RL Hosts Graves-Kelsey Wrestling Tournament

Roxbury Latin Hosts This Year’s Graves-Kelsey ISL Wrestling Tournament

On February 8, Roxbury Latin’s campus buzzed with the energy that 13 schools’ worth of wrestlers, coaches, and fans can generate. RL played host to this year’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 a competitive fourth place finish overall in a field of 13 teams, Roxbury Latin’s wrestlers exhibited dedication and toughness in a collective effort, with 7 of 12 wrestlers placing. “Each wrestler worked his hardest and showed a lot of grit,” said head coach Josh Wildes. Seniors Javi Rios and Evan Kisselev placed first in their weight classes. Keaton Sahin (II) earned a second place finish, and Mat Cefail (I), Pete Levangie (I), and Justin Shaw (IV) placed third in their respective weight classes. Coming in sixth place in his weight class was Miguel Rincon (II). Rounding out the RL team were tournament representatives Nick Consigli (V), Aidan Gibbons (IV), Richard Impert (I), Kayden Miller (III), and Thomas Savage (IV). Justin Shaw put up a particularly valiant effort, emerging victorious in a dramatic triple-overtime, sudden-death win to capture third place. The team winning overall first place in the tournament was from Belmont Hill.

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, Bert’s energy and good nature endeared him to hundreds of students. Roxbury Latin’s Kelsey Faculty Room is named in his honor, given by Bob Henzler ’51. Gibby Graves was a long-time coach at Buckingham Browne & Nichols and was a pioneer in developing the league tournament. Roxbury Latin has earned the title of Graves-Kelsey Champion 20 times since 1966.

Upon competing in the League tournament, several members of RL’s wrestling team continued on to the New England Championships, including Justin Shaw, Keaton Sahin, Mat Cefail, Evan Kisselev, Pete Levangie, and Javi Rios. Senior Evan Kisselev earned a first place finish at the New England tournament, and senior Javi Rios earned a third-place finish, both securing the right to compete at the National level. //

Junior Wrestling Results

RL’s Junior Wrestling team had a strong finish to their season, earning a second-place finish at this year’s Fessenden tournament. Out of the twelve wrestlers competing, nine individually placed. “The boys showed tremendous growth throughout the season, and I know they are all proud of their accomplishments at this end of season tournament,” said Coach Josh Wildes. Junior wrestlers’ individual results at the tournament are as follows:

Alejandro Rincon (V) 1st place Dovany Estimphile (V) 2nd place Aydin Hodjat (V) 2nd place Sean Patrick DiLallo (V) 2nd place Joseph Wang (V) 3rd place Arjun Bose (IV) 3rd place Will Hutter (IV) 3rd place Benji Macharia (VI) 4th place Matteo Santagata (V) 4th place