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Eagles continue their ascent
WRESTLING
Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO
FOUR-PEAT – F.W. Springstead’s wrestling team indicates how many times they’ve captured the Brooksville Kiwanis Invitational in a row. SHS collected its 14th Kiwanis team title last Saturday night at the Michael A. Imhoff Gymnasium at Hernando High. Members of the team include, firsr row (left to right): Nick Soto, Richie Bliss, Sean Redman, Virgil Toms and Casey Quinn. Middle row: Tim Furchak, Sammy Colon, Cody Ross and Shawn Landgraff. Back row: Kenny Cox, Thomas Ellerbee, Andrew Herr, Christian Quinones and John Dreggors.
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Published: December 12, 2009
BROOKSVILLE - Head Coach Travis DeWalt's Class 1A-8 Gulf High mat team had a solid Brooksville Kiwanis Invitational Tournament this weekend at Hernando High's Michael Imhoff Gymnasium.
Gulf produced six medalists, including two tourney champions, en route to 180.5 points.
The New Port Richey Buccaneers finished second in the assembled 23-team field that competed for more than 20 hours in the 28th annual event.
GHS' point total would have been enough to capture seven previous Kiwanis Invitationals, but not this one.
The spotlight squarely belonged to Class 2A-7's F.W. Springstead High.
In season No. 31, the Eagles soared to new heights.
Class 2A's No. 1 ranked team, SHS, which brought 13 grapplers (12 starters and one junior varsity call-up), accomplished what they set out to do - shatter several school marks.
As well as Gulf finished, sixth-year Head Coach Eric Swensen's club defeated them by a remarkable 137 points.
SHS' 317.5 points set a new Kiwanis Inv. standard for most points scored. The Eagles captured this tournament for the 14th time including a tourney-record fourth in a row. It was Coach Swensen's third tourney win this winter and his 22nd overall in five-plus seasons.
By comparison, SHS Hall of Fame skipper Bob Levija's teams captured this event 10 times, including 6-of-7, but never four in a row.
Eagles rule
How'd the Spring Hill club do it?
The Eagles had 12 medalists including 11 finalists. In all, SHS went 47-5 overall, winning 90 percent of their matches, featuring a meet-high 35 pins.
In Saturday night's finals, SHS compensated for its 2008 Kiwanis finals struggles by capturing nine titles in 11 bouts.
But is the Eagle accomplishment diminished because the tourney field was watered down minus Lakeland-Lake Gibson and Tampa-Jesuit, a pair of teams that finished second and fourth in 2008?
"It's difficult to rank teams in any tournament every year, because of graduation and everything else," explained Coach Swensen. "But the bottom line, regardless of who is there, you still have to perform.
"Tonight, we reached 300 points, that's a rare mark," described Swensen. "It was a collective effort. Guys like Ellerbee, Colon, and Herr - guys that have never won tournaments - came through. And our kids stepped up."
What was the difference?
"Last year, we kinda took the finals for granted," admitted Swensen remembering SHS dropped 5-of-8 finals matches. "This time, we came in focused and ready to go. But the kids still had to perform and they did."
Coaches' MVP?
Swensen believed the unsung guys, like Thomas Ellerbee, Sammy Colon, and Andrew Herr, were his team MVPs at Kiwanis.
"Not to take anything away from guys like Soto, Ross, Bliss and Cox, but my tournament MVP goes to Ellerbee, Colon, and Herr," Swensen said. "Herr was a fourth seed here and won. He beat a good Nature Coast kid in Gilbert in the finals. All tournament long, he just gutted out wins. And Thomas has been with our program for four years, this is his time. And Sammy is a beast in the (practice) room. It's great to see those guys get rewarded."
Yet, the night also belonged to Hernando County.
For the first time ever, three county programs (Central High did not compete) finished among the top four teams in a varsity wrestling tournament as Hernando rallied to edge up-and-coming Nature Coast Technical, 110.0-98.5 for third place.
Both host HHS and NCT finished with three placers.
Hernando High senior and two-time state placer, Daniel Pritz (13-0), remained unbeaten behind a perfect 4-0 run at 145 pounds and impressed the area coaches enough to earn the meet's prestigious Outstanding Wrestler Award.
Bliss, Ross, Cox repeat
After Springstead sophomore Sean "Buddha" Redman (13-3 overall) placed third at 119 behind a fine 4-1 won-lost in the consolations, SHS claimed nine titles in the finals.
