LNR co-op wrestling eyes steady improvement

Published December 19, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

NORTH READING — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team has returned to the mat and is looking to take a step forward this season.

The Black and Gold concluded the 2018-2019 season with a 7-24 record. LNR will feature a lineup consisting of 20 North Reading grapplers and six Lynnfield wrestlers.

“We have a much more experienced team with 19 wrestlers returning,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone. “Unfortunately, many are in the same weight class, and we are unable to fill the 106 lb. and 113 lb. weight classes. Consequently, we will be down 12-0 to start most dual meets. Improving on last year’s dual meet record is definitely one of our goals.”

Three senior captains will lead the Black and Gold this winter, including North Reading grappler Stuart Glover. Glover, a four-year wrestler who was a 2019 sectional place finisher, will compete in the 138 lb. weight class. He has earned 78 career victories to date.

Senior captain Timmy Leggett, a four-year varsity wrestler from Lynnfield, will compete in the 132 lb. weight class. Leggett was a 2019 sectional place finisher who currently has 64 career wins.

Senior captain Sean McCullough is a four-year varsity wrestler who currently has 102 career wins. McCullough, a North Reading grappler, was a 2019 Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference Tournament finalist, a North Sectional champion, a state finalist and an All-State place finisher.

“All three captains have a tremendous work ethic, and the drive and determination to exceed last year’s performances,” said Stone. “They are also team-centered and are concerned with the success of each individual wrestler as well as the improvement of the Black and Gold.”

The Black and Gold are also welcoming back junior Christian Real-Costa (120 lbs.), who is a returning sectional place finisher. Sophomore Ryan McCullough (152/160 lbs.), senior Brandon Ouellette (220/285 lbs.) and senior Greg Camier (220/285 lbs.) have returned to the mat as well.

“They all had close .500 or better seasons last year and should have another successful year,” said Stone. “Returners Ethan Barnes-Felix (138/145 lbs.), Cam Randazzo (145/152 lbs.), Dan Ryan (152/160 lbs.), Nik Marotta (160/170 lbs.), Gerry Callagy (170 lbs.), Giovanni Colucciello (170/182 lbs.), Eric Benecke (170/182 lbs.), Aidan Carucci (195 lbs.) and Steven Kane (195/220 lbs.) should also impact the starting lineup.”

Stone said junior Jack Ross (152/160 lbs.), sophomore Jack Terranova (160 lbs.) and sophomore Luke Benecke (182/195 lbs.) “add needed depth and experience.”

The Black and Gold has welcomed several new promising additions including freshman Matt Lombardo (132 lbs.), junior Alex Lin (126/132 lbs.), sophomore Aidan Smith (138 lbs.), eighth-grader Matt Howell (145 lbs.), freshman David Poirier (182 lbs.) sophomore Adam Bakr (220 lbs.) and sophomore Kyle Bryant (285 lbs.)

“They are all first-year wrestlers who are improving each day,” said Stone.

Stone said the Black and Gold had “two outstanding weeks of practice” before the season started.

“Each and every wrestler has shown heart, effort, attitude and team spirit,” said Stone. “We will put out 12 experienced wrestlers in the weights that we can compete in.”

When asked what does the Black and Gold need to work on, Stone said LNR needs to recruit teammates who weigh between 100 and 130 lbs.

While Masconomet and Triton are the favorites to win the CAL title, Stone said the Black and Gold “will be in the hunt” for the league championship.

“Time will tell,” said Stone. “We should be able to place wrestlers at the sectional and state meets, and improve on our place finishes from last year.”

Starts season 1-2

The Black and Gold went 1-2 during a quad meet against Whittier Tech, Hopkinton and Wilmington at North Reading High School on Saturday, December 14.

LNR fell 51-30 to Whittier Tech.

Senior captain Tim Leggett (132 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:42. Senior captain Stuart Glover (138 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 2:22. Senior Eric Benecke pinned his opponent at 2:34.

Senior Brandon Ouellette (220 lbs.) forced his opponent to come tumbling down in 32 seconds. Senior captain Sean McCullough won his match by forfeit.

“Whittier Tech jumped out to an early 24-0 lead and LNR was unable to come from behind,” said Stone. “We were unable to fill three weights, 106 lbs., 113 lbs. and 126 lbs., and had to forfeit 18 points. That was the difference in the match. We are much improved over last season, but you have to be able to compete in all 14 weight classes to beat a good team like Whittier.”

The Black and Gold fell 42-36 to Hopkinton.

Leggett pinned his opponent at 2:41. Glover brought his counterpart to the ground in 28 seconds. Senior Dan Ryan (160 lbs.) forced his opponent to come tumbling down in 1:43.

Sean McCullough (182 lbs.) took down his opponent in 23 seconds. Senior Aidan Carcucci pinned his counterpart in 37 seconds. Senior Greg Camier (285 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.

“We won the match on the mat, but the forfeits made the difference,” said Stone. “It was a close match all the way through, but we could never pull ahead.”

The Black and Gold pulled out a 42-21 victory over Wilmington during the quad meet.

Glover pinned a returning sectional place finisher at 3:43. Sophomore Ethan Barnes-Felix (145 lbs.) took down his opponent in 1:14. Sophomore Ryan McCullough (152 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground in 30 seconds.

Dan Ryan pinned his opponent in 3:27. Senior Gerry Callagy (170 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground in 36 seconds. Camier (285 lbs.) took down his opponent in 2:49. Sean McCullough (182 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.

“LNR jumped out to a 42-9 lead before forfeiting the last two weight classes,” said Stone. “It’s always good to get the first win of the season. We had a shot at a second win against Hopkinton even with the forfeits. There is a lot of wrestling ahead and we will be much improved each time out. Regardless of the outcome, everyone is showing tremendous heart, effort, attitude and team spirit, which bodes well for the remainder of the season.”