BOW – The Bow and John Stark wrestling programs were focused on development and growth this past season. On Saturday, it was clear those efforts paid off.

Plymouth won three individual titles to win its fourth straight team championship with 163 points, but Bow had four finalists, including 120-pound champion Adler Moura, to finish a competitive second with 125.5, while John Stark (101) had seven of its 12 grapplers finish in the top four at the NHIAA Division III wrestling championship on Saturday at Bow High School.

The host Falcons improved on last year’s third-place finish, while the Generals were significantly better than last year when they finished ninth.

Winnisquam (66) finished seventh behind a pair of titles from sophomore Ryan Cormier (106 pounds) and junior Henry Osmer (138 pounds), while Kearsarge (53) tied for ninth with Raymond.

Bow senior captain Nick Wray (145), Bow junior brothers Ben (152) and Joe (170) McDowell, Kearsarge seniors Dylan Selby (160) and Colby Cummings (220), and John Stark junior Isaac Coker (285) all had runner-up finishes in their respective weight classes.

“I love this group, I really do,” said Bow’s first-year head coach Billy Chavanelle. “Coming out of here with a runner-up trophy and being competitive with Plymouth. I think it tells you where we’re at.”

As expected, the Falcon veterans did well on their home mats. Moura, a junior, won all three of his matches by pin (none of them lasting longer than three minutes) to easily defend his title at 120. 

“Adler had one goal and one goal only, to prove he is the best wrestler in the state (at his division), and I don’t think he’s done yet,” Chavanelle said. “He still has the Meet of Champions. He wants to show why he deserves the title of one of the best wrestlers in New Hampshire.”

Wray, last year’s runner-up at 145, took top seed Michael Harrington to Pelham to overtime in the finals of one of the most thrilling bouts of the day, before losing 8-6 in a sudden victory decision.

“I know he really wanted a state title,” Chavanelle said. “It came down to the last second, but (Wray is) somebody who is always working. That kid has so much fight. He has a motor on him and he doesn’t stop.”

Joe and Ben McDowell, who finished second and third, respectively, in their weight classes last year, pinned two opponents each to advance to the final.

All 11 Falcons won at least one match as Bow picked up a lot of points through the consolation rounds. Senior Hollis Jones (third 195), freshman Chase Flagg (fourth 182) and junior Josiah Funches (fourth 160) also placed for the Falcons.

“It’s something we’ve been game planning for,” Chavanelle said. “All of these guys know how a tournament works by this point. It comes down to where you see yourself going. We said ‘you’re a tough kid, but you’re not going to beat a (state champion), so you need to start working underneath.’”

Chavanelle highlighted Jones as an example of that. Jones lost his quarterfinal bout to John Stark sophomore Alex Descoteau by pin, but made his way through the consolation bracket to defeat him by pin in the rematch for third place.

Flagg nearly upset Plymouth’s Caden Sanborn, the top seed and eventual champion at 182, in the quarterfinals, narrowly losing a 4-3 decision in a match that went down to the wire.

Bow also benefited from wrestlers like sophomore Maddox Leclair, who was seeded last at 220, but won two matches.

“Our commitment in the practice rooms has shown through in today’s tournament,” Wray said. “Across the board, we had a bunch of phenomenal matches and really jaw dropping moments. When you saw Josiah (Funches) or Jared (Dolder) or somebody go for a pin and get flipped, but still manage to flip back on top with seconds left to score…It’s been an excellent season. I could not have asked for a better group of individuals to have on my last year with this wrestling team. I feel like (the program) is strong and it’s only going to get stronger.”

In addition to the growth and development of the varsity program, Wray noted the role that the Bow Brawlers youth program has played and how strong this freshman class was as a result of that program. 

“(The newcomers have) shown how committed they are to this sport,” Wray said. “I really think next year, with a couple more freshmen, (Bow) can take (Division III).

Growth and development was also the theme of the season for John Stark, which, like Bow, benefitted from a much larger roster size compared to 2022. 

Juniors Lukas Boulanger (third 220) and Deltyn Williams (third 182), senior Quentin Fairo (fourth 145), Descoteau (fourth 195), and juniors Caleb Hauptman (fourth 120) and Stephen Johnston (fourth 170) also placed for the Generals. 

“They all did their part,” said head coach Zach Feudner, who was recognized by his D-III counterparts with the division’s Coach of the Year award. “We learned a lot. We’re looking to grow and develop throughout the next year, leading into next season. We saw a lot of growth this year. From step one to now, it’s been a huge leap (for the program). We’re looking to move forward from here.”

Winnisquam sophomore Aemon Gauthier (fourth 126) and Kearsarge senior Kaleb Mattice (fourth 132) were the area’s other top finishers.

The top three finishers in each weight class in Division III qualified for next Saturday’s Meet of Champions which will be held at Londonderry High School and feature the best wrestlers from all three NHIAA divisions.

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