State Title Preview: 5 Wrestlers to Watch

After a dominating regular season that included only one dual-meet loss, the Knights advanced into the Division II State Title Meet against Natick which is on Wednesday night.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute will host the festivities.

Last year the Knights took down Natick in the final to take home the Division II Trophy.

This year the Knights are looking good as ever with most of their stars from last year resturning along with some up and comers who are getting the job done.

Here is a look at five of the Knights' top wrestlers to keep an eye on.

Adam Bates

Bates is one of the team's three co-captains. He typically wrestles in the 215 pound weight class where his competitors fear his every move.

Bates was featured as the Patch  and was also a key part in helping the Knights advance into the finals.

Against Marshfield, Bates made the home crowd roar by pinning his opponent to give the Knights an early 19-3 lead.

Earlier in the season, Bates took home the gold medal in the 215 pound class of .

Should the Knight's take home another Division II Title, expect Bates to have a big role in it. 

“He looks so big, he gets the crowd going,” said Knights assistant coach Carl Cincotta of Bates.

Ryan Neals

Neals was one of only two Knights to go down in the .

Despite the loss, North Andover moved on and won the meet to gain a berth in the finals.

Throughout the season, Neals has been one of North Andover's most consistent wrestlers.

He also earned himself a gold medal in the Sons of Italy Tournament by taking down a hometown favorite. 

Against Alex Furlong of Wilmington, Neals came up with a 9-0 decision to earn the gold in the 189 pound weight class.

"He's only a sophomore and just to see him go out and wrestle like he did, I'm real happy," said Knights head coach David Castricone said of Neals after the tournament.

Frank McCarthy

Despite a disapointing finish in the Sons of Italy Tournament, McCarthy also had a very consistent season.

His effort in the semifinal against Marshfield was extremely strong though it was not even needed. 

North Andover had built up a huge lead but the captain went out there anyways and pinned his opponent to make the lead even more comfortable.

McCarthy has not been pinned by an opponent all season.

Jason Ricketts

Ricketts will be an intersting wrestler to watch this Wednesday as he is recovering from a knee injury.

In the state semifinal against Marshfield, Ricketts was scheduled to do battle in the meet's final match. North Andover held a strong lead, and it was not at all necessary for him to risk re-injury.

Ricketts insisted on a tune-up and he went out there and pinned his opponent to put the exclamation point on a huge win for North Andover.

Ricketts was also able to take home a gold medal in Decemeber's Sons of Italy Tournament in the 140 pound weight class.

Danielle Coughlin

Coughlin is the first ever female wrestler to make the varsity squad at North Andover High School.

She is also the team's lightest wrestler weighing in at only 103 pounds.

Her clutch win against Marshfield's J.P. Ryan gave North Andover a commanding 28-3 lead.

Her effort in Wednesday's dual meet will go along way against Natick High School in the State Title rematch.