SOPHOMORE JAMES FODERA (at right) finished fifth in the in the 182 lb. weight class during the Division 2 State Tournament on Feb. 17 and 18. Fodera’s fifth place finish enabled him to qualify for the All-States Tournament this weekend. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
MILTON — Sophomore James Fodera is headed to the All-States Wrestling Tournament this weekend.
Fodera clinched his All-States Tournament appearance by finishing fifth in the 182 lb. weight class during the Division 2 State Tournament at Milton High School on Feb. 17 and 18. The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team finished 34th out of the 43 teams, and concluded the tournament with 20 points.
“Last year, LNR finished 43rd out of 44 teams, scored three points and had no place finishers,” said LNR head coach Craig Stone.
Fodera began the tournament by pinning a Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School grappler in 4:48 during the first round. He fell to a Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District wrestler, who was the Division 2 South Sectional Tournament champion, by fall in 3:02 during the quarterfinals.
During the first consolation round, Fodera pinned a Stoughton wrestler, who finished third in the Division 2 South Sectional Tournament, in 4:32. He defeated a Salem grappler by fall in 3:20 during the second consolation round. He was pinned by a Beverly grappler, who was a Division 2 North Sectional Tournament champion, in 45 seconds during the third consolation round. Fodera clinched his fifth place finish by bringing a Sharon grappler to the ground in 5:08.
“By finishing fifth, James will wrestle this Friday and Saturday during the All-State Tournament at Reading Memorial High School,” said Stone.
Junior Gavin Iby went 1-2 during the Division 2 State Tournament.
“Gavin was one win away from placing,” said Stone.
Sophomore David Glynn was named as an alternate in the 126 lb. weight class, but he did not compete in the tournament.
“David did not get to wrestle because there were no absences in his weight class,” said Stone. “With all three wrestlers being underclassmen, the future looks very bright.”
Stone was pleased with the Black and Gold’s performance during the Division 2 State Tournament.
“Our success at the tournament was a great opportunity for our program to get the recognition it deserves as we battle back from the low numbers and no program during the COVID season of 2021,” said Stone. “Hopefully, we can build on this and continue to grow the program.”
