BY MATT STOUT
They’re four wrestlers, with four stories and four impressive performances. And still, it’s just more one step.
For Concord senior wrestlers Tyler Saltsman, Alex Buessing and Harry Paul, as well as Bow senior D.J. Meagher, this year’s Meet of Champions on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Winnacunnet High School will certainly stand as a memorable event. But while the day meant slightly different things to each athlete, it may be better remembered for where it got them rather than what it got them.
For Saltsman, it was a coronation. With his 15-3 win over Salem’s Alex Pittera in the 130-pound final, the Naval Academy-bound veteran became the third wrestler in state history to claim four straight individual titles. Saltsman also remained undefeated on the year at 44-0 and nearly perfect for his career with a 156-10 record.
For Buessing, it was vindication. Mired in what he considered a slump that hit its low-point with a third-place finish at the Capital City Classic on Jan. 27, he refocused mentally with the help of coach Ham Munnell and retuned physically by practicing live more in practice with Saltsman.
Together, it sparked a turnaround that carried over to his second straight state title. He held off Keene’s Keith Beardsley, 6-4, in the 135-pound final.
“My mind was kind of out of it,” Buessing said. “I was always looking at the clock, I was like, ‘When am I going to get out of here?’ I think I was focusing too much on results, and you can’t do that before a match because you can talk yourself out of winning. But Munnell helped me with that and then Tyler with endurance, so I don’t even need to look up at the clock anymore.”
For Paul, it was a test. In defeating Jordan Peterson, 5-4, in a physical 160-pound semifinal match, Paul received two deep gashes, one on his left eyebrow and one on his left cheek.
Utilizing the two-hour break he had before the finals started, he drove with his parents to Exeter Hospital, received seven stitches – four above his eye and three below – and returned in time to borrow a protective mask from the John Stark team to wrestle four-time M of C finalist Ty Sullivan.
Paul dropped the match, 3-1, but for the fifth time this year, took Sullivan to the brink.
And finally, for Meagher, it was business as usual – with a twist. The reigning 140-pound New England champ claimed his third straight state title, this one a 16-1 win over Alvirne’s Seth Carter at 145 pounds, and earned his second straight Outstanding Wrestler award.
In addition, the Falcons’ leader – who owns a 160-9 career record – was also honored with the sportsmanship award, given by the state’s officials.
Yet, Saturday’s titles and final appearances also earned them perhaps the most coveted prize – invites to the New England Championships on Saturday, March 3, in New Haven, Conn.
While Meagher aims for not only his second straight crown but “to go in and dominate everyone,” he said, Saltsman, Buessing and Paul are all in search of their first.
Though Paul said the main goal is a top-five finish in his third regional tournament, Buessing hopes to build off his sixth-place finish from last season. Saltsman, however, has never fared well by his own standards, never placing and losing two one-point decisions last year.
“It feels good and all, but the celebration is over, pretty much,” he said moments after winning the state title. “I just want to win New Englands really bad.”
The quartet will not be joined by any of their teammates this weekend, but several of them did place on Saturday.
Eleven of Concord’s 12 wrestles took to the podium, including Brandon Paige, fourth at 119 pounds; Derek Bisson, fourth at 145; Marshall Gleason, fourth at 215; Bob Daniels, fifth at 103; Rob Garcia, fifth at 152; Levi Byers, fifth at 189; Dan Herrick, fifth at 275; and Pat Boyle, sixth at 171.
Bow’s Ben Morrow also placed, finishing sixth at 119.
Indeed, it was a memorable day, but also another step.
“During the season, it kind of just whirls right by,” Meagher said. “You’re so focused the whole time, so before you even know it, the season’s over. But when everything’s done, like New Englands and Senior Nationals, I can take a look back and think about what I’ve done.
“And,” he continued, “what I need to improve on.”