By DAN TOMASELLO
COHASSET — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished third during the Cohasset Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 18.
LNR concluded the Cohasset Tournament with 196 points and had 12 wrestlers place. Middleborough won the tournament with 22 points, and Cohasset finished second with 213 points.
Senior captain James Fodera was crowned as champion of the 190 lb. weight class for the third consecutive year. He began the tournament by pinning a Weston grappler at 11 seconds in the first round. Fodera defeated a Middleborough wrestler by fall at 2:48 during the quarterfinals. He brought an Excel wrestler to the ground at 1:36 in the semifinals. Fodera pinned a Cohasset wrestler at 2:23 during the finals.
“James has now won all four of the in-season tournaments this year: Wakefield, Lowell, Pentucket and Cohasset,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone.
Sophomore Nathan Barstow won his first career tournament championship after winning the 113 lb. weight class. He pinned a Cohasset wrestler at 1:12 during the quarterfinals. He defeated a Middleborough grappler by a 16-2 major decision in the semifinals. He was crowned champion of the 113 lb. weight class after pinning another Middleborough wrestler at 4:09 during the finals.
Junior Zack Morse placed second in the 215 lb. weight class, which was his first career tournament final appearance. Junior Dylan Mathews finished second in the 285 lb. weight class, which marked the first time he has advanced to a tournament’s final round.
Sophomore Jakob Hulett, who placed fourth during last year’s tournament, finished third in the 120 lb. weight class. Sophomore Jason Kouyoumdjian placed third in the 126 lb. weight class after not placing in last year’s Cohasset Tournament.
Junior Jack Cuddy, who finished sixth during last year’s tournament, placed third in the 175 lb. weight class this year. Senior captain Cam Arya finished fourth in the 165 lb. weight class, which was higher than his fifth place during last year’s tournament.
Sophomore Zach Inafuku secured his first career tournament place finish after placing fifth in the 106 lb. weight class. Senior Isaac Medford finished sixth in the 138 lb. weight class after not placing in last year’s Cohasset Tournament. Senior Abdul Abdalla placed sixth overall in the 150 lb. weight class. Freshman Lucas Lopes finished sixth in the 165 lb. weight class, which marked the first time he has placed in a varsity wrestling tournament.
Stone commended the Black and Gold for the team’s strong performance on the mat during the Cohasset Tournament.
“It is so great to see everyone constantly improving, challenging themselves to exceed expectations and supporting each other,” said Stone.
Declaws Panthers
The Black and Gold (17-1-1) defeated Pentucket 54-24 on Jan. 16 at Lynnfield High School.
Inafuku (106 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 1:32. Barstow (113 lbs.) won his match by fall at 32 seconds. Hulett (120 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 1:43. Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:12.
Captain David Glynn (157 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 2:12. Arya (165 lbs.) won his match by fall at 3:04. Morse (215 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 3:04. Mathews (285 lbs.) won his match by fall at 5:16. Fodera (190 lbs.) secured his victory by forfeit.
“LNR jumped out to a 24-0 lead after winning the first four matches,” said Stone. “Pentucket closed it to 24-22 after winning the next four matches. LNR then won five out of the last six matches by pin for the win. We had a great crowd to witness a competitive dual meet. We have come such a long way in the last four years.”
Stone said LNR has to defeat Essex Tech-Masco on Wednesday, Jan. 29 in order to win the Cape Ann League dual meet championship.
Hall of Fame ceremony
Two former Black and Gold wrestlers will be inducted into the Lynnfield High School Wrestling Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Jan. 29, beginning at 4:15 p.m. in the LHS gym.
Class of 2020 graduate Sean McCullough and Class of 2024 graduate Gavin Iby will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. LNR wrestling will also be recognizing wrestlers who have previously earned 100 career wins: McCullough, Class of 1990 graduate Randy Greenstein, Class of 1994 graduate Ricky Greenstein, Class of 1997 graduate/former LNR assistant coach/Lynnfield Police Chief Nick Secatore, Class of 2001 graduate Brendon Reed, Class of 2004 graduate Sean Reed, Class of 2014 graduate Eric Kerr, Class of 2014 graduate Tom Arseneault, Class of 2015 graduate Lucas Pascucci, Class of 2015 graduate Joe Morse, Class of 2016 graduate Max Whyman, Class of 2020 graduate Stuart Glover and Class of 2020 graduate Tim Leggett.
“Family, friends and the Lynnfield and North Reading communities are invited to attend,” said Stone.