The Londonderry High School wrestling team dealt with distinct ups and downs during multiple competitions of different types last week. But without enough wrestlers to fill out a meet lineup, team wins are tough to come by for the locals.
Coach Jason Cucolo’s squad had a rough time with the Exeter High Blue Hawks at LHS on Wednesday, Jan. 4, then the team split up into two segments on Saturday, Jan. 7 with one part managing a solid sixth place tie out of some 19 teams at the 34th Annual Chelmsford (Mass.) Invitational while other LHS grapplers took part in a four-team match in Goffstown.
In the Exeter match, the visiting Blue Hawks snared a 48-23 win despite Londonderry weight class wins from Ben Psaledas at 195 pounds, David Donnelly in 132-pound action, Tyler Byrd at 145 pounds, Andrew Chase in 152-pound competition, and Colin Reardon at 160.
On Saturday at the Chelmsford event, the locals notched 104 points to tie for sixth overall with the Westford Academy (Mass.) crew. The host Chelmsford bunch won with 194.
Londonderry had 10 grapplers compete, with Andrew Chase finishing second at 152 with a 3-1 record, Byrd snagging third at 145 pounds with a 4-1 mark, Psaledas claiming third at 195 pounds (3-1), Craig Santos notching fourth place at 138 pounds (4-2), and Michael Watts finishing sixth (3-3).
The four-man Londonderry bunch which traveled to Goffstown and took on the host team, Bishop Guertin from Nashua, and Mascoma of Canaan consisted of Vincent Del Signore, Jack Kelley, Justin Miller, and Minot DiLorenzo. The latter athlete went a very solid 2-1 on the day at 220 pounds.
David Donnelly pinned his Exeter High opponent during the Lancer team’s home meet last week. Photo by Chris Paul