Portsmouth's Josey, Traip's Berry, York's Ronca compete at New England wrestling tourney

When a group of pee-wee football players was approached seven years ago about the possibility of starting a youth wrestling program in Portsmouth, Eli Josey was the first to raise his hand.

“It was pretty cool,” he recalled, “because I didn’t think there was any wrestling in New Hampshire.”

Josey and his family had recently moved from Pennsylvania where he had some early experience in the sport.

“He was officially Portsmouth’s first wrestler,” said coach Randy Whistler.

Now when he raises his hand, with the help of an official, it’s typically in triumph. Josey is rapidly becoming the program’s most accomplished wrestler and is flattered to be mentioned in the same sentence as former Clipper standout Thor Griffith.

The first to reach 100 career wins, Josey, a junior at Portsmouth High School, has also recorded the most victories in one season this year with 42.

Those totals include capturing the Division II state title at 190 pounds and the Meet of Champions to earn a second straight trip to the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championships which open Friday in Providence, R.I., and end Saturday night.

“His best attribute this year I’d say is his absolute dedication to getting where he has gotten,” Whistler said. “He did everything he needed to do both physically and mentally to be prepared. I think he’s in a good spot right now to go to the New England’s and see exactly what he can do.”

Josey, who has a 42-2 overall record and is undefeated in-state this season, won both of his championship bouts by pin in less than two minutes.

“I felt my training leading up to that is what made me confident, knowing I was going out there and dominate,” he said.

“He’s very technical,” Whistler said. “He’s got tremendous speed. He’s a very strong wrestler as well. Pound for pound he’s one of the strongest wrestlers I’ve ever worked with.”

York's senior captain Ben Ronca, who won the Maine state championship in the 195-pound weight class, is the fifth overall seed in the 190-pound weight class.

Marshwood/Traip’s Kyan Berry is also looking to make a deep run after qualifying for his first trip to the New England's with an unblemished 52-0 mark at 106 pounds as a freshman at Traip Academy.

“I’m pretty excited for it,” said Berry, a Traip freshman. “I’ve got a pretty tough draw in the bracket but I’m going to have to go against them anyway if I’m going to make it to the final. It will just get me more ready.”

He won his state title by technical fall, 9-1, over Dominic Simpson of Belfast.

“I didn’t think I’d be undefeated, but I did think I’d be a state champ which is what I worked for the past few years,” Berry said. “I was pretty excited when I did win after all the hard work I put in to make it there.”

He’s been practicing with Noble all week to help prepare for the big meet this weekend.

“I’m definitely ready for the tournament and show off what I can do,” Berry said.

“He’s a very smart wrestler on the mat,” said Marshwood/Traip coach Tom Howarth. “He’s got a lot of mat sense. He bears down with his moves and knows where to be with his body. He’s the full package.”

“I’m definitely more of a technique wrestler,” Berry said. “I’m on the taller side for my weight class. I’m definitely not as strong as some kids but I’m a lot quicker and I know what to do in random situations. I’m pretty flexible and I can adjust my weight pretty well.”

Berry also has the No. 1 seed on his side of the draw.

“He’s got to win his first one and then move on to the No. 1 kid,” Howarth said. “It’s one match at a time. You can’t look ahead. They’re all good wrestlers.”

It didn’t take long for Berry to showcase his skills this season by winning his first 18 matches, all by pin.

“He’s had a great season,” Howarth said. “Coming from junior high I knew he was good, and people were talking about him. Coming in as a freshman I didn’t expect the quality of the workmanship and dedication that he’s shown this year.”

Josey, meanwhile, looks to improve on last year’s performance at the regional when he went 0-2 after finishing third at the New Hampshire Meet of Champions.

He said he learned from that experience “not to be scared of anybody and that I’m one of the best wrestlers in New England. I got a little intimidated after I lost in New Hampshire and that kind of contributed to why I didn’t do as well.”

“I feel that he’s going to be on the podium,” Whistler said. “He’s got the potential to finish higher than any other Portsmouth wrestler. He could be in the final and it would not surprise me one bit.”

York's senior captain Ben Ronca, who won the Maine state championship in the 195-pound weight class, is the fifth overall seed in the 190-pound weight class.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Josey, Berry represent Portsmouth, Traip at New England wrestling