Hollis Level 9 gymnast Nicholas Merryman captured the All-Around gold medal and repeated his pommel horse gold medal of 2013 at the 2014 Junior Olympic National Championships in Long Beach, Cal., as he remains on the U.S. National Team.

Merryman totaled a top all-around score of 133.95, and also placed 5th on both horizontal bar and parallel bars, and realize a 6th place finish on still rings.

Completing the preliminary competition, Merryman logged a career high all-around (AA) score of 82.15 for his “optional” routines on all six events which started on the still rings and ended on pommel horse. Merryman attained an unexpected first place position, the singular gymnast of the 680 participants to achieve an execution score of 9.0 or above on all six events on the first day of competition.

Merryman’s re-selection to the Junior Elite U.S. National Team was the ultimate accomplishment as he had recovered from injuries earlier in the season.

Having completed his final year as a Level 9 gymnast and moving up to Level 10 this fall, Merryman has been coached by Igor Kniazev and Cal Booker, training over 24 hours each week. A student at Hollis Brookline High School, he has re-secured a First Team spot as a USA Gymnastics Academic All-American for 2014.

FOOTBALL

Nashua Elks

EIGHTH GRADE:

Crusaders 14, Keene 0

The eighth grade Elks Crusaders evened their record to 2-2 with their second straight shutout. The Nashua defense received big plays from Jaylan Pacheco (interception and two sacks), Andrew Penkala (sack), Brandon Martin (sack), Anthony Dowd (sack), Justin Arnesen (sack), Tanner Plourde (interception) and Quincy Cotto (sack and fumble recovery).

The following Crusaders also piled up multiple tackles, including Braden McDonnell, Nathanael Tejeda, Josh McElligott, Casey McNally, and Brendon Frost. Cole Desmond and Adam Paquette also played well on defense.

The Crusaders scored both of their touch downs in the second quarter, the first coming on a pass from Penkala to Plourde, while the second came on the ground from Pacheco. McElligott also connected on one of his two 2-point kick attempts.

Also contributing to the Elks offense was Tommy Cullerton (5 carries), Alex Fortier (reception), McNally (11 carries and three first downs), Penkala (six carries and seven completions), Plourde (four carries and two receptions), and Pacheco (three carries and two receptions).

The offensive line continued to block well,led by Tim Santerre, Warren Curtis, Martin, McDonnell, Dowd, Arnesen, and Cotto. Receivers Jacob Babb and Desmond also blocked well.

The Elks special teams received their usual big game from McElligott, who nailed a 2-point kick, and handled kick-offs and punts. The Crusaders also received plays from Penkala (tackle), Frost (return and punt coverage), Plourde (punt return), and Arnesen (kick coverage).

Nashua PAL

FOURTH GRADE: Force 34,
Manchester South Sabres 0

The NPF Fourth Grade team slayed the Manchester South Sabres 34-0, notching six TDs on the day with blocking by Brady Sullivan, Bryson Borromeo, Elias Bourque, Demetriz Sanchez and Nick Digesse.

SIXTH GRADE: Force 28,
Hollis Brookline Cavaliers 26

The NPF Sixth Grade football team beat the Hollis / Brookline Cavaliers 28-26 as linemen Max Ackerman, Aiden Bashor, Jacob Sansoucie, Conner Lash, Eddie Bracetty, David Boutchia, and Drevin Richard were solid.

EIGHTH GRADE: Force 29,
NorRock Vikings 0

The Nashua PAL Eighth grade football team defeated the Nor-Rock Vikings, 29-0, to improve to 3-0, A highlight included Austin Ouellette’s TD pass to Vincent Prior, with Stephen Larkin’s kick adding the extra point.

OTHER SCORES: NPF fifth grade 26, Hollis Brookline 0; Windham 32, NPF seventh grade 0.

HOCKEY

Boys

Maroun’s hat trick paces Nashua Panthers PeeWee

Michael Maroun recorded a hat trick leading the Panthers to a 4-1 victory over Andover in Valley League hockey action at Conway Arena. It was the team’s third hat trick of the season, the others posted by Tyler Martin and Andrew Nordstrom.

Nashua outshot Andover 41-16 in the game and dominated puck possession. The win improves the Panthers to 2-1-1 on the season.

