Telegraph photo by HECTOR LONGO Two of the state's top 220-pounders, South's Nate Zalzal and Salem's Beau Dillon go at it on Wednesday night. Dillon took this match and Salem won the dual meet, 46-36.

SALEM – There are better wrestlers at Nashua South High School, better athletes too.

Don’t try telling that to Zach Gauthier. Every time the senior walks out on the mat, he might as well be King Kong.

“Honestly, when the pressure comes, and my team is cheering me on, it just feels great,” said Gauthier.

“It’s extra motivation.

Last night, the Panthers’ 152-pounder had the weight of the world on his inspired shoulders.

Trailing 40-30 with two matches left, South needed a win, and it needed a win by more than just a decision to stay in the match.

Gauthier, who estimates his record to be around 10-10 this year, delivered a

second-period pin. Unfortunately, the Panthers dropped the finale and ultimately fell, 46-36, but that couldn’t dim Gauthier’s outlook.

“The team was on fire,” said Gauthier. “We’re going to get back to it in practice. We are going to work hard. And Saturday we have a quad meet, and I’m hoping to go 4-0.”

While he won’t rip up the sports pages with his headlines, Gauthier is one of those student-athletes that high school programs are built on.

Along with wrestling three years, he played football in the fall, a defensive back/linebacker who left his mark on coach Scott Knight’s special teams.

In the spring, he is a lacrosse middie, headed to play at Rivier next year.

But for now, Gauthier is prepping for the stretch run in his final season on the mat.

It’s been quite the struggle, just to get here and stay here in the Panther lineup.

A year ago, he had his appendix removed in December, setting him back a ways in strength and training his junior year.

This winter, he has fought and scrapped every day. You probably don’t talk about food around him, either.

“I needed to cut one pound on the ride over (from South to Salem last night),” he said.

Still, Gauthier is a rock for the Panthers.

“Wrestling is the most fun. We’re out there every day in practice, killing each other, getting better,” he said. “It’s hard when it’s hard. When you’re winning, it feels good. My teammates, all of us have a great bond. My teammates keep me going. I can’t explain it. We’re a family.”

South battled against a powerful Salem squad all night long.

Kyle Salemi, Ruben Le, the freshman bumping up a weight, and Connor Goodwin all posted wins by fall. The Panthers added a pair of forfeit wins, and Kyle Vancelette wrestled a courageous match, keeping his shoulders off the match against a top Blue Devil at 138 to help keep the match alive.

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