Sports

Wrestling: Mosquera, Gaiss lead Big Blue


Published: December 2, 2008

Brooks

2007-08 record: 11-9

Returning starters (6): Colin Lahiff, Jr., 152, Haverhill; Billy Walton, Sr., 145/152; Zach Allen, Soph., 135; Conor Duffey, Soph., 103; Mike O'Boyle, Soph., 119/125, North Reading; Evan Merriam, Soph., 130

Promising newcomers: Gilly Caulo, Frosh., 145, Atkinson, N.H.; Jason Wade, Sr., 140; Mark Worthen, Soph., 140; Matthew Worthen, Sr., 160; Yuri Novoselski, Sr., 160; George Demoulas, Frosh., 119; Brendan Emery, Sr., 189, Haverhill; Ryan Gibeley, Soph., 215; Ian Anderson, Frosh., 135; Andrew Peck, Soph., 189, Max Baranov, Soph., 125

Candidates in all grades: 18

Captains: Colin Lahiff, Billy Walton

Assistant coaches: Dan O'Boyle

Opener: Hosts St. Mark's, Tabor Dec. 6

Odds and ends: Colin Lahiff is coming off a sensational 28-1 season in which he was second in the New England Prep tournament and sophomore Mike O'Boyle was a New England champion at 103 and sixth at nationals after spending most of the season at 112. ... Former Brooks star and Prep national champion Sean Bilodeau is the starting 157-pounder at Lehigh, which is undefeated and recently beat Oklahoma State for the first time in its history. ... The Green and White may have to forfeit the heavyweight class in most meets. Last year's heavyweight, North Andover's Pat Lahey, earned a letter in football at Dartmouth this fall.

Coach Alex Konovalchik (15th year): "This is definitely a rebuilding year. It's one of the most inexperienced teams I've had. We'll do all right in some tournaments, but we may struggle in dual meets. I'd be pleased if we can get over .500."

Phillips Academy

2007-08 record: 17-3, 2nd in Class A, 2nd in Prep New England

Returning lettermen (13): Shaun Stuer, Sr., 189; Scott Sanderson, Sr., 145; Reid Mosquera, Sr., 215, Andover; Ben Elder, Sr., 145; Alex Gottfried, Sr., 285, North Andover; Duncan Crystal, Jr., 125; Ryan Gaiss, Soph., 130, North Andover; Emerson Stoldt, Sr. 130; Chris Latham, Sr., 160, Groveland; Sam Dodge, Sr., 171; Teddy Louis, Sr., 145; Robert Palmer, Soph., 140; Danny McMurtrie, Jr., 189

Promising newcomers: Brandon Sneider, Frosh., 119; Colt Dempsey, Frosh., 125; Charlie Danner, Soph., 125; Tim Arena, Frosh., 130, Andover; Will Park, Soph., 140; Anthony Tedesco, Frosh., 145

Candidates in all grades: 40

Captains: Shaun Stuer, Reid Mosquera

Assistant coaches: Mark Efinger, Bob Gannon, Chip Dunn, Emmanuel Odjo, Billy Boysen

Opener: Hosts Nobles Dec. 6, 3 p.m.

Odds and ends: Top returnees include Shaun Stuer, who was 37-4 at 189 and fifth at the prep nationals, Andover's Reid Mosquera, a fifth-year senior who was 32-4 and a New England Prep champion, and North Andover's Ryan Gaiss, who was 26-10 as a freshman. ... PA is taking an unique trip to Lawrenceville, N.J., for a quad-meet Dec. 13 . ... Ali Flanders, a top girl wrestler, is likely lost for the season with a collarbone injury. ... Freshman Colt Dempsey of Greenwich, Conn., is the son of 1980 league champion Burke Dempsey. He and classmate Brandon Sneider should make an immediate impact. ... A change in the prep tournament schedule forced the Big Blue to scratch their traditional meet against North Andover.

Coach Rich Gorham (12th year, 136-68-1): "The team has high expectations and hopes to win the Prep New England title, which we've never won. This should be the best team we've had since 1999, which is the last time we won the league."