Published in the February 1, 2017 edition
SENIOR CAPTAIN Connor Stead (on top) was crowned champion of the 145 lb. weight class in the CAL/NEC Tournament last week. He was also named CAL Wrestler of the Year. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
GEORGETOWN — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-operative wrestling team won the 2016-2017 Cape Ann League title last week.
LNR (17-3-1) won the CAL title after defeating Georgetown-Ipswich 34-31 on Jan. 25. The Black and Gold and Royals each had 3-0 league records heading into the match.
Senior captain Joe Reardon (132 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 1:12. Senior captain Adam Rossetti (145 lbs.) moved up a weight class and defeated his counterpart by a 7-1 decision. Senior captain Connor Stead (152 lbs.) also bumped up a weight class and defeated his opponent by an 8-0 major decision.
Freshman Sean McCullough (160 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 5:03. Junior Anthony Wilkinson (182 lbs.) earned his 14th dual meet pin after bringing his opponent to the ground in 3:51. Junior Kevin Farrelly (220 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by a 4-0 decision. Freshman Justin Charak (285 lbs.) earned his first career win after pinning his counterpart in 1:25.
“(Charak) got a pin at 285 lbs. to win not only his first varsity match of his career, but the team match as well,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone.
Stone commended the grapplers’ performance against Georgetown-Ipswich. He noted the locals trailed the Royals 19-0 at the beginning of the match.
“LNR has made a tradition of coming from behind, and winning matches this season and tonight was no different,” said Stone. “Looking back, Timmy Leggett, Dylan Reardon, Aaron Gautreau and Andrew DiPietro all being able to go the distance and not giving up valuable team points by pin also made a huge difference in the outcome of the team match. Even in defeat, individually you can help in the team’s win! Georgetown-Ipswich was 18-0 going into our dual meet and they are now 18-1. LNR is still hoping to get senior starters Will Glover and Tim Goucher, who are recovering from injuries, back into the line-up before the post season tournaments begin. Unfortunately, we have lost starter Chris Reardon for the remainder of the season due to a concussion.”
CAL/NEC tournament
The Black and Gold finished sixth out of 12 teams in the CAL/NEC Tournament at North Reading High School Jan. 28. Stone noted only nine out of 14 weight classes competed in the tournament.
The grapplers concluded the tournament with 86.5 points. Masconomet finished first in the tournament with 145 points and Georgetown-Ipswich was second with 133 points.
Stead was crowned champion of the 145 lb. weight class. Stead, who did not place in last year’s tournament, began the tournament pinning a Beverly grappler in 43 seconds in the quarterfinals. He defeated a Gloucester wrestler by fall in 46 seconds in the semifinals. Stead concluded the tournament by pinning a Saugus wrestler in 3:25.
“It was Connor’s second championship this season,” said Stone. “He also won the Wakefield Tournament. Connor also received the Cape Ann League Wrestler of the Year award for his performance this season.”
Joe Reardon (132 lbs.) placed in his first CAL/NEC Tournament after finishing third with a 3-1 record. Rossetti (138 lbs.) became a two-time tournament place finisher after finishing third and concluding the tournament with a 3-1 record. Wilkinson (170 lbs.) placed in his first CAL/NEC Tournament after securing a third place finish with a 3-1 record.
Leggett (120 lbs.), DiPietro (182 lbs.) and freshman Stuart Glover (106 lbs.) also won matches but did not place in the tournament.
Additionally, Stone noted Stead, Rossetti, Joe Reardon and Wilkinson “received CAL All-League recognition for their performance at the tournament.”
Stone said he was pleased with the Black and Gold’s performance in the CAL/NEC Tournament.
“As we have done all season, with only competing in nine weight classes, we again exceeded expectations,” said Stone. “I can’t say enough in praising our team, parents, alumni, alumni parents, school administrators and members of the community on an outstanding effort on and off the mat at the 2017 CAL/NEC Tournament.”
JV tournament
Five members of the Black and Gold competed in the CAL/NEC JV Tournament at NRHS Jan. 27.
Leggett finished first in the 121 lb. weight class. Sophomore Dylan Reardon (130 lbs.) finished first as well. Freshmen Chris Metrano (106 lbs.), Dan Ryan (147 lbs.) and
Giovanni Colucciello (152 lbs.) finished second in their respective weight classes.
