Let’s just say it was a very good week for the Lynnfield/North Reading wrestling team.
The Black and Gold placed 10 wrestlers to finish third out of 10 teams (and first among Cape Ann League teams) with 175.5 points Saturday during the annual CAL/NEC championship. Saugus/Peabody finished first with host Beverly close behind in second.
Senior captain David Glynn (165), who was unable to wrestle in the tournament due to injury, was named CAL Wrestler of the Year.
By virtue of being the highest CAL wrestler to place in their respective weight class, Nathan Barstow (113), Jason Kouyoumdjian (120), Jakob Hulett (126), Caleb DeSouza (144), Luke Molla (150), Griffin McCarthy (157) and Zack Morse (215) were named to the All-League team.
Coach Craig Stone was recognized as Coach of the Year.
“The team had an outstanding tournament,” Stone said. “Placing 10 wrestlers out of the 14 weight classes and having seven wrestlers achieve CAL All-League recognition is quite an accomplishment. It put an exclamation mark on a very successful week of wrestling.”
Earlier in the week, at Essex Tech/Masconomet, the Black and Gold clinched their second consecutive conference title with a 56-21 win.
CAL/NEC championships
Kouyoumdjian took the title at 120 pounds to become a three-time CAL/NEC place-finisher. He defeated 2025 state place-finisher Jayden Chadwick of Gloucester, 13-12.
Kouyoumdjian opened with a 16-1 technical fall win against Kristian Droulette (Marblehead/Swampscott) in the Round of 16. He followed with a 17-1 win over Damian Houle (Pentucket) in the quarterfinals, then defeated Jake Murray (Saugus-Peabody) by technical fall 21-6 in the semifinals.
Three–time place-finisher Barstow (113) and two-timer Hulett (126) finished runner-up in their respective weight classes.
Barstow opened with a 20-second pin win over Tony Sayani (Pentucket) in the quarterfinals and pinned Joseph Amero (Gloucester) at 5:40 in the semifinals. His ride ended in the championship match with a 52-second loss to Brayden Pouliot (Beverly). Barstow was also the runner-up in the same weight last year.
Hulett pinned (2:00) Aiden Bartholomew (Gloucester) in the quarterfinals then punched his ticket to the championship match with a 10-0 decision over Tucker Landry (Saugus/Peabody) In the semifinals. His ride ended at the hands of 2025 state place-finisher Kevin Spoon (Salem) by pin at 1:17.
Griffin McCarthy (157) placed third, picking up his first tournament place finish. Luke Molla (15) and two-time place-finisher Morse (215) also finished third.
Two-timer Zach Inafuku finished fourth at 106 pounds, while Caleb DeSouza (144) and Jack Cuddy (175) also finished fourth.
LNR 56
Essex Tech/Masco 21
The Black and Gold improved to 12-7 with a solid road win to clinch the conference title.
LNR won seven of its first eight matches and “never looked back,” according to Stone.
“We lost five starters from last year’s team, four of whom were sectional place-finishers, and two were state place finishers,” Stone said. “So, to be able to win the league again is a testament to the returning and new wrestlers who have pushed each other all season to constantly improve, knowing that the harder each wrestler works, the more the team can achieve.”
LNR winners included Barstow at 113 (forfeit), Kouyoumdjian at 120 (17-1 technical fall), Hulett at 126 (3:10), DeSouza at 144 (1:30), Molla at 150 (1:26), McCarthy at 157 (37 seconds), Glynn at 165 (forfeit), Gianni D’Apolito at 175 (3:02), Cuddy at 190 (1:51), and Morse at 215 (4-1).
