The North Suncoast's most famed mat program, Class 2A-7's F.W. Springstead, reached new heights last week in Hillsborough County.
This weekend, it'll try to duplicate its success on home terrain in Hernando County.
Springstead's remarkable win at the 30-team Cougar Invitational at Durant High certainly helped make believers out of fence-sitters. Was this the same SHS team that has never placed runner-up in states?
How remarkable was Coach Swensen's 21st tournament win in five-plus seasons?
Considering that the Eagles defeated two (not just one) defending state champions in 3A Kissimmee-Osceola and 1A's Fort Myers-Riverdale, it was quite an achievement.
In 30-plus seasons, last weekend's win in Plant City ranks near the top of the list.
But in SHS Head Coach Eric Swensen's eyes last week's win was just that, last week.
Beginning Friday afternoon, 22 area teams will venture to one of the state's oldest wrestling tournaments, the 28th annual Brooksville Kiwanis Invitational at Hernando High.
The two-day event at Michael A. Imhoff Gymnasium features: Ocala-West Port, Tampa-Robinson, Tampa-Jefferson, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Spring Hill-Springstead, Zephyrhills, Land O'Lakes, Hudson, New Port Richey-Mitchell, NPR-Gulf, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Wesley Chapel, Land O'Lakes-Sunlake, Crystal River, Lecanto, Belleview, Dunnellon, Citra-North Marion, Ocala-Trinity Catholic, Valrico-Bloomingdale, Dade City-Pasco and host Brooksville-Hernando.
The two-day tournament begins Friday at 3 p.m. Saturday action is expected to begin with the semifinals at 10 a.m. Wrestlebacks will follow. Consolation finals are set for 5:30 p.m. followed immediately by the finals.
Springstead has won this event 13 times, including the past three in a row under Coach Swensen.
SHS is attempting do something even SHS Hall of Fame Coach Bob Levija never achieved. Levija's teams won the Kiwanis Tourney 10 times, but never four times in a row.
Eagles: Cox debuts; Toms' status day-to-day
SHS, which went 47-15 overall, had nine placers in the 2008 Kiwanis Tourney. The Eagles were led by the gold-medal efforts of Richie Bliss at 103 pounds, Cody Ross at 119 and Kenny Cox at 215.
Cox, who suffered a MCL knee injury prior to the season, will make his seasonal debut Friday night.
Of last year's five silver medalists at Kiwanis, juniors Nick Soto and Shawn Landgraff are also back in the fold.
Senior Thomas Ellerbee, who placed fourth last winter, also returns.
Why the optimism on a four-peat?
Certainly there's plenty of fire power.
Bliss, Ross, Cox, Soto and Landgraff are returning state qualifiers.
Springstead's expected sixth state qualifier, junior Virgil Toms, injured his shoulder last weekend at Durant. According to Coach Swensen, his status is "day to day."
If Toms can't go at 125 pounds, look for Swensen to fill his slot with a junior varsity wrestler.
But don't shed a tear if Toms is temporarily shelved.
SHS also has Kiwanis Tourney veterans in sophomore Sean "Buddha" Redman and juniors Sammy "The Bull" Colon and Colton Zimmermann back in the lineup.
Only junior Andrew Herr at 189 pounds has never competed at Kiwanis.
Will there be a carryover from Durant?
"That's hard to say," rebutted Coach Swensen. "Don't take me wrong, we wrestled well at Durant; we had to. But it's also real early in the season and we made a lot of little mistakes. The boys see that we're really in the same league as some of the bigger programs. But this team has more of a business-type mentality. They don't get too up or too down."
How important is Kiwanis?
"We're at home (Hernando County) and bragging rites is a big deal around here," admitted Swensen. "The boys see the other kids everywhere they go and hear stuff like 'We're gonna do this and that to this guy.' Well, all that talking ends this weekend."
Eagle outlook
With the field missing two of last winter's top four finishing teams, Lakeland-Lake Gibson and Tampa-Jesuit, the drama isn't on who'll win the 28th edition, but rather who'll finish from second to fourth in the final team standings.
"Looking at the teams, Gulf is probably the No. 2 team at Kiwanis," predicted Swensen. "They present a clear challenge. They have some solid kids. Bloomingdale has Sergio Matos as its coach, so they should do well.
"Mitchell always seems to have some athletes and I see Nature Coast as sneaking into the top five."
Gulf Head Coach Travis DeWalt, a former Florida State Champion, competed over 20 years ago in this event for the Buccaneers.
"I love the Kiwanis Tournament. It's in my blood," said DeWalt. "It's a great precursor of the state meet. I see it as a mini-state meet. If you place in the top four at Kiwanis, chances are you'll place at states."
Who is the tourney favorite?
