Dreggors' 11th-hour win clinches Eagles' title, 222.0-218.5

F.W. Springstead solved 'The Beast' Saturday night at Highlands County.

In arguably the toughest regional in the state, SHS trailed by one point to Lakeland-Lake Gibson going into the tourney's 378th and final match at heavyweight. But Class 2A's No. 1-ranked team, Springstead High, won a narrow decision to edge the Braves, 222.0-218.5.

The Braves had a chance to salt the team title at 171 pounds, but Citrus sophomore Taylor Jackson secured a takedown 20 seconds into overtime to edge Lake Gibson's Pat Pauleus, 3-1.

Had Pauleus topped Jackson, Lake Gibson would have made the final heavyweight bout academic.

Pauleus' narrow defeat, however, opened the door for both team's final match at 285 pounds.

Eagle junior John Dreggors decisioned Lake Gibson's Devonte Terrell, 3-0, to seal the Hernando County team's first regional title in 10 years in the rugged, 28-team, two-day Region of Doom.

Dreggors' 18th straight win clinched the Eagles' seventh tournament title of the season and marked the 33rd team crown in seven seasons under Head Coach Eric Swensen and assistant coach Sal Basile.

"My mindset going in was the same as always," calmly admitted the 16-year-old Dreggors, who clinched his first-ever regional individual title in three tries. "I just wanted to do my best and win. The kid (Terrell) was pretty tough because he was so strong."

How huge was the win?

"It felt great," said Dreggors, who finished the tourney 4-0 with one pin (his county-best 36th of the season). "Personally, I like it when it comes down to me."

Coach Basile was quick to point out that every Eagle had a hand in the triumph.

"We needed everybody to win this," declared Coach Basile. "This is the kind of tournament you need to get every extra half-point and point you can. And look, that's almost what it came down to.

"We lost some guys over the weekend, but everyone contributed," Basile added. "This was a true team victory."

What about Dreggors' clutch performance?

"Give John (Dreggors) credit, he did a great job of handling the situation of the match," noted Coach Basile. "He didn't try to force anything. He wasn't sloppy. Give him big props for handling a big match the way he did."

Eagles rule

In the process, Springstead captured 41-of-55 matches (75 percent) and will send nine grapplers to next week's 47th annual FHSAA 2A State Finals at the Lakeland Center.

The Eagles, who pushed a meet-high seven grapplers into Saturday's finals, returned home with six first-place blue ribbons.

Region titles were earned by senior Richie Bliss at 103 pounds, senior Virgil Toms at 130, senior Nick Soto at 135, junior Cody Ross at 140, senior Shawn Landgraff at 152 and Dreggors at heavyweight.

Additionally, Bliss, Toms, Soto, Ross, and Landgraff each repeated as regional champions in what is easily considered 'The Beast' - or the toughest region in the state.

Springstead freshman Jordan Rivera nearly became the seventh champ before losing to Lake Gibson's Skyler Moody at 112 in overtime, 3-1.

In the consolation finals, junior Sean Redman punched his ticket to states by placing third at 125 while junior Thomas Gupton placed fourth at 160. Redman had dropped a pair of one-point losses in the final regional wrestleback round to be denied as a freshman and a sophomore.

"I finally broke through the wall," said the 17-year-old Redman with a shy grin. "I'm wrestling with so much confidence right now. If you think you can win, in this sport you can. I've worked so hard to get this far, but I have to kick into another gear for states."

Only the top four regional finishers advanced to states.

How tough was 2A-II?

Consider that five-time state champion Oviedo finished third in the tourney and will advance eight grapplers to states.

Hernando County teams, Springstead and Central, entered the meet with 22 grapplers and left with 10 still alive.

Two locals came within an eyelash - or one precious wrestleback win - of reaching states.

Central junior Puerto Rico Nieves fell to Gupton for the third time this season at 160, 3-0.

