Nashua North's Maya Zimmerman is one of several locals hoping to make a big splash at Saturday's Division I and II swimming championships at UNH. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

The first big weekend of the high school post season is here, beginning with tonight’s NHIAA Dive championships at the University of New Hampshire at 6, and then extending to Saturday’s Division I and II boys and girls swim championships at UNH. Also Saturday will be the gymnastics championships at A2 Gym & Cheer in Salem.

What success will we see locally? Hollis Brookline is the two-time defending Division II girls champion and looks strong again. The area hasn’t had a boys team champion since Bishop Guertin’s threepeat of 2020-2022, and that drought may continue again this year, but you never know.

DIVISION I SWIMMING/DIVING

The diving tonight is Nashua-heavy. The only non-local seed is Salem’s Ryleigh Mahoney, ranked first. Nashua South’s Katie Perry, Ayla Pullen and Elsie Goyette follow. In boys, South’s Ian Hall is the top seed, followed by North’s Dawson Bolton and David Preston.

Overall, Bedford is a favorite for a boys-girls title sweep, with this meet starting at 4:30 p.m. In girls Division I, Nashua South could finish in the upper half, possibly top four, led by Haylee Dolan and Camrin Ayi. Individually, Maya Zimmerman could be a key for the North girls and Sara Conquest and Allie Marvel are among seeded swimmers for Merrimack.

In boys, Bishop Guertin’s Cooper Paquette could have a good individual meet as well as South’s Cole DeHoyos.

DIVISION II SWIMMING/DIVING

There are a lot of high local seeds in this meet, beginning with diving and Alvirne’s Ella Bunkartas as the top girls seed. Her Broncos teammate Auri Anderson is seeded sixth.

In the swimming portion on Saturday morning (9:30 a.m.), keep an eye on the Cavalier girls shooting for a threepeat, led by two-time Telegraph Swimmer of the Year in Cambria Jewett, seeded first in the 200 IM and 100 back, and Mackenzie Talbot is also a high seed in a couple of events. Watch out also for Souhegan, led by senior Braelyn Wilson, the top seed in the 50 free and 100 butterfly, and Sarah Bryson. Willa Audley and Jasmine Blay could also do well individually for Milford.

In the boys meet, Windham is considered the favorite, but HB’s Dylan Jewett is a top seed in the 200 IM and 100 back, Jack Ablondi could do well and the Cavs are a second seed in the 200 free relay. Alvirne’s Caiden Cox is the top seed in the 100 breast, while Souhegan’s Thatcher Daily is a second seed in a couple of events.

GYMNASTICS

Bishop Guertin is the No. 2 seed, behind top seed and defending champion Pinkerton, with Salem No. 3 and Goffstown 4, and those teams will compete in the afternoon session (1:30 p.m.). The Cards are paced by Abbie Wingham and Natalie Height.

Merrimack’s Mia LeBlanc will return to defend her 2023 All-Around title, and has posted strong scores all season. Nashua South has been led by Abigail Herlihy and Abbey Herbert.

FIVE ON NEW HAMPSHIRE SHRINE BOWL TEAM

Six locals are set to play in the 71st annual New Hampshire-Vermont Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game at Vermont State in Castleton at 11:30 a.m. On Saturday, Aug. 3. Teams report to VSU on July 28 for practice.

On the NH team are Nashua North defensive end/tight end Gavin Adkinson, Alvirne lineman Cam Porter, Bishop Guertin linemen Joe Neal and Diego Mendez, plus Souhegan defensive lineman Zach Wyborney and fellow Saber wideout/defensive back/kick returner Connor Cassidy.

The team will be coached by Sanborn Regional’s Josh White.

ROTHE JOINS KNIGHT AT DRACUT

Former South and UNH standout and Panthers assistant coach Trevor Knight has been busy assembling his coaching staff after being named the new Dracut (Mass.) High School head coach, and he’s added a familiar name as an assistant coach: Former Alvirne head man Tarek Rothe.

Rothe, who guided the Broncos to the Division II finals in 2018, resigned after the 2022 season. “Can’t wait to get to work and help restore this once proud program,” Rothe posted on social media.

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