Fodera wins 190 lb. weight class
LYNNFIELD-NORTH READING co-op wrestling senior captain James Fodera was crowned champion of the 190 lb. weight during the Division 3 State Tournament at Foxborough High School on Feb. 21 and 22. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
FOXBOROUGH — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished sixth in the Division 3 State Tournament at Foxborough High School on Feb. 21 and 22.
LNR concluded the 49-team tournament with 83 points, and had four wrestlers place in the tournament. Tewksbury won the tournament with 116.5 points.
“It was our best finish since 2014, when LNR finished second,” said Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone. “Last year, we finished 11th and scored 62.5 points.”
Senior captain James Fodera was crowned champion of the 190 lb. weight class after concluding the Division 3 State Tournament with a 4-0 record. He pinned a Hampden Charter School wrestler at 1:17 during the round of 16. He defeated a Dedham grappler by a 21-2 technical fall in the quarterfinals. Fodera brought a Foxborough wrestler to the ground at 3:47 during the semifinals. He won the 190 lb. weight class after defeating a Wilmington wrestler by fall at 56 seconds.
“James is a three-time state place finisher,” said Stone. “He was the runner-up in the 190 lb. weight class last year.”
Sophomore Nathan Barstow finished third in the 113 lb. weight class after concluding the tournament with a 4-1 record. He pinned a Foxborough wrestler at 1:06 during the round of 16. He defeated an East Longmeadow grappler, who was the Division 3 Central Sectional Tournament champion, by fall at 2:30 in the quarterfinals. He fell to a Mount Everett Regional High School wrestler, who was the returning Division 3 West Sectional Tournament champion, by an 8-0 decision during the semifinals.
During the first consolation round, Barstow pinned a Wayland grappler, who was the Division 3 Central Sectional Tournament runner-up, at 3:48. He defeated a Bristol-Plymouth wrestler, who was the Division 3 South Sectional Tournament runner-up, by fall at 5:55.
“Nathan finished sixth in the 106 lb. weight class last year,” said Stone.
Junior Dylan Matthews placed fourth in the 285 lb. weight class. He defeated an Athol wrestler, who was the Division 3 West Sectional Tournament runner-up, by a 4-1 decision in the round of 16. He pinned a Sandwich grappler, who was the Division 3 South Sectional Tournament champion, at 4:51 during the quarterfinals. Matthews fell to a Wakefield wrestler, who won the 285 lb. weight class, by fall at 4:32.
During the first consolation round, Matthews defeated a South Hadley grappler 3-2 in overtime. A Monument Mountain wrestler pinned Matthews at 29 seconds in the second consolation round.
“Dylan placed in his first state tournament,” said Stone. “He was an alternate last year, but did not get in.”
Captain David Glynn finished fifth in the 157 lb. weight class. He pinned a Scituate grappler at 1:19 during the round of 16. He defeated a Mohawk Trail, who was the Division 3 West Sectional Tournament champion, by fall at 5:48 in the quarterfinals. An Ashland wrestler, who won the 157 lb. weight class, pinned Glynn at 1:34 during the semifinals.
During the first consolation round, Glynn defeated a Foxborough grappler, who was the Division 3 South Sectional Tournament runner-up, by fall at 3:45. He defeated a Gloucester wrestler by medical forfeit in the second consolation round.
“It was David’s first state place finish,” said Stone.
Senior captain Cam Arya went 1-2 during the 165 lb. weight class.
“It was Cam’s second trip to the state tournament,” said Stone.
Junior Zack Morse went 0-2 during the 215 lb. weight class. Sophomore Zach Inafuku compiled an 0-2 record in the 106 lb. weight class.
Fodera, Barstow, Matthews and Glynn qualified for the All-State Tournament, which will take place on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1 at Methuen High School.
Senior Abdel Abdalla (150 lbs.) and sophomore Jakob Hulett (120 lbs.) were both named alternates for the Division 3 State Tournament, but both wrestlers did not compete.
Stone commended the Black and Gold’s strong performance during the Division 3 State Tournament.
“It was another great day and another improvement from last year,” said Stone. “This year, all four place finishers improved on last year’s performance at the State Tournament and qualifying for the All-State Tournament. Last year, we qualified three and had one alternate. It is very satisfying to see them step up each week to the next level of competition and find success. It does not happen without their dedication to the sport during the season and out of the season.”