RL Places Second in Graves-Kelsey ISL Championship Tournament

On February 11, Roxbury Latin’s wrestlers headed to BB&N in Cambridge to compete in this winter’s Graves-Kelsey Tournament—the Independent School League wrestling championships, named for long-time and legendary coaches Bert Kelsey of Roxbury Latin, and Gibby Graves of Buckingham Browne & Nichols.

Earning an impressive second finish overall in a field of 13 teams (falling only to nationally-ranked Belmont Hill School), Roxbury Latin’s wrestlers exhibited dedication and toughness in a collective effort, with the following wrestlers placing in their respective weight classes:

1st place: Justin Lim (III)

2nd place: Charlie Holt (V), Dovany Estimphile (II), Aydin Hodjat (II), Declan Bligh (IV)

3rd place: Benji Macharia (III), Navid Hodjat (IV), Justin Shaw (I), Nick Consigli (II)

4th place: Noah Abdur Rahim (III), Isaac Frehywot (III)

6th place: Arjun Bose (I)

Also contributing to the day’s success were Thomas Savage (I) and Auden Duda (IV).

The Graves-Kelsey Tournament was named in honor of Gibby Graves and Bert Kelsey in 1966. Bert was Roxbury Latin’s wrestling coach from 1937 to 1966, earning 24 winning seasons and numerous individual championships. A master of English and debate, his energy and good nature endeared him to hundreds of students. Gibby Graves was a long-time coach at Buckingham Browne and Nichols and was a pioneer in developing the league tournament. Roxbury Latin has earned the title of Graves Kelsey Champion 20 times since 1966.

Twelve members of RL’s wrestling team are competing at the New England Championships on February 17 at Phillips Andover, including Charlie Holt, Benji Macharia, Navid Hodjat, Noah Abdur Rahim, Isaac Frehywot, Dovany Estimphile, Justin Shaw, Aydin Hodjat, Justin Lim, Declan Bligh, Nick Consigli, Thomas Savage, Aidan Gibbons, Will Hutter, Arjun Bose, and Auden Duda. You can watch a livestream of the New England Championships at this link.