DOWDY LEADS SBP EFFORT AT NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIPS
Junior is joined by Bah and Abu-Smail as National Placewinners

February 27, 2010

Chris Dowdy felt he had something to prove after a head injury forced him to the sidelines at last year’s National Prep Championships.

“Last year I wasn’t able to show what I was made of,” said Dowdy, who had to default his final two bouts after making it to the consolation semifinals a year ago. “I regretted not talking the ref into letting me continue and was disappointed with how it all ended.”

This time, however, Dowdy was able to showcase his abilities to the fullest and fell just short of realizing his ultimate goal – a national championship – on Saturday in the National Preps at Lehigh University.

Dowdy, who was a National Prep Placewinner after finishing eighth last year – following a trip to the hospital after suffering his head injury – was seeded sixth this year.

The junior avenged an earlier season defeat and beat two future collegiate wrestlers, who’ve already earned scholarships, on his way to the 135-pound final. He eventually ran out of steam, dropping a 7-1 verdict to Blair’s Austin Ormsbee in the championship bout at Lehigh’s Stabler Arena.

“Chris took a gigantic step this year,” said St. Benedict’s coach Solomon Fleckman. “He broke through the glass on some big named guys and proved he belongs in the club nationally.”

Dowdy, who finished this season with a 31-5 record, pinned his first two opponents before meeting third-seeded and North Carolina-bound Troy Silver of Bishop Lynch in the quarterfinals. Dowdy controlled the match against Silver and even had the future Tar Heel on his back at one point before cruising to a 6-2 victory.

He then came up against the No. 2 seed, Simon Kitzis, the same wrestler who beat Dowdy, 6-2, in the Wyoming Seminary Duals earlier this year. But Dowdy was ready for Kitzis’ headlock – a move he faltered against last time. Dowdy even countered when Kitzis went for the head this time and turned it into a pin to advance into the final against Ormsbeee.

“I was much more prepared for what (Kitzis) had this time,” admitted Dowdy. “It got me to the final and that is just another step. I hadn’t met Ormsbee before and will definitely use it as a learning experience to go out, work harder and come back next year to win a national title.”

Dowdy, who owns a 104-38 career record, was joined as a National Prep Placewinner by fellow junior, Bobby Bah, and senior Riad Abu-Smail. The top eight finishers in each weight class are designated as National Prep Placewinners.

Bah placed eighth at 152 pounds, while Abu-Smail came in sixth at 215-pounds after each made it to the quarterfinals before being regulated to the consolation brackets. Bah got hurt in the consolations and was basically wrestling on one leg during his final bouts.

“Bah is starting to understand and connecting the dots,” said Fleckman. “There’s nothing like a first hand experience to have a kid to start believing in himself. He can go pretty high in the sport.”

Abu-Smail capped his career in a Gray Bees singlet with over 100 career victories. Not bad for a kid who didn’t take up the sport until he got to The Hive. He reached the quarterfinals by beating a Lawrenceville wrestler he lost to twice earlier this season.

“It was pretty exciting to see him get over that hump,” said his coach. “He kept battling throughout his career and this was a fitting end to it.”

Fleckman wrapped up his first season as St. Benedict’s coach by leading his team to a 10th place finish in the tournament. Not too shabby for a team that wasn’t even listed among the Top 15 Prep teams in the nation before the National Preps were held.

“We have guys who are hungry and want to wrestle,” said Fleckman. “I learned a lot this year and I hope the guys did too. I think this (National Preps) reasserts that St. Benedict’s is fine. I’m proud of our effort and we have a good core of guys back for next year.”

– By Ron Jandoli
– Photos by Christy Worsoe