Gagnon, among all Manchester grapplers, reaches New Englands

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:24:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Among city schools competing at the Meet of Champions, it was Manchester Memorial finishing highest with 20 points to Central’s 13 and West’s 10.

That’s due, in large part, to Jacob Gagnon’s second-place finish in the 215-pound weight class at the meet on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Londonderry High School.

As one of eight grapplers to reach the MOC from Queen City schools, the Memorial standout repeated his Division I performance, making it to the finale and losing to Concord’s Marshall Gleason. He was pinned the first meeting, but lost a 9-7 decision this time around.

The effort earned the Gagnon a trip to the New England Championship on Friday, Feb. 29, and Saturday, March 1, in Lowell, Mass., where he won the Lowell Holiday Tournament in December.

Central’s Juan Taveras came in fifth place by pinning Bow’s Jim Paveglio.

West 135-pounder Jared Crain of Bedford, who took second at the D-I meet, and 145- pounder Casey Bradford each finished sixth.

Other locals reaching the MOC but not placing include Memorial 130-pounder Brandon Marquez and 189-pounder Chris Violette, West’s John Miller at 189 pounds, and Central 152-pounder Miles Davis.

Bedford High School 112- pounder Caleb Earnshaw, a sophomore who earned fourth place in Division II a week earlier, also reached the Meet of Champions, but didn’t place.

Auburn News : Bedford High School

Gagnon, among all Manchester grapplers, reaches New Englands