James Fodera shines at holiday tournaments

 

After press time:
Lynnfield/North Reading falls to Triton 42-28 (Jan. 4)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield-North Reading co-op wrestling team had strong performances during two holiday tournaments.

LNR competed in the George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament at the Tsongas Center on Dec. 22 and 23.

Captain James Fodera placed eighth in the 190 lb. weight class after going 4-3 during the tournament. He won all three matches on the first day of the tournament.

Fodera pinned a Lowell grappler at 2:04 during the tournament’s first match. He defeated a Central Catholic wrestler by a 6-5 decision in the second match. He brought a Salem, N.H. wrestler to the ground at 4:35 during the third match.

During the tournament’s second day, a Beverly wrestler pinned Fodera at 4:41 in the quarterfinals. He bounced back by defeating a Chelmsford wrestler by fall at 3:53 in the first consolation round. He fell to a Champlain Valley grappler by a 7-4 decision during the second consolation round. Fodera was pinned by a Boston Latin wrestler at 1:22 in the final consolation round.

Black and Gold head coach Craig Stone praised Fodera’s performance during the George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament.

“There were 93 teams at the tournament from all over New England,” said Stone. “The tournament is the most prestigious in-season tournament each year. Placing at the tournament is similar to placing at the New England Tournament.”

Captain David Glynn (138 lbs.) went 2-1 on the first day of the George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament, but he was unable to compete on the second day. Freshman Jason Kouyoumdjian (120 lbs.) went 2-2 on the first day of the tournament, but he was also unable to compete on the second day.

Freshman Jakob Hulett (113 lbs.), junior Issac Medford (132 lbs.) and junior Cam Arya (144 lbs.) wrestled well during the tournament, but they did not place.

Stone commended LNR’s performance during the George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament.

“The tournament, which takes place at the Tsongas Center, is an awesome facility to hold a tournament,” said Stone. “To wrestle at that venue with the level of the competition is an incredible experience, which will serve as another building block for the future success of our team this season.”

Two place at Pentucket Holiday Classic

The Black and Gold finished 12th out of 19 teams in the Pentucket Holiday Classic on Dec. 27. LNR concluded the tournament with 68.5 points.

Two grapplers placed in the Pentucket Holiday Classic.

Fodera was crowned champion of the 190 lb. weight class. During the Round of 16, Fodera dismantled an Exeter, N.H. grappler by a 16-1 decision. He pinned a Marblehead-Swampscott wrestler at 4:36 in the quarterfinals.

During the semifinals, Fodera earned a hard fought 10-9 decision over a Whittier Tech wrestler. He defeated a Salem, Mass. wrestler by a 6-4 decision in the finals.

“James has placed at the Pentucket Holiday Classic and the Anthony Lisitano Tournament in Wakefield this year,” said Stone. “James wrestled at the Pentucket Holiday Classic last year, but he did not place. He did not wrestle at the Anthony Lisitano Tournament last year due to illness.”

Freshman Nathan Barstow (106 lbs.) placed fifth during the Pentucket Holiday Classic after finishing with a 3-2 record.

“Nathan has placed at both the Anthony Lisitano Tournament and the Pentucket Holiday Classic this year,” said Stone.

Arya (150 lbs.) had a 2-1 record in the Pentucket Holiday Classic. Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) went 2-2. Medford (132 lbs.) compiled a 2-2 record during the tournament. Freshman Sam Bird (113 lbs.) had a 2-2 record as well.

“They were all one win away from placing,” said Stone.

Stone was pleased with LNR’s performance in the Pentucket Holiday Classic.

“We were so close to breaking into the top 10 teams,” said Stone. “Last year, we finished 15th out of 17 teams. The improvement is noticeable both at dual meets and tournaments. Our goal now is to maintain the intensity necessary to take it further each day, each meet.”

Quad meet results

The Black and Gold (5-3-1) concluded a quad meet against Danvers, North Middlesex Regional and St. John’s Prep with a win, a tie and a loss on Dec. 30.

LNR defeated Danvers 48-18 in the quad meet.

Bird (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 29 seconds. Medford (132 lbs.) earned his fastest pin of the season after bringing his opponent to the ground at 12 seconds. Glynn (150 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:45.

Fodera (190 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:44. Sophomore Zack Morse (215 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 1:56. Barstow (106 lbs.), Hulett (120 lbs.), Arya (144 lbs.) and sophomore Jack Cuddy (175 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

“Both teams were not at full strength due to injuries, illness and vacation,” said Stone. “But, I am happy to get a win over a team we lost to last season.”

The Black and Gold tied North Middlesex Regional 42-42.

Bird (120 lbs.) pinned his counterpart at 24 seconds. Kouyoumdjian (126 lbs.) won his match by fall at 3:55. Medford (138 lbs.) brought his opponent to the ground at 47 seconds.

Glynn (144 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 2:47. Barstow (106 lbs.), Hulett (113 lbs.) and Fodera (190 lbs.) won their respective matches by forfeit.

Stone noted that LNR and Middlesex Regional each won seven matches during the dual meet.

“A dual meet tie is a rarity in wrestling, but also shows the importance of pinning and not being pinned to earn or save those additional team points,” said Stone.

The Black and Gold fell 63-15 to Division 1 powerhouse St. John’s Prep.

Barstow (106 lbs.) defeated his counterpart by a 5-4 decision. Bird (113 lbs.) pinned his opponent at 1:10. Fodera (190 lbs.) won his match by fall at 1:09.

Stone said the St. John’s Prep match was a teachable moment for the Black and Gold.

“There is no losing in wrestling, only winning and learning,” said Stone. “It was definitely a learning experience. But, when you face the best, you learn and move on. It removes that psychological factor and you go back to work and do what you need to do to improve.”

Upcoming matches

LNR hosts Triton on Thursday, Jan. 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Lynnfield High School. The Black and Gold will face off against Burlington, Hanover and Winchester in a quad meet on Saturday, Jan. 6, beginning at 10 a.m. at Winchester High School.

“Hopefully, we can start the New Year with a full lineup free of illness and injuries,” said Stone.