December 11, 2010

The wrestling team found the going pretty rough just a week after claiming St. Benedict’s own tournament at the Caruso Invitational.

Coach Solomon Fleckman’s team struggled with weight management, injuries and illness in their trip to the Loomis Duals in Connecticut.

The Gray Bees limped home from the four-match tournament with only one victory, a 51-24 triumph over the Brooks School from Massachusetts.

“We’ve been addressing weight issues for awhile now and some kids just aren’t responding,” said a disappointed Fleckman. “Having that happen and then having a lot of other freaky things hit us during the tournament really nullified our chances.”

Fleckman, who went into the tournament without four regulars due to the aforementioned problems making weight, lost 4 others throughout the course of Saturday's action due to injury or illness.

Despite the poor team showing, a few individuals had solid tournaments, including Chris Dowdy, Jawan Jones, Ochirbat Bayanjargal and Ben Villaret.

Dowdy, a National Prep runner-up last year, went unbeaten at 4-0 on the day at 152 pounds. The senior scored two first period falls, a technical fall in the second period and a forfeit victory.

Jones, a winner at the Caruso Invitational, went 3-1 with his only loss – his first of the year – coming up a weight at 112 pounds. Bayanjargal scored three first period pins and a forfeit victory at 145 pounds.

Villaret scored pins in all four of his bouts rotating between 160 and 171 pounds, all but one coming within 90 seconds of the start of his bouts.

“I’m hoping we regroup as a team – a family,” said Fleckman. “We need a total group effort in order to come together and make this work. Ultimately, I think this could really pan out to be a positive.”

– By Ron Jandoli