Middle school wrestlers from Nashua’s three middle schools, Nashua Catholic Junior High School and Hudson Memorial Middle School took to the mats this week to jump start the seventh season of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua’s middle school wrestling program.

Launched in 2006 to set up feeder systems for the wrestling teams at the high school level, the program placed charity-funded wrestling mats at Fairgrounds, Elm Street and Pennichuck middle schools, and this year, a newly reconditioned mat at Hudson Memorial.

“With practices and dual meets taking place at school, and right after school,” BGCGN program director Kurt Norris said, “our middle school wrestling participation immediately increased more than sixfold over pre-2006 levels, with each team fielding between 20 and 30 wrestlers.”

Despite no official affiliation with the Nashua School District, the program receives substantial moral and logistical support from the city’s middle school principals and athletic directors, who provide practice space and times, as well as high school athletic director Tom Arria, who provides gymnasium space and wrestling mats for the annual city championship event – the Mark Thibault Memorial Tournament, where the teams compete for the coveted Thibault Cup.

Fairgrounds faculty member and head coach Rick Lauria, whose Fairgrounds Falcons took the Thibault Cup last year is ready for another solid season.

“2012 was our first city championship,” Lauria said, “but we are looking strong this season and plan to compete for the title again.”

Nashua Catholic and Pennichuck have won two city titles apiece, while Elm Street once captured the title. The teams also compete in the Tri-County Middle School League, and the NH State Middle School Wrestling Championships.

A no-cut program open to both boys and girls of all skill levels with no experience necessary, it is not too late for new student athletes to join.

Interested students or parents should see their middle school principals or athletic directors, or contact BGCGN wrestling coordinator Joe Laplante at 545-7969. Elementary school students interested in youth wrestling should attend Tuesday night practice at the Nashua Boys and Girls Club at 6:30pm, or email bgcnteammom@hotmail.com.