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Can Springstead Serenade Its Seniors?
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Published: January 8, 2009
Twenty-one teams are expected to take part in today's opening round beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the 19th annual Springstead Invitational Wrestling Tournament sponsored by Foster Roofing.
Saturday's semifinal round is expected to begin at 10 a.m. followed by wrestle backs, the consolation finals (5:30 p.m.) and finals at 6:30 p.m.
The expected 21-team prep field includes: two-time champion Brooksville-Hernando, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, two-time champion Tampa-Jesuit, Tampa-Jefferson, Seffner-Armwood, Tampa-Hillsborough, Auburndale, Lakeland-Kathleen, Zephyrhills, Dade City-Pasco, Wesley Chapel, Land O'Lakes-Sunlake, Hudson, New Port Richey-Mitchell, NPR-Gulf, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Land O'Lakes, Crystal River, Dunnellon, The Villages and host and 11-time champion Spring Hill-F.W. Springstead.
The host Eagles, who have captured three tourneys this winter (Ocala-Forest, Brooksville-Kiwanis and Gulf Duals), are coming off a second-place effort in last weekend's rugged five-team Springstead Duals.
The Spring Hill mat men finished 3-1 Saturday night to finish behind unbeaten Class 3A Miami-Columbus, who improved to 15-0 overall.
SHS: Ready to Rebound
A year ago, Springstead's fifth-year Head Coach Eric Swensen saw his team win this event in back-to-back winters for the first time since Hall of Fame skipper Bob Levija's program won this event for six straight seasons (1997-2002).
"We're very pleased with how we did overall last weekend," explained Swensen, who is seeking his 17th team crown this weekend. "After reviewing the tapes, there were a couple things we needed to work on. Overall, we did well considering the folks we had here."
What about this weekend?
"Jesuit, Gulf will have good weekends," forecasted Coach Swensen. "As far as a dark horse, Hernando and Nature Coast could also make some noise."
And the Eagles?
"This is our last local event," he replied. "We don't have many seniors (3), but we'd like to send them out well. Saturday night will mean a lot for Scott (Wern), Thad (Klenovich) and Jessey (Lorentsen)."
Last winter, SHS captured 75 percent (40-of-53) of its matches in its own event, highlighted by eight placers. All told, SHS had five individual champions, but three graduated and Dustin Soto (injured) is out for the season.
Klenovich (21-3 won-lost record, 8 pins) is the Eagles' lone returning individual champ, though Lorentsen (county leader at 23-2 with 17 pins) placed runner-up here last winter for Mitchell.
Interestingly, Springstead's veteran starters including Wern, Shawn Landgraff, Kenny Cox and Thomas Ellerbee have never placed in this event.
Leopards: Looking for a spark
Hernando High finished 85.5 points behind Springstead last winter (216.5-131.0), placing third overall.
Last winter, Head Coach Joe McLain had five Leopards place fourth or better highlighted by two champions: Jesse Graham and Taylor Rotunda.
This time, Daniel Pritz (17-2), George Smith (20-4) and James Davidson (22-2) are back in the fold.
HHS' title hopes, however, will hinge on the efforts of Zach Pritz (18-5), Brandon Gunderson (18-6), Shane Malvesti (17-6) and the healthy return of 2008 state qualifier Max Morrill (10-7).
Morrill was saddled with a flu bug and did not compete in last weekend's Wesley Chapel Duals Tournament.
"We've had some setbacks due to illness," summed up Coach McLain. "Everybody in our (wrestling) room has been impacted. Max (Morrill) has been out two weeks. Just how effective will he be? We don't know. Stamina will be a big issue."
Biggest positives so far?
"To date, George (Smith) and James (Davidson) have been quietly effective all year," explained McLain. "They're grinders. And Brandon (Gunderson) is a senior wrestling mostly freshmen and sophomores, so he's had some success at 103."
Any predictions?
