Published January 17, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

NORTH READING — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-operative wrestling team went 2-3 last week, improving the Black and Gold’s record to 4-16.

The Black and Gold competed in a super quad meet against Essex Tech, Salem, Gloucester and Melrose on Jan. 12 at North Reading High School. LNR defeated Essex Tech and Salem, and lost to Gloucester and Melrose.

LNR narrowly defeated Essex Tech 39-36.

Sophomore Christian Real-Costa (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:50.

“Christian bumped up from 106 lbs. to get a pivotal win,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone.

Captain Stuart Glover (126 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall at 1:37. Junior Dan Ryan (160 lbs.) won his match by a 7-1 decision. Captain Sean McCullough (182 lbs.) pinned a returning sectional place finisher at the match’s 3-minute mark.

Captain Tim Leggett (132 lbs.), junior Chris Metrano (138 lbs.) and freshman Ryan McCullough (145 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

JUNIOR Greg Camier (on top) pinned his 220 lb. Holliston opponent at 1:46 during the Black and Gold’s loss to the Panthers on Jan. 9. (Courtesy Photo)

Stone noted LNR and Essex Tech each forfeited three matches.

“LNR jumped out to a 39-18 lead and then hung on to win,” said Stone. “We were finally able to win a close match. We have been on the opposite end a number of times this season.”

The Black and Gold defeated Salem 36-12.

Real-Costa (106 lbs.) pinned his opponent 30 seconds into the match. Glover (126 lbs.) won his match by fall at 2:16. Leggett (132 lbs.) pinned his counterpart 35 seconds into the match.

Metrano (138 lbs.) brought his opponent to the ground 18 seconds into the match. Junior Cam Randazzo (145 lbs.) pinned his opponent 39 seconds into the match. Reardon (152 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall at 3:03.

“Salem was only able to fill eight weight classes,” said Stone. “We were happy to get another win in front of our home crowd.”

The Black and Gold fell 46-30 to Gloucester during the super quad meet.

Glover (126 lbs.) pinned his opponent 17 seconds into the match. Leggett (132 lbs.) brought his opponent to the ground in 53 seconds. Sean McCullough (195 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 3:35.

Ryan McCullough (145 lbs.) and junior Aidan Carucci (170 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

Stone noted the Black and Gold had to forfeit three weight classes against Gloucester, which was the difference in the match.

“Even with the forfeits, we had a shot at the win,” said Stone. “We just needed one more match to go our way.”

The Black and Gold fell 54-28 to Melrose during the super quad meet.

Glover (126 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:53. Leggett (132 lbs.) won his match by a 15-5 major decision. Ryan McCullough (145 lbs.) defeated his opponent by fall at 4:51. Dan Ryan (160 lbs.) and Sean McCullough (182 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

Stone noted Melrose won the 2018 Division 3 North Sectional championship.

“On the mat, we wrestled tough and won five out of 11 matches against one of the stronger teams in the state,” said Stone.

Falls to Holliston

The Black and Gold began last week falling 47-15 to Holliston on Jan. 9.

Leggett (132 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 1:20. Reardon (152 lbs.) won his match by an 8-5 decision. Junior Greg Camier (220 lbs.) defeated his opponent by fall at 1:46.

Stone noted Holliston is one of the strongest Division 3 teams in Central Massachusetts.

“They had more experience and more depth in their lineup then we did,” said Stone. “With only graduating one senior in our lineup, we are already looking toward the re-match next year.”