"There is no doubt about Springstead," defended Coach DeWalt. "Around here, Springstead is the cream of the crop. I'm like everybody else, I'm pulling for them. I think this will be their year. Heck, I'm excited for our guys to compete against that caliber of opponent."
Who is the dark horse?
"We don't have the numbers to compete against teams like Springstead (for the title)," insisted DeWalt. "We'll be bringing 12 guys. Our goal is to finish as high as we can. Now, I've seen Nature Coast and they look pretty solid. They're not gonna beat Springstead, but they certainly have a shot of finishing in say, the top 4-5 teams in this tournament."
NCT seeking top-five finish
Last winter, the Sharks went 26-25 overall, featuring 19 pins, to finish tied with host Hernando for seventh place with 103 points.
On the down side, of NCT's four grapplers who reached last year's semifinals, the only one to place was David Simonson. Simonson finished third overall.
NCT's goals are three-fold. According to sixth-year Head Coach Mike Lastra, first and foremost, the Sharks would like a top-five finish. They'd like to overtake archrival Hernando in their house. Finally, they'd love to see someone finally reach the tournament finals at Kiwanis.
"It's a short week (with a dual meet on Wednesday), but practice has gone well," indicated Coach Lastra. "Every team here is shooting for second place. We don't see any reason why we can't be one of the three teams coming behind Springstead.
"For us, this is a mini-district tournament," acknowledged Coach Lastra. "A lot of the 1A-8 teams will be here. This gives us a gauge on what we need to do to catch up to Gulf."
What's the key this weekend?
"In an individual tournament, we can't have guys go 0-2," stressed Coach Lastra. "We had one guy go 0-2 last week and that probably cost us finishing fourth (instead of sixth at Citrus). If guys drop a match, they have to fight through the wrestlebacks. Our main goal on Saturday is to have every guy we take to Kiwanis still be wrestling on day two."
Leopards: Pritz power leads the way
Last weekend at Sebastian River, Daniel and David Pritz each went 5-0 leading the Leopards to a 2-3 won-lost mark during the Shark Duals.
The Pritz brothers are the lone returning Kiwanis placers for the Purple and Gold. Daniel Pritz placed second while Zach finished fourth. Both are returning state qualifiers.
Daniel Pritz (9-0) needs four wins to rank in sixth place all-time at HHS in career victories, surpassing Billy Woods (124 wins from 1998-2002).
In a subtle move off the mats, HHS' veteran assistant coach Bill Combs Sr. replaced Ben Mendoza as head coach. Combs becomes the Leopards' fourth head coach in less than a year.
Combs, however, has been a fixture for the Leopard program since the Jimmy Carter administration. Combs has been aboard to help produce 102 of the school's 103 state qualifiers.
Coach Combs also understands the importance of the Kiwanis meet.
"Kiwanis means a lot to a great deal of people at this school," said Combs. "You always try a little harder when you're at home."
Overall?
"Springstead will hands down win the tournament," Combs predicted. "Winning at Durant is like winning at states. When you have that level of wrestlers, they're obviously the No. 1 team here.
"Now, after Springstead, it's pretty open," added Combs. "Wrestle backs will be the difference for a lot of teams (seeking second). Overall? We're real young. All I'm asking our boys to do is go hard as they can and correct some of the mistakes they made in the past. If they do that, how can you complain?"
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: 28th annual Brooksville-Kiwanis Invitational Wrestling Tournament.
WHO: Expected 22-team prep field includes: Ocala-West Port, Tampa-Robinson, Tampa-Jefferson, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Spring Hill-Springstead, Zephyrhills, Land O'Lakes, Hudson, New Port Richey-Mitchell, NPR-Gulf, NPR-Ridgewood, NPR-River Ridge, Wesley Chapel, Land O'Lakes-Sunlake, Crystal River, Lecanto, Belleview, Dunnellon, Citra-North Marion, Ocala-Trinity Catholic, Valrico-Bloomingdale, Dade City-Pasco and host Brooksville-Hernando.
WHERE: Hernando High's Michael A. Imhoff Gymnasium.
WHEN: Two-day tournament begins Friday at 3 p.m. Saturday action is expected to begin with the semifinals at 10 a.m. Wrestlebacks will follow. Consolation finals at 5:30 p.m. followed immediately by the finals.
AT STAKE: Team trophies for top two teams, medals for top four placers in each weight class along with individual awards for Most Falls, Least Amt. of Time; Fastest Pin; Outstanding Wrestler Award and Outstanding Referee.