"I see Springstead, Jesuit, Gulf and Armwood battling it out," said McLain. "We're coming down the home stretch and its imperative we have a good showing. Depending on the guy's performances, it'll show us where we're at."
Sharks: Reversing their fortunes?
For four years, NCT's mat fortunes at the Springstead Inv. have been horrendous. The Eagles gym has served as a graveyard of sorts for the Sharks.
In four previous trips to the Springstead Inv., NCT is a combined 46-86 overall with 31 pins. The Sharks have finished last twice.
Last winter, however, was their best showing finishing 16th in the 21-team field. Brandon Nuby was the school's first-ever placer (4th at 215).
Two of NCT's finest grapplers have struggled in Spring Hill. David Simonson, the school's all-time leader in wins is 3-6 lifetime in Spring Hill, while Matt Lambert is 7-6.
So far this season, Simonson is 15-5 overall while Lambert stands 10-0.
"I don't know why we've struggled there," shrugged a perplexed NCT Head Coach Mike Lastra. "It's a tough local tournament. Hopefully, we can break that spell this weekend.
"We're selling this tournament as our mini district tournament," added Lastra. "We want to make a statement that we're one of the better teams around. Our team goal this week is a Top 5 finish and we'd like to push someone into the finals."
Bears at stacked Barron Collier Tourney
Central High, which finished 12th at Springstead last winter, opted to "see some different faces" this time in traveling three hours to Saturday's loaded 17-team Barron Collier Mazda Invitational.
According to Barron Collier Head Coach Jeff Mustari, his event features three of the state's toughest teams in defending tourney champion Miami-Columbus, runner-up Ft. Lauderdale-St. Thomas Aquinas, and the state's current No. 1 ranked team in Class 1A, Ft. Lauderdale-Cardinal Gibbons.
Mustari added that Sarasota-North Port and Naples-Lely would also be in the title chase.
"We wanted the toughest teams to come down," said Mustari. "We've got 17 teams this time. We'd like to get as many as 24 teams next year if we could. I would have love to get Springstead to come down here."
Against that star-studded backdrop, Central comes in attempting shake off a lack luster 2-3 effort last weekend at Inverness.
"It's nice to see teams out of the area," explained CHS Head Coach Roy Reyes, on why his team opted to travel to Naples instead venturing five miles to Springstead. "The kids get a chance to travel and see some different styles of wrestling and we see some different faces.
"The Barron Collier Tournament is one of the toughest around the state this weekend," added Reyes. "The kids are looking forward to the challenge. At this point, it's a race toward districts."
What's the goal?
"Our veteran kids need to get some momentum started," Reyes said. "This is where they can start building momentum. You don't want doubts creeping in during districts and beyond. For our younger guys, every weekend is a tough weekend - this one is no different."
CHS is led by junior Vince Ramirez (17-2), senior Shaun Cadoret (16-4) and senior Ken Supple (14-2).
Ramirez and Cadoret each went 5-0 at Citrus High's Rob Hermann Cup Duals Tourney.
Senior and 2008 state qualifier Danny May also returned to action last weekend from a nagging injury (hamstring) to go 5-0.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 19th annual Springstead Invitational Wrestling Tournament sponsored by Fosters Roofing.
WHO: Expected 21-team prep field includes: two-time champion Brooksville-Hernando, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, two-time champion Tampa-Jesuit, Tampa-Jefferson, Seffner-Armwood, Tampa-Hillsborough, Auburndale, Lakeland-Kathleen, Zephyrhills, Dade City-Pasco, Wesley Chapel, Land O'Lakes-Sunlake, Hudson, New Port Richey-Mitchell, NPR-Gulf, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Land O'Lakes, Crystal River, Dunnellon, The Villages and host and 11-time champion Spring Hill-Springstead.
WHERE: Springstead High's gymnasium.
WHEN: Two-day tournament begins today at 2:30 p.m. Saturday action is expected to begin with semifinals at 10 a.m. Consolation finals at 5:30 p.m. followed by the finals at 6:30 p.m.
