Published in the December 23, 2015 edition
SENIOR CAPTAIN Max Whyman (on top) was crowned champion of the 132 lbs. weight class in the Anthony Lisitano Tournament at Wakefield Memorial High School Dec. 19. He finished second in the Lisitano Tournament in 2013 and third in 2014. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
WAKEFIELD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished ninth out of 16 teams in the Anthony Lisitano Tournament at Wakefield Memorial High School Dec. 19.
The Black and Gold concluded the Lisitano Tournament with 88 points and had five wrestlers place in the tournament. Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone said the locals competed in only nine of 14 weight classes due to injuries and illness.
Senior captain Max Whyman was crowned champion of the 132 lb. weight class, which enabled him to become a three-time place finisher in the tournament. He finished second in 2013 and third in 2014.
Whyman began the tournament pinning a Marblehead–Swampscott counterpart in 3:36 in the first round. He defeated a Wakefield grappler by fall in 37 seconds in the quarterfinals. He pinned a Reading wrestler in 3:34 in the semi-finals. Whyman won the weight class after securing a takedown of his Lincoln-Sudbury opponent in overtime, which enabled him to win the match 4-2.
Stone said Whyman joins Andrew Kibarian and Chris O’Connor as three-time Lisitano Tournament champions.
Senior Devin Leggett placed third in the 152 lb. weight class after compiling a 4–1 record in the tournament. After losing his first match to the champion of the 152 lb. weight class, Leggett won his next four matches to finish third.
“(Leggett) is a senior wrestling in his first season,” said Stone.
Senior Kai Jean–Simon went 2-2 during the Lisitano Tournament, which enabled him to place fifth in the 126 lb. weight class.
Junior Tim Goucher placed fifth in his first varsity tournament after compiling a 4-2 record in the 220 lb. weight class.
Junior Connor Stead compiled a 2-1 record in the 138 lb. weight class and placed sixth. Stone said Stead had to “injury default out of the tournament after losing in the semi-finals.”
Junior Joe Reardon was one win away from placing in the 120 lb. weight class after he went 2–2 in the tournament.
Sophomore Tim Wilkinson went 1–2 in the 160 lb. weight class. The Lisitano Tournament was his first varsity tournament.
Sophomore Andrew DiPietro went 0–2 in the 145 lb. weight class. Junior Joe Gonthier went 0–2 in the 170 lb. weight class.
Loss to Pentucket
The team (3–1) began last week falling 44-31 to Pentucket on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Stone said the Black and Gold’s loss to Pentucket was the first time the grapplers have lost a Cape Ann League dual meet in four years.
Freshman Dylan Reardon (106 lbs.) won his match by a 12–0 major decision. Joe Reardon (120 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 4-3 decision. Whyman (138 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 1:18.
Stead (145 lbs.) won his match by fall in 37 seconds. Leggett (160 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 1:11. Junior Aaron Gautreau (132 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.
Stone said the Black and Gold had to forfeit four weight classes due to injuries, which forced the team to give up 24 points.
“We actually won the match with matches wrestled 31-20,” said Stone. “Pentucket returned their entire line-up minus one starter from last year. Regardless, we still had an opportunity to win the match which says a lot about the talent we have on this team, just no back ups.”
Upcoming matches
The Black and Gold competed in a quad meet against Saugus, Wakefield and Malden Catholic on Tuesday, Dec. 22, taking place after deadline. The grapplers host Essex Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 23, beginning at 5 p.m.
The grapplers will compete in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament on Monday, Dec. 28, beginning at 10 a.m.
