WRESTLERS COMPETE IN IRONMAN INVIT. IN STATEN ISLAND

January 11, 2011

The wrestling team opened the New Year in Staten Island and came away with a fourth-place finish in the Dave Ironman Invitational at Msgr. Farrell last Saturday.

The Gray Bees finished three points out of third place to Msgr. Farrell, the same school they beat in a dual meet, 44-31, on Dec. 23. Cardinal Gibbons placed first with 228 points and Rocky Point came in second with 165 ½ points, 12 points ahead of the host school.

Chris Dowdy (140 pounds) and Vinnie Bellaran (171) each came away with titles in the tournament with dominating efforts. Dowdy scored three falls and a major decision, while Bellaran posted a pair of pins and a technical fall.

Terrell Forbes (152) made it to the second championship bout of his career and placed second, along with Isaiah Cromwell (189). Chris Reynolds placed third at 215 pounds, while Whitney Forte (130) and Stephon McDonald (160) each took home fourth-pace honors.

“Our performance this weekend, like in past weekends this season, was positive overall,” said coach Solomon Fleckman. “I believe many of us who are involved with the wrestling program are all anxious to have that one, break-out performance where we can all agree that, at last, we're clicking on all cylinders.”