Last Thursday evening, the Fuquay Varina Bengals wrestling team hosted the Lee County Senior High Yellow Jacket in the last regular dual meet competition of the season. Thursday was also senior night for the Fuquay Varina Bengals. The team provided a very positive back drop for Senior Night, helping the seniors to defeat the Yellow Jackets by a score of 47to 30. This was the Bengals second consecutive conference win. In their win over the Yellow Jackets, Bengals O’Rourke, Fernandez, Arredondo, Miller, and Carter scored Falls over their opponents and the Major Decision victories by Keatts and Ferrell helped to cement the Bengal victory.

Graduating seniors Chris Keaton, Chris Guimond, Leu Yak, Jahel Carter, Soren Ferrell, and Jordan Duncan represent a significant part of the Bengal starting lineup that will be ending their high school wrestling careers.

Chris Keaton rejoined the team this year after a two year absence and completed the season with 8wins of which 6 were pins.

Chris Guimond joined the team as a junior and was a varsity starter over the past two years and a Regional Qualifier last season. Guimond has a record of 18 wins so far this season, with 13 by pins.

Jahel Carter is a 3 year varsity starter and Regional Qualifier from last year. As a senior, Jahel has scored 25 wins against 9 losses this season, with 12 of the wins coming by pins thus far.

Soren Ferrell is a 4 year varsity starter, previously qualifying 3 times for Regionals and 2 times for States. Soren’s senior year has been very successful, with a record to date of 28 wins (20 by pin) and 3 losses. Soren will end his wrestling career at Fuquay Soren with a record of at least 128 wins against 32 losses, which include 95 victories by pin. With that record Soren leaves Fuquay Varina High as one of its most successful wrestlers. In addition Soren hold back to back most valuable wrestler award at Fuquay plus a number of individual tournament championships throughout his career

Jordon Duncan, currently out with an injury will end his wrestling career at Fuquay with 30 pins to his credit.

Over the weekend the Bengal took part in the annual Tri 9 Conference hosted by Cary High School. The Bengals scored 66 points, finishing sixth place in the contest. Bengals, Robert Fernandez, Jahel Carter, and Soren Ferrell all participated in the championship finals.

Robert Fernandez defeated Middle Creek’s Battaglia, and Green Hope’s Sparks to advance to the championship match, falling in defeat to Cary’s Elliman to capture second place in the tournament.

Jahel Carter had a spectacular ending to his first match, outpointing Cary’s Alecio in the final seconds to win the match. Jahel then defeated Kinne of Green Hope to advance to championship round where he lost to Overton of Apex and finished second in his weight class.

Soren Ferrell easily defeated Porter of Holly Springs with a Fall at 2:52 to advance to the championship match. The championship match was a close and hard fought match all three periods. In the end Soren had to settle for second place, losing a close match by the score of 4-3.