LHS Grapplers Have Mixed Fortunes at Multiple Events

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 team¹s home
meet last week. Photo by Chris Pau