LNR wrestling finishes fifth in Anthony Lisitano Tournament

 

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team is back on the mat, and is looking to take the next step as a team this season.

The Black and Gold concluded the 2023-2024 season with a 13-11-1 record. With a strong nucleus returning to the fold, head coach Craig Stone has high hopes for LNR’s 20th year as a co-op program.

“We are returning 15 varsity wrestlers and seven sectional place finishers,” said Stone. “We should be able to cover all the weights and be very competitive with both our dual meet and tournament schedule.”

Stone said the Black and Gold has 11 North Reading grapplers and 12 Lynnfield wrestlers. Three captains will be leading LNR this winter, including North Reading senior James Fodera.

“James is a two-time state place finisher who continues to do a lot of offseason training as well,” said Stone. “He was a state runner-up last year, and he has set high goals for this year.”

Senior captain Cam Arya is also from North Reading.

“Cam is a returning two-time sectional place finisher who has a definite shot at placing at the state level this season,” said Stone.

Stone said captain David Glynn is a Lynnfield junior who served as a captain along with Fodera last season.

“David is also a two-time sectional place finisher who has trained during the offseason,” said Stone. “He will have a good shot to be a state place finisher this season.”

Stone said Fodera, Arya and Glynn are excellent leaders for the Black and Gold’s underclassmen.

“All three wrestlers are goal-oriented, and they have a strong commitment to the team and an outstanding work ethic,” said Stone.

Stone said the Black and Gold is also welcoming back sophomore Nathan Barstow (112 lbs.), who was a state and sectional place finisher last winter. Sophomore Jakob Hulett (120 lbs.) was also a state and sectional place finisher last season. Juniors Zack Morse (215 lbs.) and Dylan Matthews (285 lbs.) were both sectional place finishers last winter.

Additionally, Stone said LNR is also welcoming back senior Isaac Medford (138 lbs.), senior Ryan Labb (190 lbs.), junior Jack Cuddy (175 lbs.), sophomore Sam Bird (113 lbs.), sophomore Zach Inafuku (106 lbs.), sophomore Jason Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.), sophomore Drew Cuddy (126 lbs.) and sophomore Ephram Donahue (157 lbs.).

Stone said the Black and Gold has several promising new additions, including senior Abdel Abdalla (150 lbs.) and freshman Lucas Lopes (165 lbs.).

“Both come to us with some Jujitsu training and are progressing very quickly,” said Stone.

Stone also said freshman Michael Glynn (113 lbs.), sophomore Dylan Harris (144 lbs.), freshman Griffin McCarthy (150 lbs.), sophomore Jacob Miller (157 lbs.), freshman Gianni D’Apolito (165 lbs.) and freshman Jayce Melara (175 lbs.) have “shown promise.”

With a strong nucleus back in action, Stone said LNR’s biggest strengths this season will be the Black and Gold’s “returning experience and a strong work ethic.” He said the grapplers need to focus on their “conditioning and mental toughness.”

Shines in tourney

The Black and Gold finished fifth out of 16 teams with 153 points during the Anthony Lisitano Tournament held at Wakefield Memorial High School on Dec. 14.

“It was the best team finish since 2013,” said Stone. “We finished 11th in 2023 and 16th in 2022.”

Fodera won his second straight Anthony Lisitano Tournament after finishing first in the 190 lb. weight class with a 4-0 record. Fodera earned his 100th career win after pinning a Pentucket grappler at 1:38 in the round of 16. He defeated an Arlington wrestler by a 20-3 technical fall in the quarterfinals.

During the semifinals, Fodera dismantled a Methuen wrestler by a 21-6 technical fall. He was crowned champion of the 190 lb. weight class after pinning a Wayland wrestler at 4:39 in the finals.

Stone congratulated Fodera for earning his 100th career win.

“Earning 100 career wins is pretty special,” said Stone. “Most wrestlers reach it at the end of their senior year. James has the potential this season to take a run at the top career winners in our team history. Only 14 wrestlers have reached that point in my career. James has worked hard both during and between seasons. He truly deserves this recognition.”

Barstow finished second in the 113 lb. weight class after going 3-1 during the Anthony Lisitano Tournament. He finished fourth last year. Barstow defeated a Marblehead-Swampscott wrestler by a 19-3 technical fall during the round of 16. He pinned a Lexington grappler at 3:05 in the quarterfinals. He defeated a Greater Lawrence Technical High School wrestler by fall at 2:31. Barstow concluded the Anthony Lisitano Tournament by losing a 9-0 decision to a Methuen grappler.

Morse placed third in the 215 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 5-1 record. He did not place in last year’s Anthony Lisitano Tournament.

Captain David Glynn finished fifth in the 157 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 3-2 record. He did not place in last year’s tournament.

Hulett placed fifth in the 120 lb. weight class after going 3-2 during the tournament. He did not place in last year’s Anthony Lisitano Tournament.

Stone said Arya (165 lbs.), Inafuku (106 lbs.), Bird (113 lbs.), Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.), Medford (138 lbs.), Abdalla (150 lbs.) and Jack Cuddy (175 lbs.) all won matches and scored team points during the tournament, but they were unable to place.

“We have come so far over the last four years,” said Stone.  “Coming out of the COVID year with only eight wrestlers and placing last for two years in a row to becoming a top five team in a tournament that hosted some of the best teams in the state is impressive.”

Upcoming meets

The Black and Gold travels to Concord-Carlisle on Wednesday, Dec. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. LNR will compete in the Lowell Holiday Tournament on Dec. 20 and 21. The Black and Gold will compete in a super quad meet at Excel Academy Charter School in Boston on Monday, Dec. 23, beginning at 11 a.m.

CUTLINE

LNR CO-OP WRESTLING senior captain James Fodera is congratulated by assistant coach Matt Goodwin (left) and head coach Craig Stone. (Courtesy Photo)