By J.D. O’Gara

After a year where the team didn’t place, Franklin Youth Wrestling set a goal to win it this year, ending with a marvelous finish in the top three out of all the teams in New England.

“We were able to finish in the top three, which is a pretty big achievement,” says Frank Mahoney, who, along with fellow assistant coaches Cam Kelly and Jake Morris, works with head coach Carmine Colace.

Mahoney explains that all the Franklin teammates wrestle for New England Gold Wrestling Club.

After dominating in the Mass SouthWest sectionals, members of the Franklin Youth Wrestling showed up well at states, moving on to an impressive record in the New England Championships on March 18th.

In the 10 and under division, Tony Woodall took first place, at 52 pounds, with his brother, Nick Woodall, in 2nd at 56 pounds. Jackson Mahone took 2nd place at 77 pounds, and Tommy Marinella placed 3rd, at 108 pounds.

From the team’s 12 and under division, Ryan Briggs took 5th place at 123 pounds, and two team members placed in the 15 and under competitions, with David McNally taking 5th at 100 pounds and John Woodall placing first at 88 pounds. Four other wrestlers from the team competed and earned the team points. They include

Jacob Bramson, Thomas McCoy, Tate Hosford, and Rocco Caruso.

Earlier, in Sectionals, eight members of the team placed. For 12 and under, Jackson Mahoney in first place in Sectionals at 73 pounds, Ryan Briggs also in first place at 123 pounds, Tommy Marinella at 4th place at 100 pounds and Frankie Pasquerosa taking third Place at 111 pounds. For the 15 and under division at sectionals, John Woodall took first place at 94 pounds, David McNally took first place at 100 pounds, Jacob Bramson took first place at 118 pounds, and Roman Caccavelli took 5th place at 130 pounds. 

The 10 and under team did very well at states, with Kayden Healy in 1st place at 48 pounds, Coen Hosford in 2nd place at 50 pounds, Tate Hosford in 1st place at 65 pounds, and Thomas Giffune in 1st place at 70 pounds. Tony Woodall and Nick Woodall also each placed first at states, respectively at 54 and 56 pounds.

Assistant Coach Mahoney points out that this was the first time three brothers, the Woodall brothers, placed in the New England Finals in the same year.

Mahoney, noting, at press time, that John Woodall was headed to Virgina Beach to compete at Middle School Nationals. At press time, John Woodall, the fifth Franklin wrestler ever to make it to the national competition, placed second at Middle School Nationals at Virginia Beach. 

“Everyone (on the team) feels very confident,” says Mahoney, “and I should point out Franklin has always had a dynasty wrestling team under Coach Colace, although not recently. When (these wrestlers) get to high school, it’s going to be something to look forward to.”