He is just under three months away from his high school graduation, and Nate Blanchette has already made his first hall of fame.
The New England Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Central Catholic’s Blanchette made it three straight New England titles on Saturday, triggering his automatic entry into the Hall and capping an amazing career for the Raiders.
The senior 175-pounder, a Rutgers commit, was one of two area champs on the boys side at the New Englands.
The most decorated and winningest wrestler in school history, Haverhill’s Brent Nicolosi added the only piece to elude him in Brown and Gold, claiming the 165-pound championship.
He gathered bonus points in all four victories, with two major decisions, a tech fall and a pin, helping the Hillies to the third-place finish overall as a team.
Haverhill was the top Massachusetts team in the field, scoring place winners in five different weight classes.
All three Methuen High qualifiers hit the podium, led by 157-pounder Vinny DeMaio, who reached the finals, only to be denied the title for the third straight week by Saint John’s Prep’s Jayden D’Ambrosio.
Andover’s Yandel Morales was the fourth finals qualifier from the region. The sophomore was second at 126 pounds.
NEW ENGLAND WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team Scores: 1. Ponaganset (RI) 209; 3. Haverhill 95.5; 9. Methuen 51; 14. Central Catholic 32.5; 27. Andover 22; 41. Timberlane 17; 75. Salem 8; 93. Pelham 6; 93. Windham 6; 133. Pinkerton 2
AREA PLACERS
113: 3. Michael Morris (Hav); 4. Dom Gangi (Meth)
120: 6. CJ Wood (Hav)
126: 2. Yandel Morales (And)
138: 6. Shea Morris (Hav)
157: 2. Vinny DeMaio (Meth)
165: 1. Brent Nicolosi (Hav); 6. Joey Bolduc (Meth)
175: 1. Nate Blanchette (CC)
215: 6. Matt Harrold (Hav)
OTHER AREA COMPETITORS
Andover: Jason Ballou 0-2
Central: Cole Glynn 1-2
Haverhill: Aiden Morris 2-2
Pelham: Michael Harrington 2-2
Pinkerton: Anthony Caruso 0-2; Camden Arbogast 1-2; Evan Landry 0-2
Salem: Brody McDonald 3-2; Caleb O’Rourke 0-2; Dom Murphy 1-2; Spencer Buscema 0-2
Timberlane: Ben Mann 1-2; Jacob Andrade 1-2; Spencer Sierra 2-2; Talon Oljey 2-2
Windham: Dylan Suliveras 0-2; Con Isaac 1-2