Last Saturday, the Gloucester Fishermen faced 10 teams at home for the North Eastern Conference/Cape Ann League “War at the Wheel” Tournament. In the end, Gloucester placed 2nd with a score of 209.
The Fishermen emerged with 11 medals from the day, including 4 first-place winners.
Gloucester’s Aiden Decoste placed first in the 120lb weight bracket as well as Senior Captain Jayden Toppan was one of the 1st place finishers, who also received the 2023-2024 Outstanding Wrestler for Heavyweight award.
The match to watch for the day was anticipated to be the rematch between Gloucester’s Michael Toppan and Beverly’s Gino Sicari. However, during the semi-final round of competition, Sicari sustained a knee injury from the Lynnfield-North Reading 215, forcing him to forfeit his final match to Toppan. Toppan took home a first-place medal.
Due to the unexpected injury, the match of the day fell on the shoulders of Sophomore Joe “Junior” Allen. Allen went into triple-overtime, to win the match by an escape and secure a first-place medal for the Fishermen.
Second-place winners included Max Thomas and Evan Mione, who fought hard in their final matches.
Third-place finishes came from Jayden Chadwick, Zachary “Dirk” Hashley, and Anthony Murawski.
Additionally, Drew “Squigy” Rodolosi placed 5th in his first year of competition and JJ Figureoa-Mercado finished 6th.
Between great concession food and a surprise dance break involving the “worm” performed by a nearby referee, the “War at the Wheel” proved to be a successful tournament.
The Gloucester Fishermen face the Lynnfield-North Reading Co-Op tonight at 6:30 pm, hoping to finish out their dual season with a victory.