Maroun gave Nashua an early 1-0 lead on a goal assisted by Christopher Gillis (two assists) and Nordstrom. Andover responded to make 1-1 to close out the first period.

One minute into the second period Maroun made it 2-1 assisted by Gillis and Brayden Goode (two assists). At the point the Panthers never looked back. Maroun added his third goal of the game completing the hat trick assisted by Dylan Carr (goal, assist) to make it 3-1. In the third period, Carr closed out the scoring burying a rebound assisted by Martin and Goode.

At one point when Andover had three-man advantage Nashua received brilliant play from Joey Turner, Cody Evans, Martin and Nordstrom who combined to kill off the penalty.

In net Cameron Reinbold turned away 15 of 16 shots and thwarted several breakaway opportunities.

Girls

DeFelice leads Panthers
to hard-fought victory

Brianna DeFelice recorded Nashua’s second hat trick in the team’s first three games of the season leading the Panthers to a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Andover in Middlesex Conference Girl’s Hockey action at Phillips Academy in Andover

Nashua (2-1-0) outshot Andover 35-15. DeFelice opened up the scoring giving Nashua an early 1-0 lead on assist from Julie McLaughlin and Taylor Anger. Soon after, Andover responded to make it 1-1 heading into the second period.

DeFelice again gave the Panthers the lead for good, 2-1, on a goal assisted by Paige Anger and Taylor Anger. Sophia Panagakis then gave a great feed to DeFelice who made it 3-1 for her third goal.

McLaughlin then tallied her seventh goal of the season assisted by Meredith Partridge to give Nashua a commanding 4-1 lead. In goal, Sophia Hausberger had a solid 13 saves.

Also for the Panthers, Paige Anger had a couple of end-to-end scoring chances and Kenzley Goode had a backhand shot that sat on the goal line before Andover swept the puck away. OffensivelyHayley Kastner helped keep the pressure on Andover and Victoria Cornaro played an excellent two-way game.

Cross Country

Nashua PAL

Hundreds race in the first
elementary race of the fall

Nearly 700 runners from Nashua and Hollis took part in the first Nashua Police Athletic League elementary school cross country race of the season at Nashua High School North.

Race distances were 2K for second and third graders, while older elementary school runners ran a 3K.

In the 2K race, the top five girls were: Ella Benzekri (Bicentennial), Christina Juris (St. Christopher), Dominiqui Secovich (Main Dunstable), Summer St. Pierre (Charlotte Ave), and Arianna Kouchalakos (St. Christopher).

The top five boys were: Santiago Sommorrostro (New Searles), Ethan Schnyer (Bicentennial).Dan Byrne (New Searles), Ebuka Okorie (St. Christopher) and Armon Farahani (Infant Jesus).

In the 3K race, the top five girls were: Soray Durham (Ledge Street), Meredith McDermott (Bicentennial), Rylee Bouvier (Hollis), Kelsey Auriana (Sunset Heights), and Olivia Johnson (Bicentennial).

The top five boys were: John Kotelly (Hollis), Nicholas Esp (Main Dunstable), Nick Dahl (St. Christopher), Griffin Johnson (Bicentenmnial) and Brandon Metivier (New Searles).

The next race will be at North on Friday, Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m. The PAL Nashua City Elementary School Championship races will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday,
Oct. 18, also at North.

BULLETIN BOARD

Tryouts/registration

I.C. CYO hoops, cheerleading

Tryouts for the Immaculate Conception CYO basketball and cheerleading teams continue this week, with all sessions being held at Nashua Catholic. The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7-8:30, Girls Mites, Girls Cadets; Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7-8:30, Boys Mites; 8:30-10, Boys Seniors; Friday, Oct. 3, 7-8:30, Junior Mites; 7-8:30, Cheerleading; 8:30-10, Boys Cadets.

Participants are required to attend at least one of the tryout sessions, preferably both. For more information, contact Rod Martone at 888-6943 or nhmartone@comcast.net.

Nighthawks basketball

The Nashua Nighthawks travel basketball program is holding its annual tryouts for its boys and girls teams.

The tryouts will be held on Saturday October 25 at Girls, Inc. in Nashua. The cost to tryout is $20 per player (or $25 per family). Every player must attend one of the following sessions to be eligible to play.