Springstead senior Sammy Colon, who competed with a broken bone in his left hand, went 3-2. Colon was ahead of Celebration's JJ Francis, 3-2, with less than 20 seconds remaining before the Osceola County grappler took him and put him on his back for a 3-point near fall to rally for a gut wrenching, 7-3 win.

The loss marked the second straight year Colon came within one victory of reaching states.

By comparison, Pasco County saw 46-of-49 grapplers get eliminated in the spacious South Florida Community College Panther gymnasium.

Monsegur's in

Central High also snapped a three-year drought as senior Robbie Monsegur went 4-1 and finished third at 119 to advance to Lakeland.

Monsegur was ecstatic over going to states.

"I've never been there. This feels awesome," smiled 17-year-old Monsegur. "After I won districts, the momentum keeps building. Making states, especially as a senior, is a huge deal. I know I'm giving it all I got. To me, everyone's beatable."

How difficult was this regional?

"This is a beast. With Oviedo here it's brutal," said Monsegur, who enters states at 27-3 is awesome. "I had such a tough wrestleback match (a triple overtime 2-1 win over Oviedo's Jason Argall), but I pushed through. It feels great."

Toms three-peats

For a third straight winter, Toms went home as a regional champion.

Toms, who competed for Ocala-Forest for two seasons before transferring Springstead, went 4-0 at Highlands County.

Toms pinned River Ridge sophomore Thomas Burke in 56 seconds before posting a 9-1 major decision over Oviedo junior Juan Arroyare.

On Saturday, Toms blanked Wiregrass Ranch senior Dylan Koesling, 9-0, before posting a one-sided 11-5 decision over 2010 state placer (fourth) Felix Betancourt of Liberty.

"Winning here was good," described the 18-year-old, soft-spoken Toms, who climbed to 42-3 this winter. "But next week is the real thing. My mind is on next week. You have to go into next week believing in yourself. It's not a cocky thing, it's about walking in with confidence that you'll walk out as No. 1."

How'd the team respond to the Oviedo/Lake Gibson challenge?

"We did real well," said Toms. "Our big guns really came out. I'm real bummed about Sammy (Colon), though. The kid has worked so hard to get to states. It's sad to see one of the hardest working guys in the room not make it."

Bliss: Another odd weekend

For the second straight weekend, two-time state champion Bliss had an odd tourney.

At Springstead during the 2A-7 meet, only three guys showed up at 103. Bliss subsequently sat around the gym for over six hours before wrestling once for his third straight district title.

This weekend, he drew a rare first-round bye before folding Liberty junior Robert Torres in 91 seconds.

In the semifinals, Bliss needed 88 seconds to post his county-record 98th pin over Lake Gibson sophomore Seth Kelly.

In the tourney finals, Bliss led Harmony sophomore Ariel Dominguez 7-0 after two minutes. Early in the second period, Bliss took Dominguez down and folded him into a pinning combination before the match was stopped.

After an injury timeout, Dominguez could not continue giving Bliss his second straight regional crown. Bliss competed his three regional tourneys with a fine 11-1 mark with nine pins.

"I had it pretty easy this weekend," shrugged the 18-year-old Bliss, who stretched his current win streak to 16 in a row to 41-1 this winter. "I'd say the toughest guy was the Kelly kid. I'll probably see him again next week in states."

Soto rules

Soto, the Eagle captain, went 4-0 for a repeat regional title. Soto wrapped up his regional career with a 12-1 lifetime mark.

This weekend, Soto opened the tourney with his 77th career pin in 88 seconds over Haines City sophomore Casey Phelan. Next, Soto mangled Liberty senior Manny Figueroa, 19-6.

In Saturday's semifinals, Soto trimmed Oviedo junior Nick McClean via a 9-1 major decision.

In the tourney finals, Harmony senior Matt Vaughn basically rolled up into a fetal position not allowing Soto any room for any moves in a frustrating 2-1 decision. The match was a near carbon copy of his previous 5-0 win at Oviedo over Vaughn.

