Both of the Pinkerton Academy wrestling squad’s first two competitions of the 2015-16 season took place at Salem High School last week. And the Astros walked away from both events having gotten a considerable amount of work done.
Coach Dave Rhoads’ guys nipped the host Salem Blue Devils by just a single point in a dual meet during the middle of last week, and then over the weekend the Astros finished an impressive third out of 13 teams at the 2015 Blue Devil Classic tournament at Salem High.
The Astros got their new season rolling Wednesday night, Dec. 9 with a 40-39 edging of the host Salem High Blue Devils in that opponent’s home gym.
The locals received a clutch, second-period pin from skilled veteran Keygan Nacos in the 120-pound bout, and the points gained through that decision wound up being huge for PA.
Other winners included Derek Wilson in the 126-pound bout (major decision), Shayne McCann at 132 pounds (forfeit), 182-pound star Dylan Barreiro, Robby Fahey at 220 (pin), and Deene Hill in the 220-pound bout (forfeit).
And then last Saturday, Dec. 12, Rhoads and his roster were right back on the mats at Salem High for the annual Blue Devil Classic, and they tallied a team score of 136.50 to finish just behind runner-up Londonderry (139.50) and a distance behind the victorious Concord High Crimson Tide (221). But the Pinkerton grapplers’ score was better than 10 other teams that competed at the event.
The Astros had McCann, Barreiro, and Hill all win their respective division titles, and Barreiro was also named the event’s outstanding wrestler.
Additionally, Pinkerton had Wilson, Gil Culbertson, and Fahey collect points for its cause by taking fourth places.
McCann pinned Londonderry’s Tyler Byrd 1:25 into their championship match to win the 132-pound class title, Barreiro pinned Concord’s Mitch Comeau three minutes into their title battle to win at 195 pounds, and Hill accepted an injury forfeit from Pat Hume of Windham to win the 285-pound crown as the Astros capped off a strong day.
