The rides to Providence this week from the region should be filled with anticipation.
As the New England High School Wrestling Championships unfold Friday and Saturday, the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire has to be brimming with confidence.
The Valley killed it as the Massachusetts All-States over the past weekend, won by Haverhill, and two-time champ Salem High led four area clubs into the top seven at the New Hampshire Meet of Champions.
One more giant step lies ahead.
There are degrees of expectations, of course.
Central Catholic senior Nate Blanchette, whose only blemish this year came out of New England out of his weight class in New York at the Eastern States tournament, is a two-time defending New England champ, looking to go out in style at 175 pounds.
Haverhill High senior Brent Nicolosi, like Blanchette, suffered his only loss of the year in New York.
He has dominated the rest of the way, and the only missing piece in a Hillie career that has seen over 200 victories, is a New England title.
“It feels a little bit like last year, going in,” said Nicolosi, who reached the New England finals in 2023. “All the work I’ve put in, all the work the team has put in, leads up to this.”
Nicolosi is one of six Hillies to qualify for New Englands, including fellow 2023 runner-up Matt Harrold (215 pounds) and Michael Morris, who was sixth a year ago.
Two other area placers return for another run.
Andover 126-pounder Yandel Morales, who is in razor-sharp form, was third a year ago and is ready to rumble.
“I’m just working at staying in the present right now,” said Morales. “We have to work on a couple things. We’re very confident going into New Englands. The goal is to make the final. The way I’m wrestling, I feel like I can beat anyone right now.”
Fourth a year ago, Methuen’s Joey Bolduc is back again, one of three Rangers heading to Providence.
In all, there are 27 area boys competing, 11 returning from last year.
Girls get their turn
The first New England Championships for girls will be held simultaneously in Providence.
The region will be represented by a half-dozen athletes.
Mass. All-State champs Maddy Li of Andover and Hillary MacDonald of Lawrence have high hopes.
Li has been busy this winter, going 30-21 overall and 14-2 against the girls.
MacDonald has been an amazing story at Lawrence, taking down her title in her first full year of wrestling.
Windham has a pair of wrestlers in senior Zoe Millette, who is 19-23 this winter and sophomore Shaye Watson.
Greater Lawrence Tech’s Marisol Almanzar and Pelham’s Katelyn Zannoni will be looking to carve their own niche.