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Hernando Today

Defending the Title

WRESTLING

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: January 30, 2009

Trivia time.
In the five-year mat history of Nature Coast Technical, how many tournaments have the Sharks ever won?
The answer is easy. One.
NCT defeated seven teams in last winter's American Legion Post 347 Wrestling Tournament sponsored by The Villages High School.
A year later, the Sharks are returning as defending champions today minus four teams from last year.
Dunnellon, Lecanto, Citra-North Marion and Fort White opted not to return this season to the Sumter County event.
Instead of an open-bracketed event like last winter, the Sharks enter Saturday's restructured five-team dual meet format sporting its best-ever record to date - 17-14 overall.
The Sharks will contend against host The Villages, Crystal River, Ocala-Trinity Catholic and Groveland-South Lake in a round-robin format.
The top two teams will receive trophies while members of the top three teams earn medals.
There will also be an award for Most Pins in the Fastest Time and two Outstanding Wrestler Awards (lightweights, heavyweights) will be presented.
 
Favorite?
 
According to The Villages' first-year Head Coach Jason Palaski, Saturday's front runner is Nature Coast.
"I'd have to say it's Nature Coast," replied Palaski. "We already wrestled them and they took it to us. They're solid up and down the lineup."
What's the main goal of the event?
"Staying healthy is the main key," remarked Palaski. "Plus, this week's tournament gives us a good feel about districts and beyond. We're a young team overall. Wrestling these schools will help us come regionals."
The Sharks, who went 20-10 overall at The Villages last winter, defeated the Buffaloes this season 68-12 but have not faced any of the other teams in a dual meet.
"We're actually pretty healthy going in," pointed out NCT's fifth-year Head Coach Mike Lastra. "The big thing is staying that way. Our No.1 goal this week is to go back there and repeat as champions."
NCT will enter the meet minus 2008 state qualifier, senior David Simonson, who was disciplined for a violation of team rules. Simonson is expected back for the Class 1A, District 5 meet a week from Saturday at Inverness-Citrus High.
Going into this weekend, the Sharks are led by senior Shayne Gracteroly (32-8 overall), senior Rockkhem Greene (25-15) and junior Scott Cronin (24-15).
Gracteroly shattered Simonson's 2008 school record for most wins in a season (30) behind a 4-1 performance last weekend during the Palm Harbor-University Duals Tournament in Pinellas County.
 
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 5th annual American Legion Post 347 Duals Wrestling Tournament sponsored by The Villages High School.
WHO: Expected five-team field includes: host The Villages, defending champion Brooksville-Nature Coast, Crystal River, Ocala-Trinity Catholic and Groveland-South Lake.
WHERE: The Villages gymnasium.
WHEN: Wrestling begins at 10 a.m.
AT STAKE: Top two teams receive trophies. Top three teams receive medals for each grappler. Individual awards include Outstanding Wrestler Award for lightweights and heavyweights and Most Pins in Fastest Time.
 
01-26-08: Nature Coast Technical @ The Villages Tourney
WGT  NAME   W L P PL
103  Tyler Forand   2  2  2  4th
119  David Simonson  1  1  1  2nd
125  Scott Cronin   3  1  2  3rd
130  Brenton Nuby   2  1  2  2nd
135  Jeremiah Jackson  2  0  1  1st
140  Matt Lambert   2  1  2  2nd
145  C. J. Baker   1  2  1  4th
171  Shane Gracteroly  1  1  1  2nd
189  Rockkhem Greene  1  1  1  3rd
215  Brandon Nuby  2  0  2  1st
285  J. J. Baker   3  0  3  1st
TOTALS    20 10 18
 
Final The Villages Tourney Team Scores:
PL SCHOOL   PTS
1. Nature Coast Technical  195.5
2.  Dunnellon    163.5
3.  Lecanto    139.0
4.  Crystal River    138.5
5.  Ocala-Trinity Catholic  77.5
6.  The Villages    77.0
7.  North Marion    61.0
8.  Ft. White    51.0
 

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

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