The Elite 4 at the Elite 8 (2023)

The Elite 8 Duals are, without a doubt, two of the most competitive events of the year with a freestyle tournament in the spring and a folkstyle tournament in the late summer/early fall. They attract top dual teams—fielding all-star rosters—from across the country. And the event that took place September 16 through 17 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park was no exception.

Four New England wrestlers were chosen by teams to participate in Georgia. On the Black Mambas: Drew McGourty (Braintree, MA ‘24) and Isael Perez (Northfield Mt. Herman, MA ‘25) were part of the Black Mambas and Gabriel Bouyssou (Scituate, RI ‘24) and Nate Blanchette (Central Catholic, MA ‘24) were on Team Carnage.

Gabriel Bouyssou (Scituate, RI—Team Carnage 145)

The Rhode Island native showed out at the duals going 5-2 with two wins by fall. Boussou’s only two losses came to Daishuan Powe (Team Stronghold), who pinned Boyussou in the final 30 seconds while the Scituate Spartan was winning 11-10. His other loss was to nationally ranked No. 2 Pierson Manville (POWA). Bouyssou kept it close, losing by a 7-2 decision.

Gabriel Bouyssou looks to re-attack on his foe during the Elite 8 Duals (Photo credit: @sergebouyssou on IG)

Nevertheless, Bouyssou showed why he is a top-10 wrestler in the country by outscoring his opponents 46-33 in the event.

“It’s my first tournament since Fargo. Even my losses motivate me” Bouyssou told the Schwartz Report. “It’s really nice to get back out there to wrestle the best guys from all around the country.”

Nate Blanchette (Central Catholic, MA—Team Carnage 170)

Sitting at No. 4 nationally and set to go on in what was going to be the most hyped match of the whole event—at least for us New Englanders—Nate Blanchette was ready to represent Team Carnage against fellow Bay Stater and Black Mamba member Isael Perez in the first round.

Unfortunately, a little less than a minute into the first period, Blanchette suffered an injury that would put him down for the rest of the tournament.

“The environment was great,” Blanchette said about the event. “It sucked that I couldn’t wrestle, but, overall, it was a great tournament and I still got to watch the best high school wrestlers in the country compete.”

Blanchette revealed to the Schwartz Report that he expects to be back on the mat in two weeks, which gives him plenty of time before the start of the high school season.

Isael Perez (NMH, MA—Black Mambas 170)

The newly minted Northfield Mt. Hermon grappler who hails from Providence, RI, wrestled hard at this event going 3-4 in the end. One of his victories was a quality 9-3 win over nationally ranked No. 20 at 160lbs Jude Randell (Oklahoma Black Ops).

Perez’s other wins were the aforementioned injury default over Blanchette and a dominant 14-1 victory over Xander Dossett (Scarlet Knights).

Isael Perez defend an opponent's shot during the Elite 8 Duals in Georgia. (Photo credit: @carrierphotoz on IG)

“It’s way harder than New England, it’s nothing like NHSCA or the hype that New England guys make about other tournaments. It’s legit,” Perez told the Schwartz Report.

Drew McGourty (Braintree, MA—Black Mambas 152)

Drew McGourty, the No. 1 ranked 157-pound wrestler in New England, dropped to 152 to wrestle at this event for the Mambas. He went 0-4 in some very hard-fought matches.

McGourty took Layton Schneider (Oklahoma Black Ops) to OT before losing the match in sudden victory. He suffered another loss (5-3) in a close match against Jason Mara (Team Carnage).

Drew McGourty receives some words from coach Isaiah Serena between periods. (Photo credit: @carrierphotoz on IG)

McGourty was not dismayed, however.

“It was great getting to compete against the top wrestlers from all over the country,” he told the Schwartz Report. “Match after match, it was different, tougher than almost any other tournament. There's no break, they’re all top wrestlers.”