); 144: James Tildsley (Shawsheen Tech, MA); 215: Matt Harrold (Haverhill, MA)
5. Marshfield Holiday Tournament (Marshfield, MA)
December 27-28, 2024 @ Marshfield High School
(9) Saint John's Prep
(17) Bridgewater-Raynham
Barnstable
Braintree
Bristol County/Dighton Rehoboth
Bristol-Plymouth
Brockton
Carver
Catholic Memorial
Cohasset
Cumberland (RI)
Duxbury
Hanover
Hingham
Mansfield
Marshfield
Middleborough
Middletown (CT)
Mt. Hope (RI)
New Bedford
North Andover
North Attleborough
Norton
Norwood
Oliver Ames
Pembroke
Plymouth North
Plymouth South
Quincy
Sandwich
Scituate
Sharon
Silver Lake
Southeastern
Taunton
Tollgate (RI)
Walpole
Whitman-Hanson
The Outlook:
This is a tournament with lots of quantity and quality. The second-biggest tournament in New England, the Marshfield Holiday features 38 competing teams. Last year’s winner No. 9 St. John’s Prep (MA) is the clear frontrunner. Nevertheless, No. 17 Bridgewater-Raynham (MA) has a very strong team and could topple the Eagles. Last year’s runner-up, Taunton (MA), now has to worry about B-R as well as SJP. four non-Massachusetts teams are entered: Cumberland (RI), Mt. Hope (RI), Tollgate (RI), and Middletown (CT).
Last Year’s Top 5
Saint John’s Prep (M15A) - 261.5
Taunton (MA) - 193
Bridgewater-Raynham (MA) - 180.5
Sharon (MA) - 178
Brockton (MA) - 145
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Saint John’s Prep (MA) - 240
Bridgewater-Raynham (MA) - 200
Taunton (MA) - 196
Sharon (MA) - 172
Mt. Hope (RI) - 151
Returning Champions:
120: Braedon Goes (St. John’s Prep, MA); 132: Matthew Patterson (Middleborough, MA); 138: Brent Von-Magnus (Bridgewater-Raynham, MA); 150: Cyrus Jones (Sharon, MA); 215: Elijah Prophette (Taunton, MA); 285: Alex Bajoras (St. John’s Prep, MA)
4. Bruce Rich Invite (Chelmsford, MA)
January 4, 2025 @ Chelmsford High School
(10) Central Catholic
(20) Chelmsford
(22) Leominster
(25) Londonderry (NH)
Bedford (NH)
Bedford/AB
Bristol County/Dighton Rehoboth
Central (RI)
Colchester (VT)
Framingham
Greater Lawrence
Lawrence
Minnechaug
Northeast Metro Tech/Bishop Fenwick
Pelham (NH)
Plymouth North
Saint John's
Saugus/Peabody
Shepherd Hill
Westford Academy
The Outlook:
Four ranked teams highlight the field here. No. 10 Central Catholic (MA) won the event last year while No. 20 Chelmsford (MA) was the runner-up at its own event. Central (RI) came in third this year but that doesn’t seem in the cards this year with the field as it is. No. 22 Leominster (MA) should have a strong showing and have two potential champions in Dan Greany and Antuan Lino-Diego. No. 25 Londonderry (NH), Colchester (VT), Bedford (NH), and Pelham (NH) make up the out-of-state competition.
Last Year’s Top 5
Central Catholic (MA) - 211.5
Chelmsford (MA) - 190
Central (RI) - 164
Colchester (VT) - 156
Bedford (NH) - 147
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Central Catholic (MA) - 208
Chelmsford (MA) - 186
Leominster (MA) - 156
Colchester (VT) - 151
Londonderry (NH) - 147
Returning Champions:
106: Cole Glynn (Central Catholic, MA); 126: Kai Ly (Minnechaug, MA); 150: Sawyer Ayotte (Shepherd Hill, MA); 165: Caden Chase (Central Catholic, MA); 190: Patrick O’Connor (Londonderry, NH); 285: Thomas Brown (Chelmsford, MA)
3. Bill James Invitational (Methuen, MA)
February 1, 2025 @ Methuen High School
(3) Xavier (CT)
(7) Tewksbury (MA)
(14) Xaverian (MA)
(25) Londonderry (NH)
Algonquin
Cranston East (RI)
Cranston West (RI)
Lawrence
Melrose
Methuen
Mount Anthony (VT)
Nashua South (NH)
North Kingstown (RI)
Norwood (MA)
Rangers (MA)
Salem (NH)
Springfield Central (MA)
Tollgate (RI)
Tyngsborough/Dracut (MA)
The Outlook:
In honor of the great Methuen wrestling coach Bill James who was taken away too soon from us earlier this year, his namesake event is one he definitely was proud of and I’m sure he would have loved to see what it will grow into. No. 3 Xavier (CT) won it last season, beating out Salem (NH) and host, Methuen (MA). The Falcons look to be the favorite again and, this time, there are some new threats to worry about in No. 7 Tewksbury (MA) and No. 14 Xaverian (MA). Don’t write off Mount Anthony (VT) and Tollgate (RI) Either.
