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Hernando Today

Star-Studded Mat 'Dream Team' Unveiled

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: July 6, 2008

For a community totaling a tiny population - approximately 165,000 residents - one prep sport continues to put Hernando County literally on the map.

No, it's not football. Nor is it any of the 'Big 3' including baseball and basketball.

For over a generation, F.W. Springstead and Hernando High have excelled in prep wrestling.

This past season was no different.

Both programs finished in the Top 10 of their respective classifications.

The Eagles placed sixth in Class 2A behind aircraft carrier Brandon High in the 44th annual State Finals at the Lakeland Center.

Meanwhile, the Purple and Gold, who finished 6-6 in dual meets this winter, placed ninth overall in Class 1A behind first-time state champion Fort Myers-Riverdale.

Given both team's successes, it was no shock that they dominated the annual Hernando Today All-County voting. Of this year's 17 all-star selections, the Eagles pocketed 10 picks, while HHS collected the other seven.

Between the two schools, 12 grapplers advanced to the coveted state meet.

Also, there were 10 repeat selections from 2006-07 led by Player of the Year and two-time state champion, Schuyler Swanton, and his mentor, Eric Swensen.

As Swensen was tabbed Coach of the Year for a third straight season, Swanton was feted as a three-time All-County pick.

Eagles: another banner season

Springstead continued to lead the way in the North Suncoast by posting a 12-3 dual meet mark. In the process, the Eagles also captured the prestigious Brooksville-Kiwanis Invitational at HHS and the Springstead Invitational in Spring Hill.

Just as important, SHS posted a collective 431-184 record in individual matches. As a team, the Eagles won over 70 percent of their individual bouts highlighted by a county-best 22nd district championship.

Equally impressive was its second-place trophy in the Class 2A, Region II at Kissimmee-Poinciana behind Brandon.

Besides three-time picks Swensen and Swanton, the Eagle all-stars included seniors Skylar Huff, C.J. Cook, Steven Bliss, Cesar Acosta and Carlos Ramirez; juniors Dustin Soto and Thad Klenovich and sophomore Thomas Ellerbee.

Why did the Eagles continue to excel locally? According to area coaches, it starts with Coach of the Year Swensen.

"I see a well-coached team whenever we go against them," praised HHS skipper Joe McLain. "There's a high amount of discipline in place. I think Eric (Swensen) expects perfection. He's a no-excuse kinda guy."

"When I see them, they're relentless on the mat," shared Nature Coast Technical Head Coach Mike Lastra. "You see the sense of urgency they have. You never see them coast through a match. What's great is they learn and hone this in practice. From top to bottom, they get after it."

How did Swensen accept the Coach of the Year nod?

"When you lose the quality of seniors we're losing, there's no comfort here," shrugged Swensen. "Wrestling never ends for us. I appreciate getting Coach of the Year because it recognizes the hard work our entire staff has done to get our kids ready to compete.

"Now, next year is a reloading year," he added. "Last year, with the experienced guys we had it was a little more psychology than technique. This year, it's back to the basics. There is no comfort zone here. I'm not pompous or greedy, but I don't ever want someone else to be the power in Hernando County. That's our goal - to be the best every year."

Swanton, Cook lead the way

Swanton, who collected back-to-back state titles at 103 and 112 pounds respectively, went out the way he started - with a win.

Swanton, who competed in only one varsity match as a freshman, eventually captured over 93 percent - or 125-of-134 bouts. He finished on a tear highlighted by a 27-match win skein to complete a 36-2 won-lost record as a senior. In the process, he was easily tabbed again as the County's Wrestler of the Year.

On Swanton, "He brought (attack) it to you," admired McLain. "He brought strength; he was very technical and was always well-conditioned. He's very deserving of this. I know he's put in a lot of work."

Amazingly, Cook etched some stats surpassing Swanton.

Cook became a rare four-time All-County selection behind a career-best 46-9 slate at 125 pounds. Cook was also a rare four-time district champion and four-time state qualifier.

Cook, who finished 158-34 lifetime, ranks third in all-time wins at SHS behind Jimmy Stevenson and Matt Booker.

"You never had to convince him to do anything," fondly expressed Coach Swensen. "He listened to the coaches since day one. He is one of the most coachable kids you'd ever want. And I loved his consistency on the mats."

