WRESTLING TEAM CLOSES 2011 WITH POSITIVE SHOWING IN PA
Gray Bees open the New Year by renewing rivalry with nation’s best

January 3, 2012

The Gray Bees wrestling team had some breakthrough performances as the 2011 calendar year came to a close in the Christmas City Tournament.

Terrell Forbes, who opened the season with a victory in the Caruso Invitational, claimed his first major title of the winter campaign when he captured the 160-pound title at Bethlehem Catholic in Pennsylvania.

Forbes, a legitimate candidate to win a National Prep Championship this year, was one of the four wrestlers who placed in the Christmas City Tournament for coach Solomon Fleckman’s team. Not bad, considering the Gray Bees only entered 7 wrestlers in the Holiday tournament.

Forbes, who placed 8th in the National Preps last season, led the charge for the Gray by edging the top-seed Brett Stein of Virginia, 3-1, in the semifinals. He came back in the championship bout and thoroughly dominated another Virginia wrestler, Mischa Syzmanski, en route to a 17-7 verdict.

Also doing well in the Christmas City Tournament for the Gray Bees were Jawan Jones Jawan Jones (113 pounds) and Eli Feliciano (195), who each placed third, while Nasir Stafford finished fifth at 138 pounds.

Feliciano had a pair of quality victories over Kyle Gill of East Stroudsburg, beating the Pennsylvanian in both the quarterfinals and in the consolations for third-pace – winning each bout in overtime.

Coach Fleckman’s club hopes to use the results from Pennsylvania as a confidence builder for 2012. But, first and foremost, the Gray Bees must contend with Blair Academy, the top-ranked team in America, on Saturday in Blairstown.

“I've been looking to rekindle the Blair relationship since I became the head coach,” said Fleckman, in his third year. “We used to go to several of the same competitions together, and the camaraderie, respect and rivalry among the wrestlers from both squads were genuine and meaningful.

“Most importantly though, as (our) program is currently geared, is to get as many guys in a position to win National Preps. In order to prepare our guys, we need for them to have as much exposure as possible competing against Blair wrestlers.”

– Ron Jandoli