LYNNFIELD-NORTH READING co-op wrestling senior captain James Fodera (at left) finished fifth in the 190 lb. weight class during the All-State Tournament on Feb. 28 and March 1. Fodera’s fifth place finish enabled him to qualify for the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship in Providence this weekend. (File Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
METHUEN — Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling senior captain James Fodera placed fifth in the 190 lb. weight class during the MIAA All-State Tournament at Methuen High School on Feb. 28 and March 1.
Fodera’s fifth place finish enabled him to qualify for the New England Interscholastic Wrestling Championship, which will take place at the Providence Career and Technical Academy in Providence this weekend. He concluded the All-State Tournament with a 3-2 record.
During the round of 16, Fodera defeated a Whittier Tech wrestler by a 10-0 major decision. He defeated a Concord-Carlisle grappler, who Fodera lost to earlier this season, by a 5-2 decision in the quarterfinals. Fodera fell to a Central Catholic by an 8-3 decision during the semifinals.
Fodera fell to a Somerset-Berkley wrestler by a 19-4 decision in the first consolation round. He clinched his fifth place finish after pinning a Taunton grappler at 55 seconds in the second consolation round.
“James, who placed sixth at the All-State Tournament in the same weight class last year, was unable to wrestle at the New England Tournament because of injury last year,” said LNR head coach Craig Stone.
The Black and Gold finished 44th in the 91-team All-State Tournament. LNR concluded the tournament with 17 points.
Junior Dylan Matthews placed fourth in the 285 lb. weight class after finishing with an 0-2 record during the All-State Tournament.
“Dylan made his first trip to the tournament as only a second-year wrestler,” said Stone.
Captain David Glynn did not place in the 157 lb. weight class after finishing with a 1-2 record in the tournament.
“David, a junior, made his first trip to the All-State Tournament,” said Glynn. “He needed one more win to place.”
Sophomore Nathan Barstow did not compete in the 113 lb. weight class because he was feeling under the weather.
Stone commended the Black and Gold’s performance in the All-State Tournament.
“It was a very competitive two-day tournament with the state’s best wrestlers at one venue,” said Stone. “As a team and as individuals, we again improved on our performance from last year, which is indicative of what we have done all season. You always leave an event like this hoping to have done better, but also realizing that what you did accomplish many did not.”