By Chris Paul
The Londonderry High School Varsity Wresting team had a tough start in the squad’s first Dual Meet of the season, losing 75-3 on Wednesday night, Dec. 7, against the Salem Blue Devil’s.
The Lancers gave up three weights to forfeits, heading into the match down by 18-points.
The Blue Devils grapplers were able to win nine of the matches with pins, adding another 54-points.
The lone LHS highlight came in the 152-weight class, with David Pento beating Brayden Fleming in a 7-3 decision for three team points.
Nikki Stylianos, at 106-lbs; Jake McClory at 120-lbs; Nicolas D’Alessandro, at 132-lbs; Dylan Seaburg, Emanuel Perez, 145-lbs; Chase Prado, 160-lbs, Patrick O`Connor, 170-lbs; Owen Rondeau, 182-lbs; Christopher Gear, 220-lbs; and William Travis at 285.
The results were much better in the team’s trip to Massachusetts on Saturday, Dec. 10, when the Lancers participated in four exhibition matches at the Westford Academy Duals.
Londonderry only had one team win, but saw success in a number of weight classes.
The team’s only win came against the host of the event, Londonderry got 45-33 victory over Westford Academy that day.
Jake McClory (120 lbs) got a pin at 1:30 for the first LHS points of the match.
At 132, D’Alessandro won by Fall at 2:50 in the match.
Emanuel Perez, at 145, had a 12-1, major decision, to add six to the team tally.
David Pento (152) added a 16-1 technical fall for another six-points.
Patrick O’Connor (170 lbs) added another six with a pin over his opponent at 0:53.
In the final three matches against Westford, Andreas Taliadouros (220 lbs); Christopher Gear (285 lbs); and Nikki Stylianos (106 lbs) added 18-points with three pins.
In the three losses, LHS was defeated by Haverhill High School 54-19; St. John’s Prep. Won 45-24; and Beverly High School won 48-26.
Against Haverhill, wins came from D’Alessandro (21-8), Perez (Pin), Pento (Pin) and Gear (6-2).
Against St. John’s Prep, victories were scored by Stylianos (Pin), Perez, Pento (Pin), O’Connor (6-2); and Rondeau (Pin).
In the Beverly match, wins came from D’Alessandro (13-4), Perez (10-1), Pento (Pin), O’Connor (Pin) and Rondeau (Pin).
The Londonderry squad will host their Annaul Holiday Classic Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 17, featuring five other teams from NH and Maine.