Best finish in five years

Published February 5, 2020

By DAN TOMASELLO

GLOUCESTER — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished third in the Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference Tournament at Gloucester High School on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The Black and Gold concluded the 12-team tournament with 111 points. Six wrestlers placed in the tournament and three grapplers advanced to the finals.

“This was our best team finish in the last five years,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone. “We finished eighth last year with only two place finishers, Stuart Glover and Sean McCullough.”

Senior captain Timmy Leggett finished first in the 132 lb. weight class after going 3-0 in the CAL/NEC Tournament. Leggett finished second during the 2018 tournament, but did not place in last year’s tournament because of an injury.

Leggett pinned a Salem wrestler in 59 seconds during the first round of the tournament. He defeated a Danvers grappler by fall at 2:53 in the semifinals. Leggett defeated a Georgetown-Ipswich wrestler by an 8-3 decision during the finals.

SENIOR CAPTAIN Timmy Leggett (on top) was crowned champion of the 132 lb. weight class during CAL/NEC Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 1. (Courtesy Photo)

Senior captain Stuart Glover was crowned champion of the 138 lb. weight class. Glover, who went 3-0 during the tournament, was able to become a two-time CAL/NEC Tournament place finisher. He placed fourth during last year’s tournament.

Glover pinned a Masconomet grappler at 3:20 in the first round of the tournament. He brought a Danvers grappler to the ground at 1:31 during the semifinals. Glover defeated a Beverly wrestler by an injury default in the finals.

“Stuart’s finals match was tied at 2-2 when he was illegally slammed to the mat,” said Stone. “He wanted to continue, but the trainer felt it was not a medically sound decision to continue at the time.”

Senior captain Sean McCullough finished second in the 182 lb. weight class after going 2-1 during the tournament. He has placed in three straight CAL/NEC Tournaments.

Sean McCullough pinned a Marblehead-Swampscott wrestler in 45 seconds during the first round of the tournament. He defeated a Triton grappler by fall at 4:37 in the semifinals. During the finals, Danvers’ Russell Canova pinned Sean McCullough at 4:40.

“Canova is rated as the top wrestler in the state, setting the stage for these two to meet again at the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament in two weeks,” said Stone.

Junior Brandon Ouellette placed in his first CAL/NEC Tournament after securing a third place finish in the 220 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 3-1 record.

Junior Nik Marotta also finished in his first CAL/NEC Tournament after placing third in the 160 lb. weight class. He went 3-1 during the tournament.

Senior Gerry Callagy also placed in his first CAL/NEC Tournament. He finished third in the 170 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 3-1 record.

Junior Christian Real-Costa (113 lbs.) went 1-2 during the tournament. Junior Cam Randazzo (145 lbs.) finished 1-2 during the tournament. Sophomore Ryan McCullough (152 lbs.) went 1-2 during the tournament.

Seniors Aidan Carucci (195 lbs.) and Greg Camier (285 lbs.) each went 0-2 during the CAL/NEC Tournament.

Stone noted Leggett, Glover, Sean McCullough and Ouellette each earned CAL All-League Honors for their respective performances at the tournament. Additionally, Stone was named CAL coach of the year.

Stone commended the Black and Gold’s performance during the CAL/NEC Tournament.

“We had an outstanding day,” said Stone. “Nine of the 11 wrestlers we brought won matches and scored valuable team points. Beverly, who finished first with 152 points, and Marblehead-Swampscott, who finished second with 125 points, were the only teams that outscored us. Beverly and Marblehead-Swampscott are both Northeastern Conference teams. Being the top CAL school at the tournament was quite an accomplishment.”

Flushes Royals

The Black and Gold (14-12) defeated Georgetown-Ipswich 36-21 during a Jan. 29 dual meet at Lynnfield High School.

Camier (220 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 3:07. Freshman Matt Lombardo (132 lbs.), Randazzo (145 lbs.), Marotta (160 lbs.), senior Dan Ryan (170 lbs.) and senior Giovanni Colucciello (182 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

“Georgetown-Ipswich were only able to fill five weight classes,” said Stone. “LNR picked up their 14th dual meet win of the season, which doubled last year’s win total of seven. After finishing the last two seasons 0-4 in the CAL, going 3-1 this year is quite an accomplishment.”

Upcoming matches

The Black and Gold hosts Concord-Carlisle on Wednesday, Feb. 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at LHS. The co-op team will compete in the Haverhill Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 8, beginning at 9 a.m.

LNR faces Danvers on Wednesday, Feb. 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at LHS.