After press time:
Lynnfield/North Reading defeats Essex Tech 61-6 (Jan. 29)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team compiled a .500 record last week.
LNR (19-3-1) went 2-1 during a quad meet against Plymouth North, Wayland and Worcester Tech on Saturday, Jan. 25.
The Black and Gold defeated Plymouth North 46-25.
Senior captain James Fodera (190 lbs.) dismantled his opponent by a 20-2 technical fall. Sophomore Jakob Hulett (120 lbs.) won his match by a 17-0 technical fall. Junior Jack Cuddy (175 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 30 seconds. Junior Zack Morse (215 lbs.) won his match by fall at 2:16. Sophomore Nathan Barstow (113 lbs.), captain David Glynn (157 lbs.), sophomore Zach Inafuku (106 lbs.) and junior Dylan Mathews (285 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.
“LNR led from start to finish,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone. “Plymouth North was unable to fill four weight classes.”
The Black and Gold fell 48-21 to Wayland.
Barstow (113 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 4:26. Sophomore Jason Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) defeated a grappler he lost to in the Anthony Lisitano Tournament by an 18-8 major decision. Glynn (157 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:04. Fodera (190 lbs.) defeated a wrestler he previously defeated during the Anthony Lisitano Tournament by a 17-1 technical fall.
“Wayland is 14-0 in dual meets, and will be the top Division 3 Central team at the Sectional Tournament,” said Stone. “We had our chances in five out of the 10 individual matches we lost. The team match was closer that the score indicates.”
The Black and Gold crushed Worcester Tech 70-6.
Inafuku (106 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 1:40. Barstow (113 lbs.) won his match by fall at 3:43. Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) defeated his opponent by a 27-11 technical fall. Senior Isaac Medford (138 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 2:17.
Freshman Griffin McCarthy (150 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by fall at 3:13. Senior captain Cam Arya (165 lbs.) won his match by a 15-0 technical fall. Cuddy (175 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 13 seconds. Morse (215 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 2:32. Mathews (285 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:29. Hulett (120 lbs.), Glynn (157 lbs.) and Fodera (190 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.
“LNR won 12 out of 13 matches,” said Stone. “I was pleased with the way we bounced back after the Wayland loss. There was a noticeable improvement in physical and mental toughness. As we move toward the end of the season, those variables can make the difference at tournament time.”
Falls to Wakefield
LNR (19-3-1) fell 49-18 to Wakefield on Jan. 22. Wakefield snapped the Black and Gold’s 15-match winning streak during the dual meet.
Barstow (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 54 seconds. Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) won his match by a 15-12 decision. Glynn (157 lbs.) defeated a returning sectional place finisher and state place finisher by a 13-10 decision. Fodera (190 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 1:53.
The Black and Gold honored Fodera, Arya, Medford, senior Abdel Abdalla and manager Kacie Lilley as well as their parents during the annual Senior Night ceremony.
“Wakefield is a solid dual meet team from top to bottom,” said Stone. “They have a good shot at winning Division 3 North as well as Division 3 States. With one-third of the season left, we will look at this as further motivation for the rematches that we will have at both the sectional and state level.”