Published in the January 7, 2016 edition
JUNIOR Connor Stead (at left) placed fourth in the 138 lb. weight class in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament Dec. 28. He pinned a Pelham wrestler in the semifinal consolation round. Stead has now placed in back-to-back tournaments. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
PENTUCKET — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished fifth in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament Dec. 28.
The Black and Gold concluded the tournament with 106 points. There were five wrestlers who placed during the tournament.
Senior captain Max Whyman was crowned champion of the 132 lb. weight class. He was crowned champion of the 126 lb. weight class last year.
Whyman defeated a Josiah Quincy wrestler in the first round of the tournament. He defeated a Greater Lawrence wrestler by a 5-3 decision in the round of 16. Whyman defeated a Leominster wrestler, who was a returning sectional place finisher, by a 6-2 decision in the semifinals.
In the finals, Whyman earned his 100th career win after defeating an Exeter, N.H. wrestler, who was a returning state place finisher, by a 5-3 decision.
Senior captain Zach Monzione finished second in the 160 lb. weight class after compiling a 3-1 record during the tournament. He began the tournament by pinning a Timberlane wrestler at 4:51 in the first round. He defeated a Roxbury Latin wrestler by a 5-0 decision in the quarterfinals. He defeated a returning state place finisher from Salem by a 4-3 decision in the semifinals.
Senior Devin Leggett earned a third place finish in the 152 lb. weight class after compiling a 4-1 record in the tournament. Junior Connor Stead placed fourth in the 138 lb. weight class after going 4-2 in the tournament. Senior Kai Jean-Simon placed fourth in the 126 lb. weight class after compiling a 3-2 record.
Sophomore Anthony Wilkinson was one win away from placing in the 182 lb. weight class despite weighing 161 pounds. Wilkinson compiled a 3-2 record during the tournament.
Freshman Dylan Reardon (106 lbs.) went 1-1 during the tournament and was forced to injury default out of the tournament. Junior Joe Reardon (120 lbs.) also compiled a 1-1 record during the Pentucket Holiday Tournament and concluded the tournament early due to injury default.
Kevin Farrelly (195 lbs.) went 1-2 during the tournament. Junior Tim Goucher (220 lbs.) compiled a 1-2 record during the tournament. Junior Joe Gonthier went 0-2 during the tournament.
Defeats Masco
The Black and Gold (8-3-1) compiled a 2-1 record during a quad meet against Masconomet, Beverly and Bellingham-Medway at North Reading High School Dec. 31.
The grapplers defeated Masconomet 39-28. The Black and Gold won seven out of 12 weight classes against the Chieftains, which enabled the locals to improve to 1-1 in the Cape Ann League.
Junior Aaron Gautreau (120 lbs.) made a strong debut in the starting lineup and earned his first varsity win of the season after pinning his Masco counterpart at 4:32. Whyman (132 lbs.) won his match by forfeit. Stead (138 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by a 5-1 decision. Senior captain Michael Reardon pinned his opponent in 49 seconds.
Leggett (152 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 1:15. Wilkinson (182 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 2:38. Farrelly (195 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.
Falls to Beverly
The Black and Gold fell 42-29 to Beverly. The co-op team was forced to forfeit the 113 and 285 pound weight classes, which enabled Beverly to pull out the win.
Dylan Reardon (106 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 10-2 major decision. Jean-Simon (126 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by a 17-10 decision. Whyman (132 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 52 seconds.
Leggett (152 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 17-6 major decision. Monzione (160 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 2:33. Wilkinson pinned his opponent in 5:12.
Defeats Bellingham-Medway
The Black and Gold defeated Bellingham-Medway 12-8. Bellingham-Medway was only able to fill four weight classes in the match.
Junior Adam Rossetti (138 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 2:43. Farrelly (195 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 1:38.
Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone noted Whyman’s three victories during the quad meet improved his career record to 103-30.
Whyman joins the following grapplers who have over 100 victories:
2011-14 Eric Kerr 162-37
2011-14 Tom Arseneault 129-35
1987-90 Randy Greenstein 123-28
2001-04 Sean Reed 121-53
1991-94 Ricky Greenstein 119-21
2004-07 Chris Spinelli 118-54
2012-15 Lucas Pascucci 118-52
1994-97 Nick Secatore 108-29
2012-15 Joe Morse 106-35
1998-01 Brendon Reed 105-45