Past Brooksville-Kiwanis Tournament Champions
Year School Points
2008 Spring Hill-Springstead 252.5
2007 Spring Hill-Springstead 228.5
2006 Spring Hill-Springstead 234
2005 Gainesville 243
2004 Bunnell-F. Palm Coast 209.5
2003 Brooksville-Hernando 203
2002 Tampa-Sickles 156
2001 Spring Hill-Springstead 179
2000 Spring Hill-Springstead 208.5
1999 Spring Hill-Springstead 209
1998 Lecanto 189
1997 Spring Hill-Springstead 252
1996 Spring Hill-Springstead 214.5
1995 Spring Hill-Springstead 241
1994 New Orleans, LA-Jesuit 226
1993 Lakeland Senior 173
1992 Spring Hill-Springstead 210
1991 Mechanicsburg, PA 178
1990 Spring Hill-Springstead 175
1989 Spring Hill-Springstead 206.5
1988 Spring Hill-Springstead 211.5
1987 Land O'Lakes 147
1986 New Orleans, LA-Jesuit 162.5
1985 New Orleans, LA-Jesuit NA
1984 Englewood-Lemon Bay NA
1983 Tampa-Leto NA
1982 Brandon 206.5
27th Brooksville Kiwanis Wrestling Invitational Team Standings:
PL TEAM CLASS PTS
1. Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG) 2A-5 252.5
2. Lakeland-Lake Gibson (LG) 2A-7 227.5
3. Tampa-Robinson (ROB) 1A-10 173.5
4. Tampa-Jesuit (TJ) 1A-9 147.5
5. Belleview (BELL) 2A-4 123.0
6. New Port Richey-Gulf (GF) 1A-6 116.5
7. Brooksville-Nature Coast (NCT) 1A-5 103.0
7. Brooksville-Hernando (HER) 1A-5 103.0
9. Crystal River (CR) 1A-5 89.0
10. Land O'Lakes-Sunlake (SNL) 1A-6 86.5
11. Citra-North Marion (NM) 1A-5 78.0
12. Lecanto (LEC) 1A-5 74.5
13 New Port Richey-River Ridge (RR) 2A-5 72.5
14. New Port Richey-Mitchell (MIT) 3A-6 70.0
14. Dunnellon (DUN) 1A-5 70.0
16. Brooksville-Central (CEN) 2A-5 60.0
17. Tampa-Jefferson (JEFF) 2A-8 59.5
18. Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass (WG) 1A-6 54.0
19. Zephyrhills (ZEP) 1A-6 45.0
20. Winter Haven (WH) 2A-7 35.0
21. The Villages (VILL) 1A-5 30.0
22. Wesley Chapel (WC) 2A-5 26.0
23. Ocala-Trinity Catholic (OTC) 1A-5 19.0
24. Tampa-Freedom (FREE) 2A-8 17.5
25. New Port Richey-Ridgewood (RW) 2A-5 16.0
25. Hudson (HUD) 1A-6 16.0
27. Ocala-West Port (WP) 1A-5 15.0
2008 Individual Results (Top 4 receive medals)
103 - 1. Bliss (SPG), 2. Brandon Jorge (LG), 3. Carpenter (GF), 4. Vreeland (CR).
112 - 1. Moodey (LG), 2. Boudreau (TJ), 3. Hynes (ZEP), 4. Portillo (BELL).
119 - 1. Ross (SPG), 2. Ayers (GF), 3. Simonsn (NCT), 4. Rollins (ROB).
125 - 1. Gonzalez (TJ), 2. Soto (SPG), 3. Mitchell (BELL), 4. Snell (CEN).
130 - 1. Burgess (BELL), 2. Cotrell (LG), 3. Sermons (WH), 4. Madden (WGR).
135 - 1. Boyer (ROB), 2. D. Pritz (HER), 3. Ferson (BELL), 4. Ramirez (CEN).
140 - 1. Brent Jorge (LG), 2. Kostakis (MIT), 3. Nichols (TJ), 4. Z. Pritz (HER).
145 - 1. Rex (LG), 2. Landgraff (SPG), 3. E. Williams (ROB), 4. Bassous (MIT).
152 - 1. Hawthorne (ROB), 2. Struble (LEC), 3. Jackson (GF), 4. Ellerbee (SPG).
160 - 1. Davidson (LG), 2. Klenovich (SPG), 3. Leone (DUN), 4. Vannata (RR).
171 - 1. Kuell (LG), 2. Lorentsen (SPG), 3. Davidson (HER), 4. Johnson (SNL).
189 - 1. Baker (SNL), 2. Wern (SPG), 3. Gandy (DUN), 4. Smith (HER).
215 - 1. Cox (SPG), 2. Brass (CR), 3. Pringle (NM), 4. Brosnan (MIT).
285 - 1. Benitez (ROB), 2. Velez (JEFF), 3. Cruz (CR), 4. Blackburn (BELL).
2008 Kiwanis Individual Awards:
Most Pins, Least Amt. of Time - Jarrett Baker (SNL) 5 pins: 12:18.
Fastest Pin - Brent Jorge (LK) - 12 seconds.
Outstanding Referee - John Gallico.
Outstanding Wrestler - Brent Jorge (LG).
