By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

ANOTHER FOE FELLED – Against John Stark on Wednesday, Jan. 19, Goffstown High School senior Peter Raymond pinned his opponent in the second period of his 152-pound weight class matchup. Raymond sees a bright future for GHS wrestling. (Marc Thaler Photo)

GOFFSTOWN – Todd Lavallee, the fourth-year Goffstown High School wrestling coach, knew the day would come when the sport he loves would create a buzz within the walls of GHS.

But for grappling to grip the Goffstown community in such a short period of time? Not even Lavallee could predict it.

“Enthusiasm is infectious,” Lavallee said. “It funnels within everyone on the team and spreads through the community.”

A year ago, the team theme of GHS wrestling was “Taking care of business.”

Lavallee, a wrestler during his high school days for regional power Timberlane, was determined to multiply the number of athletes on the Grizzlies roster, bring a top-notch wrestling program to town, and introduce a highly intense and technical craft to a community that, previously, had little exposure to it.

With the pieces in place, having taken care of business last year, the coach said the 2004-05 edition now identifies with a new mantra: No excuses.

“There are gonna be rough times in life,” Lavallee said. “People who quit, stay down. They’re guaranteed no success in life. People who get back on the horse and strive for their goals will be successful.

“Whatever happens on the mats, like any situation in life, we have to overcome adversity and get the job done,” Lavallee added. “No matter how we’re feeling, what’s going wrong, we have to strive to go in the right direction.”

The Grizzlies aren’t just heading in the right direction. They’re on the fast track to success.

Combining the varsity, junior varsity and freshman wrestlers, GHS has a total of 35 grapplers. And the future is extremely bright, as Goffstown’s 18 ninth-graders make up the biggest freshman team in the state.

“I could foresee this happening,” Lavallee said of the growing excitement surrounding GHS wrestling. “I expected the numbers to be up there, but not all in one year.”

Perhaps what’s most surprising – and encouraging – about this team is that all but one wrestler will return to Lavallee’s program next winter.

Tri-captain Peter Raymond is the squad’s only senior. And although there are several standout athletes on the roster, Raymond is the heart and soul of the group, setting the standard for Goffstown wrestlers.

The first athlete to complete a full four-year cycle on Lavallee’s watch, Raymond’s tremendous attitude and work ethic provide a powerful message.

“Wrestling teaches you discipline and mental toughness,” said the Colby College-bound Raymond, who chose to talk about wrestling in his college essay. “After four years, it’s helped me be a leader to the rest of the team. My teammates can look at me and say, ‘He’s done this before. He knows what it takes to be successful.’And it’s helped with school, too. Wrestling has played a big part for me getting into NHS (National Honor Society). It’s developed me into a better person.”

Above all else, that’s what Lavallee wants for each of his wrestlers – to be an individual of great character.

“Just like Peter, I want every one of my guys to carry themselves with a quiet confidence off the mat. To be gentlemen,” Lavallee said. “We’re young, aggressive and able to step up to the competition on the mat. But when it’s over, I want them to conduct themselves with class.”

The Grizzlies’ collective “quiet confidence” is the very reason Lavallee describes his team as a group without superstars; everyone from the lone senior down to the freshmen play equally important roles, the coach said.

According to Lavallee, in addition to Raymond, junior captains Kevin and Kyle Rose have been tremendous in their new positions as team leaders.

Chris Pastrana made his presence felt as well. Earlier this season, the GHS junior defeated Concord senior Todd Calley, the returning state champion in the 275-pound division.

Goffstown sophomore Ryan Hardy is another who continues to impress, Lavallee said.

“They train as hard as anyone in the state,” the coach said of his team. “Just like Timberlane or Concord, we try to outwork our opponents. And it starts in practice.”

Led by Raymond and the Rose brothers, the complete 2004-05 varsity roster includes juniors Ryan Murphy, Pastrana, Jeff Twitchell and Bill Wilkinson; sophomores Phil Charte, Hardy, Matt Hayes, Ray Lazotte, Mark Marchand, Gregory R-Baugh and Andrew Yost; plus freshmen Nate Cathcart, Tyler Clites and Casey Cottle.

“There’s no politics in this sport,” Lavallee said. “If you’re the No. 1 guy in your weight class and you’ve beaten everyone else, you’re our No. 1 guy.”