Eagle seniors: Huff, Bliss, Acosta, Ramirez

Springstead will certainly be hard pressed to replace its other four senior all-stars: Huff, Bliss, Acosta and Ramirez. All but Acosta were repeat all-star picks.

In his four-year varsity career Huff garnered more triumphs than Swanton, 127-125, finishing his last campaign behind a career-best 45-11 won-lost slate, mostly at 119 pounds.

For many coaches, the two-time district champion and two-time state qualifier was the pulse of the Eagles' fury.

"He's one of the kids I'm really sad to see him leave," lamented Coach Swensen. "Most of the opposing coaches we faced said they loved Huff. He wrestled a particular style that everyone seemed to like."

Bliss was one of the rare Eagles who did not to enjoy a career-best season. After a personal-best 38-9 mark as a junior, which culminated in his third straight state tourney appearance - Bliss dipped to 31-10 at 130 pounds.

After transferring from Pinellas Park after his freshman year, Bliss went 93-30 in Spring Hill collecting three individual district championships.

"Steven (Bliss) had a decent senior year," commented Swensen. "But he'll be the first guy to tell you it's not the way he wanted it to end. He wasn't a true 130-pounder and he had a bad back, but he kept fighting. He finished with some great numbers."

Another four-year varsity letterman, Acosta, enjoyed his best-ever season at 189 pounds.

Acosta, who went 3-4 as a freshman, gradually got better and better before finishing 44-11 as a senior. His final year was highlighted by his first-ever district championship and a state meet appearance, where he finished 2-2.

"When you see Cesar, he's not flashy. He's not real strong, nor is he really gifted in any one category," described Swensen of Acosta, who finished winning 71 percent of his career matches or 107-of-150 bouts. "But his greatest attribute is he knows how to win matches. It always seemed there was a moment in his matches where it all seemed to click for him."

Ramirez, who competed in only two varsity seasons, was also enjoying his best-ever season until he pinned by Andre Coleman of Tampa-Middleton during the 2A-II wrestleback round in Poinciana.

Coleman's pin eliminated Ramirez from the heavyweight competition ending his mat campaign prematurely at 34-15.

Because Ramirez lost his temper afterward and was disqualified from the tourney, he officially suffered four of his losses during that meet. It was a sad ending to an otherwise stellar season.

"We had a lot of egos on this team," shared Swensen. "But Carlos was the guy who always kept the team smiling. He'd dominate a kid and it would jack up the whole team. We needed Carlos."

Rounding out the Eagles

Soto, who captured 86 percent of his matches (18-of-21) as a first-year varsity sophomore and came within one win of a state appearance in 2006-07, followed with a terrific 38-10 mark this winter at 103 pounds.

In the process, Soto pocketed his first-ever district championship and earned his first trip to states, where he finished 1-2.

"Soto was a firecracker for us," smiled Swensen. "He'd get us started in dual meets. He's an explosive type kid on the mats. He'll continue to set the pace for us in the future."

After two seasons at SHS, Klenovich never seemed to stand out as his 36-35 overall mark bore witness.

That complexion changed this season. In his third varsity campaign, the gangly 6-foot-2 Klenovich stood out behind a breakout 38-9 season at 152 pounds.

Besides winning districts, he too qualified for states, but a late-season knee injury led to a 1-2 mark in Lakeland.

"Thaddeus was voted our Most Improved Wrestler," declared Swensen. "We had a lot of guys improve their game, but he really came out. He went from a quiet guy to a kid who placed in most of the tournaments we went to. He was really outstanding."

Talk about turnarounds, Ellerbee went from 1-7 in 2006-07 to finishing 21-16 at 145 pounds this winter.

Ellerbee's highlights included his district runner-up spot in 2A-5 at Ridgewood before being eliminated in Poinciana after a 1-2 visit.

"Tommy was a great first-year varsity wrestler," Swensen remarked. "He's built kinda like Thaddeus. The big thing is he's figured out how he can use his length to his advantage."

Seven Leopards feted

Seven members of the Hernando High team were named All-County including seniors Jesse Graham at 140, Tim Ball at 160, Nick Pauliot 189 and Taylor Rotunda at 215 pounds; juniors Max Morrill at 135, James Davidson at 171 and sophomore Daniel Pritz at 125.

Of the Purple and Gold contingency, Pritz, Graham, Davidson and Rotunda were all repeat all-star selections.

The Leopard leader without question was freckled-faced Graham.

