SOPHOMORE Gavin Iby (on top) finished third in the 132 lb. weight class during the CAL/NEC Tournament on Feb. 6. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
MARBLEHEAD — Five grapplers from the Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team placed during the Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference Tournament at Marblehead High School on Sunday, Feb. 6.
Sophomore Gavin Iby finished third in the 132 lb. weight class. He was pinned at 3:52 by Danvers’ Connor McCarthy during the quarterfinals. He bounced back in the first consolation round by defeating a Saugus-Peabody grappler by fall at 1:07.
Iby pinned Marblehead-Swampscott sophomore Will Woodward at 2:49 in the second consolation round. He clinched his third place finish after bringing Salem’s Justice Bowers to the ground at 1:51.
“Gavin has now medaled in the last two tournaments,” said LNR head coach Craig Stone. “He finished second in the Cohasset Tournament.”
Eighth-grader Ben Schumacher placed sixth in the 106 lb. weight class. David Glynn finished sixth in the 120 lb. weight class.
Freshman James Fodera earned a sixth place finish in the 170 lb. weight class. David Poirier finished sixth in the 195 lb. weight class.
Tri-meet
The Black and Gold began last week falling to Boston Latin and Concord-Carlisle in a tri-meet on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
LNR fell 54-21 to Boston Latin.
Schumacher (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 5:30. Glynn (120 lbs.) won his match by fall at 2:22.
The Black and Gold fell 36-15 to Concord-Carlisle.
Schumacher (106 lbs.) won his match by an 11-8 decision. Glynn (120 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 1:45. Fodera (170 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 3:22.
Stone commended the Black and Gold’s efforts during the tri-meet.
“David had a two win, two pin day,” said Stone. “We’re not winning the wars, but having plenty of success winning the battles. Individually, we have come so far. The improvement in each of the wrestlers is quite noticeable, and their effort and attitude each day is outstanding.”
Travis Yell Tournament
The Black and Gold concluded last week by competing in the Travis Yell Memorial Dual Tournament at Whittier Tech on Saturday, Feb. 5.
LNR fell 33-12 to Bristol County Dighton-Rehoboth 33-12.
Fodera (170 lbs.) pinned his counterpart with 25 seconds remaining in the match.
The Black and Gold fell 60-6 to Whittier Tech.
Schumacher (106 lbs.) won his match by fall at 5:36.
The Black and Gold concluded the tournament by falling 33-6 to Essex Tech-Masconomet.
Schumacher pinned his counterpart at 3:57.
“Ben led the way in the tournament by getting two wins by pin,” said Stone.
Stone noted the Travis Yell tournament marked the end of the 2021-2022 dual meet season. LNR (0-21) was unable to win any dual meets this season due to not being able to fill all of the required weight classes.
“Realistically, we knew winning dual meets would be difficult, so we focused on individual improvement, mental and physical toughness, and continued goal-setting,” said Stone. “All of which I can say was a huge accomplishment. Now its end of season tournament time.”
Upcoming meets
The Black and Gold will compete in the Division 2 North Sectional Tournament, beginning at 10 a.m. at Dracut High School on Saturday, Feb. 12.
“The top four wrestlers in each weight class quality for the Division 2 State Tournament the following weekend. Fifth place finishers get named as an alternate for the state tournament.”