LYNNFIELD EIGHTH-GRADER David Glynn (on top) earned his first varsity win after pinning his Pentucket opponent during a dual meet on Dec. 22. (Courtesy Photo)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The nine grapplers on the Lynnfield-North Reading co-operative wrestling team are continuing to progress on the mat each week.

The Black and Gold (0-6) began last week falling 31-18 to Pentucket on Dec. 22.

Eighth-grader David Glynn (120 lbs.) earned his first varsity win after pinning his opponent in 1:58. Freshman Cameron Arya (120 lbs.) won his match by fall in 3 minutes. Issac Medford (113 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.

“LNR started out fast by winning three out of the first four weight classes, but we were only able to compete in three out of the final six contests due to forfeits,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone.

Falls in tri-meet

The Black and Gold lost both of its matches in a tri-meet against Saugus-Peabody and Framingham on Dec. 23.

“Saugus-Peabody and Framingham are both Division 1 programs,” said Stone.

LNR fell 72-12 to Framingham.

Arya (126 lbs.) won his match by fall in 2:50. Sophomore Matt Howell (145 lbs.) pinned his counterpart in 57 seconds.

LNR fell 51-12 to Saugus-Peabody during the tri-meet.

Arya (126 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 5:18. Medford (106 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.

Stone said Arya’s strong performances on the mat last week resulted in the North Reading freshman getting named as LNR’s Wrestler of the Week.

“Cameron finished the week with three wins and three pins,” said Stone. “Ethan Downey was last week’s Wrestler of the Week as he the role model of energy and effort.”

Stone said the Black and Gold has made a lot of positive strides on the mat at the start of this season.

“We continue to see a lot of individual improvement each day, and are seeing those successes on the mat on match day,” said Stone. “As discouraging as it is being unable to compete as a dual meet team due to lack of participants, it is encouraging to see the week-to-week progress of each team member and the positive attitude each one possesses.”

Upcoming meets

The Black and Gold competed in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 28, taking place after deadline.

LNR will be competing in a super quad meet against Arlington, Beverly, Greater Lawrence Tech and North Andover on Thursday, Dec. 30, beginning at 9 a.m. at Beverly High School.