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Hernando Today

Who'll Wind Up as King of the Mats?

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: November 21, 2008

Change is inevitable. Commencement exercises will traditionally strafe wrestling rosters.
It's no different in 2008-09.
Here's a look at each of the county's mat programs this winter.

Eagles: Young but talented

Hernando County's most storied athletic program – Class 2A's F.W. Springstead wrestling – is a minus seven seniors from a year ago including perhaps one of the North Suncoast's greatest treasures, two-time state champion Schuyler Swanton (36-2 won-lost record in 2007-08).
Also gone is four-time state qualifier C.J. Cook (46-9), three-time state qualifier Steven Bliss (31-10), two-timer Skylar Huff (45-11) and 2008 state qualifier Cesar Acosta (41-14).
Another blow arrived during the summer when senior-to-be Dustin Soto (38-10) – an expected two-time state qualifier, suffered an ACL injury. Even with a $9,000 brace used during the pre-season classic against Lakeland and Hernando, Soto was not 100 percent.
As a result, Soto may miss his entire senior year.
Not all the news is doom and gloom.
The Eagles do return two seniors who were 2008 state qualifiers: Thad Klenovich (38-9) and Scott Wern (23-17) along with Mitchell transfer Jessy Lorentsen.
Plus, SHS does expect to return six varsity lettermen from last winter including: sophomores Richie Bliss (8-3), Devean Huff (2-3), Shawn Landgraff (19-13), Nick Soto (5-3) and juniors Kenny Cox (20-16) and Tommy Ellerbee (21-16).
SHS is expected to break in five new faces into the starting lineup including: freshmen Cody Ross and Sean Redman, sophomores Sam Colon and Colton Zimmermann and senior Charles Oquendo.
So what does fifth-year skipper Eric Swensen expect with an influx of so many new faces?
"There is no youth movement going on," emphasized Swensen, who is 58-10 overall, featuring four district titles. "Even though we've lost Swanton, Huff, Cookie and some others, we're not making excuses or lowering our expectations. We got some heavily committed kids."
But since year's team isn't a veteran squad, isn't there a tendency to go light?
"Huff, Cook, Bliss have all been back at one time or another and they've all said these guys are going harder than they ever did," said Swensen. "My first year, all we worked on was three moves. Now, we're working on much more advanced stuff. It helps to have someone like Swanton show us what they're doing at the D-I level right now."
What are the expectations?
"Bottom line, we're trying to fight for second or third at states," candidly stated Swensen. "It's hard to say how anyone will produce at states. But I don't see why we can't be up there. Even with all the new guys this team placed at the Disney Duals (pre-season tourney). Our goals have not changed; we want hardware at the state tourney."

Hernando: three returning state qualifiers

How many teams could bounce back after losing three state qualifiers to graduation?
Just ask Hernando, under second-year skipper Joe McLain. McLain is fortunate, that the Leopards return three state qualifiers from the Class 1A State Meet: James Davidson (34-11), Max Morrill (26-20) and Daniel Pritz.
The county's top three wrestlers in 2007-08 (Jesse Graham (46-3), Cook, Huff) are gone leaving Pritz ready to leap to top of the heap following a personal-best 44-10 campaign.
At this point, the Purple and Gold have a solid base, but what else?
Only senior George Smith (6-5) and junior Dillon Lamorte (6-5) have any previous varsity experience on the mat. Senior Shane Malvesti returns to the mats after a year off.
The remainder of HHS' early-season starting line-up includes: freshmen Nelson Elicier, Jared Young, Zach Pritz and Clarence "CJ" Clark, seniors David Hines and Brandon Gunderson.
So what's the outlook?
"We're working with about 30 guys in the room right now," said McLain. "We're really have a lot of new guys and we've got some quality freshmen. I think Malvesti and Hines will be capable wrestlers."
Overall?
"It's kind of a mixed pot right now," assessed McLain. "It helps to have the leadership that Max (Morrill) and James (Davidson) bring to the team. Last year, we mostly had 10 guys in the lineup. We're starting the year with 12. That's a sign we're heading in the right direction."
Can anyone solve either Springstead locally or Citrus in districts?
"Until somebody knocks Springstead off they're king of the hill," insisted McLain. "And as far as our district and region, Citrus has to be the clear favorite and the team to beat."
What is McLain and assistant coach Bill Combs Sr. preaching to his mat newbies?
"We want to see growth from week to week," said McLain. "We want to see guys duplicate what Max (Morrill) did last year. He basically came from nowhere through hard work to earn a spot at states. We don't want to discourage the kids. As long as they continue to learn, that's what matters. With young wrestlers all the little things tend to add up."

