The Lynnfield/North Reading wrestling team (11-7) faced some of its toughest competition of the season last week, finishing the week with a record of 1-3.
But there was plenty of good news for the Black and Gold.
In a quad-meet at Beverly High, Nathan Barstow (113 pounds) earned his 100th varsity win with a pin in 1:37 during a 63-12 win over Belmont Saturday. He finished with two wins, helping LNR to a 63-12 win.
Jason Kouyoumdjian (120) was undefeated, posting a perfect 3-0 record. Jack Cuddy (190) had the quickest win, pinning his opponent in 51 seconds.
Other winners in the Belmont match were Zach Inafuku (106), Jakob Hulett (126), Dylan Harris (138), Sam Schifano (144), Griffin McCarthy (157), David Glynn (165), Gianni D’Apolito (175), and Zack Morse (215).
In a 52-30 loss to Beverly, the Black and Gold had a 30-28 lead after the first eight weight classes, but lost three matches that coach Craig Stone said, “could have gone either way.”
Winners included Kouyoumdjian (120), Logan Barstow (126), Hulett (132), Schifano (144) and Glynn (165).
Despite losing 61-9 to 2025 Division 1 state champion Shawsheen Tech, Stone said the quad was a “very competitive day of wrestling.”
Barstow (113) and Kouyoumdjian (120) were the only LNR winners
“We went up against two Division 1 teams in Shawsheen and Belmont, and a top team from Division 2 in Beverly. We need this level of competition to reinforce what we are doing right and what we need to improve on,” Stone said.
Wakefield 44
LNR 25
In a back-and-forth dual-meet at Wakefield High Jan. 21, LNR jumped out early, winning the first three weight classes to lead 10-0. Wakefield rebounded to take five of the next six matches to take the lead for good, 26-16.
“Wakefield is a strong Division 2 team and will do well at the sectional and state tournaments,” Stone said.
Inafuku (106) defeated a returning sectional place finisher in a 12-10 decision. Barstow (113) won in a 15-4 major decision.
In the most exciting match of the morning, Kouyoumdjian (120) prevailed 9-6 in overtime. Caleb DeSouza (144) posted the quickest pin with a 47-second victory in his first year on varsity.
“He continues to impress,” Stone said.
Glynn (165, 4:15) Zack Morse (215, 11-3 decision) also won matches.
LNR returns to the mat in Beverly Saturday for the Cape Ann/Northeastern Conference championship at 9:30 a.m.
