2007-2008 News

ST. BENEDICT’S CROWNS THREE CHAMPIONS IN CARUSO INVITATIONAL

December 1, 2007

Bagana Tovuujav, Kevin Dufresne and Pat Hunter each came away with titles for host St. Benedict’s in the season-opening Caruso Invitational on Saturday.

But none of the talented trio was particularly happy with their effort.

Tovuujav, a two-time All-America, and Dufresne, who fell one victory shy of All-America status last year at Nationals, each came away with their second straight Caruso Invitational titles at 171 and 160 pounds, respectively.

Hunter, in contrast, was making his St. Benedict’s debut after a successful run in the NJSIAA tournament for South Plainfield the last two seasons. The senior claimed the 125-pound crown to garner his first of what promises to be numerous medals for the scrappy veteran in a Gray Bees singlet.

Hunter, however, wasn’t in a celebratory mood after posting a 9-4 victory in the semifinals and an 11-7 verdict in the championship match.

“I didn’t feel like myself and wasn’t in a zone today,” said Hunter, who placed second in the NJSIAA tournament at 112 pounds last year after finishing third at 103 as a sophomore at South Plainfield. “But I guess the positive is that if you don’t wrestle as well as you like to and win, it’s okay. I’m just not satisfied.”

Tovuujav, a native of Mongolia, who was third in the National Prep tournament last winter at 171, is looking to better his performance this year at the same weight. The senior raised his career record to 90-18 with a major decision and a fall in his two bouts Saturday.

Tovuujav went after Joe Eder of Maryland’s McDonogh High off the opening whistle in the final. He reached for an inside knee move - something he said he worked on all the time in his homeland - and put the outmatched Eder to his back in just 33 seconds.

“This year, I have one goal and that’s to win nationals,” said Tovuujav. “I didn’t wrestle good in my first match. Was too excited - too many mistakes (a 13-3 victory). I knew I was gonna work harder in the second one and came out and did much better.”

Dufresne was all set to take on Kramer Whitelaw of McDonogh in the finals. But Whitelaw, who beat Dufresne in the Nationals to deny him All-America status last year, was beaten in the semifinals by Ryan Doorman of Peddie.

Doorman provided a challenge Dufresne wasn’t quite ready for and it showed. The St. Benedict’s senior couldn’t finish off many shots, but did, however, manage to score the only takedown of the bout and prevailed, 3-1.

“I was a little disappointed about not meeting (Whitelaw),” said Dufresne, “and I wasn’t sharp in the final. I’m not real happy with the way I performed. There’s a lot of room for improvement.”

Notes: St. Benedict’s, which won the Caruso team championship last year, placed third this time around with 167.5 points. McDonogh, which was ranked 29th in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News, won the tournament by edging out 16th-ranked Wyoming Seminary of Pennsylvania, 233.5-228.

St. Benedict’s had runner-up finishes from Rob Ranalli (112), Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (152) and Olushola Brown (215). Chris Johnson placed third at 189 pounds.

— By Ron Jandoli