~ SHS Sachems Sports Roundup ~

Saugus-Peabody wrestling team hot coming into 2024

The Saugus-Peabody wrestling team is 6-2 after eight matches. The team beat Winchester, 45-30, on its first annual Alumni Night.

“As we try to build back a wrestling culture in both communities, it was great to see so many alumni from Saugus and Peabody schools come out and support our young program,” Saugus-Peabody coach Wayne Moda said. “Winchester has a great wrestling history and a good program. We went down early and got pinned at a couple of weights as well as giving up two forfeits. So, entering the 138-weight class we were down 24-3. We almost ran the table from there. I was happy with the performance that the team put forward.”

Saugus-Peabody picked up three wins at Watertown: 60-0 over Malden Catholic, 66-12 over Pentucket and 56-15 over Watertown. “It was a great afternoon,” Moda said. “We are really starting to execute and wrestle through positions. I was proud of the whole team. Both varsity and JV showed up.”

Freshman Cam Lanning of Peabody at 106 and sophomore Landon Rodriguez of Peabody at 132 got their first varsity wins. “It was great to see these first-year guys get some success,” Moda said.

Captains Sam, 157, and Max LoRusso, 138, of Saugus, Luke Calder, 165, of Peabody and Mike Maraio, 144, of Peabody, remained undefeated in dual meet competition.

Saugus girls’ hoops team falls to Wakefield

Wakefield handled Saugus, 58-28, in non-league girls’ basketball action. Ana Silva led Saugus with eight points and three charges. Senior Amelia Pappagallo got her first points of the season.

Peabody-Saugus hockey team blanks Lynn

Peabody-Saugus took care of business in its final game of 2023 with a 4-0 win over Lynn. The team got two goals apiece in the second and third periods after a scoreless first period. Peabody-Saugus got goals from four different players: Brandon Berone of Peabody, Ryan Jones of Saugus, Nathan Palhares of Peabody and Larry Barrows of Saugus. Peabody’s Trevor Pacheco added two assists, and Saugus’ Artie O’Leary, Peabody’s Tristan Joyce and Peabody’s Michael Ryan also added helpers. Peabody’s Jayden Cunningham got the shutout and win in net.

Peabody-Saugus is scheduled to open up the 2024 portion of the season with four games through Jan. 17: at Danvers on Jan. 3, at Beverly on Jan. 10 (Endicott College, 6:30 p.m.), on Jan. 13 at home against Marblehead (4 p.m.) and against Pentucket on Jan. 17 in its one game at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus (7:40 p.m.).