Men's Wrestling: Fournier Takes Second as Cadets Finish Sixth at NEWA Futures

NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Norwich University men's wrestling team placed sixth out of 16 teams at the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Futures Invitational, hosted by the United States Coast Guard Academy, highlighted by a strong runner-up performance from sophomore Ben Fournier (Hebron, Conn.) at 125 pounds and a deep run by Christopher Folsom (Essex, Vt.) at 197.

Fournier powered through the 125-pound bracket with five victories, including two falls and a technical fall. He opened with a 10-7 decision over Matthew Frueh (Johnson & Wales), followed by a 17-2 technical fall against Jackson Bauer (Coast Guard). After edging Spencer Buscema (Roger Williams), 12-7, Fournier dropped a narrow 5-3 decision to Ethan Titus (Western New England) before rebounding in the consolation bracket. He secured a fall over Anthony Isaac (Rhode Island College) and another pin against Bauer to claim a podium finish.

At 197, Folsom delivered one of the most complete performances of the day. He recorded four falls and a decision, including pins over Benjahmin Wilcox (Johnson & Wales), Noah Awad (Wesleyan), Kieran Boland (Wesleyan), and Dylan Panas (New England College). Folsom also added a 4-1 decision over Hugh Tevis (Wesleyan) en route to his top finish of the season.

Reese Bunney (East Nassau, N.Y.) and Caden Geanetta (Arvada, Colo.) each picked up multiple bonus-point victories at 157 pounds. Bunney collected two falls and a medical forfeit win, while Geanetta secured three pins in the consolation bracket.

Jeffrey Bernardi (Bethlehem, Conn.) added a major decision and fall at 174, and Ryker Evans (Northport, Maine) earned a key decision victory at 165.
The Cadets will return to Coast Guard to compete in the NCAA Northeast Regionals on Feb. 28-March 1.