Sports Roundup: Fitzgerald Earns Wrestling Laurels For BHS, BVT

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Sports Writer

Landry Fitzgerald, who lives in Upton and is enrolled at Blackstone Valley Tech, became a state wrestling champion, representing Bellingham High’s co-op team at the Division 2 State Meet in February. 

The 6-foot-1, 285-pound Fitzgerald became the first wrestler from Blackston Valley Tech and Bellingham High to win a state championship.  

Wrestling in the heavyweight class, Fitzgerald won three bouts at the state tourney by pins. He defeated Plymouth South’s Brendan Nunley in 1:45 to capture the title.

Before competing at the state tourney in Northboro, Fitzgerald won all four matches at the sectional in Bellingham, enabling him to advance to the states. He later placed seventh at the all-state meet in Salem, and at the New England tourney in Providence he injured his right shoulder at the five-minute mark of his first match and was unable to continue.

“I’ve got no regrets,’’ Fitzgerald said after the New England meet. “My goal for the post-season was to win the state meet, and I accomplished that. It was gratifying and humbling to become a state champ, and I was on cloud nine for a long time.’’

Last year, Fitzgerald placed seventh at the states and the Blackhawks finished 24th. This year showed vast improvement. Fitzgerald was crowned a champion, and Bellingham’s squad finished ninth.

“Bellingham is one of the best schools I’ve been associated with,’’ he said. “Wrestling for its co-op team has been great. The coaches care about their athletes, the kids all respect each other, and the environment is so good.’’

Fitzgerald, who’s wrestled for Bellingham for three years, said he’s honored that both BVT and Bellingham High will be placing two banners on their gymnasium walls with his name on both — one for the sectional and the other for the state title.

“That kind of recognition really makes me happy,’’ he said.

A guard on offense and a nose guard on defense, Fitzgerald was a captain for BVT’s football team. The BVT plumbing student plans on attending Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., where he’s been offered an academic scholarship and additional aid for wrestling. 

“My dad (Dwayne) discovered that BVT offered wrestling as a co-op sport with Bellingham,’’ he said, “and I’m indebted to my dad and the program.’’

TVL Realignment

When Bellingham High’s sports teams check their schedules for the 2024-25 school year, there’ll be a slight change, because Dedham has moved to the Tri Valley League’s Large Division, and Medfield has moved into the circuit’s Small Division.  

Therefore, excepting football, the Blackhawks’ squads will be facing Medfield twice and Dedham will compete against Bellingham teams once.

The change is dictated by school enrollment, and as of Oct. 1, 2023, Dedham’s enrollment increased and Medfield’s decreased. The TVL realigns every two years, if necessary.

“Medfield’s athletic participation is well above the league average,’’ said Bellingham Athletic Director Michael Connor. “The opt-out process is still in play, but we’d only utilize it if it’s appropriate. Opt-outs can only occur if both schools’ athletic directors agree.’’

Two years ago, when re-alignment could have taken place, there was no change.

“Bellingham moved from 11th place in school enrollment to ninth,’’ Connor noted. “That’s because Medway and Dover-Sherborn’s enrollment decreased slightly.

Considered one of the state’s most competitive leagues, the TVL’s Large Division lineup beginning in the fall will include Hopkinton, Holliston, Dedham, Norwood, Ashland and Westwood. The Small Division will be comprised of Bellingham, Millis, Medway, Medfield, Dover-Sherborn and Norton.

Varsity Softball Returns

Bellingham High will field a varsity softball team this season after taking a year off in 2023.

Athletic Director Michael Connor said that last year’s season was canceled “because of low numbers and an overall lack of upperclassmen. At the Bulletin’s deadline (March 15), softball signups were in the 22-25 range.

Courtney Parker, who’s been the Blackhawks’ junior varsity coach for three years, will direct the varsity squad and Nikki Sandell, who works as the high school’s resource officer, will coach the jayvees. Parker played softball at BHS and later pitched for Merrimack College.

Connor noted that the varsity team will be young, likely having only one senior on the roster. “I anticipate that this year’s varsity team will have success as they mature as a group,’’ he said.

The Blackhawks will still be competing in the Tri Valley League’s Small Division.