Published in the January 4, 2017 edition
JUNIOR Kevin Farrelly (on top) finished fourth in the 195 lbs. weight class during the Pentucket Tournament Dec. 27. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
WEST NEWBURY — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-operative wrestling team gave strong performances in the Pentucket Tournament and in a quad meet last week.
The Black and Gold finished 13th overall in the Pentucket Tournament Dec. 27. There were 20 teams representing divisions 1, 2 and 3 during the tournament.
Junior Kevin Farrelly (195 lbs.) was the only member of the Black and Gold to place in the tournament. According to Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone, Farrelly’s fourth place finish was his “highest career place finish.”
Freshman Stuart Glover (106 lbs.) and senior captain Adam Rossetti (138 lbs.) were each one win away from placing in the tournament. Freshman Chris Metrano (113 lbs.), senior Chris Reardon (120 lbs.), senior Will Glover (126 lbs.), senior captain Joe Reardon (132 lbs.), freshman Sean McCullough (160 lbs.), junior Andrew DiPietro (170 lbs.) and junior Anthony Wilkinson (182 lbs.) each won matches, but did not place in the tournament.
Stone noted Will Glover and Joe Reardon each defaulted during the tournament after their respective quarterfinal and semifinal matches in order to avoid further injuries “that might eliminate them from future competition.” Senior captain Connor Stead did not compete in the tournament because he was recovering from a scalp injury suffered in the Greater Lowell Tech contest.
“Those three wrestlers could have placed at the tournament and improved our team score dramatically,” Stone.
Quad meet results
The Black and Gold compiled a 1-1-1 record against Masconomet, Beverly and North Andover in a quad meet Dec. 30.
The co-op team (8-1-1) narrowly defeated Masco 39-37 in a come-from-behind win.
Chris Metrano (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 32 seconds.
“Chris, a first year wrestler with no previous experience, is making quite an impression this season,” said Stone.
Senior Aaron Gautreau (145 lbs.) returned to the line-up after sustaining an early season concussion and pinned his counterpart in 2:12. McCullough (160 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by a 6-1 decision. DiPietro (170 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 42 seconds. Rossetti (138 lbs.), Farrelly (195 lbs.) and senior Tim Goucher (220 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.
“Another come-from-behind win,” said Stone. “We were down 6-19 after the first five weight classes, and 18-25 after eight contests. The Black and Gold picked up two wins at 160 lbs. and 171 lbs. to take their first lead 27-25. The Chieftains pulled ahead with a pin at 182 lbs., but were unable to fill the 195 lbs. and 220 lbs. weight classes, which clinched the win for LNR.”
The Black and Gold tied Beverly 42-42.
Joe Reardon (132 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 4:10. Rossetti (138 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 2:46. Stead (145 lbs.) returned to the line-up after from suffering from injuries and an illness, and pinned his opponent in 1:09. McCullough (160 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 1:25.
Stuart Glover (106 lbs.), DiPietro (170 lbs.) and Wilkinson (182 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.
Stone noted the Black and Gold and Panthers each won seven matches, which led to a “rare tie in wrestling.”
“Each team took turns sharing the lead,” said Stone. “The Panthers were up 42-36, but forfeited the last weight class, 106 lbs, for the tie.”
The Black and Gold fell 59-24 to powerhouse North Andover.
Rossetti picked up his third win of the season after pinning his opponent in 3:22. Wilkinson (182 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 1:22. Farrelly (195 lbs.) and Goucher (220 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.
Stone noted the Black and Gold did not field its full line-up in the quad meet due to injuries and illnesses.
“The Black and Gold had their hands full with the perennial Division 2 power Scarlet Knights,” said Stone. “North Andover is also one of the top teams in the state regardless of divisions.”