2008 Finals Results:
103 - Bliss (SPG) dec. Brandon Jorge (LG), 6-4.
112 - Moodey (LG) dec. Boudreau (TJ), 7-6.
119 - Ross (SPG) vs. Ayers (GF), 2-1 (4OTs).
125 - Gonzalez (TJ) major dec. Soto (SPG), 10-2.
130 - Burgess (BELL) dec. Cottrell (LG), 11-5.
135 - Boyer (ROB) dec. D. Pritz (HER), 4-2.
140 - Brent Jorge (LG) pin. Kostakis (MIT), 0:43.
145 - Rex (LG) pin Landgraff (SPG), 2:34.
152 - Hawthorne (ROB) dec. Struble (LEC), 9-7.
160 - Davidson (LG) pin Klenovich (SPG), 3:25.
171 - Kuell (LG) dec. Lorentsen (MIT), 6-3.
189 - Baker (SNL) pin Wern (SPG), 5:10.
215 - Cox (SPG) major dec. Brass (CR), 13-5.
285 - Benitez (ROB) pin Velez (JEFF), 1:34.
2008 Consolation Finals
103 - Carpenter (GF) pin Vreeland (CR), 4:54.
112 - Hynes (ZEP) dec. Portillo (BELL), 10-3.
119 - Simonson (NCT) dec. Rollins (ROB), 1-0.
125 - Mitchell (BELL) major dec. Snell (CEN), 18-8.
130 - Sermons (WH) dec. Madden (WGR), 2-1.
135 - Ferson (BELL) won by forfeit over Ramirez (CEN).
140 - Nichols (TJ) dec. Z. Pritz (HER), 7-4.
145 - E. Williams (ROB) dec. Bassous (MIT), 8-2.
152 - Jackson (GF) technical fall Ellerbee (SPG), 18-3.
160 - Leone (DUN) dec. Vannata (RR), 7-4.
171 - Davidson (HER) pin Johnson (SNL), 3:43.
189 - Gandy (DUN) pin Smith (HER), 2:05.
215 - Pringle (NM) pin Brosnan (MIT), 3:15.
285 - Cruz (CR) dec. Blackburn (BELL), 4-2.
Springstead Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
103 Bliss, Richie 5 0 3 1st
112 Redman, Sean 4 2 2 -
119 Ross, Cody 4 0 1 1st
125 Soto, Nick 3 1 2 2nd
130 Huff, Devean 4 2 3 -
135 Colon, Sam 3 2 0 -
140 Zimmerman, Colton 2 2 1 -
145 Landgraff, Shawn 4 1 2 2nd
152 Ellerbee, Tommy 5 2 3 4th
160 Klenovich, Thad 3 1 0 2nd
171 Lorentsen, Jessey 3 1 3 2nd
189 Wern, Scott 3 1 3 2nd
215 Cox, Kenny 4 0 3 1st
TOTALS 47 15 26 -
Hernando Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
103 Elicier, Nelson 1 2 1 -
112 Gunderson Brandon 1 2 1 -
119 Young, Jared 1 2 1 -
130 Malvesti, Shane 1 2 1 -
135 Pritz, Daniel 4 1 1 2nd
140 Pritz, Zach 3 2 0 4th
145 Day, Kenny 1 2 0 -
152 Morrill, Max 2 2 1 -
160 Roberts, Champ 2 2 1 -
171 Davidson, James 4 1 4 3rd
189 Smith, George 3 2 1 4th
215 Raney, Dakota 1 2 0 -
TOTALS 24 22 12 -
Central Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
112 Merced, David 1 2 1 -
112 Supple, David 2 2 0 -
119 Cleveland, Josh 0 2 0 -
125 Snell, Wayne 4 2 2 4th
130 Supple, Ken 4 2 3 -
135 Ramirez, Vince 3 2 0 4th
145 Cadoret, Shaun 3 2 1 -
152 Kissam, Marcus 0 2 0 -
160 Redford, Matt 0 2 0 -
171 Jones, Kerry 0 2 0 -
285 Scott, Patrick 1 2 1 -
TOTALS 18 22 8 -
Nature Coast Results
WGT Name W L Pins PL
103 Henn, Matt 2 2 1 -
112 Forand, Tyler 3 2 2 -
119 Simonson, David 4 1 3 3rd
125 Cronin, Scott 2 2 2 -
130 Jackson, Jeremiah 2 2 0 -
135 Lambert, Mitch 0 2 0 -
145 McManus, Mack 1 2 1 -
152 McCabe, Ryan 2 2 1 -
160 McCarty, Luke 2 2 1 -
171 Gracteroly, Shayne 3 2 3 -
189 Greene, Rockkhem 2 2 2 -
215 Dampier, Chad 1 2 1 -
285 Caldwell, Sean 2 2 2 -
TOTALS 26 25 19 -
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