AT STAKE: Top three teams receive trophies, top four individuals receive medals and two Outstanding Wrestler Awards (lightweights, heavyweights) will also be presented.
WHAT: 9th annual Barron Collier Mazda Invitational Wrestling Tournament.
WHO: Expected 17-team field includes: defending tourney champion Miami-Columbus, runner-up Ft. Lauderdale-St. Thomas Aquinas, No. 1 ranked team in Class 1A: Ft. Lauderdale-Cardinal Gibbons, Naples, Naples-Lely, Immokalee, Sarasota-North Port, Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte, Lithia-Newsome, North Fort Myers, Ft. Myers-Evangelical Christian, Cape Coral-Mariner, Tavernier-Coral Shores, Key West, Hollywood-South Broward, Brooksville-Central and host Naples-Barron Collier.
WHERE: Barron Collier High gymnasium.
WHEN: Wrestling begins at 10 a.m.
AT STAKE: Top three teams receive statues, top four individuals receive medals and one Outstanding Wrestler Award will also be presented.
Final 2008 Springstead Invitational Team Standings:
PL Team CLASS PTS
1. Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG) 2A-5 216.5
2. New Port Richey-River Ridge (RR) 2A-5 145.0
3. Brooksville-Hernando (HER) 1A-5 131.0
4. Tampa-Chamberlain (CHAM) 2A-8 103.5
5. NPR-Mitchell (MIT) 3A-6 98.0
6. Dade City-Pasco (PAS) 1A-6 90.5
7. Hudson (HUD) 1A-6 90.0
8. Tampa-Jesuit (TJ) 1A-9 87.5
9. New Port Richey-Gulf (GF) 1A-6 86.5
10. Seffner-Armwood (ARM) 2A-7 83.0
11. Crystal River (CR) 1A-5 77.0
12. Brooksville-Central (CEN) 2A-5 63.0
13. Lithia-Newsome (NEW) 2A-7 59.5
14. NPR-Ridgewood (RW) 2A-5 58.0
15. Dunnellon (DUN) 1A-5 54.0
16. Brooksville-Nature Coast (NCT) 1A-5 53.0
17. Zephyrhills (ZEP) 1A-6 39.0
18. Wesley Chapel (WC) 2A-5 25.0
19. The Villages (VILL) 1A-5 22.0
20. Land O'Lakes (LOL) 2A-5 20.0
21. Tampa-Hillsborough (HILL) 2A-8 12.0
Past Springstead High Tournament Champions
Date Name Champion Pts.
2008 Springstead Springstead 216.5
2007 Brijbag Invitational Springstead 197.0
2006 Brijbag Invitational Tampa-Jesuit 222.5
2005 MasadaHealthcare Chamberlain 175.5
2004 MasadaHealthcare Hernando 202
2003 MasadaHealthcare Hernando 209
2002 Dr. Batista Springstead 193
2001 Dr. Batista Springstead 253.5
2000 Oak Hill Hospital Springstead 196
1999 Nations Bank Springstead 209
1998 Barnett Bank Springstead 232
1997 Barnett Bank Springstead 212.5
1996 Barnett Bank Tampa-Jesuit 170.5
1995 Barnett Bank Springstead 170.5
1994 Barnett Bank Pasco 157.5
1993 Barnett Bank Springstead 181.5
1992 Springstead Inv. Palatka 156.5
1991 Springstead Inv. Springstead 145
2008 Springstead Invitational Finals
103 - Soto (SPG) dec. Gray (ARM), 15-12.
112 - Swanton (SPG) dec. Stupar (RW), 7-5.
119 - Huff (SPG) dec. Fleming (RR), 7-2.
125 - Cook (SPG) pin Saunders (RR), 1:02.
130 - Holding (GF) dec. Bliss (SPG), 6-2.
135 - Williamson (RW) pin Kunkle (ZEP), 1:32.
140 - Graham (HER) tech. fall Colanna (NEW), 26-11.
