By Rryan O’connor

Winning the Division II state title in 2006, the Goffstown wrestling team was rewarded with a promotion to D-I.

Though the Grizzlies have earned some success, they haven’t been able to maintain the dominance they exhibited at the D-II level.

Next year, with attendance at the high school down a bit, GHS returns to Division II.

That doesn’t mean coach Todd Lavallee and his squad are about to look ahead.

In fact, the Grizzlies, he said, are in prime position to claw the competition come the Division I meet Feb. 15 and 16.

“We had high expectations at the beginning of the year, just like we always do, and we had to revamp those expectations a little bit,” said Lavallee. “But we’ve been developing and getting a lot better since then, and we’re unbelievably healthy at this time of year, more so than ever.”

A top-four finish is not only realistic, said Lavallee, but expected. Top three is the goal.

To get there, however, Goffstown must break the yearly D-I hierarchy of Concord, Timberlane, Salem and Pinkerton – and hold off upstart Merrimack.

“No one really wants to wrestle us, I’ll tell you that right now,” said Lavallee. “They know when they come into Goffstown, it’s a highly competitive, physical environment, and whether you’re up against a freshman, a first-year wrestler or an established senior, you’re going to get our best match.”

The 2007-’08 Grizzlies feature a strong group of experienced grapplers to go along with several up-and-comers.

Those who hold established mat resumes include 285-pound heavyweight Tom Foote, a two-time all-stater, and 171-pound captain Chris Ives, who last year was also named all-state.

Both fell just short of reaching the Meet of Champions in 2007.

The other captain, Casey Cottle, wrestles in the 152-pound weight class, and the Grizzlies welcomed 135-pound junior transfer Nick Wheelock, who was 29-6 last year grappling at prep school.

Rounding out Goffstown’s leadership are 215-pounder Richard Chavez, 160-pounder Carlos Gallego and 145-pounder Tyler Clites, a major contributor on the 2006 state-title unit. Clites currently has the top grade-point average in his class.

“It’s nice to have that academic successes also on the team,” said Lavallee, who added last year’s squad featured seven National Honors Society members. “It really gives a lot of validity to the program and who we are.”

Taylor Thorne-Strickler provides a big boost in the 103-pound weight class, said her coach.

“She’s a very, very aggressive young lady,” he said. “For a female wrestler she is tough, and that’s inspiring for the team to watch.”

Senior 125-pounder Nick Campasano, last year’s JV state champion, has carried his success to the varsity mat, as has 130-pounder Travis Rand.

Senior 112-pounder David Dubiel, who wrestled JV his first three years, broke the varsity lineup this season. Lavallee said Dubiel is a fine example of hard work and dedication paying dividends.

Youngsters making an immediate impact include 189-pound sophomore Nick Francoeur, as well as freshmen Devon Gilbert, a 119-pounder, and 140-pounder Ryan Moran.

At the Capital City Classic wrestling tournament on Saturday, Jan. 26, the Grizzlies placed fourth among 16 teams, losing to Cumberland, R.I., host Concord and Mount Anthony Union of Vermont, three of the top teams in New England.

With 144.5 points, Goffstown finished 6.5 ahead of Pinkerton Academy, which handled the Grizzlies earlier in the season.

Clites placed second in the 145-pound weight class, losing to MAU’s Zach Randall in the final.

Wheelock turned in a similar effort in taking runner-up in the 135-pound bracket.

Ives, Foote and Chavez each placed third, and Cottle came in fourth against fellow 142-pounders.

Campasano and Rand each earned identical 3-2 records, but failed to place.

By handling Manchester Memorial, 55-16, on Jan. 23, Goffstown improved its season record to 5-5 in dual meets.

Winning by pin, Clites, Cottle, Gallego, Chavez, and Campasano each picked up six team points. Ives took a 13-1 major decision, earning four points, and Foote, Thorne-Strickler, and junior Kirby Holmes each contributed six via forfeit.