NCT off to Ed Kilpatrick Classic

Taking a departure from dual meets, Nature Coast Technical ventures to Saturday's Ed Kilpatrick Wrestling Classic at Citrus High School, 600 W. Highland Blvd., in Inverness.
The tourney is named after the former Golden Hurricanes head coach who continues to serve as the tournament director.
The Kilpatrick Classic field can be sub-divided into eight Class 1A teams and eight 2A schools.
The expected field includes: 2A-3 Orange Park-Ridgeview, 2A-4's Belleview, Citra-North Marion, Ocala-West Port and Ocala-Lake Weir, host and 2A-7 Inverness-Citrus, 2A-11's Palmetto and Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch, 1A-4 Green Cove Springs-Clay, 1A-7 Avon Park, 1A-8's New Port Richey-Gulf, Crystal River, The Villages and Ocala-Trinity Catholic, 1A-9 Tampa Bay Christian and 1A-14 Fort Lauderdale-Cardinal Gibbons.
The defending tourney champion is Citrus High.
The 'Canes, who have toted home three district championships and three regional team crowns in a row, are attempting to repeat in their own backyard.
According to Head Coach Mike Porcelli, "We'll be balanced along with other teams. We're looking forward to the challenge."

Sharks 101

Nature Coast Technical opened the season with mixed results in last weekend's massive, 24-team Lake Highland Prep Tourney in Orlando.
The Sharks dropped their first three matches in pool play before rallying to win 5-of-6 to finish 5-4 in the two-day event.
NCT posted a cumulative 56-35 won-lost mark. Seven grapplers finished with above .500 records.
Senior Steven Richardson, who has competed on and off the past three seasons, enjoyed a remarkable run of good fortune in Orange County.
Richardson, who didn't compete for the Sharks in the state series as a sophomore or a junior, compiled eight wins in eight matches, featuring a team-high five pins last weekend.
As a result, Richardson paces the Hernando County Honor Roll with a perfect 8-0 slate.
A 2009 state qualifier, junior Tyler Forand, was a step behind with a 7-1 mark.
The Sharks' other 2009 state qualifier, senior Scott Cronin, junior Greg Jarque and senior Blake Chandler all finished 6-2 during the "O-town Showdown."
So how are the Sharks faring coming into the Citrus County meet?
"After Saturday, spirits are up," explained NCT's sixth-year Mike Lastra. "The kids got some confidence after we won over 60 percent of our matches. The goal is to continue to get better by scheduling tougher competition."
How difficult will Saturday's tourney be?
"This is a tough little tournament," said Lastra. "There are probably five state-ranked teams in the field with Cardinal Gibbons, Clay, Ridgeview, Gulf and Avon Park. And don't worry about Citrus; Coach Porcelli will have them ready to battle."
What's the emphasis in an individual tournament as opposed to a dual-meet tourney?
"You've got to go out there with a sense of urgency every single time," Lastra pointed out. "If you drop that first match, then the road to the podium comes from wrestlebacks. I just don't wanna see any of our guys go 0-2."
NCT, which is expected to bring 13 competitors, reported that senior Justin Murray would not be competing at 215 pounds. Coach Lastra reported that Murray quit the team this week.
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AT A GLANCE
WHAT - Fourth annual Ed Kilpatrick Wrestling Classic.
WHO - The 16-team field featuring an individually-bracket format features eight teams in 2A and eight 1A squads including: 2A-3 Orange Park-Ridgeview, 2A-4's Belleview, Citra-North Marion, Ocala-West Port and Ocala-Lake Weir, host and 2A-7 Inverness-Citrus, 2A-11's Palmetto and Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch, 1A-4 Green Cove Springs-Clay, 1A-7 Avon Park, 1A-8's New Port Richey-Gulf, Crystal River, The Villages and Ocala-Trinity Catholic, 1A-9 Tampa Bay Christian and 1A-14 Fort Lauderdale-Cardinal Gibbons. Defending tourney champion is Citrus High.
WHERE - Citrus High School, 600 W. Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452.
WHEN - Saturday, Dec. 5 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Finals begin at 6 p.m.
AT STAKE - Top three finishing teams will receive a trophy. The top three individuals will also receive medals. Also, an Outstanding Wrestler Award will be presented along with a Most Falls Award.