Published in the December 28, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team compiled a .500 record last week, bringing the Black and Gold’s overall record to 3-4-1 this season.

SENIOR JOSH BEDELL (on top) won three out of four matches last week. (Courtesy Photo)

The Black and Gold began last week falling 40-39 to Masconomet on Dec. 20.

Sophomore Timmy Leggett (138 lbs.) won his match by a 17-16 decision. Senior captain Anthony Wilkinson (170 lbs.) pinned his counterpart in 1:01. Sophomore Sean McCullough (195 lbs.) won his match by fall in 32 seconds.

Senior captain Kevin Farrelly (220 lbs.), freshman Christian Real-Costa (106 lbs.), sophomore Stuart Glover (120 lbs.) and senior Josh Bedell (126 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone noted the Black and Gold and Chieftains “split the 14 matches, with each winning seven.” He said “pins and forfeits made the difference in scoring.”

“You can look back and say well if this happened or that happened, the result would have been different,” said Stone. “Regardless, we had the opportunity for the win with the wrestlers we put on the mat and they gave it their all. That’s all you can ask.”

Quad meet results

The Black and Gold competed in a quad meet against Marblehead-Swampscott, Malden Catholic and Wakefield Dec. 23.

LNR began the tournament defeating Marblehead-Swampscott 39-38.

Freshman Nik Marotta (160 lbs.) earned his first varsity win after pinning his opponent in 30 seconds. Sophomore Greg Camier earned his first varsity victory after bringing his counterpart to the ground in 1:08. Senior captain Andrew DiPietro (152 lbs.) won his match by a 5-2 decision.

Wilkinson (170 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 42 seconds. McCullough (106 lbs.) won his match by fall in 1:06. Sophomore Chris Metrano (132 lbs.) and junior Dylan Reardon (145 lbs.) won their respective matches by disqualification. Sophomore Steven Kane (285 lbs.) won his match by forfeit.

“Marblehead-Swampscott led 25-6 after six weight classes,” said Stone. “LNR won the next seven out of eight.”

The Black and Gold defeated Malden Catholic 45-29.

Senior Josh Bedell (126 lbs.) won his first dual meet after pinning his opponent in 1:08. Sophomore Gerry Gallagy (170 lbs.) won his first varsity match after defeating his counterpart by an 8-5 decision. Christian Real-Costa (106 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall in 1:13. DiPietro pinned his counterpart in 17 seconds.

Wilkinson (182 lbs.) won his match by fall in 38 seconds. McCullough (195 lbs.) pinned his counterpart in 1:30. Stuart Glover (120 lbs.) and Kevin Farrelly (220 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

“LNR led 18-17 after the first six weights,” said Stone. “It continued to seesaw back and forth, with LNR putting the match away after winning the last three out of four matches.”

The Black and Gold concluded the quad meet falling 54-24 to Wakefield.

Glover pinned his opponent in 1:13. Bedell (132 lbs.) won his match by fall in 1:10. Wilkinson (182 lbs.) earned his third victory and third pin of the day after bringing his opponent to the ground in 1:29. McCullough (182 lbs.) secured his third pin of the day after winning his match by fall in 1:16.

“Wakefield returned too much talent from last year with five returning sectional place finishers, and seven place finishers from the (Anthony Lisitano Tournament) last week,” said Stone.

Overall, Stone was pleased with the Black and Gold’s performance in the quad meet.

“Taking out of three at home was a nice way to finish up 2017,” said Stone. “The wrestlers continue to improve each day and the attitude has been great. We are 3-4-1, and literally just two points away from being 5-3. We are young, but headed in the right direction.”