Published February 20, 2020
By DAN TOMASELLO
THE LYNNFIELD-NORTH READING CO-OP WRESTLING co-op wrestling team honored 12 seniors on senior night on Feb. Kneeling, from left, Eric Benecke, Gerry Callagy, Greg Camier, Aidan Carucci, Giovanni Colucciello, Steven Kane, Cam Randazzo, Brandon Ouellette, Dan Ryan, Stuart Glover, Tim Leggett and Sean McCullough. Standing, from left, Tia Benecke, Kevin Benecke, Kevin Callagy, Brenda Callagy, Melanie Camier, Greg Camier, Amy Carucci, Chuck Carucci, Renee Colucciello, John Colucciello, Sean Kane, Julie Kane, Michael Randazzo, Joyce Randazzo, Chelsea Alfano, Jenna Porter, Jennifer Ryan, Carl Ryan, Jennifer Platt, Dave Leggett, Kim Leggett, Karen McCullough and Jim McCullough. (Courtesy Photo)
BOXFORD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished fifth in the Division 2 North sectional tournament on Feb. 15.
The Black and Gold scored 141 points in the 13-team tournament. Ten grapplers placed in the sectional tournament.
“All three areas were team-best performances since we moved up to Division 2 in 2016,” said Black and Gold head Craig Stone. “Last year, we finished 12th with 59.5 points and only had four place finishers.”
Senior captain Sean McCullough became a three-time sectional place finisher after placing second in the 182 lb. weight class. After beginning the tournament with a first round bye, Sean McCullough pinned a Tewksbury grappler in 40 seconds during the quarterfinals. He defeated a Reading grappler by fall in 57 seconds in the semifinals.
Sean McCullough fell to Danvers’ Russ Canova by an 11-0 decision during the finals. Canova previously defeated Sean McCullough during the Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference Tournament earlier this month.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see these two grapplers meet again in the Division 2 state final next weekend,” said Stone.
Senior Brandon Ouellette placed in his first sectional tournament after finishing third in the 220 lb. weight class. Ouellette concluded the tournament with a 4-1 record.
Junior Christian Real-Costa became a two-time sectional place finisher after placing fourth in the 113 lb. weight class. He went 3-2 during the tournament.
Senior Gerry Callagy placed in his first sectional tournament after finishing fourth in the 170 lb. weight class. He went 3-1 during the tournament.
Sophomore Ryan McCullough was able to place in his first sectional tournament after finishing fifth in the 152 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 2-2 record.
Junior Nik Marotta placed in his first sectional tournament after going 3-1 in the 160 lb. weight class, which enabled him to finish fifth overall.
Senior captain Timmy Leggett earned his 100th career win and also became a three-time sectional place finisher after finishing sixth in the 132 lb. weight class. Leggett concluded the tournament with a 2-2 record.
Senior captain Stuart Glover became a two-time sectional place finisher after placing sixth in the 138 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 2-2 record.
Senior Giovanni Colucciello placed in his first sectional tournament after finishing third in the 195 lb. weight class. He concluded the tournament with a 3-3 record.
Senior Greg Camier placed in his first sectional tournament after finishing sixth in the 285 lb. weight class.
Senior Cam Randazzo went 1-2 in the 145 lb. weight class.
Stone praised LNR’s performance during the sectional tournament.
“This was another outstanding tournament,” said Stone. “Placing a record 10 wrestlers at the Division 2 sectional tournament was quite an achievement and improving from 12th place the previous year to fifth place this year is just another indication of how much we have improved over the last couple of years. We were only two points away from fourth place Beverly. The wrestlers deserve all the credit. They have faced adversity and have owned the concept of together each achieves more (TEAM).”
Stone noted that Sean McCullough, Real-Costa, Callagy and Ouellette have qualified for the Division 2 state tournament, which will be held at Milton High School this weekend. He said Marotta and Ryan McCullough “are alternates and will wrestle if someone in their section is unable to compete.”
LNR grounds Falcons
The Black and Gold concluded the dual meet season by defeating Danvers 48-34 on Feb. 12.
Before the match began, the Black and Gold honored seniors Sean McCullough, Leggett, Glover, Ouellette, Randazzo, Colucciello, Camier, Callagy, Dan Ryan, Steven Kane, Aidan Carucci and Eric Benecke for their contributions on the mat this season and all four years. LNR also recognized the 12 seniors’ families.
Real-Costa (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 3:53. Leggett (138 lbs.) brought his counterpart to the ground at 2:14. Glover (145 lbs.) took down his opponent in 30 seconds. Randazzo (152 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 1:32.
Ryan (160 lbs.) won his match by fall in 47 seconds. Callagy (170 lbs.) pinned his challenger in 58 seconds. Ouellette (220 lbs.) took down his opponent at 1:10. Camier (285 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 2:49.
“This was our first win over Danvers since we began wrestling them in 2016,” said Stone. “We finished the dual meet season at 17-15 after finishing 7-24 last year. It was a great dual meet win on senior night. We all were excited to finish the dual meet season with a winning record after struggling through last year.”
