LYNNFIELD-NORTH READING co-op wrestling head coach Craig Stone congratulates, from left, Gavin Iby, James Fodera and David Glynn for placing in the Cohasset Tournament. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
COHASSET — Five wrestlers placed in the Cohasset Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21.
“We had five out of the 10 wrestlers who competed place in the Cohasset Tournament,” said Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling head coach Craig Stone. “We had three wrestlers place in last year’s tournament.”
Gavin Iby finished first in the 145 lb. weight class. Stone recalled that Iby placed second in the 132 lb. weight class during last year’s Cohasset Tournament.
Iby began the tournament by pinning a Tri-County grappler in 2:40 during the quarterfinals. He defeated a Cohasset wrestler by fall in 1:30 in the semifinals. Iby clinched his first place finish after pinning a Bristol County grappler in 1:30 during the finals.
James Fodera was crowned as champion of the 182 lb. weight class during the Cohasset Tournament. He placed third during the 170 lb. weight class in last year’s tournament.
Fodera pinned a Cohasset wrestler in 18 seconds in the quarterfinals. He defeated a Rockland grappler by fall in 3:02 in the semifinals. Fodera secured the first place finish after pinning a Tri-County wrestler, who was a sectional runner-up in the Division 3 West Tournament last year, in 2:20 during the finals.
Freshman David Glynn finished third in the 126 lb. weight class. He finished sixth during last year’s Cohasset Tournament.
Eighth-grader John Powers placed in his first varsity wrestling tournament after finishing fifth in the 106 lb. weight class.
Sophomore Isaac Medford finished fifth in the 113 lb. weight class, which marked the first time he has placed in the Cohasset Tournament.
Stone said the Lynnfield-Wakefield co-operative wrestling team finished eighth out of nine teams, and concluded the tournament with 86 points.
“We only scored 51 points last year,” said Stone.
Falls to Danvers
The Black and Gold (0-18) were edged 39-36 to Danvers on Jan. 17.
Powers, who weighs 94 lbs., moved up to the 113 lb. weight class and pinned his counterpart in 2:33. Iby (145 lbs.) defeated his opponent by fall in 1:36.
Fodera (182 lbs.) brought his opponent to the ground in 1:59. Senior captain Dave Poirier (195 lbs.) pinned his counterpart in 1:10.
Sophomore Matt Squadrito (120 lbs.) and Jason Kouyoumdjian (106 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.
“We won six out of the nine matches we wrestled and led 36-15,” said Stone. “Unfortunately, we lost after having to forfeit four weight classes.”
Stone was pleased with the Black and Gold’s performance in the Cohasset Tournament and the Danvers dual meet.
“It was a very positive week of wrestling,” said Stone. “We have a very talented group of emerging talent. Eleven out of 13 wrestlers have fewer than two years experience, and we are continuing to impress everywhere we go. Hopefully, our successes are a motivation for future wrestlers to join in the rebuild next year.”
Upcoming meets
LNR hosts Marblehead-Swampscott on Wednesday, Jan. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Lynnfield High School cafeteria. The Black and Gold will compete in the Cape Ann League/Northeast Conference Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 28, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Pentucket Regional High School.
