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Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

STARING DOWN THE CHAMP – NCT’s Tyler Forand stares down 2008 Class 1A state qualifier Crystal River’s David Vreeland at 103 pounds during Saturday’s American Legion Post 347 Wrestling Tournament sponsored by The Villages. Vreeland down Forand via a major decision, 11-3. But the Sharks captured the dual meet, 38-34.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: February 1, 2009

THE VILLAGES - By all accounts, Nature Coast Technical's return visit to Saturday's five-team, American Legion Post 347 Wrestling Tournament was no walk in the park.
Sure, the Sharks entered the tiny event as the defending champions. And yes, four teams that competed in 2008 opted not to return this winter.
Plus, the format switched from an open-bracketed event to a dual meet format.
In essence, instead of a handful of individuals carrying a team through, the Sharks needed an entire team effort to repeat.
Luckily, it received one.
Despite competing with only a 10-man lineup - minus two of its finest grapplers, senior David Simonson (a team disciplinary issue) and junior Scott Cronin (health concern) - NCT went 4-0 in the Sumter County event to repeat in the only tournament the school has ever captured.
During the 5½-hour event, NCT clobbered Groveland-South Lake (57-6), mowed down Ocala-Trinity Catholic (54-18), solved The Villages (38-21) and staved off Crystal River in the finals, 38-34.
In the final match, NCT (21-14 overall) erected a 38-0 cushion after eight bouts, before the Pirates (7-5) stormed back behind six consecutive wins.
All told, the Sharks captured 83 percent (33-of-40) of its individual bouts, featuring 16 pins.
The Brooksville squad had each of its grapplers finish .500 or better. In fact, eight members went 3-1 or better.
Additionally, five Sharks posted unbeaten 4-0 won-lost slates including junior Steven Richardson at 130 pounds, freshman Mitch Lambert at 135-140, senior Matt Lambert at 145-152, freshman Carlos Carrasquillo at 152-160, and senior Rockkhem "The Dream" Greene at 189.
Fifth-year Shark Head Coach Mike improved to 37-70 lifetime in duals.
In the process, his squad completed its regular season by setting school records for most dual meet matches (35), most dual meet wins (21), most individual wins (320), and most individual pins (177).
"The effort was good considering we only had 10 guys today," summed up Coach Lastra. "And the big thing was we came out injury-free. We could not afford to lose anybody else.
"We came in a short-handed. Sometimes kids will be kids, so we had to sit out a few for disciplinary reasons," he added. "Hopefully, we'll have a full boat for next week at Citrus (Class 1A-5 Meet)."
Biggest surprise?
"We had five kids go 4-0 today," mentioned Lastra. "That's really good. But Mitch (Lambert) really impressed me. He's wrestled over 40 matches as a freshman this year and kept his nose right in the thick of things. If he stays with it, he could be very, very tough as a senior."
What was the key win?
"Against Crystal River, we had a couple kids step up," recalled Coach Lastra. "We don't have kids that are world beaters, but they've worked real hard to get this far. Of all our accomplishments this year, going over 300 (individual) wins today as a team is something special. Especially when you consider the only team higher than us in the county is Springstead."
And the format?
"It was definitely tougher to repeat here this year," replied Lastra. "It tougher in duals because you need contributions from everybody. That's what we got today."

Shark heroes

Mitch Lambert's efforts helped him improve to 18-23 overall, featuring 10 pins.
"It went good today," smiled 15-year-old Lambert. "I came out wanting to go 4-0 and I did. I had to wrestle hard and wrestle smart."
Why the success?
"I've been working real hard in practice," he answered. "I feel like I'm definitely ready for districts. I think all the hard work I've put in will pay off."
Richardson's efforts enabled him to climb to 15-12 overall with 10 pins.
"I wrestled my hardest," explained the 16-year-old Richardson. "I worked a lot of moves. I'm kinda a counter-puncher. It's what I'm good at."
Matt Lambert improved to 26-4, featuring 11 pins.
"This is the third time this season, I've gone undefeated in a tournament, so it's pretty nice," the 17-year-old Lambert commented. "Right now, I feel I'm absolutely ready for districts. I've only lost two matches to district opponents. I think we're gonna go into next week with a solid lineup."
Greene, who finished 13-15 last winter, has already doubled his win total, improving Saturday to 29-12 overall.
"This is the second time I've gone unbeaten this year," described the 18-year-old Greene. "Right now, I feel much better than I did last year and I'm wrestling much better. There's a lot more confidence."
What's next week's goal?
"You have to go in thinking you're going to win it," responded Greene. "I think we're gonna surprise some people next week at districts. The key for us is to wrestle smart."
Rounding out the squad, Carrasquillo went 4-0 with three wins coming via forfeits.
Sophomore Tyler Forand, competing at 103 and 112, went 3-1 overall with a team-best three pins.
The trio of falls totaled 2:51 as Forand took home a plaque for Most Pins, Least Amount of Time.