Bears: looking toward expanded growth

Last winter, Central High's Head Coach Roy Reyes witnessed first-hand the Bears' upward growth trend.
The CHS program went from a squad that was disbanded for off-the-mat activity a few years ago to a squad that sent two grapplers to Class 2A FHSAA State Finals at the Lakeland Center featuring Daniel May and Ken Supple.
Seniors May (28-17) and Supple (24-19) are the pace setters.
Junior Vince Ramirez, who was injured (shoulder) and missed most of the 2007-08 season, could very well make it three Bears at states.
CHS' starting line-up features four other returning lettermen including: seniors Tom Adams (4-12), Shaun Cadoret (26-18), Wayne Snell (19-14) and junior David Supple (8-19).
Bear newcomers include: freshmen David Merced, Josh Cleveland and Kerry Jones; sophomores Daniel Keigans and Christian Walters, junior Zach Martin and senior Mike McDaniels.
So with half the team as first-year wrestlers, what's the forecast?
"A couple years ago, we were just filling bodies in the lineup," expressed Reyes, a former two-time Florida State Meet qualifier. "Last year our goal was to get kids to the show and we achieved that. Now, it's about those veterans guys being recognized at the elite level. But to do that, we also need the new guys to step up.
"I'd also like the team to contend as a team," added Reyes, who is 20-7 lifetime at CHS. "And I'd like to see better balance across the lineup. A lot of our new guys did club wrestling. I'm comfortable with our babies; I think you'll see us put up a fight."

NCT: starting over again

In terms of wins and losses, Nature Coast Technical's fourth-year program did not set the world on fire finishing 4-4.
What it did do was win its first-ever tourney (at The Villages), finish the best it ever had in districts (3rd in 1A-5) and regions (12th), but most importantly, was represented at states.
The good news is NCT senior David Simonson returns for his fourth year at the varsity level following a team-best 30-11 slate.
The bad news is Simonson has very little company to push him.
Though the Sharks only lost two seniors from last winter's team, 11 other grapplers decided not to return. Included was two-time regional qualifier Jeremiah Jackson, who decided against returning. Jackson is a member of the Sharks' cheerleading squad.
Seven lettermen do return to the fold including: sophomores Tyler Forand (14-14) and Matt Henn (3-1), juniors Scott Cronin (27-16) and Steven Richardson (4-7), seniors Shayne Gracteroly (2-3), Rockkhem "The Dream" Greene (13-15), Matt Lambert (18-11) and Ryan McCabe (5-12).
New Shark starters include: freshmen Carlos Carasquillo and Mitchell Lambert, junior Russell Baker and seniors Chad Dampier and Sean Caldwell.
Despite the attrition in numbers, what's the Sharks' focus?
"We're pushing for the top two spots in the district," shared fifth-year mentor Mike Lastra. "Our clear leader is Simonson. He leads our room by example. He's a strong kid and his goal this year is place at states. He works his tail off."
About the rest?
"We surprised some people last year finishing third (district), but we want more," said Lastra. "Some of our guys are green, so are a lot of other teams. Our main focus is doing well against 1A kids."
Who is standing in the way?
"Right now, Citrus is the team to beat," Lastra pointed out. "They'll be hard to overtake. But we're shooting to finish as close as we can to them."

2008-09 Hernando County Wrestling Schedules
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

2008-09 Central Bears
Head Coach – Roy Reyes (3rd Year: 20-7 lifetime)

Date Opponent Site Result/Time
11-22 Solomon Classic Home 10:30 a.m.
12-05 Citrus JV Tourney Away 3 p.m.
12-06 Bear Duals Home 10 a.m.
12-11 Hernando JV Tourney Away 10 a.m.
12-12 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Away 2:30 p.m.
12-13 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Away 10 a.m.
12-20 Hackney JV Tourney Home 10:30 a.m.
12-29 Oviedo Ironman Tourney Away TBA
12-30 Oviedo Ironman Tourney Away TBA
01-02 Citrus JV Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-03 Citrus Duals Away 10 a.m.
01-10 Barron Collier Invitational Away 10 a.m.
01-12 Lecanto Away 6:30 p.m.
01-17 Dunedin Duals Away 10 a.m.
01-17 Brandon JV Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-23 Brandon Ippolito Tourney Away 5 p.m.
01-24 Brandon Ippolito Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-27 Nature Coast Home 6:30 p.m.
01-31 JV State Tourney Home 10:30 a.m.
02-07 2A-5 Tourney @ Dunedin Away 10 a.m.
02-13 2A-II Tourney @ Poinciana Away 2 p.m.
02-14 2A-II Tourney @ Poinciana Away 10 a.m.
02-19 2A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 12 p.m.
02-20 2A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.
02-21 2A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.

