LNR wrestling begins season undefeated

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team has returned to the mat and is looking to progress as a team this season.

LNR (3-0) concluded the 2022-2023 season with a 1-23 record. The Black and Gold has 11 Lynnfield wrestlers and nine North Reading wrestlers competing on the mat this winter.

“We have 10 returning wrestlers from last year’s team, and nine new wrestlers who have shown a lot of athleticism and potential,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone. “There is an air of optimism and energy in the room that we haven’t seen that last couple of years due to our low numbers.”

Two captains will be leading the Black and Gold this season, including North Reading junior James Fodera (190 lbs.).

“James is a returning sectional and state place finisher,” said Stone. “James has an endless motor and an intensity that is to be admired. He is outstanding on his feet and difficult to keep down on the mat, which always gives him the opportunity to win.”

Lynnfield sophomore David Glynn (138 lbs.) will also serve as a captain for the Black and Gold this season.

“David is a returning sectional place finisher,” said Stone. “David is comfortable in all positions: Standing, top and bottom. He relies on his technique and his mat awareness to adjust to all situations.”

The Black and Gold is also welcoming back North Reading junior Cam Arya (144/150 lbs.) and North Reading senior Gavin Iby (144/150 lbs.), both of whom were returning sectional place finishers last year.

“Cam and Gavin will be relied upon heavily for their contributions,” said Stone.

LNR is also welcoming back Lynnfield freshman Sam Bird (113 lbs.), Lynnfield freshman Drew Cuddy (113 lbs.), Lynnfield freshman Jason Kouyoumdjian (120/126 lbs.), Lynnfield junior Issac Medford (132 lbs.), Lynnfield senior Matt Howell (157 lbs.) and Lynnfield sophomore Jack Cuddy (165 lbs.).

“All nine returning letter winners will be key this year,” said Stone.

Stone said North Reading freshmen Nathan Barstow (106 lbs.) and Jakob Hulett (113/120 lbs.) have “previous experience and will have an impact on the starting lineup” during their first year competing with the Black and Gold. He said Lynnfield senior Cam Sullivan (138 lbs.), North Reading junior Chris Mullen (165 lbs.), North Reading sophomore Zach Morse (215 lbs.) and North Reading sophomore Dylan Matthews (285 lbs.) round out LNR’s core.

LNR is also welcoming North Reading freshman Zack Inafuku (106 lbs.), Lynnfield freshman Ephram Donahue (132 lbs.), Lynnfield freshman Xander Janicki (138 lbs.) and Lynnfield junior Oliver Ventolieri (190 lbs.) as promising new additions.

After previously competing in Division 2 for the past seven years, Stone said the Black and Gold have moved back down to Division 3. LNR was a Division 3 powerhouse for a number of years before the MIAA moved the Black and Gold up to Division 2.

“We are back in with schools that are similar in enrollment,” said Stone. “It is a better parity situation competition wise.”

After struggling to fill weight classes for the last several years, Stone said LNR will not have that problem this season.

“We have overall balance in the lineup and are able to fill all 14 weight classes,” said Stone. “Last season, we forfeited anywhere from five to seven weight classes, which made it difficult to win dual meets. Not only can we fill those weight classes this year, we have the talent to go with it.”

While Stone has high hopes for the 2023-2024 season, he said LNR still has a lot of work to do in order to take the next step as a team.

“We have to be constantly improving as individuals and have to push each other to be better,” said Stone. “We are still young with only three seniors on the team. There is plenty of improvement to be made.”

Begins season undefeated

LNR (3-0) began the 2023-2024 season defeating Watertown, Carver, and Bishop-Fenwick/Northeast Metro Tech in a quad meet on Dec. 9.

The Black and Gold defeated Watertown 51-30.

Freshman Nathan Barstow (106 lbs.) won his first varsity wrestling match after pinning his opponent at 58 seconds. Freshman Jakob Hulett (120 lbs.) earned his first varsity win after bringing his counterpart to the ground at 1:09. Junior Issac Medford (132 lbs.) won his match by fall at 27 seconds.

Senior Cam Sullivan (138 lbs.) earned his first varsity win after pinning his opponent at 3:24. Captain David Glynn (144 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:56. Gavin Iby (150 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 1:28. Captain James Fodera (190 lbs.) defeated a returning sectional place finisher by a 13-8 decision. Sophomore Dylan Matthews (285 lbs.) won his first varsity wrestling match after pinning his opponent at 3:12. Freshman Sam Bird (113 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.

LNR defeated Bishop-Fenwick/Northeast 45-36.

Barstow (106 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:40. Hulett (113 lbs.) won his match by fall at 22 seconds. Freshman Jason Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 12-3 injury default. Medford (132 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 2:28. Glynn (145 lbs.) won his match by a 12-10 decision after having a takedown in overtime.

Iby (150 lbs.) pinned a returning sectional place finisher at 2:28. Fodera (190 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:20. Matthews (285 lbs.) brought his opponent to the ground at 1:10.

The Black and Gold concluded the quad meet by dismantling Carver 42-18.

Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 50 seconds. Sullivan (138 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:43. Glynn (150 lbs.) brought his opponent to the ground at 48 seconds. Senior Matt Howell (165 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 20 seconds.

Barstow (106 lbs.), Medford (132 lbs.), Fodera (190 lbs.), Matthews (285 lbs.), freshman Xander Janicki (145 lbs.) and sophomore Zack Morse (215 lbs.) each won their respective matches by forfeit.

Stone praised LNR’s performance during the quad meet.

“I was elated for the team with our performance at the quad, especially for those wrestlers who have hung in there with our low numbers of participants over the last two years, and for our new wrestlers who had such an outstanding performance for their first time in a varsity match,” said Stone. “There is still a lot of work to do, but this should prove as motivation for what we might be able to further accomplish this season.”

Upcoming meets

The Black and Gold will face off against Peabody-Saugus and Lynn Tech in a tri-meet on Thursday, Dec. 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. LNR will compete in the Anthony Lisitano Tournament at Wakefield Memorial High School on Saturday, Dec. 16, beginning at 9:30 a.m.