"I'm so upset about my last match," admitted the 18-year-old Soto, who climbed to a county-best 46-2 slate. "I wrestled well until that last match. I have to improve on learning to score in those types of situations."

And the team?

"I'm still down about Sammy (Colon) losing," said Soto. "You see how one bad move can cost you a match... As far as the team we've all stepped up and answered the pressure. But winning here is not the same as winning at states. We can't be satisfied until we win states."

Ross rolls

The defending state champion Ross went 4-0 at Avon Park behind two pins and two decisions.

Ross opened with back-to-back pins over Celebration's Everett Suarez (1:19) and Sebring's Jeremy Qualls (1:00) for his 67th and 68th career falls.

Ross advanced to the finals thanks to a 10-3 decision over senior Joey Finneran of Harmony.

In the finals, Ross wrestled a splendid tactical match in solving Oviedo senior and 2010 state placer (third) Joey Helfey with a two-point takedown at 50 seconds of overtime, 3-1.

"I had trouble getting going in that last match. A little bit had to do with it being a regional final. A little bit had to do with our situation. We had to win to keep pace with Lake Gibson," said 16-year-old Ross, who climbed to 45-1. "I did alright; I definitely know I need to step up the intensity."

What's the approach at states?

"I'm like the Rodney Dangerfield of wrestling," quipped Ross. "I don't get any respect. I can't believe so many guys decided that 140 is the way to go at states. They're showing me no respect. We'll see what happens."

Landgraff continues torrid pace

Landgraff roared through his bracket 4-0 featuring three pins and a major decision.

Landgraff, who has beaten everyone he's faced except two Brandon grapplers, opened the meet by pinning Celebration's Tyler Phelan (1:30) and Lake Gibson senior Miguel Mendoza (1:15).

In the semis, the three-time state qualifier manhandled Liberty senior Josh Garcia via a major decision, 14-3.

In the tourney finals, Landgraff needed 70 seconds to earn his fifth pin in five tries against Citrus senior Casey Whitton. The trio of tourney pins served as Landgraff's 90th, 91st and 92nd of his four-year career.

"This year's regional seemed easier," explained the 18-year-old Landgraff, who improved to 45-2 this winter. "The last guy, I've wrestled him so much, I've just used my regular game plan."

What about next week?

"It's been my time (to win states) for awhile," admitted Landgraff. "It's all about next week. I definitely feel I have momentum going in."

2A-II Wrestling Tournament Results
PL SCHOOL PTS.
1. Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG) 222.0
2. Lakeland-Lake Gibson (LKG) 218.5
3. Oviedo (OVI) 167.0
4. Kissimmee-Liberty (LIB) 129.5
5. Inverness (CIT) 116.0
6. Dunedin (DUN) 106.0
7. Celebration (CELE) 102.0
8. Harmony (HAR) 80.0
9. Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch (WGR) 48.5
10. Land O'Lakes-Sunlake (SNL) 48.0
11. Brooksville-Central (CEN) 41.5
12. New Port Richey-River Ridge (RR) 40.5
13. Winter Haven (WH) 34.0
14. Tarpon Springs (TS) 30.0
15. Lakeland-Kathleen (KATH) 28.0
16. Haines City (HC) 26.5
17. Davenport-Ridge Community (RC) 22.0
18. Lecanto (LEC) 20.0
19. Orlando-Edgewater (EDGE) 19.5
20. New Port Richey-Mitchell (MIT) 19.0
21. Sebring (SEB) 16.5
22. St. Cloud (STC) 13.5
22. Lake Alfred-Lake Region (LR) 13.5
24. Bartow (BART) 8.00
25. Zephyrhills (ZEP) 7.00
26. Land O'Lakes (LOL) 6.00
27. New Port Richey-Ridgewood (RW) 3.00
27. Hudson (HUD) 3.00

