While having its annual holiday tournament slated for last Saturday, Dec. 17 cancelled due to a snowstorm was certainly a disappointment for the Londonderry High wrestling squad, the Lancers haven’t had a lot to be disappointed about early in their 2016-17 season.
The locals won their first dual-meet and got a top-three finish at the Blue Devil Classic at Salem High School during the first week of the season recently. And the LHS crew continued its superb start with a 55-24 thrashing of the Nashua South Purple Panthers at home in the Londonderry Middle School gymnasium Wednesday, Dec. 14.
The hosts won no less than 10 weight class bouts thanks to the work of Craig Santos at 138 pounds (fall at 2:56); Tyler Byrd at 145 (fall, 1:41); Andrew Chase in the 152-pound bout (22-12 major decision); Vinnie DelSignore at 160 pounds (fall at 3:29); Colin Reardon at 170 (fall at 3:45); Taylor Dyer in the 182-pound division (forfeit); Ben Psaledas at 195 (fall, 1:37); Jake Holmes at 285 pounds (fall just 54 seconds in); Brandon Drake at 113 pounds (fall at 3:16), and Dave Donnelly at 132 (7-1 decision).
The 55-24 was actually not as close as the score indicated. There were three forfeit wins for Nashua South in the 106, 120 and 126 weight classes which netted their opponents 18 points.
The LHS contingent stepped into this week looking at a road match at Manchester Central High School this Wednesday, Dec. 21, after Londonderry Times press time, and the locals will once again be participating in the huge Lowell (Mass.) Holiday Tournament after Christmas.
Lancer senior Tyler Byrd dominated his 145-pound opponent during his squad’s dual meet against Nashua South’s Purple Panthers. Photo by Chris Paul