145 - Richardson (DUN) dec. Pannacione (CR), 11-9.
152 - Klenovich (SPG) dec. Germano (HUD), 5-3.
160 - Collera (CHAM) dec. Vannata (RR), 9-4.
171 - Brown (HUD) dec. Lorentsen (MIT), 6-4.
189 - Perez (PAS) dec. Kavouklis (TJ), 4-0.
215 - Rotunda (HER) pin Stroud (PAS), 4:40.
285 - Tindell (HUD) dec. Ramirez (SPG), 3-2.
2008 Springtead Invitational Consolation Finals
103 - Jimenez (PAS) major dec. Carpenter (GF), 13-3
112 - Ayres (MIT) won by DQ over Jones (CR)
119 - Perez (ARM) v. Crespo (TJ), 6-0.
125 - Pritz (HER) dec. Gonzalez (TJ), 6-5
130 - Minley (ARM) dec. Greening (CHAM), 8-2.
135 - Pryzybsz (GF) major dec. Chisholm (CHAM), 10-0.
140 - Miller (CHAM) dec. Hitchcock (RR), 9-3.
145 - Wood (NEW) dec. Cadoret (CEN), 3-1.
152 - Reid (TJ) dec. Drawdy (CR), 3-2.
160 - Smith (HER) pin Townsend (TJ), 1:00.
171 - Davidson (HER) dec. White (ARM), 4-3.
189 - Acosta (SPG) major dec. Gandy (DUN), 17-6.
215 - Brazeau (CEN) pin Brandon Nuby (NCT), 2:35.
275 - Doman (MIT) pin Colello (RR), 3:06.
2008 Springstead Invitational Awards
Outstanding Wrestler Lightweights - Dustin Soto (SPG)
Outstanding Wrestler Heavyweights - Rey Perez (PAS)
Springstead at Springstead Individual Results
Wgt Name Won Lost Pins PL
103 Soto, Dustin 4 0 3 1st
112 Swanton, Schuyler 4 0 2 1st
119 Huff, Skylar 4 0 0 1st
125 Cook, C.J. 4 0 4 1st
130 Bliss, Steven 3 1 0 2nd
135 Landgraff, Shawn 1 2 0 -
140 Hughes, Sean 1 2 1 -
145 Ellerbee, Tommy 2 2 1 -
152 Klenovich, Thad 4 0 2 1st
171 Wern, Scott 3 2 1 -
189 Acosta, Cesar 4 1 2 3rd
215 Cox, Ken 3 2 2 -
285 Ramirez, Carlos 3 1 3 2nd
TOTALS 40 13 21 -
Hernando at Springstead Individual Results
Wgt Name Won Lost Pins PL
112 Weston, Spencer 0 2 0 -
125 Pritz, Daniel 5 1 1 3rd
130 Bishop, Chris 2 2 1 -
135 Morrill, Max 2 2 0 -
140 Graham, Jesse 4 0 1 1st
145 Day, Kenny 0 2 0 -
152 Ball, Tim 2 2 2 -
160 Smith, George 4 1 3 3rd
171 Davidson, James 5 1 4 3rd
215 Rotunda, Taylor 4 0 3 1st
285 Hostetter, Casey 1 2 1 -
TOTALS 29 15 16 -
Nature Coast at Springstead Individual Results
Wgt Name Won Lost Pins PL
103 Forand, Tyler 2 2 1 -
112 Simonson, David 0 2 0 -
119 Cronin, Scott 2 2 1 -
125 Nuby, Brenton 0 2 0 -
135 Lambert, Matt 3 2 1 -
140 Baker, CJ 1 2 0 -
152 Huang, Jimmy 0 2 0
160 Langley, Britt 1 2 1 -
189 Greene, Rockkhem 3 2 3 -
215 Nuby, Brandon 2 2 1 4th
285 Baker, JJ 3 2 3 -
TOTALS 17 22 11 -
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at
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