2023 New England Showcase Bracket Preview: 114

What is the New England Showcase?

Saturday, November 4th is going to be a great day for wrestling. The Schwartz Report is hosting its first-ever invitational tournament!

The New England Showcase invites were sent to top wrestlers that compete or will compete in the NEISWA (prep league) or CNESSPA (public league). The tournament will be an eight-man, double-elimination bracket placing the top four. Multiple college coaches have already confirmed their attendance, and more are invited. With that out of the way, here is the preview for 114lbs:

*Pre-seeds are subject to change; seedings will be finalized after Super 32 and Journeyman.*

Mike Morris (Haverhill, MA)

Morris, a sophomore at Haverhill (MA) high school, made quite the statement last year as a freshman. He placed 4th at the MIAA All-State tournament and then 6th at the New England championships. He and others from the Morris family look to help Haverhill to a high-quality finish this upcoming season.

Notable Wins: Cole Glynn (Central Catholic, MA), Nick Desisto (Tewksbury, MA)

Evan Lynch (Salem, NH)

Coming in from New Hampshire is the two-time state champion Evan Lynch. Lynch comes into this showcase as the only rep from NH at this weight and looks to make a statement for the Granite State.

Notable Wins: Mike Morris (Haverhill, MA), Alex Oberc (New Milford, CT)

Jack Gedney (Lewis Mills, CT)

Gedney is no stranger to challenges, after all, he is a one-man team during the high school season. This sophomore practices with the Simsbury (CT) wrestling team during the year and he’s proven that natural talent along with a great room equals success. At 106 last season, he was a the 3rd place finisher in Connecticut and was two matches away from finding the podium at New Englands.

Notable Wins: Cristian Pote (Danbury, CT), Evan Lynch (Salem, NH)

Cahota LaFond (Colchester, VT)

LaFond, another sophomore, comes in as last season’s Vermont state champion. He was one match away from finding the podium at New Englands. Cahota LaFond is definitely a name to remember out of Vermont for the next few years.

Notable Wins: Kyden Merlin (South Windsor, CT) Mike Morris (Haverhill, MA)

Domenic Gangi (Methuen, MA)

Although he did not compete in the MIAA All-State tournament or the New England championships, Gangi is definitely a top-quality wrestler. He boasts numerous high quality wins and even placed 7th in the NHSCA Junior 113 bracket.

Notable Wins: Jaxon Phachansiri (Lowell, MA), Shea Morris (Haverhill, MA)

Isaac Novad (Belmont Hill, MA)

The only prep school wrestler in this bracket, Isaac Novad is ready for the challenge. The Belmont Hill (MA) wrestler was a runner up at the New England prep tournament and was one match away from making the podium at the National Prep tournament. Not too long ago he went 7-2 in the 16u division of Fargo.

Notable Wins: Dominic Marinelli (N.M.H, MA), Tanner Tran (Father Ryan, TN)

Peter Rincan (Billerica, MA)

One of two New England champions in this bracket. Peter Rincan, looks to climb his way to the top through the top competition ahead of him. Rincan, was a New Hampshire state champion last season. He has since transferred to Billerica (MA) and looks to get a Massachusetts and another New England crown on his head.

Notable Wins: Cahota Lafond (Colchester, VT), Alex Schaeublin (St. John’s Prep, MA)

Raekwon Shabazz (Xavier, CT)

Raekwon Shabazz enters the showcase with a very impressive resume. The Xavier (CT) senior is the defending New England champion and NHSCA champion—both at 106. He looks to defend both of those titles against any and all challengers.

Notable Wins: Yandel Morales (Andover, MA), Emmett Logan (Lowell, MA)