2008-09 Hernando Leopards
Head Coach – Joe McLain (2nd Year: 6-6 lifetime)

Date Opponent Site Result/Time
11-19 Crystal River Away L 39-41
11-22 Tampa-Berkeley Prep Inv. Away 10 a.m.
11-22 Springstead JV Tourney Away 11 a.m.
12-05 Citrus JV Tourney Away 3 p.m.
12-06 Sebastian River Inv. Away 10 a.m.
12-11 Hernando JV Tourney Home 10 a.m.
12-12 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Home 2:30 p.m.
12-13 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Home 10 a.m.
12-19 Gulf Duals Tourney Away 5 p.m.
12-20 Gulf Duals Tourney Away 10 a.m.
12-20 Hackney JV Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-02 Citrus JV Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-02 Clay Rotary Club Inv. Away 5 p.m.
01-03 Clay Rotary Club Inv. Away 10 a.m.
01-09 Springstead Inv. Away 2:30 p.m.
01-10 Springstead Inv. Away 10 a.m.
01-17 Sunlake Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-23 Golden Gate Duals Away 5:30 p.m.
01-24 Golden Gate Duals Away 10 a.m.
01-28 Springstead Home 5 p.m.
01-31 JV State Tourney Away 10 a.m.
02-07 1A-5 Tourney @ Citrus Away 10 a.m.
02-13 1A-II Tourney @ Matanzas Away 2 p.m.
02-14 1A-II Tourney @ Matanzas Away 10 a.m.
02-19 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 12 p.m.
02-20 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.
02-21 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.

2008-09 Nature Coast Technical Sharks
Head Coach – Mike Lastra (5th Year: 16-56 lifetime)

Date Opponent Site Result/Time
12-06 Central Duals Away 10 a.m.
12-12 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Home 2:30 p.m.
12-13 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Home 10 a.m.
12-19 Gulf Duals Tourney Away 5 p.m.
12-20 Gulf Duals Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-03 St. Pete Catholic Duals Away 10 a.m.
01-07 The Villages Home 7 p.m.
01-09 Springstead Inv. Away 2:30 p.m.
01-10 Springstead Inv. Away 10 a.m.
01-16 Poinciana Duals Away 2:30 p.m.
01-17 Poinciana Duals Away 10 a.m.
01-24 Ridgeview Duals Away 10 a.m.
01-31 The Villages Inv. Away 10 a.m.
02-07 1A-5 Tourney @ Citrus Away 10 a.m.
02-13 1A-II Tourney @ Matanzas Away 2 p.m.
02-14 1A-II Tourney @ Matanzas Away 10 a.m.
02-19 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 12 p.m.
02-20 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.
02-21 1A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.

2008-09 Springstead Eagles
Head Coach – Eric Swensen (5th Year: 58-10 lifetime)

Date Opponent Site Result/Time
11-22 Springstead JV Tourney Home 8:30 a.m.
11-29 Ocala-Forest Tourney Away 9 a.m.
12-05 Citrus JV Tourney Away 3 p.m.
12-05 Plant City-Durant Inv. Away 2:30 p.m.
12-06 Plant City-Durant Inv. Away 9 a.m.
12-11 Hernando JV Tourney Away 10 a.m.
12-12 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Away 2:30 p.m.
12-13 Kiwanis Inv. @ Hernando Away 10 a.m.
12-19 Gulf Duals Tourney Away 5 p.m.
12-20 Gulf Duals Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-03 Springstead Duals Home9 a.m.
01-09 Springstead Inv. Away 2:30 p.m.
01-10 Springstead Inv. Away 10 a.m.
01-16 Flagler Palm Coast Inv. Away 1 p.m.
01-17 Flagler Palm Coast Inv. Away 10 a.m.
01-24 McKeel Academy JV Inv. Away 8 a.m.
01-23 Brandon Ippolito Tourney Away 5 p.m.
01-24 Brandon Ippolito Tourney Away 10 a.m.
01-28 Hernando Away 5 p.m.
02-07 2A-5 Tourney @ Dunedin Away 10 a.m.
02-13 2A-II Tourney @ Poinciana Away 2 p.m.
02-14 2A-II Tourney @ Poinciana Away 10 a.m.
02-19 2A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 12 p.m.
02-20 2A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.
02-21 2A State Finals @ Lakeland Away 10 a.m.

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

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