American Legion Post 347 Wrestling Tourney Team Results:

1st Round:
The Villages 48, South Lake 24
Crystal River 48, Ocala-Trinity Catholic 28
NCT - bye

2nd Round:
Crystal River 48, The Villages 30
Ocala-Trinity Catholic - bye
Nature Coast Technical 57, South Lake 6
103 - Forand (NCT) pin Yancey, 1:04.
112 - double forfeit.
119 - double forfeit.
125 - Anthony (NCT) pin Wery, 3:27.
130 - Richardson (NCT) dec. Bombardo, 10-7.
135 - Mitch Lambert (NCT) won by forfeit.
140 - double forfeit.
145 - Matt Lambert (NCT) won by forfeit.
152 - Carrasquillo (NCT) won by forfeit.
160 - Dale (SL) won by forfeit.
171 - Gracteroly (NCT) won by forfeit.
189 - Greene (NCT) won by forfeit.
215 - Gilbert (NCT) pin Banker, 1:10.
285 - Caldwell (NCT) pin Gould, 0:46.
Records - Nature Coast Technical (18-14), South Lake (2-12).

3rd Round:
Crystal River 54, South Lake 12
The Villages - bye.
Nature Coast Technical 54, Ocala-Trinity Catholic 18
103 - Forand (NCT) pin Horn, 0:40.
112 - double forfeit.
119 - double forfeit.
125 - Hoppel (OTC) pin Anthony, 4:56.
130 - Richardson (NCT) pin Mamsean, 3:51.
135 - double forfeit.
140 - Mitch Lambert (NCT) pin Ramsey, 0:49.
140 - double forfeit.
145 - double forfeit.
152 - Matt Lambert (NCT) pin Seaman, 3:38.
160 - Carrasquillo (NCT) pin Paglia, 3:28.
171 - Gracteroly (NCT) pin Ramos, 0:47.
189 - Greene (NCT) won by forfeit.
215 - Gilbert (NCT) won by forfeit.
285 - Caldwell (NCT) won by forfeit.
Records - Nature Coast Technical (19-14), Ocala-Trinity Catholic (3-9).

4th Round:
Ocala-Trinity Catholic 36, South Lake 27
Crystal River - bye
Nature Coast Technical 38, The Villages 21
103 - double forfeit.
112 - Forand (NCT) pin Trent, 1:02.
119 - double forfeit.
125 - Spears (TV) dec. Anthony, 8-6.
130 - Richardson (NCT) pin Obregon, 2:55.
135 - Mitch Lambert (NCT) major dec. Gough, 16-6.
140 - Couture (TV) won by forfeit.
145 - Matt Lambert (NCT) major dec. Price, 9-1.
152 - Carrasquillo (NCT) won by forfeit.
160 - Wulff (TV) won by forfeit.
171 - Carver (TV) dec. Gracteroly, 12-8..
189 - Greene (NCT) pin Schmidt, 0:31.
215 - Gilbert (NCT) pin Carter, 1:20.
285 - Davis (TV) dec. Caldwell, 12-9.
Records - Nature Coast Technical (20-14), The Villages (n/a).

5th Round:
Bye-South Lake
(3rd Place)
The Villages 61, Ocala-Trinity Catholic 18
(Championship)
Nature Coast Technical 38, Crystal River 34
103 - Vreeland (CR) major dec. Forand, 11-3.
112 - Surber (CR) won by forfeit.
119 - Walters (CR) won by forfeit.
125 - Jordan (CR) won by forfeit.
130 - Anthony (NCT) tech. fall Johns, 19-4.
135 - Richardson (NCT) pin Thompson, 1:09.
140 - Mitch Lambert (NCT) dec. Colon, 13-8.
140 - Couture (TV) won by forfeit.
145 - Matt Lambert (NCT) won by forfeit.
152 - Carrasquillo (NCT) won by forfeit.
160 - double forfeit.
171 - Gracteroly (NCT) won by forfeit.
189 - Greene (NCT) pin Belanger, 1:05.
215 - Brass (CR) pin Gilbert, 3:08.
285 - Cruz (CR) pin Caldwell, 2:40.
Records - Nature Coast Technical (21-14), Crystal River (7-5).

American Legion Post 347 Tourney Team Results
RK. Team    W L
1. Nature Coast Technical  4 0
2.  Crystal River   3 1
3. The Villages    2 2 
4.  Ocala-Trinity Catholic 1 3 
5. Groveland-South Lake 0 4
TOTALS    10 10

American Legion Post 347 Tourney Awards:
Outstanding Wrestler Award (Lightweights) - David Vreeland (Crystal River).
Outstanding Wrestler Award (Heavyweights) - Sean Carver (The Villages).
Most Pins, Least Amount of Time - Tyler Ford (NCT) 3 pins in 2:51.

NCT @ American Legion Post 347 Tourney Individual Results
Wgt  Name   W L Pins
103-112 Forand, Tyler  3 1 3
125  Anthony, Robert 2 2 1
130  Richardson, Steven 4 0 3
135-140 Lambert, Mitch 4 0 1
145-152 Lambert, Matt  4 0 1
152-160 Carrasquillo, Carlos 4 0 1
171  Gracteroly, Shayne 3 1 1
189  Greene, Rockkhem 4 0 2 
215  Gilbert, Jeff  3 1 2    
285  Caldwell, Sean 2 2 1
TOTALS    33 7 16 

Additional Photos:
http://media2.tbo.com/mediamanager/2009/feb/02/422...
 
 

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

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