Silver medals were awarded to junior Shawn Landgraff at 152 and sophomore Casey Quinn at 171.
Repeat Eagle champs from last winter included junior Richie Bliss at 103, sophomore Cody Ross at 135 and senior Kenny Cox at 215.
Bliss smothered Crystal River junior and 2009 state qualifier, David Vreeland, in the finals via a 18-3 technical fall. Bliss' other three opponents suffered pin falls.
The Eagles' defending state champion finished 4-0 to improve to 14-3.
"I refreshed my memory after what happened the past couple weekends," stressed the 17-year-old Bliss on his tournament mindset. "I came here wanting to repeat. In the finals, I didn't want to lose to guy I beat last year. Vreeland was my toughest guy here. He was the only guy I couldn't pin."
Ross, who captured gold at Kiwanis as a freshman in an epic four-overtime win over Gulf's Anthony Ayers at 119, went 4-0 this time featuring three pins at 135.
"I wanted to repeat here," said the 15-year-old Ross, who improved to 14-0 overall. "I see Kiwanis as a stepping stone to districts, regions and then states."
What about the Eagles' performance?
"It makes me feel like we're the best team," replied Ross, a 2009 state runner-up. "But its one tournament. We'll go hard in practice next week to get ready for Gulf (Gulf Duals)."
Cox savored his gold medal the most. It came following his first action of the season following a meniscus knee injury in the preseason.
Cox went 3-0 with three pins, including a 2:54 pin over Mitchell High's Ryan Brosnan in the finals.
"I hated not wrestling those first few weeks," emphatically said the 17-year-old Cox, a 2009 state qualifier. "I'm not close to being in shape, so I relied more on my technique. There were some tough guys here, but there was no one to compete with at 215."
And the team?
"It's a phenomenal team," said Cox. "It's kinda neat to say we could be the best team Springstead's ever had."
SHS: six first-time winners
Springstead's six other champions featured senior Thomas Ellerbee at 160, sophomore John Dreggors at heavyweight and juniors Virgil Toms at 125, Nick Soto at 130, Sammy Colon at 135 and Andrew Herr at 171.
Soto waited a year for redemption and a crak at another gold medal. He lost to Tampa-Jesuit senior David Gonzalez via a 10-2 major decision last winter.
This time, Soto finished 5-0 with a tournament-best five pins. In the process, he received a plaque for Most Pins, Least Amount of Time (11:06) while climbing to a team-best 15-0.
Soto's five pins ties him with Ellerbee for the team and county lead (11).
"Last week was great (winning at Durant)," recalled the 17-year-old Soto. "But everybody has to move on and stay hungry. I lost my focus here last year, I wasn't going to allow that to happen again."
And the team?
"I wouldn't trade for anybody," expressed Soto. "We're going to continue to train hard. Hopefully it all pays off at states."
Dreggors, a 245-pound sophomore transfer from Citrus High, finished 4-0 with four pins to improve to 13-2 overall.
He pinned North Marion junior and 2009 Class 1A state placer, Matt Pringle, in 2:40.
Another transfer, Toms, bounced back from a shoulder injury suffered last weekend in Plant City.
After a 2-3 weekend at Durant, Toms finished 4-0 with three pins. He stands 12-3.
In his toughest match, Toms trailed 5-0 and was on his back in the opening moments of his finals match against NCT senior and 2009 state qualifier, Scott Cronin.
"I got caught in a high crotch lift. It was a mistake," recalled the 16-year-old Toms. "I told myself 'I'm not getting pinned. I'm gonna come back.'"
And he did eventually solving Cronin with a pin in 4:50.
"Winning here was important," emphasized Toms. "I needed to get back to my game. I told myself I'm not a sixth-place finisher (like at Durant)."
