ST. BENEDICT’S TAKES THIRD IN THE KEARNY INVITATIONAL
Jones, Forbes compete in prestigious Beast of the East

December 18, 2011

Most of the wrestling team took part in the Kearny Invitational on Saturday, while Jawan Jones and Terrell Forbes were in Delaware competing in the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament.

Despite missing its two best wrestlers, the Gray Bees put together an entire team effort – from freshmen to seniors – in bringing home third place honors in Kearny.

Senior Eli Feliciano (195 pounds) captured the lone first-place medal for the Gray Bees, but a number of his teammates came through with solid efforts. Also placing were freshmen Jabril Abdullah (4th at 120 pounds) and Nasir Stafford (3rd, 138), sophomores Cinque Casey-Patrick (4th, 132), Sean Sanders (3rd, hwt.), juniors Xavier Pearson (4th, 170) and Stephon McDonald (3rd, 182) and seniors Evan Gerbino (4th, 145), Tom Martorello (2md, 152) and Tariq White (3rd, 160).

“Kearny was very positive,” said St. Benedict’s coach Solomon Fleckman. “We showed plenty of fight and togetherness. We’re making progress.” (Click here to view photos from the Kearny Invitational)

Jones and Forbes took part in their second national tournament in as many weekends and both came away with positive results. In this weekend’s Beast of the East, Jones went 4-2 at 113 pounds and just missed out on a medal, while Forbes, who wrestled at 160 after taking on the 152-pounders last week in the Walsh Ironman in Ohio, went 3-2.

“This is the second week in a row they were both a break away from placing in a national tournament,” said Fleckman. “But Terrell and Jawan both showed they are capable of wrestling at that level. They got the exposure and now look ready to explode.”

– Ron Jandoli