Graham, a four-year starter, finished his senior campaign at 46-3 overall. The three-time district champion, two-time regional champ and three-time state qualifier lost in the 1A State Finals at 140 to Riverdale's talented Michah Fellows, 6-3.

Graham concluded his Leopard career tied for fourth all-time in wins at 131 with Michael Combs

"We're gonna miss Jesse immensely," lamented Coach McLain. "He was the epitome of a leader. There were never ever any complaints. I'm still devastated that he did not win at states. If there was anyone who deserved to win a gold medal at states it was Jesse. He was an outstanding student/athlete at Hernando."

While Graham placed second at states, Pritz elevated his game with a fine third-place finish at 125 pounds.

In a weight class dominated by Riverdale's Scotti Sentes, the second-year Pritz went from a 25-14 campaign as a freshman to a standout 44-10 slate this winter.

Besides capturing his first-ever district and regional titles, he finished 4-1 at the Lakeland Center to place third. It helped that Pritz hit his stride during the most arduous portion of the schedule finishing the season 13-1 across his final 14 bouts.

"Daniel (Pritz) certainly peaked at the right time," admired McLain. "He hit his stride at the perfect time of the season. Right now, I'm real excited about next year. He came into states with confidence and it went through the roof for him to reach the semis.

"He's a quiet kid, but he's a great kid," added McLain. "He works real hard. You can see the kid does not want to lose."

Pauliot finished as a two-time district champ and two-time state qualifier, who missed the early portion of the season due to a knee injury suffered during football.

Pauliot did not duplicate his 38-14 season from 2006-07, going 26-8 this winter, but won 4-of-6 bouts in Lakeland to earn a fifth-place medal.

"Certainly the highlight of Nick's season was beating the Sunlake kid (Jarrett Baker), who had beaten him twice before," recalled McLain. "At states, Nick beat him handily (11-2), basically with one good leg. What a gutsy performance.

"What people don't know was he was really a 171-pounder. He was giving up 15-16 pounds against every guy he faced. The biggest thing for him was he improved his conditioning so much, it showed."

Rounding out the Leopards

In a season sprinkled by tremendous improvements, besides Acosta, Soto and Klenovich and Pritz's ascensions to prominence, perhaps the largest leap was Morrill.

After two varsity campaigns, Morrill processed an undistinguished 16-33 won-lost mark.

But he stayed with it and by constantly practicing with Graham, Morrill finished this season with an emerging 26-20 mark.

The highlight of his third year was not his second-place district finish, but his surprising second-place regional finish. At states, the magic continued as he won his first match before dropping his next two.

"Max had a similar season to Daniel (Pritz)," said McLain. "Daniel was more consistent from day one to the end, but Max came on like gangbusters and peaked at the end of the season. As an athlete, that's what you want. Plus, his work ethic was phenomenal. He'll be a great leader for us next year."

Taylor Rotunda was on track to follow his brother, Windham, to the state championship.

But on the night of his 24th win - without a loss - he heard a pop in his shoulder. Though he pinned Pasco's Eric Stroud in the Springstead Inv. that night in 4:40, his season dramatically changed. Unfortunately, he never wrestled the same.

After a couple weeks of rehabilitation, Rotunda captured districts for a second straight year. But he was never tested.

In regionals at Avon Park, Rotunda clashed once again with Stroud - who he'd beaten twice before. This time, Rotunda fell, 5-2, as his perfect season came to an end. He won two more matches in Highlands County to finish third.

A wounded Rotunda, however, went 1-2 at Lakeland featuring a forfeit loss in his final match against McCarthy's Kelly Paul.

So instead of a possible state medal for the No. 1 ranked 215-pounder in Class 1A, Rotunda finished 32-3 overall.

"After he hurt his shoulder, he gave us what he had," lamented McLain. "He tried to wrestled, but couldn't do the things he was used to doing. In the (practice) room, he was like another coach. If he ever saw someone slacking, he helped us pick up the pace."

Davidson was yet another Leopard grappler who maxed out at the end of the season. After a 26-15 campaign in 2006-07, he zoomed to a 34-11 mark this winter.

Besides winning the County Tourney in 2006-07, Davidson had never won a gold medal until capturing districts at Citrus Springs Middle School. He followed that with a head-turning regional runner-up placing.

At states, his first-ever trip to Lakeland concluded at 1-2.

