RallyNorth.net

North Andover wrestling preview

2006-07 record: 26-4, lost in Division 2 North final

Returning starters (6): Jared Hood, Sr., 145; Jimmy Connolly, Sr., 130/135; Kyle Dolan, Sr., 189; Andrew Bogosian, Sr., 215/285; Derek Timpe??, Jr., 152; Corey Neault, Sr., 112

Returning lettermen: Alex Smirnoff, Jr., 152/160

Promising newcomers: Sal Scali, Jr., 140; Brody Kelley, Soph., 119; Adam Parkes, Jr., 171; Jake Monroe, Soph., 135; Garrett Alter, Soph., 145; Frank McCarthy, Frosh., 119; Dan Campaniello, Frosh., 140

Candidates in all grades: 36

Captains: Jared Hood, Jimmy Connolly, Kyle Dolan, Andrew Bogosian

Assistant coaches: Paul Luciano, Carl Cincotta

Opener: Hosts Hamilton-Wenham Dec. 7

Odds and ends: Head coach Dave Castricone, who ranks second all-time in Massachusetts in total victories, now boasts a 581-126 record in 35 years of coaching and is closing in on the state record total of 608 held by Lowell's George Bossi. ... North Andover continues to strengthen its non-league schedule. In addition to matches with Central Catholic, Greater Lawrence and Salem, N.H., the Knights have added Winchester and Foxboro. ... Frank McCarthy and Dan Campaniello are promising freshmen who should contribute right away. ... Despite boasting one of the state's premier facilities, North Andover will not be hosting any major tournaments this year.

Dave Castricone (22nd year, 410-67-2): "We'll be relying a lot on our six seniors. I think they're all pretty solid. I think we'll have a pretty good dual-meet team but we won't have the superstars we've had so we won't be quite as strong in tournaments. I think we'll have to shuffle our lineup around a little more than we have the last couple of years."