GRAY BEES BEAT MSGR. FARRELL IN HOME OPENING DUAL MEET
Feliciano clinches bout with pin at 189 pounds

December 23, 2010

Eli Feliciano never quite felt that he really belonged on the varsity team.

He sure does now.

Feliciano, who had only 11 bouts on the varsity team last year, scored a huge pin to help St. Benedict’s avenge a loss last winter to Msgr. Farrell by posting a 44-31 decision on Wednesday night in Dalton Gym.

This comes on the heels of Feliciano being the only wrestler in the Gray Bees lineup to claim a title in last weekend’s Kearny Invitational.

“I wasn’t sure I was even at the right level,” explained Feliciano of his status on the varsity team. “Winning at Kearny and now this gives me a huge boost.”

The Gray Bees were clinging to a 32-25 in a match that saw four lead changes when Feliciano stepped on the mat for his 189-pound bout.

The junior, who was wrestling up a weight class after winning the Kearny title at 171, was trailing in the second period to Msgr. Farrell’s Rich Sisti when he hit a fireman’s carry and pressed his opponent to the mat for a fall in 2:51.

“This is the tops for me as far as anything I’ve done wrestling,” said Feliciano, whose pin gave the Gray Bees an insurmountable, 38-25, lead. “I just want to keep going and help the team out any way I can.”

Also scoring falls for coach Solomon Fleckman's team were Don-Tai Garner (130 pounds), Chris Dowdy (145), Terrell Forbes (152) and Chris Reynolds (Hwt.). Kevin Gil (119) and Vinnie Bellaran (171) had major decisions for the Gray Bees, which avenged a 53-33 setback to Msgr. Farrell at last year’s Staten Island Duals.

The Gray Bees return to the mat to compete in the Christmas City Classic at Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.) on Dec. 28-29. Their next home match isn’t until Feb. 2 when they take on Peddie.

St. Benedict's Wrestler Result Msrg. Farrell Wrestler Result 103 Jones, Jawan WBFF –– LBFF 112 –– LBFF Amendola, Chris WBFF 119 Gil, Kevin 13 Azen, Nick 2 125 Del Rios, Josue LBF Wilson, William WBF 3:25 130 Garner, Don-Tai WBF 3:49 Hartnett, Paul LBF 135 Forte, Whitney 6 Fischetti, Vincent 8 140 Osuji, Chigozie LBF McCann, Tim WBF 3:24 145 Dowdy, Chris WBF 1:53 Francolino, Joe LBF 152 Forbes, Terrell WBF 3:23 Rufo, Gunnar LBF 160 McDonald, Stephon 2 Psomas, Andrew 10 171 Bellaran, Vincent 9 Ndokaj, Rrok 0 189 Feliciano, Elijah WBF 3:51 Sisti, Richard LBF 215 Cromwell, Isaiah LBDQ Verissimo, Tolani WBDQ 285 Reynolds, Chris WBF 4:22 Strusinski, James LBF Total Team Score 44 31