Championship Round
103 - Richie Bliss (SPG) won by injury default over Ariel Dominguez (HARM).
112 - Skyler Moody (LKG) dec. Jordan Rivera (SPG), 3-1 (OT).
119 - Josh Douglas (CELE) dec. Jacob Phillips (LKG), 5-4 (2OT).
125 - Brandon Jorge (LKG) dec. Corey Ray (OVI), 11-7.
130 - Virgil Toms (SPG) dec. Felix Betancourt (LIB), 11-5.
135 - Nick Soto (SPG) dec. Matt Vaughn (HARM), 2-1.
140 - Cody Ross (SPG) dec. Joey Hefley (OVI), 3-1 (OT) .
145 - Orlando Medina (LKG) dec. Michael Alpert (OVI), 5-2.
152 - Shawn Landgraff (SPG) pin Casey Whitton (CIT), 1:10.
160 - Geordan Speiller (OVI) won by injury default over J.J. Elisis (LIB), .
171 - Taylor Jackson (CIT) dec. Pat Pauleus (LKG), 3-1 (OT).
189 - Aric Fernandez (LIB) major dec. Andrew Herr (RR), 12-0.
215 - Carlos Martinez (OVI)pin Zach Collins (CIT), 0:50.
285 - John Dreggors (SPG) dec. Devonte Terrell (LKG), 3-0.

Consolation Round
103 - Seth Kelly (LKG) major dec. Robert Torres (LIB), 13-2.
112 - John Ortiz (SNL) pin Kelly Austin (CIT), 2:48.
119 - Robbie Monsegur (CEN) dec. Michael Jean Pierre (EDGE), 3-1.
125 - Sean Redman (SPG) dec. Jordan Cox (LKR), 4-2.
130 - Chase Krutsky (LKG) pin Dylan Koesling (WGR), 1:46.
135 - Jorge Gavillan (LKG) dec. Nick McClean (OVI), 3-2.
140 - Darius Paddyfote (LKG) major dec. Austin Prince (DUND), 12-4.
145 - Chris Grillo (HARM) dec. JJ Francis (CELE), 4-3.
152 - Josh Garcia (LIB) dec. Eric Hedberg (OVI), 3-1.
160 - Kyle Goodnow (DUND) dec. Thomas Gupton (SPG), 3-1.
171 - Mike Hogan (DUND) dec. Lee Wildes (OVI), 5-4.
189 - Ward Cameran (CELE) pin Jon Meggers (KATH), 1:52.
215 - Robert Luth (DUND) pin Zach Collins (CIT), 2:59.
285 - Robert Thornton (WH) pin Alvaro Norena (CELE), 3:58.

2011 Springstead Individual Results
WGT NAME W L PINS PL
103 Bliss, Richie 3 0 2 1st
112 Rivera, Jordan 3 1 1 2nd
119 Pavao, Stephen 2 2 2 -
125 Redman, Sean 4 1 3 3rd
130 Toms, Virgil 4 0 1 1st
135 Soto, Nick 4 0 1 1st
140 Ross, Cody 4 0 2 1st
145 Colon, Sammy 3 2 1 -
152 Landgraff, Shawn 4 0 3 1st
160 Gupton, Thomas 3 2 0 4th
171 DeSimone, Dominic 2 2 1 -
189 Harris, Jacob 0 2 0 -
215 McCloskey, Jon 1 2 1 -
285 Dreggors, John 4 0 1 1st
TOTALS 41 14 19 -

2011 Central Individual Results
WGT NAME W L PINS PL
112 Marquez, Josh 2 2 1 -
119 Monsegur, Robbie 4 1 2 3rd
125 Marquez, Anthony 2 2 1 -
130 Carswell, Desmond 0 2 0 -
135 Cleveland, Josh 1 2 1 -
140 Walton, Luke 1 2 1 -
160 Nieves, Puerto Rico 3 2 0 -
189 Lantigua, Luis 1 2 0 -
TOTALS 14 15 6 -