GRAY BEES ARE GEARED UP AS THE SEASON HEADS DOWN THE HOME STRETCH

January 30, 2012

St. Benedict’s heads into Friday’s “Senior Tribute Match” with plenty of momentum.

The Gray Bees went out and shocked a pair of nationally-ranked prep teams, including Northfield Mount Herman, in the Gilman Duals last weekend in Baltimore.

St. Benedict’s posted a 42-19 victory over NMH, ranked 10th in the country. It reversed a 35-19 setback to the Massachusetts school back on Dec. 10 in the Loomis Duals. The Gray Bees also knocked off No. 8 St. Christopher’s, 37-34.

“This was the first time this season we’ve had nearly everyone on the mats at once,” said Fleckman, whose team has been battered by injury and illness this season. “The team looked stronger and more unified than at any time earlier. The guys are definitely looking forward to Lawrenceville as well as to St. Alban’s Invitational (Feb. 10-11).”

Prince Okafor, one of the two seniors that will be honored before Friday’s 5:30 p.m. match against Lawrenceville in Dalton Gymnasium, kick-started his day by bumping up to heavyweight. Despite giving up nearly 50 pounds to Henry Anderson, Okafor responded with a 4-0 victory.

Jawan Jones (113 pounds), Jyaire Atakora (120), Rashaad Boston, Eli Feliciano (182) and David Zola (220) all chipped in with pins during the victory.

Although the Gray Bees lost their second match against 4th-ranked Germantown (54-14),  Fleckman’s team came back in the final match of the day and took out eighth-ranked St. Christopher’s of Virginia, 37-34. SBP trailed by 3 points heading into the final bout at 113 pounds, but Jones registered a pin in 5:05 to secure the victory for Fleckman’s club.

Atakora (120 pounds), Boston (126), Cinque Casey-Patrick (132) and Feliciano (182) also scored falls for the Gray Bees during the final match. Okafor produced his second huge victory in the Gilman’s – this time at 220 pounds – with a 6-3 verdict over Marshall Hollerith, currently ranked 7th in the nation and an 8th-place finisher at the prestigious Beast of the East tournament in December.

Okafor nearly went 3-0 on the day, but was nipped in the second match, 3-2, by Germantown’s Nick Grossi, the second-ranked wrestler in the nation and third-place finisher in the Beast of the East. Eli Feliciano, who scored a pair of falls and a major decision, was the lone Gray Bees wrestler to post a perfect record on the day.

– Ron Jandoli