Published January 31, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

BOXFORD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-operative wrestling team finished eighth in the CAL/NEC Tournament at Masconomet on Jan. 26.

Two grapplers placed in the 13-team tournament. The Black and Gold concluded the tournament with 53 points.

Captain Sean McCullough placed in his second straight CAL/NEC Tournament after finishing second in the 182 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 2-1 record. Sean began the tournament pinning a Danvers grappler at 1:26 during the quarterfinals. He defeated a Peabody-Saugus wrestler by a 7-4 decision in the semifinals. Sean fell to Pentucket’s Jason Young in the finals.

“They have faced each other four times this year, with Young holding a 3-1 edge,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone. “This was Sean’s third tournament final this year.”

CAPTAIN Stuart Glover (on top) placed in his first CAL/NEC Tournament after finishing fourth in the 126 lb. weight class on Jan. 26. (Courtesy Photo)

Captain Stuart Glover placed in his first CAL/NEC Tournament after finishing fourth in the 126 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 2-2 record.

Captain Timmy Leggett (132 lbs.) went 1-1 during the tournament, but was forced to stop competing due to illness. Sophomore Christian Real-Costa (106 lbs.), junior Cam Randazzo (145 lbs.), freshman Ryan McCullough (145 lbs.) and junior Giovanni Colucciello (170 lbs.) each went 1-2 during the tournament.

Sophomore Nik Marotta (160 lbs.), Brandon Ouellette (195 lbs.) and junior Greg Camier (220 lbs.) each went 0-2 during the tournament.

Stone said the Black and Gold performed well against stiff competition during the CAL/NEC Tournament.

“This is a strong sectional tournament with teams from the Cape Ann, Northeastern Conference and Greater Boston League,” said Stone. “On the positive side, we had seven out of 10 wrestlers winning matches and scoring team points. Five out of those 10 were wrestling in their first CAL/NEC tournament. Obviously I would have liked to have more place finishers, but the place result does not measure the consistent progress we have been making throughout the season.”

JV tourney

Eight wrestlers placed in the CAL/NEC JV Tournament at Masco on Jan. 26.

Junior Matt Conley finished first in the 128 lb. weight class. Junior Eric Benecke placed first in the 170 lb. weight class. Freshman Jack Terranova finished second in the 152 lb. weight class. Junior Aidan Carucci placed second in the 170 lb. weight class.

Sophomore Jack Ross placed third in the 152 lb. weight class. Freshman Luke Benecke finished third in the 182 lb. weight class. Freshman Ethan Barnes-Felix placed fourth in the 138 lb. weight class. Junior Steven Kane finished fourth in the 220 lb. weight class.

Flushed by Royals 

The Black and Gold (6-19) began last week falling 45-36 to Georgetown Ipswich on Jan. 23.

Leggett (138 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 3:26. Ryan McCullough (152 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 39 seconds. Camier (220 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:34.

Carucci (170 lbs.), Sean McCullough (182 lbs.) and Ouellette (195 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

“Both teams traded forfeit wins at three apiece,” said Stone. “Only eight matches were wrestled on the mat. Georgetown-Ipswich won five out of eight. It was a one match swing. Georgetown-Ipswich returned four sectional place finishers from last year, which made the difference in the match.”