Past Brooksville-Kiwanis Tournament Champions
Year School Points
2009 Spring Hill-Springstead 317.5
2008 Spring Hill-Springstead 252.5
2007 Spring Hill-Springstead 228.5
2006 Spring Hill-Springstead 234
2005 Gainesville 243
2004 Bunnell-F. Palm Coast 209.5
2003 Brooksville-Hernando 203
2002 Tampa-Sickles 156
2001 Spring Hill-Springstead 179
2000 Spring Hill-Springstead 208.5
1999 Spring Hill-Springstead 209
1998 Lecanto 189
1997 Spring Hill-Springstead 252
1996 Spring Hill-Springstead 214.5
1995 Spring Hill-Springstead 241
1994 New Orleans, LA-Jesuit 226
1993 Lakeland Senior 173
1992 Spring Hill-Springstead 210
1991 Mechanicsburg, PA 178
1990 Spring Hill-Springstead 175
1989 Spring Hill-Springstead 206.5
1988 Spring Hill-Springstead 211.5
1987 Land O'Lakes 147
1986 New Orleans, LA-Jesuit 162.5
1985 New Orleans, LA-Jesuit NA
1984 Englewood-Lemon Bay NA
1983 Tampa-Leto NA
1982 Brandon 206.5
28th Brooksville Kiwanis Wrestling Invitational Team Standings:
PL TEAM CLASS PTS
1. Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG) 2A-7 317.5
2. New Port Richey-Gulf (GF) 1A-8 180.0
3. Brooksville-Hernando (HER) 1A-8 110.0
4. Brooksville-Nature Coast (NCT) 1A-8 98.5
5. Dade City-Pasco (PAS) 1A-8 93.5
6. Land O'Lakes-Sunlake (SNL) 2A-8 88.0
7. New Port Richey-Mitchell (MIT) 2A-8 85.0
8. Belleview (BELL) 2A-4 84.0
9. Crystal River (CR) 1A-8 82.0
10. New Port Richey-River Ridge (RR) 2A-8 81.0
11. Citra-North Marion (NM) 2A-4 80.0
12. Dunnellon (DUN) 1A-8 72.5
13. Valrico-Bloomingdale (BLOM) 3A-6 71.0
14. Tampa-Jefferson (JEFF) 2A-10 69.0
15. Zephyrhills (ZEP) 2A-8 65.5
16. Lecanto (LEC) 2A-7 64.0
17. Tampa-Robinson (ROB) 1A-10 63.5
18. Ocala-Trinity Catholic (OTC) 1A-8 46.5
19. Land O'Lakes (LOL) 2A-7 32.0
20. Hudson (HUD) 2A-7 24.0
21. New Port Richey-Ridgewood (RW) 2A-7 18.0
22. Wesley Chapel (WC) 1A-8 17.0
23. Ocala-West Port (WP) 2A-4 6.00
2009 Individual Results (Top 4 receive medals)
103 - 1. Bliss (SPG), 2. Vreeland (CR), 3. VanDam (ZEP), 4. Helsel (BELL).
112 - 1. Portillo (BELL), 2 Carpenter (GF), 3. Gamez (PAS), 4. Forand (NCT).
119 - 1. Ayers (GF), 2. Hynes (ZEP), 3. Redman (SPG), 4. McKay (LOL).
125 - 1. Toms (SPG), 2. Cronin (NCT), 3. Reagor (BLOM), 4. Hernandez (PAS).
130 - 1. Soto (SPG), 2. Hoppel (OTC), 3. Dhanpai (BELL), 4. S. Arcadipane (LEC).
135 - 1. Ross (SPG), 2. Hoppel (OTC), 3. Bellavia (SNL), 4. Jimenez (OTC).
140 - 1. Colon (SPG), 2. Peterson (SNL), 3. Jordan (LEC), 4. Thompson (CR).
145 - 1. D. Pritz (HER), 2. Drake (PAS), 3. Wertheim (MIT), 4. Hart (SNL).
152 - 1. Jackson (GF), 2. Landgraff (SPG), 3. Z. Pritz (HER), 4. Burns (RR).
160 - 1. Ellerbee (SPG), 2. Mesango (GF), 3. Acosta (JEFF) , 4. Delgado (DUN).
171 - 1. Vannata (RR), 2. Quinn (SPG), 3. Ritter (GF), 4. Padilla (ROB)
189 - 1. Herr (SPG), 2. Gilbert (NCT), 3. Lamorte (HER), 4. O'Connell (DUN).
215 - 1. Cox (SPG), 2. Brosnan (MIT), 3. Vath (BLOM), 4. Woods (ROB).
285 - 1. Dreggors (SPG), 2. Pringle (NM), 3. Robinson (JEFF), 4. Kruse (GF).
