Matt Smith and Tim Brown look at the top senior wrestlers in New Hampshire.
The 2013-2014 wrestling season in New Hampshire ended much like the previous 15 seasons, with Timberlane Regional High School of Plaistow on top of the podium. That's correct, the Owls of Timberlane have won their 15th straight New Hampshire State Championship, a New Hampshire record 21 state titles, and a New England record 10 regional championships. The Lancers of Londonderry capped off their best season in years with a runner-up finish in the state meet, led by undefeated New England champion Jean Luc Lemieux. Jean Luc is now a three-time state champion, twice with Pinkerton Academy, and most recently with Londonderry High School. Perennially strong concord finished out the top three.
Here is a look at how the top competitors stack up against the rest of the state.
Jean-Luc LemieuxProjected High School Weight Class: 132
Projected College Weight Class: 133
College Choices: Navy and Stanford
Analysis: Lemiuex capped an undefeated junior campaign (50-0) with a dominating run to his New England championship. Lemieux is a terror on the mat. He went on to finish fourth at NHSCA Junior Nationals, and will be looking to repeat this season and become a two-time New England champion, as well as a four-time state champ. He has a career record of 124-9. Lemieux carries a 3.3 GPA.
2. Derek Bohle (Timberlane)
Projected High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Analysis: Bohle, who attends Timberlane, was the New Hampshire feel-good story of the year. A two-year backup for the Owls, Bohle burst onto the scene with a monster season that saw him only lose to nemesis Lemiuex in the postseason. A runner-up in the New England Championships, Bohle's unorthodox mat wrestling will look to have him vying for the New England title. He maintains a 3.86 GPA.
3. Richard Bilodeau (Londonderry)
Projected High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Analysis: Another standout for the Lancers of Londonderry, Bilodeau had a tremendous end to his junior season. A strong run in the postseason saw Bilodeau tear through the consolation bracket and storm back for fourth place at New Englands. He won 44 matches as a junior. A judo master, Bilodeau and Lemieux will be looking to dethrone the Owls at the end of the year.
4. Nick Widmann (John Stark)
Projected High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141
College Choices: WPI and Wesleyan
Analysis: Widmann, one of the small school standouts in New Hampshire, had another bracket to hold at the end of the season. A two-time Division 3 champ from John Stark High School, Widmann placed fifth at the New England Championships. He finished his junior season with a 52-8 record to bring his career record to 120-26. A stellar student as well, he is ranked No. 1 overall in his class and carries a GPA of 4.6.
5. Brandon Levesque (Bishop Guertin)
Projected High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 149
College Choices: Roger Williams, Sacred Heart, Western New England and Lutheran
Analysis: Levesque, a former All State champ, finished second at this year's state meet, and placed sixth in the New England Regional in 2013. A standout as a running back for the Cardinals of Bishop Guertin, Levesque will look to become a two-time state champion to propel him forward into his college career. He has a career mark of 114-28.
Cam BennettProjected High School Weight Class: 132
Projected College Weight Class: 133
College Choices: Wesleyan, Daniel Webster and Plymouth State
Analysis: Bennett will be a four-year varsity starter for the Titans of Nashua North and is looking to improve upon his runner-up finish from the last two seasons. A lanky 126-pounder from last season, his college weight class projects at 133 pounds. Bennett is also a three-time state placer as well. He has a career record of 120-26.
7. Jake Nault (Goffstown)
Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Nault is a three-time New Hampshire Division 2 state champion from Goffstown High School, and will look to become one of only a few four-time champs this season. He has a tenacious wrestling attack and does not stop until the final whistle. Nault is also a tremendous student with a 3.57 GPA. He brings a 95-28 career record into his senior year.
8. Dan Scalzo (Timberlane)
Projected High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 149
Analysis: A three-year starter for the Owls, Scalzo gathered Division 1 Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament award by defeating his undefeated nemesis from Manchester Central. A three-time state placer, Scalzo can scramble from any position and is a pinner from top. He will help lead the Timberlane squad. He has a career record of 107-32.
9. Richie Mills (Winnisquam)
Projected High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 184
College Choices: Sacred Heart, Scranton, College of New Jersey, Rhode Island College, Buffalo and York
Analysis: Another small school standout, Mills of Winnisquam repeated as the NH Division 3 Champ this past season. A 3 year starter for the Bears, Mills can pin from any position. One of the All-Time winningest wrestlers from Winnisquam (115-22 career record), he boasts a 3.5 GPA as well.
Brian LonerganProjected High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 184
Analysis: Lonergan, a returning starter for the Owls came on with a strong junior campaign that saw him finish runner-up in the state meet and compile a 41-12 record. A standout guard for the football team, Lonergan will look to challenge for the top spot at the end of the season and lead the Owls to another state title.
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