The Eagle-Tribune
---- — :OUTLOOK: The Beast of the Cape Ann League, North Andover, has moved on to the MVC, so there is a void to fill and three teams are vying to occupy it.
Masconomet and Division 3 Triton are the most likely successors to North Andover, but don’t discount North Reading/Lynnfield. The Hornets were 20-4 last year and boast their biggest squad (50 wrestlers) in at least 20 years.
Cape Ann League
Georgetown-Ipswich
2011-12 season: 3-18-2
Returning starters (10): David Ingraham, Sr., 132; Chris Paquette, Sr., 145; Mike Maher, Sr., 120; Kevin Hand, Sr., 113/120 ; Michael Gallanar, Jr., 126; Mason Dalley, Jr., 220; David Conway, Jr., 182/195; Jared Conway, Soph., 182; Charlie Galanis, Soph., 113; Matt Curry, Soph. 182
Promising newcomers: Scott Perry, Jr., 152; Jovan Geronimo, Frosh., 120; Carsten Ueckert-LaPlante, Frosh., 106; Trevor Hebb, 8th, 120
Candidates: 18; Captains: David Ingraham, Chris Paquette
Returning Division 3 North top-4 placers: Matt Prescott 1st
Fast facts: Last year’s top wrestler, junior Matt Prescott, is lost for the season because of a knee injury suffered in football. ... New assistant Dan Curley, the coach’s son, wrestled at Plymouth State last year. ... Jay Nemeroff, another new assistant, is a former Georgetown wrestler.
Assistants: Dan Curley, Jay Nemeroff, Dom Butera
Coach Mike Curley (5th year, 28-53-4): “If we can break .500, that would be good given the size of our team. We’d like to get our better guys far into the tournament.”
North reading-lynnfield
2011-12 season: 20-4, 3rd in Division 3 North
Returning North Reading-Lynnfield starters (7): Joe Romano, Sr., 152, 160; Alex Pascucci, Sr., 145; John Klug, Sr., 182; Andrew Kibarian, Sr., 285; Tom Arsenault, Jr., 220; Erik Kerr, Jr., 113; Lucas Pascucci, Soph., 132
Returning North Reading lettermen: Travis Clark, Sr., 132; Chris Connor, Sr., 195; Eric Goucher, Sr., 138; Anthony Manganiello, Sr., 152; Josh Intorcio, Sr., 152/160; Scott McGrath, Jr., 120
Promising North Reading newcomers: Joe Morse, Soph., 106
Candidates: 50
Captains: Erik Kerr, Tom Arsenault
Returning Division 3 North top-4 placers: None
Fast facts: North Reading-Lynnfield got the OK in September to extend the co-op team for at least another two years. ... This year’s roster of 50 wrestlers (25 from each town) is the most in at least 20 years. There are 17 freshmen out. ... New assistant Nick Secatore was a three-time state placer for head coach Craig Stone.
Assistants: Nick Secatore, Paul Ciazarro
Coach Craig Stone (39th year, 426-296): “We have a tough act to follow. We’re wrestling some bigger schools, but we’ll be competitive. I think we have a good shot at making some noise.”
Pentucket
2011-12 season: 8-13
Returning starters (7): Tom Funk, Sr., 120; Jeff Funk, Sr., 145; Kevin Clark, Sr., 138; Mike McCarron, Sr., 170; Sean Clohisy, Jr., 195; Josh Wesolowski, Soph., 132; Kyle Knox, Soph., 113
Returning lettermen: Alex Hean, Sr., 126; Nicola Crawford, Jr., 106; Brett Connolly, Jr., 152; 106; Joe Garfi, Soph., 132
Promising newcomers: Ryan Walsh, Jr., 126; Mike Sullivan, Soph., 119; Josh Mahli, Frosh., 160
Candidates: 20; Captains: Tom Funk, Jeff Funk
Returning Division 3 North top-4 placers: Tom Funk 2nd, Jeff Funk 2nd
Fast facts: Last winter there were no seniors in the program and the heaviest wrestler was Sean Clohisy at just 180. He may be the heaviest this year as well. ... Two talented junior wrestlers, Chris Croteau and Chad Legault, opted to go out for winter track. ... Tom Funk had an outstanding postseason last year and was 3-2 in New England. ... Junior newcomer Ryan Walsh has looked aggressive in the preseason and sophomore Mike Sullivan is back on the team after missing most of last year with a broken hand. ... Cole Tremblay transferred to Whittier.
Assistants: Bob Lyons, Steve Beaudoin
Coach Dennis Puleo (10th year, 59-122-1): “We’ll probably have to give up two weights, maybe three, so it’ll be tough to win a lot of meets. But I think we could have four or five kids who could be very successful.”