2009 Kiwanis Individual Awards:
Most Pins, Least Amt. of Time - Chris Soto (SPG) 5 pins: 11:06.
Fastest Pin - Robert Brass (CR) - 9 seconds.
Outstanding Referee - Mike Nevercliff.
Outstanding Wrestler - Daniel Pritz (HER).
2009 Finals Results:
103 - Bliss (SPG) tech. fall Vreeland (CR), 18-3.
112 - Portillo (BEL) dec. Carpenter (GF), 10-5.
119 - Ayers (GF) dec. Hynes (ZEP), 8-1.
125 - Toms (SPG) pin Cronin (NTC), 4:50.
130 - Soto (SPG) pin Hoppel (OTC), 1:06.
135 - Ross (SPG) major dec. Hurst (NM), 17-6.
140 - Colon (SPG) pin Peterson (SNL) , 1:09.
145 - D. Pritz (HER) wins by injury default Drake (PAS).
152 - Jackson (GF) dec. Landgraff (SPG), 9-7.
160 - Ellerbee (SPG) dec. Mesango (GF), 3-2.
171 - Vannata (RR) pin Quinn (SPG), 1:45.
189 - Herr (SPG) dec. Gilbert (NCT), 5-1.
215 - Cox (SPG) pin Brosnan (MIT), 1:53.
285 - Dreggors (SPG) pin Pringle (NM), 2:40.
2009 Consolation Finals
103 - VanDam (ZEP) tech. fall. Helsel (BELL), 17-2.
112 - Gamez (PAS) major dec. Forand (NCT), 12-0.
119 - Redman (SPG) won by forfeit McKay (LOL).
125 - Reagor (BLOM) major dec. Hernandez (PAS), 10-2.
130 - Dhanpai (BELL) dec. S. Arcadipane (LEC), 4-2.
135 - Bellavia (SNL) dec. Jimenez (OTC), 7-2.
140 - Jordan (LEC) pin Thompson (CR), 3:33.
145 - Wertheim (MIT) major dec. Hart (SNL), 16-2.
152 - Z. Pritz (HER) major dec. Burns (RR), 14-4.
160 - Acosta (JEFF) dec. Delgado (DUN), 5-3.
171 - Ritter (GF) dec. Padilla (ROB), 3-1.
189 - Lamorte (HER) pin O'Connell (DUN), 0:30.
215 - Vath (BLOM) dec. Woods (ROB), 6-5.
285 - Robinson (JEFF) dec. Kruse (GF), 14-7.
Springstead Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
103 Bliss, Richie 4 0 3 1st
119 Redman, Sean 4 1 3 3rd
125 Toms, Virgil 4 0 3 1st
130 Soto, Nick 5 0 5 1st
135 Ross, Cody 4 0 3 1st
140 Colon, Sammy 5 0 4 1st
145 Furchak, Tim 0 2 - -
152 Landgraff, Shawn 3 1 2 2nd
160 Ellerbee, Thomas 4 0 2 1st
171 Quinn, Casey 3 1 2 2nd
189 Herr, Andrew 4 0 1 1st
215 Cox, Kenny 3 0 3 1st
285 Dreggors, John 4 0 4 1st
TOTALS 47 5 35 -
Hernando Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
112 Brown, Chris 1 2 1 -
119 Weston, Spencer 2 2 2 -
125 Worsley, Sonny 1 2 1 -
130 Young, Jared 3 2 2 -
140 Ulloa, Mike 0 2 0 -
145 Pritz, Daniel 4 0 1 1st
152 Pritz, Zach 4 1 2 3rd
160 Sullivan, Zach 2 2 1 -
171 Day, Blaine 1 2 1 -
189 Lamorte, Dillon 5 1 3 3rd
215 Raney, Dakota 2 2 0 -
285 Neff, Austin 2 2 2 -
TOTALS 27 20 16 -
Nature Coast Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
112 Forand, Tyler 3 2 1 4th
125 Cronin, Scott 3 1 3 2nd
130 Richardson, Steven 1 2 1 -
135 Bolesta, Carter 2 2 1 -
140 Lambert, Mitch 2 2 0 -
145 McCarty, Luke 1 2 1 -
160 Nuby, Brenton 2 2 1 -
189 Gilbert, Jeff 4 1 2 2nd
285 Jarque, Greg 2 2 2 -
TOTALS 20 16 12 -
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.
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