"James (Davidson) is probably the guy who went unnoticed for us," explained McLain. "He's a great technician and I know he's looking forward to getting in the gym and getting stronger for next season."

After 16 matches this past winter, Ball was 15-1, but he hurt his shoulder midway through the campaign. Due to the injury, he wasn't the same competitor as he finished 8-8 across his final 16 bouts.

The highlight for Ball was his controversial second-place finish at districts. He lost a 3-2 match to Citrus' Tim Musto.

At regionals, Ball finished 2-2 to complete a 25-10 injury-filled season.

"Tim was a strong wrestler," recalled McLain. "His season kinda turned around after he lost to Thad (Klenovich) at Kiwanis. That loss kinda took some of the wind from his sails."

2008 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 Dustin Soto ^ 11th Springstead 38 10 24
112 Schuyler Swanton $ 12th Springstead 36 2 17
119 Skylar Huff ^ 12th Springstead 45 11 14
125 C.J. Cook ^ 12th Springstead 46* 9 18
125 Daniel Pritz ^ 10th Hernando 44 10 13
130 Steven Bliss 12th Springstead 31 10 17
135 Max Morrill ^ 12th Hernando 26 20 15
140 Jesse Graham ^ 12th Hernando 46* 3 18
145 Tommy Ellerbee 10th Springstead 21 16 08
152 Thad Klenovich ^ 11th Springstead 38 9 11
160 Tim Ball 12th Hernando 25 10 17
171 James Davidson ^ 11th Hernando 34 11 17
189 Cesar Acosta ^ 12th Springstead 44 11 13
189 Nick Pauliot ^ 12th Hernando 26 8 14
215 Taylor Rotunda ^ 12th Hernando 32 3 25
285 Carlos Ramirez 12th Springstead 34 15 26*
Wrestler of the Year - Schuyler Swanton (Springstead)
Coach of the Year - Eric Swensen (Springstead)
$ Denotes 2008 State Champion
^ Denotes 2008 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

2007 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 Schuyler Swanton $ 11th Springstead 44* 2 27*
112 Dustin Soto 10th Springstead 18 3 10
112 Daniel Pritz 9th Hernando 25 14 19
119 Skylar Huff ^ 11th Springstead 41 6 21
125 C.J. Cook ^ 11th Springstead 39 9 21
130 Steven Bliss ^ 11th Springstead 38 9 24
135 Vince Ramirez 9th Central 26 9 16
140 Jesse Graham ^ 11th Hernando 42 7 24
145 Keith Hansen ^ 12th Springstead 36 9 18
152 Miguel Molina 12th Central 31 5 20
160 Brandyn Kuhn ^ 12th Hernando 37 6 19
171 James Davidson 10th Hernando 26 15 13
189 Mike Heagney ^ 12th Springstead 39 5 25
215 Taylor Rotunda ^ 11th Hernando 33 9 22
285 Carlos Ramirez 11th Springstead 25 13 18
Wrestler of the Year - Schuyler Swanton (Springstead)
Coach of the Year - Eric Swensen (Springstead)
$ Denotes 2007 State Champion
^ Denotes 2007 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

2006 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 Schuylar Swanton = 10th Springstead 44 5 27
112 Steven Bliss ^ 10th Springstead 24 11 14
119 C.J. Cook ^ 10th Springstead 37 10 19
125 Skylar Huff 10th Springstead 26 13 9
130 Steve Leon ^ 12th Springstead 43 14 24
135 Bobby McCarthy 11th Springstead 20 19 12
140 Keith Hansen ^ 11th Springstead 40 10 22
145 Brandyn Kuhn ^ 11th Hernando 42 9 31
152 Tim Ball 10th Hernando 12 20 9
160 Michael Combs = 12th Hernando 39 2 23
171 Seth Metz = 12th Springstead 45 5 35*
189 David Pritz ^ 12th Hernando 47* 1 31
215 Mike Heagney ^ 11th Springstead 41 10 28
275 Andrew Leavine 12th Springstead 33 4 23
Co-Wrestler of the Year - Michael Combs (Hernando)
Co-Wrestler of the Year - David Pritz (Hernando)
Coach of the Year - Eric Swensen (Springstead)
= Denotes 2006 state runner-up
^ Denotes 2006 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