The sessions are as follows: 8 a.m., seventh grade boys; 9:30 a.m., fourth grade boys; 10:30 a.m., fifth grade boys; 12 p.m., sixth grade boys; 1:30 p.m., eighth grade boys; 3 p.m. four and fifth grade girls; 4 p.m., sixth grade girls; 5:30 p.m., seventh grade girls; 7 p.m., eighth grade girls.

The Nashua Nighthawks travel basketball program is seeking a qualified coach for its girl’s 4/5th grade team.

This highly competitive youth program competes in the Massachusetts River Valley League. The season will run from October 25 through approximately March 8.

Visit Nashuanighthawks.com, the Nighthawks Facebook page email nashuabasketball@hotmail.com.

Nashua Baseball Academy

The Nashua Baseball Academy is holding tryouts Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. to fill out rosters as openings exist on all teams ages 10 through 19. The age determination date is May 1st 2015.

Features of the program include small roster sizes to maximize playing time, camps and clinics specific to positional play, fall hitting program, winter workouts twice a week, conditioning program, a spring and summer season and a travel tournament. For more information contact Coach Loftus at 603-233-5587 or nashuabaseball
academy@comcast.net.

NH Grizzlies openings

The New Hampshire Grizzlies U14 baseball team has a few openings left for the 2015 season.

This is a full year program with winter workouts starting in October. Managers are NOT parents and all practices are at the team’s private indoor facility.

For more information, please email teamnhbaseball@comcast.net or call 603-577-1772

Four Grizzlie alums were either drafted or have played for Major League teams. Over 100 members have played on collegiate teams at all three divisions, some with scholarships.

New Hampshire Hammerheads Softball club seeking players

The NH Hammerheads Softball Club, a competitive travel softball program in the Manchester area, is looking for a few 16U players to fill their 2014-2015 roster.

If interested, please contact Andrea to schedule a individual tryout at nhhammerheads@yahoo.com or 860-6872.

Lessons/training

John Roper pitching lessons

The John Roper Pitching School, run by the former Major Leaguer and Nashua Pride hurler begins in November, consisting of private and semi-private pitching lessons. Pitching classes include pitchers fielding practice, pick off moves, covering bunts etc. There is a maximum of 10 students per class.

Group pitching lessons will be a maximum of six students. For more information, go to leaguelineup. com/teamgid or email jcrope1@yahoo.com.

N.H. Grizzlies training

The New Hampshire Grizzlies will be offering training for baseball players at their private facility in southern New Hampshire from Oct. 6 to Feb. 23.

All training will be done by managers/coaches of the NH Grizzlies EBL Teams. Each has many years of training high school/collegiate /MLB players; four are former Grizzlies.

Sessions will cover skills that are age appropriate.

The times are Mondays 6-7:15 p.m.for players age 12 and under, and Mondays 7:30-8:45 p.m. for players 13 and above.

The cost is $100 per month. Pre-registration with payment for each month will be required.

Participants will be limited in order for the instructors to give personalized attention. For more information or to register, contact the Grizzlies at teamnhbaseball@comcast.net.

UNH women’s lacrosse clinics

The University of New Hampshire women’s lacrosse program will host an Oct. 4 clinic as well the UNH Women’s Lacrosse Fall Classic Tournament on Oct. 5.

The clinic Saturday (3-5:30 p.m.) is open to girls in grades 9-12 and will be held at UNH’s Bremner Field; the cost is $75.

The UNH Women’s Lacrosse Fall Classic tourney on Oct. 5 is a 7-on-7 format with varsity and JV/U15 (high school only) and U13 divisions.

Check in begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by a clinic from 9:30-10 a.m., and the tourney starts at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.

The cost is $50 per individual or $400 per team. Registration for this event closes Sept. 26 at 5 p.m.

Online registration for both events is available online at events.unh.edu. More information is available by contacting Erin Rigby at 62-4731.

UNH gymnastics kids program

The University of New Hampshire gymnastics program announces Kids’ Night Out on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 6-10 p.m. at the UNH Field House.

Children age 3 to eighth grade are invited for a night of gymnastics, games and pizza under the supervision of the UNH gymnastics team. Kids’ Night Out, which is a fundraiser for the UNH gymnastics program, costs $25 per child and $20 for additional children from the same family.

To register for the event, visit unhwildcats.com. Cash and checks will be accepted at the door. For more information contact UNH gymnastics assistant coach Ali Carr at alison.carr@unh.edu.