Last Year’s Top 5
Xavier (CT) - 284
Salem (NH) - 210
Methuen (MA) - 172.5
Mt. Anthony (CT) - 132.5
Tewksbury (MA) - 127
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Xavier (CT) - 256
Salem (NH) - 201
Mt. Anthony (VT) - 166
Tewksbury (MA) - 155
Xaverian (MA) - 138
Returning Champions:
126: Nathan Sayers (Xaverian, MA); 132: George Mcateer (Xaverian, MA); 150: Manny Perez (Londonderry, NH); 157: Vincent DeMaio (Methuen, MA); 175: David Pento Jr. (Londonderry, NH); 190: Patrick O’Connor (Londonderry, NH); 285: Kaz Morosetti (North Kingstown, RI)
2. Colter Abely Tournament (Middletown, CT)
January 18, 2025 @ Mercy High School
(3) Xavier (CT)
(5) Newtown (CT)
(8) East Hartford (CT)
(11) Scituate (RI)
(14) Xaverian (MA)
(19) Simsbury (CT)
Bishop Hendricken (RI)
Brookfield/Shepaug (CT)
Cheshire (CT)
East Lyme/Norwich Tech (CT)
Guilford (CT)
Hall (CT)
Lewis Mills* (CT)
Ridgefield (CT)
South Kingstown (RI)
Spaulding (VT)
Trumbull (CT)
Waterford (CT)
The Outlook:
In an interesting format, the Colter Abely breaks its wrestlers into four pools and then the winners of each group make the semi-finals. Last year, it was host No. 3 Xavier (CT) who came out on top with 386.5 points. No. 5 Newtown (CT) was second with 338 points. No. 19 Simsbury (CT) was third, followed by Ridgefield and No. 8 East Hartford (CT). The Falcons return a strong lineup, but Ridgefield (CT) poses a threat as does Newtown (again). No. 11 Scituate (RI) and No. 14 Xaverian (MA) are two non-Connecticut teams that may fare well.
Last Year’s Top 5
Xavier (CT) - 386.5
Newtown (CT) - 338
Simsbury (CT) - 308
Ridgefield (CT) - 262
East Hartford (CT) - 239.5
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Xavier (CT) - 355
Newtown (CT) - 307
Ridgefield (CT) - 298
East Hartford (CT) - 250
Scituate (RI) - 240
Returning Champions:
106: Robby Newton (Scituate, RI); 126: Nathan Sayers (Xaverian, MA); 132: George Mcateer (Xaverian, MA); 138: Jaeckez Mendez (East Hartford, CT); 175: Lincoln Carlson (East Lyme/Norwich Tech, CT)
1. George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament (Lowell, MA)
December 20-21, 2024 @ Tsongas Center
The Outlook:
Last year, in a very close five-point margin, No. 5 Newtown (CT) became the first Connecticut team to win the prestigious Lowell Holiday Tournament. Their 215.5 points beat out the 210.5 that was followed by No. 2 Haverhill (MA). Newtown won the tournament with zero champions but had two second place finishers and four bronze medalists. This year may be harder for them to win it as they have lost some key member from last year. No. 4 Shawsheen Tech finished 3rd in 2023. This tournament always promises to be the premier event of the season.
Last Year’s Top 5
Newtown (CT) - 215.5
Haverhill (MA) - 210.5
Shawsheen Tech (MA) - 179
Bedford (NH) - 156
Coventry (RI) - 151.5
Schwartz’s Projected Top 5
Haverhill (MA) - 206
Shawsheen Tech (MA) - 200
Newtown (CT) - 196
Central Catholic (MA) - 188
Fairfield Warde (CT) - 159
Returning Champions:
113: Nick Desisto (Tewksbury, MA); 120: Peter Rincan (Billerica, MA); 138: Sidney Tildsley (Shawsheen Tech, MA); 144: James Tildsley (Shawsheen Tech, MA); 175: David Pento Jr. (Londonderry, NH); 190: Max Konopka (Simsbury, CT); 285: Thomas Brown (Chelmsford, MA)
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