2005 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 C.J. Cook ^ 9th Springstead 32 10 18
112 Jose Santiago ^ 12th Springstead 20 9 8
119 Justin Starace 12th Springstead 17 9 10
125 Steve Leon 11th Springstead 31 12 17
130 Justin Davis 12th Hernando 19 22 8
135 Brandyn Kuhn ^ 10th Hernando 27 17 16
140 Justin Stewart ^ 12th Hernando 27 22 18
145 Chris Freeman 12th Springstead 24 15 15
152 Michael Combs ^ 11th Hernando 41 8 28
160 Walter Acosta ^ 11th Sprngstead 39 10 20
171 David Pritz ^ 11th Hernando 45 4 19
189 Addison Chipoletti $ 12th Hernando 50* 1 29
215 Jon Howland ^ 12th Springstead 35 7 22
215 John Liddington ^ 12th Hernando 30 7 14
275 Windham Rotunda $ 12th Hernando 25 5 12
Wrestler of the Year - Addison Chipoletti (Hernando)
Coach of the Year - Matt Smith (Hernando)
$ Denotes 2005 state champion
^ Denotes 2005 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

2004 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 David Langworthy 11th Hernando 13 19 7
112 Brandyn Kuhn ^ 9th Hernando 38 14 25
119 Steve Leon 10th Springstead 14 11 3
125 Jimmy Russo 12th Hernando 26 16 19
130 Earnest Ellis 11th Hernando 22 18 11
135 Anthony Thompson 12th Central 16 10 9
140 Michael Combs 10th Hernando 37 9 29
145 Charley Combs ^ 12th Hernando 37 8 20
152 Stephen Pritz 12th Hernando 32 13 23
160 David Pritz = 10th Hernando 46 5 23
171 Addison Chipoletti $ 11th Hernando 47* 1 23
189 Jon Howland 11th Springstead 22 7 15
215 Jack Duvall ^ 12th Hernando 28 9 23
275 Windham Rotunda ^ 11th Hernando 41 8 27
Wrestler of the Year - Addison Chipoletti (Hernando)
Coach of the Year - Matt Smith (Hernando)
$ Denotes 2004 state champion
= Denotes 2004 state runner-up
^ Denotes 2004 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

2003 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 Corey Daly 11th Springstead 26 14 9
112 Bucky Solomon ^ 12th Central 47 5 18
119 Earnest Ellis 10th Hernando 11 14 8
125 Jimmy Paytner 11th Hernando 23 15 17
130 Fabien Lewars ^ 12th Springstead 42 3 18
135 Billy Combs ^ 12th Hernando 40 7 26
140 Stephen Pritz ^ 11th Hernando 35 15 28*
145 Sergio Matos ^ 12th Central 50* 2 25
152 Charley Combs = 11th Hernando 37 5 18
160 Steve Wilkins 12th Hernando 27 17 14
171 Addison Chipoletti $ 10th Hernando 39 12 17
189 Thomas Lyle ^ 12th Hernando 41 8 26
215 Jesse Downs 12th Springstead 29 12 21
275 Windham Rotunda ^ 10th Hernando 33 15 21
Wrestler of the Year - Addison Chipoletti (Hernando)
Coach of the Year - Matt Smith (Hernando)
$ Denotes 2003 state champion
= Denotes 2003 state runner-up
^ Denotes 2003 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

2002 Hernando Today All-County Wrestling Team
Wgt Name Grade School Won Lost Pins
103 Viet Lam 12th Central 18 9 12
112 Tommy Walker 10th Springstead 28 5 14
119 Fabien Lewars ^ 11th Springstead 32 13 11
125 David Kachiroubas ^ 12th Springstead 37 12 18
130 Billy Woods ^ 12th Hernando 40 6 26*
135 Billy Combs ^ 11th Hernando 25 12 20
140 Stephen Pritz ^ 12th Hernando 27 17 15
145 Matt Booker ^ 12th Springstead 45* 1 25
152 N/A
160 Steve Garofano ^ 12th Springstead 33 7 14
171 Nate Booker 10th Springstead 34 7 26*
189 Ryan Brown 12th Hernando 27 11 14
215 Adam Wielder 12th Springstead 17 12 9
275 John Legner 12th Springstead 13 11 11
Wrestler of the Year - Matt Booker (Springstead)
Coach of the Year - Bob Levija (Springstead)
^ Denotes 2002 state qualifier
* Denotes county leader

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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