Mascoma senior Cam Stebbins, left, and freshman Cam Jespersen work on their wrestling moves during practice in West Canaan, N.H., on Jan. 11, 2021. The Royals open their season at Winnisquam on Jan. 16. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Mascoma senior Cam Stebbins, left, and freshman Cam Jespersen work on their wrestling moves during practice in West Canaan, N.H., on Jan. 11, 2021. The Royals open their season at Winnisquam on Jan. 16. (Valley News - Geoff Hansen) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: Geoff Hansen

Upper Valley wrestling this winter is being marked more by who’s out than who’s in.

The sport immediately went under the spotlight as the COVID pandemic hit and state authorities began the debate on how to safely return to high school action. Vermont pulled the plug, but New Hampshire left it to the schools to decide how to participate in a safe manner.

Of the region’s four programs, only Mascoma ultimately decided to go forward. Newport didn’t buy into a school board compromise that would see athletes and their families go to remote learning for the season; that decision also meant Stevens’ small complement of wrestlers would take the season off. Lebanon, which recently gained its school board’s approval to become a varsity program, decided to sit out as well.

That leaves the Royals, who expect to have four dual meets while waiting to see what comes of plans for a state championship tournament.

MASCOMA

Coach: Rick Simula (9).

Last year: Placed fifth at state tournament. Cam Stebbins, Dylan Pelton and Raven Streeter all finished second in their weight classes at state meet. Pelton later reached quarterfinals of NHIAA Meet of Champions at 170 pounds.

League: NHIAA Division III.

Roster: Seniors — Cam Stebbins (126), Bryan Lowell (138), Duncan Tuttle (152), Caleb Hobbs (285). Juniors — Roman Farnsworth (152), Tyler Mekus (170), Emma Bill (182). Sophomores — Alanna Cilbrith (126), Garret Giovagnoli (145), Asa Michetti (160), Emma Mullaly (160). Freshmen — Cam Jespersen (113), Jeremiah Doran (152), Connor Hobbs (152), Damian Nestle (182).

Analysis: Despite the challenges COVID has presented, the Royals are optimistic about their chances this season. The schedule right now is limited to home-and-home dual meets with Winnisquam (the first was snowed out) and Plymouth, plus what will end up being a dual-meet format for a state team championship next month, if all goes well. Should Bow enter the geographical mix, Mascoma would — in Plymouth and the Falcons — go up against the top two teams in D-III last year. Connor Stebbins and Bryan Lowell return after reaching the MOC last season.

“We are hopeful to get a season underway,” coach Rick Simula said. “Overall, we are looking tough and motivated. It’s usually Plymouth (and) Bow. We are trying to break into the top three.”