Senior Joe Baker of Beverly, who won the Division 1 state championship on Saturday in the 165-pound weight class, has been chosen as the Northeastern Conference’s Wrestler of the Year as the league announced its annual all-star teams.
Baker, who is now 42-1 on the season and 138-22 in his four-year varsity career, will hope to add to his accolades when he competes at the All-State Championships this Friday and Saturday after capturing the consolation title (third place overall) last year.
Beverly placed five of its wrestlers on the All-Conference team, indicating the weight class winners at the Northeastern Conference/Cape All League Tournament earlier this month. Those Panthers recognized were Cooper Lang (113 lbs.), Brayden Pouliot (120), Tyler Pinto (175), Jason Knapp (215), and Baker.
The Saugus/Peabody wrestling team, which captured both the NEC’s dual meet and tournament championships this winter, saw both Max LoRusso (144) and Antonio Anzalone (285) named All-Conference. Also, Wayne Moda of the Tanners was selected as NEC Coach of the Year.
Marblehead/Swampscott, which earned the NEC Sportsmanship Award, had four of its wrestlers picked as All-Conference in Jaymes Carey (106), Liam O’Brien (132), Mason Hinshaw (157) and Alejandro Haven (165).
Salem had a pair of All-Conference selections in Kevin Spoon (126) and Justice Bower (138).
Both J.J. Rand (113) and Logan Jacques (126) of Danvers were All-Conference picks, as were Gloucester’s Joe Allen (150) and Zachary Hashley (190).
Those chosen as NEC all-stars for finishing second in the NEC/CAL tournament included Division 1 state champion at 150 pounds, Miguel Arcila of Salem; another Division 1 state champion, 106-pounder Anna Felicio, as well as teammates Tucker Landry, Jackson Deleidi, Lukas Fondulis, Justin Bremberg, Evan Johnson and Cesar Cruz of Saugus/Peabody; Gary Podstrelov, Colin Hart, Justin Gonzalez, Clive Connolly and Phineas Jakious of Marblehead/Swampscott; Aiden DeCoste and Max Thomas of Gloucester.