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Hernando Takes Third At Berkeley Invitational

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: November 22, 2008

TAMPA - Through the years, the Berkeley Invitational at Tampa-Berkeley Prep has provided Hernando High with a solid base to start its season.

The Leopards had taken home the runner-up trophy from this meet the past two years, after winning it in 2005. Hernando had four champions last season, three of whom graduated (Tim Ball, Jesse Graham, Taylor Rotunda).

The other, Daniel Pritz, failed to make weight on Saturday and had to sit out this time around. He would have been seeded first.

Still, the Leopards had three grapplers reach the championship finals – Zack Pritz (145 pounds), James Davidson (171) and George Smith (189) – and finished third overall (127.5) behind Tampa-Jesuit (206) and Tampa-Robinson (201.5).

"I think with such a young team, we came out and did really an outstanding job," Hernando Head Coach Joe McLain said. "We have a lot of stuff we need to work on in practice, a lot of basic stuff. But I see a lot of improvement happening with our young guys. All they can do is get better at this point."

Seniors start strong

The senior Davidson, a fourth-place finisher in this tournament in 2007, pinned Michael Wonderly of Calvary Christian in 1:12, Travis Terry of Lakeland-Kathleen in 2:57 and beat Vince Lombardo of Jesuit by major decision, 15-4.

In the third period of the championship match, Davidson rolled Robinson's David Canchola in 4:42.

"I feel like I wrestled great. Last year I came in here, got injured and took fourth," said Davidson, a returning state qualifier. "Being a senior, there's extra motivation. I know what I've got left.

"It's great to start off. It showed our potential that we have as a team and as an individual."

Smith got to the finals with a win over Berkeley Prep's Antonio Weinberg (4:23) and McKeel Academy's Joshua Leon (3:23).

The senior, in his first full varsity campaign, needed just 52 seconds to wipeout Justin Baldwin of Robinson in his final, recording a first place for the first time.

"Great coaches," Smith credited for his success. "I didn't give up. A lot of guys were giving up pins. But I didn't want to give up and there was no way I was going to.

"I'm not in shape but I feel good about the way it started. Hopefully I can finish it that way."

Zack Pritz, a freshman and younger brother of Daniel, advanced via a 2:41 pin of Tampa Prep's Chase Harris and a 1:25 fall over Northside Christian's Lucio Ojeda.

In a thrilling final versus Eric Williams of Robinson, Pritz dropped a 4-2 decision in overtime to come in second.

Also for the Leopards, Nelson Elicier (103) and Shane Malvesti (135) reached consolation finals.

After pinning Berkeley Prep's Raunak Kedar in 1:16, Elicier got pinned by Victor Fugate of Tampa Baptist. He bounced back with a 1:55 pin of McKeel's Austin Gimple.

In the final, Mike Popp of Jesuit finished off Elicier in 2:18, placing the Hernando freshman fourth in his first prep meet.

Malvesti won his final, out-lasting Hudson's Pat McCardle, 7-4, to take third. He earlier recorded a technical fall victory over Mulberry's Emilio Gonzalez and a pin of McKeel's Steven Hart in 2:24.

He came one win short of the championship final, losing to eventual champion Zach Boyer of Robinson in 36 seconds.

Final Berkeley Prep Invitational Team Standings
PL Team PTS
1. Tampa-Jesuit (JES) 206.0
2. Tampa-Robinson (ROB) 201.5
3. Hernando (HER) 127.5
4. Tampa Prep (TP) 107.0
5. Tampa Baptist (TB) 92.5
6. Plant (PLA) 90.0
7. Lakeland-Kathleen (KAT) 87.0
8. McKeel Academy (MKA) 76.5
9. Mulberry (MUL) 76.0
10. Tampa-Berkeley Prep (BP) 69.0
11. Northside Christian (NSC) 45.0
12. Hudson (HUD) 30.0
13. Admiral Farragut (AF) 22.0
14. Calvary Christian (CC) 0.0

Berkeley Prep Invitational Individual Finals Results
103 - Fugate (TB) dec. Dennis (NSC), 5-0
112 - Norstrem (TB) tech. fall Ford (ROB), 20-5
119 - Boudreau (JES) dec. Rollins (ROB), 9-8
125 - Berridge (TB) dec. Baumann (TP), 9-2
130 - Gonzalez (JES) pin Alonso (TB), 5:47
135 - Boyer (ROB) maj. dec. Alizzi (JES), 15-4
140 - Nichols (JES) dec. Murphy (ROB), 13-8
145 - Williams (ROB) dec. Pritz (HER), 4-2 (OT)
152 - Radway (KAT) dec. Fontanet (TP), 6-3 (OT)
160 - Jarrell (TP) pin Hawthorne (ROB), 7-1
171 - Davidson (HER) pin Canchola (ROB), 4:42
189 - Smith (HER) pin Baldwin (ROB), 0:52
215 - Farmer (MUL) pin Lamoureux (JES), 0:42
285 - Benitez (ROB) dec. Jones (KAT), 6-1

Berkeley Prep Invitational Individual Consolatiosn Finals Results
103 - Popp (JES) pin Elicier (HER), 2:18
112 - Wooten (MUL) dec. Dominguez (JES), 9-2
119 - Bach (TP) pin White (MUL), 3:43
125 - Cimino (JES) dec. Ball (ROB), 8-2
130 - Pickeren (BP) won by forfeit Barker (NSC)
135 - Malvesti (HER) dec. McCardle (HUD), 7-4
140 - Lopez (KAT) dec. Johnson (PLA), 9-6
145 - S. Vibbert (MKA) pin Kirk (JES), 3:51
152 - Z. Vibbert (MKA) dec. Timmell (BP), 5-0
160 - Piloto (PLA) won by forfeit Warnock (JES)
171 - Lombardo (JES) maj. dec. Paone (HUD), 13-2
189 - Weinberg (BP) pin Wilson (PLA), 1:47
215 - Hebert (PLA) dec. Turkel (BP), 7-4
285 - Sierra (AF) pin Gift (TP), 0:47

Berkeley Prep Inv. Outstanding Wrestler Awards
Kevin Norstrem, Tampa Baptist

Hernando at Berkeley Prep Invitational Tourney Results
WGT Name W L Pins Pl
103 Elicier, Nelson 2 2 2 4th
112 Gunderson, Brandon 3 2 3 -
119 Young, Jared 1 2 1 -
135 Malvesti, Shane 3 1 1 3rd
145 Pritz, Zack 2 1 2 2nd
152 Morrill, Max 2 2 1 -
160 Clark, C.J. 0 2 0 -
171 Davidson, James 4 0 3 1st
189 Smith, George 3 0 3 1st
215 Lamorte, Dillon 3 2 2 -
TOTALS 23 14 18

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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