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Century Mark Looms for Leopards

WRESTLING

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Hernando High senior James Davidson, shown here against The Villages’ Sean Carver, seeks his 100th career win and his second trip to the state championship meet beginning Friday in the Class 1A, Region II meet at Palm Coast-Matanzas.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: February 12, 2009

Heading into this weekend's grueling Class 1A, Region II meet at Palm Coast-Matanzas, several milestones are at the finger tips for Hernando High senior grappler James Allen Davidson.

Davidson: 101

James, 18, the oldest of three children to Richard Davidson and Tara Fox, has resided in Brooksville since March, 2006.
James was born in Tampa and lived in the Sunshine State until his family relocated to Bennington, Vermont -- ironically, just a few miles from where Springstead High Head Coach Eric Swensen was reared.
Davidson competed in middle school football and wrestling before matriculating at his first high school - Mount Anthony Union - where he was a junior varsity grappler.
After moving back to Hernando County at the tail end of his freshman year, the now 6-foot, 175-pound Davidson played one year of varsity football and the next three seasons on the Leopard varsity wrestling team.
Why wrestling?
"Wrestling is a team sport, but you put in a lot of time as an individual," remarked Davidson. "To me the greatest feeling in the world is when the official raises your hand. It's like all the pain you went through and all the hard work you've put in has paid off."
As a sophomore at HHS, he went 26-15 overall with 13 pins under Head Coach Matt Smith.
That season was highlighted with a third-place district finish.
He was eliminated, however, after a 2-2 performance at Avon Park.
Last winter, Davidson enjoyed a breakthrough campaign behind a 34-11 slate, featuring 17 pins.
The 2008 season was highlighted by Davidson capturing the first of his two district championship blue ribbons.
In regionals again at Avon Park, Davidson turned heads by finishing runner-up at 171 and earning his first-ever trip to the state championship. He finished 1-2 at states.
This winter, he's been the Purple and Gold's most consistent performer week in and week out.
Along the way, he's amassed a career-best 36-3 slate, featuring a personal-best 27 pins. His 39 wins lead all the Hernando County wrestlers. His 27 pins are tied for the best with Springstead senior Jessey Lorentsen.
Ironically, when the two clashed in the finals of Springstead Invitational in mid-January, Lorentsen won, 10-9.
But the fans that were in Spring Hill that night witnessed an epic showdown.
Down 9-2, Davidson rallied to tie the match in the third period 9-all before Lorentsen secured a last-second takedown to win it, 10-9.
It marked the third time in two seasons Lorentsen had solved Davidson, including twice by one point.
But since that narrow defeat, Davidson has reeled off 24 consecutive wins.
The county's current hottest streak belongs to teammate, junior Daniel Pritz, who enters on a 28-match win skein.
By comparison, Springstead High's sophomore Richie Bliss has captured 19 in a row.

Dead ahead

Unlike last season, when Hudson High senior Devin Brown solved Davidson three times in three meetings, Brown will not be back this weekend at Matanzas.
Without the defending regional champion in his way, Davidson has an opportunity to reach some coveted milestones.
First, with a win over Matanzas junior Pat Fogarty (22-13) in the opening round, Davidson will become the 16th Leopard to reach the 100-career win plateau at HHS. He'll join teammate Daniel Pritz, who reached the mark earlier this season.
Secondly, the county record for most state qualifiers is held by Hernando High.
Since 1974-75, the Purple and Gold have produced 98 state qualifiers. Two more, including Davidson and Pritz, would push that elusive total past the century mark.
Most importantly of Hernando County's previous 25 state champions, many fans forget the Leopards have secured more gold medals than Springstead, 12-11.
So by qualifying for next week's 45th state tourney, Davidson's ultimate dream remains alive.
What's his secret to success?
"I'm not the strongest," replied Davidson. "So I rely on my technique with my moves. Originally, I started out thinking I'd play football again this year. But I after I joined USA Wrestling during the summer, I realized I liked the idea being on the top of the podium come states."
What does a top four finish at regionals mean?
"States is the ultimate motivator," replied Davidson, who carries a 2.95 grade point average, and would like to either study physical therapy or mechanical engineering in the future. "I believe I've trained a lot harder than I did last year (for states). The thing that I realized was there's guys out there that push themselves every day to get better. I needed to be like those guys to get to the top of the podium at Lakeland."
What would 100 wins mean?
"One hundred wins means I pushed myself hard to get my hand raised that many times," smiled Davidson.
Who has helped guide Davidson reach this far?
"No doubt, it's been my mom," he answered. "She's like the team mom. She goes everywhere I go. She's the one that always took off time from work to make all of my events. I couldn't have done what I've done so far without her."
What's the goal this weekend?
"Sure, like everybody else I want to win," said Davidson. "Right now, I live and breathe in the wrestling room. That's all I think about. Winning has given me a lot more confidence as the years have gone on.
"All the older guys on this team are looking at each other to get extra points to help the team win," he added. "Our younger guys have been stepping up, like they did last week. It seems every year; we kinda hit our stride at the end of the season. That's what I want."

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

By the Numbers: HHS' James Davidson (2006-09)
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Yr  Won Lost Pins
2006-07 26  15  13
2007-08* 34  11  17
2008-09 36 3 24  
TOTALS 99 29 57
* Denotes state qualifier

Most Career Individual Wins
RK. NO. NAME   YEARS
1.  149 Pritz, David  2002-06
2. (tie) 143 Chipoletti, Addison 2001-05
2. (tie) 143 Kuhn, Brandyn 2003-07
4. (tie) 131 Combs, Michael  2002-06
4. (tie) 131 Graham, Jesse  2004-08
6.  124 Woods, Billy  1998-02
7. (tie) 120 Combs, Charley 2000-04
7. (tie) 120 Gant, Richard  1993-97
9. 116 Combs, Billy  1999-03
10. 110 Rotunda, Windham 2001-05
11. 107 Pritz, Robbie  1996-00
12. 105 Pritz, Stephen  2000-04
13.       104 Pritz, Daniel  2006-09
14.(tie) 101 Elms, Courtney 1994-98
14.(tie) 101 Innes, Drew  1997-01

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

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