Sports

Wrestlers Post Week To Remember

Lynnfield-North Reading Wrestling Program inducts three new members into Lynnfield Wrestling Hall of Fame and climbs to 11-2 thanks to four wins, bringing head coach Craig Stone to 402 wins for his career

Last week was a period for the -North Reading wrestling squad that was somewhat symbolic of a program that has become one of the strongest small school programs anywhere in the state.

The Black and Gold recorded a win on Thursday against Marblehead-Swampscott, as well as a quad meet sweep on Saturday against Saugus-Winthrop, Salem and Minuteman, which in itself might have been enough to be called an outstanding week.

Stone Hits Major Landmark

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However, the team’s win on Saturday against Minuteman gave head coach Craig Stone number 400 for his illustrious 35 year career, a mark achieved by only 12 other coaches in the history of Massachusetts High School wrestling.

 That threshold may still fall short of the 600 plus wins posted by North Andover head coach Dave Castricone, but reaching 400 is still a minor miracle given the precarious state of Lynnfield wrestling near the turn of the century and the tenuous first few years of the cooperative Lynnfield-North Reading program where yearly win totals began to shrink.

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“When I was at 300, I thought I’d be lucky to pick up 400 because we’re lucky to pick up anywhere between 10 and 15 wins a year depending on the strength of our team,” said Stone.  “I feel very proud and very satisfied in being able to do that in a small school setting, with two Division 3 schools. It’s very gratifying.”

Three Named To Wrestling Hall Of Fame

That number may have been accelerated somewhat during the past few years thanks to the performances of North Reading’s C.J Venuto and Matt Curran as well as Lynnfield’s Trent Taylor.

The three were home on college break for induction into the Lynnfield Wrestling Hall of Fame before the dual meet against Marblehead-Swampscott, an honor that occurs once every few years when the program accumulates a group of several individual place finishers in state tournaments.

For Curran, who will be joining the wrestling club at New Haven State next semester, the chance to see old teammates and the knowledge that he will now be remembered as one of the best wrestlers ever in the history of both towns was something he will never forget.

“These guys are probably the closest people I know, wrestling builds a bond so close that I can’t put words to it,” said Curran. “And there’s probably many other wrestlers that never made it up there (to the Hall of Fame) that are just as good. In the right situation with lots of hard work, it will all come to you. I owe it all to my teammates, they’re the ones who made me who I am in the sport.”

Dual Meet Coming Up Vs. North Andover

After the four wins during the week, the Black and Gold now stand at 11-2 on the year, and could easily be at 12-1 due to a contest against Georgetown earlier this year that Lynnfield-North Reading lost by only one pin.

The 11-2 mark is second to only annual juggernaut North Andover in the Cape Ann League, who the Black and Gold will face in a dual meet this Friday. 


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