Published in the February 17, 2016 edition
SENIOR CAPTAIN Max Whyman (at right) finished second in the 132 lb. weight class after concluding the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament with a 2-1 record Feb. 13. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
BEVERLY — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-operative wrestling team finished sixth out of 13 teams in the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament at Beverly High School Feb. 13.
Eight grapplers placed during the tournament and four wrestlers qualified for the Division II State Tournament on Friday and Saturday in Marshfield.
Senior captain Max Whyman finished second in the 132 lb. weight class after concluding the sectional tournament with a 2-1 record. He won the 126 lb. weight class in last year’s tournament.
Whyman began the tournament pinning a Whittier Tech wrestler in 47 seconds. He defeated a Beverly wrestler by fall in 5:20 during the semifinals. Whyman lost to Central Catholic’s Joey Sanchez, a sectional and state champion last year, by a 4-3 decision in the finals.
Senior captain Zack Monzione finished second in the 152 lb. weight class in his first sectional final appearance. He concluded the tournament with a 2-1 record. Monzione suffered a concussion in the semifinals last year and had to injury default to sixth place.
Monzione pinned a Masco wrestler in 37 seconds in the quarterfinals. He defeated a Greater Lawrence Tech wrestler by a 6-4 decision in the semifinals. In the finals, Monzione fell to Central Catholic’s Brandon DeFosses, the top seeded and top ranked wrestler in the state, by a 12-2 decision.
Senior Devin Leggett placed fourth in the 160 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 2-2 record. Leggett, a first year wrestler, has placed in all five tournaments this season.
Junior Will Glover earned his first sectional place finish after finishing fourth in the 113 lb. weight class. Glover concluded the tournament with a 2-2 record.
Senior captain Michael Reardon finished sixth in the 145 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 1-1 record. He began the tournament defeating Central Catholic’s Dan Doherty by a 3-1 decision. He lost to a Greater Lowell Tech wrestler by a 2-1 decision in the semifinals. Michael Reardon was unable to compete in the consolation rounds due to illness, which defaulted him to sixth place.
Junior Joe Reardon earned his first sectional place finish after finishing sixth in the 120 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 1-3 record and finished the season with an overall record of 17-17.
Junior Connor Stead finished sixth in the 138 lb. weight class after concluding the Division 2 State Tournament with a 3-3 record. Stead, whose sixth place finish marked the first time he placed in a sectional tournament, finished the season with an overall record of 24-11.
Junior Tim Goucher finished sixth in the 220 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 1-2 record. Goucher’s sixth place finish marked the first time he placed in a sectional tournament. He finished the season with an overall record of 27-20.
Senior Kai Jean-Simon concluded the 126 lb. weight with a 0-2 record. Jean-Simon finished the season with a 27-19 overall record.
Sophomore Anthony Wilkinson concluded the sectional tournament with a 0-2 record in the 170 lb. weight class. Wilkinson finished the season with an overall record of 18-21.
Senior Jared Curran concluded the 195 lb. weight class with a 0-2 record. Curran missed most of the season with a dislocated shoulder, but has been back on the mat for the past three weeks.
Freshman Dylan Reardon was seeded sixth in the 106 lb. weight class, but was unable to wrestle due to illness. He concluded the season with a 24-11 record.
Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone commended the grapplers’ performance in the Division 2 Sectional Tournament.
“It was our first experience at Division II, after the MIAA had us move up a division in order to keep our co-op team together,” said Stone. “Overall, I was very pleased with placing eight wrestlers, exceeding expectations going into the tournament. We wrestle a tough schedule during the year, facing teams in all three divisions. We work hard, have a great attitude and it showed during the tournament! Hopefully we can make some noise at the state tournament next weekend.”
Loss to Danvers
The Black and Gold (16-9-1) concluded the dual meet season falling 42-22 to Danvers on Feb. 9.
Dylan Reardon (106 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 3-1 decision. Stead (138 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by a 6-0 decision. Monzione (152 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 10-1 major decision. Wilkinson (170 lbs.) pinned his counterpart in 2:36. Goucher (220 lbs.) defeated his opponent by fall in 28 seconds.
“LNR had to forfeit at 113 lbs. and 285 lbs. due to injuries and sicknesses,” said Stone. “The 12 point swing was the difference in the match.”
Stone said he was pleased with the Black and Gold’s performance in dual meets this winter.
“LNR finished their dual meet season with a 16-9-1 record,” said Stone. “Returning only four out of 14 starters from last year’s 20-4 team, I felt that this was quite an accomplishment.”
