Published March 7, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Wrestling captain Sean McCullough and Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling head coach Craig Stone were heralded for their accomplishments during the New England Wrestling Tournament at the Providence, Rhode Island Career and Training Center last weekend.

McCullough concluded the tournament with a 2-2 record while competing against elite grapplers in the 182 lb. weight class. He did not place in the tournament.

During the tournament’s opening round, McCullough pinned Nonnewaug, Connecticut grappler Jack Cronin at 3:33. McCullough defeated Lisbon, Maine’s Cameron Bourget by a 12-4 decision in the round of 16.

McCullough fell to Brookline’s Abraham Spurlock, who was crowned as the Massachusetts All-State champion, by fall at 2:51. He lost to Hollis-Brookline, New Hampshire wrestler Zack Brickner by an 18-3 decision in the consolation round.

LYNNFIELD-NORTH READING CO-OP WRESTLING head coach Craig Stone (center) was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame last weekend by the Council of New England Secondary School Principals’ Association President Bob Gay (left) and CNESSPA Executive Director Donald Friedman. (Courtesy Photo)

Stone noted McCullough concluded the 2018-2019 season with a 46-9 overall record. McCullough finished first in the Division 2 North Tournament, was second in the Division 2 State Tournament, placed seventh in All-States, was second in the CAL/NEC Tournament, was first in the Cohasset Tournament, finished second in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament and placed third in the Anthony Lisitano Tournament.

“To go 2-2 at the New England Tournament, where everyone seems to be a state champion or runner-up, is an incredible accomplishment,” said Stone. “Obviously, he would have liked to place, but considering how far he has come from last year, everything looks very positive going forward and he will use this experience as motivation for next season.”

Stone recognized

Stone was honored during the New England Wrestling Tournament when he was presented with a plaque for being inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. Council of New England Secondary School Principals’ Association (CNESSPA) President Bob Gay and CNESSPA Executive Director Donald Friedman presented Stone with the plaque.

“I am humbled to be inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame,” said Stone. “To be among such a distinguished group of coaches, officials and administrators who have been inducted before me and that have done so much for the sport of wrestling is quite an honor.”

After 20 Lynnfield High students signed a petition that sought the creation of a wrestling team in 1975, Stone was tapped as head coach of what was originally a club team. The team moved up to the varsity level in 1976.

CAPTAIN Sean McCullough (at right) went 2-2 during the New England Wrestling Tournament last weekend. He concluded the season with a 46-9 overall record. (Courtesy Photo)

“As my career progressed, I took note of declining enrollment numbers,” said Stone. “In 2005, Lynnfield formed a co-op with neighboring North Reading, who had previously dropped their program. The merging of two teams has been an invaluable experience for myself, the wrestlers and the two communities. It allows everyone involved to continue to reap the benefits that wrestling provides.”

Stone has a 544-369-9 career record coaching wrestling.

“Our teams have won five league championships, three sectional championships and finished as a state finalist in 2014,” said Stone. “I have coached 84 state place finishers, eight state champions and three New England place finishers. I have been named Cape Ann League Coach of the Year eight times and the ‘Boston Globe’ Coach of the Year twice.”

Stone was inducted into the Massachusetts Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998 and received the National Wrestling Coaches Association Massachusetts Coach of the Year award in 2013.

“I also received the North Shore Student Athlete Lifetime Commitment Award in 2013, the honorary Lynnfield Rotarian Award in 2015, and served as sectional chairman of the MWCA Executive Board for over 30 years,” said Stone. “In 2017, I was inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.”

Stone attributed his success to a “coaching style that emphasizes clear and effective communication between athletes, parents, teachers and administrators.”

“Letting them understand their roles in supporting each other and recognizing their required individual contribution is key, while being open to everybody’s input is equally as important,” said Stone. “The cornerstone of my coaching philosophy is TEAM, which stands for ‘Together Each Achieves More,’ a mantra that I have used throughout my career. Keeping an objective perspective helps balance the highs and lows of the sport, and maintaining a genuine concern for the players as both athletes and young adults helps drive their success. Hopefully, I have instilled the values of hard work and perseverance in the wrestlers, and that they take the invaluable life lessons wrestling teaches with them on their journeys.”

Stone retired as Summer Street School’s physical education teacher in June 2016. He just completed his 44th year coaching wrestling. He began working for Lynnfield Public Schools in 1972.

“Teaching and coaching in Lynnfield, and later in North Reading where I currently reside and where my children went to school, has been a dream come true,” said Stone. “I am grateful to the talented student athletes, caring parents, and supportive communities and professional networks that have shaped my career.”