Forline Finishes 6th at State Wrestling Tourney

While many of the other wrestlers in Atlantic City were unwinding after a long, exhausting weekend, Moorestown’s Thomas Forline was busy preparing for his fifth-place match.

“All the other wrestlers were running around the hotel, partying,” said Thomas’ father, Joseph. “He was in the hotel room, watching TV … watching film.”

Thomas lost that match 3-1 to Rory Bonner of West Deptford, earning him a sixth-place finish at the state wrestling tournament in the 182-pound division.

“It was a tough match,” said Joseph. “It really came down to one takedown. He just couldn’t tilt (Bonner).”

While acknowledging his son was feeling “the sting of the current defeat” Sunday afternoon, Joseph said, “overall, he feels great.”

Thanks to a , Thomas was guaranteed a spot at the podium, becoming to ever place at states, according to Joseph.

Wrestling coach Denny Gaul said the senior’s performance was particularly satisfying for him, because Thomas is the first wrestler to place at states under Gaul’s tutelage.

“To me, it stands at the top,” Gaul said. “I don’t know who’s placed higher than him in the last 10 to 15 years.”

Making Thomas’ run——all the more impressive is how recently he took up the sport, said the coach.

Thomas began his wrestling career as a high school freshman, whereas “everybody usually starts when they’re Midgets or in ,” said Gaul. “He looks like he could be a college wrestler the way he wrestled this weekend.”

Joseph said a couple college recruiters approached Thomas over the weekend and several have expressed interest, including Rutgerts and TCNJ.

Check NJ.com for full results from this weekend’s state wrestling tournament.