County grapplers head to 'Region of Doom' tourney

With apologies to Brandon's Class 3A, Region II Tournament, 36 of 38 Hernando County grapplers enter what is considered by many the toughest regional in the Sunshine State.

The second leg of the FHSAA state series features 36 local wrestlers competing today in the first of two days of the torture test that is the Class 2A, Region II Tournament, aka the "Region of Doom" at Osceola County's St. Cloud High School.

Defending 2A state champion Springstead advanced 14 grapplers into the tournament, followed by Nature Coast (12), Hernando (five) and Central (five).

Meanwhile, the county's newest mat program, first-year Weeki Wachee, will compete in the Class 1A, Region II Tournament at Lakeland-Tenoroc High School with two wrestlers.

As per state guidelines, both venues begin competition in their double-elimination, individually bracketed tournaments at noon.

There will be two winners rounds and two losers rounds completed today.

Saturday will begin with the semifinal round at 10 a.m,. followed by pulsating wrestlebacks.

Consolation finals (for third/fourth) and finals (first/second) will be held at 6 p.m. on two mats.

Only the top four placers in each of the 14 weight divisions automatically qualify for the 48th annual Florida High School Athletic Association Finals Feb. 17-18 at Jenkins Arena at The Lakeland Center.

At this point last winter, F.W. Springstead snapped a 10-year regional drought by capturing its first regional title since Hall of Fame Eagles skipper Bob Levija's 2000-01 squad turned the trick.

The Mariner Boulevard crew is fresh off its eighth straight district title and county-record 26th overall last weekend at Hernando.

Eagles regional qualifiers include freshmen Matt Landgraff (28-9 overall) at 106 pounds, Michael McDonald (32-8) at 113, Josh Herrera (23-2) at 132 and Conor Ross (29-7) at 170; sophomore Jordan Rivera (28-5) at 126; juniors Stephen Pavao (21-8) at 120 and Joe Russo (29-8) at 138; and seniors Sean Redman (35-4) at 145, Cody Ross at (36-2) at 152, Jake Smith (28-14) at 160, Ernesto Padilla (7-4) at 182, Thomas Gupton (33-2) at 195, Willie Smith (15-11) at 220 and John Dreggors (21-0, 19 pins).

Despite the presence of 2011 2A state runner-up Lake Gibson and 16th-place Harmony, head coach Eric Swensen enters this weekend's tourney optimistic.

"Healthwise, knock on wood, we're good," said the eighth-year coach, who is seeking his 40th tourney title. "We want to get there before anyone gets hurt. Schedulewise, we're fresher than we've ever been — guys aren't as banged up as they've typically been at this point."

Swensen added: "We could put 14 at states if we have a great weekend. Now, it would take a perfect storm. You always need the stars in alignment and a few breaks to go your way.

"It seems we've always left someone behind at regionals — it's happened every year so far," Swensen said. "What we've preached to the kids is not to make a mistake. They're more prepared than anyone. Conditionwise, were right where we need to be."

Who'll win 2A-II?

"We're the returning state champions and we've beaten most of these teams. We're the favorites," Swensen acknowledged. "It's not about cockiness; it's about taking care of business. This is our tournament to lose. Last year we preached the underdog status, not this time.

"Even though we have a lot of seniors, we also have a lot of young guys," said Swensen, who has guided SHS to six consecutive top-seven finishes at states. "They're all in it for the long haul. We're not making this tournament any bigger than any of the others. We have high expectations, so does Brandon. Brandon is expected to win; well, so are we."

Nature Coast's senior-laden squad is towing 12 members to Osceola County, featuring seniors Cameron Tull (35-10) at 126 pounds, Carter Bolesta (43-8) at 145, Mitch Lambert (39-7) at 160, Carlos Carrasquillo (27-7) at 170, Peter Holloman (32-16) at 195, Tyquan Tyler (11-26) at 220 and Greg Jarque (38-6, county-best 28 pins) at 285; juniors Sean Nguyen (county-best 45-6) at 106, Shane Reeger (26-20) at 120, Brandon Vovan (35-19) at 152 and Dylan Savoury (29-22) at 182; and sophomore Luis Espinosa (27-14) at 132.

For his part, eighth-year head coach Mike Lastra has turned the page on last weekend's disappointing third-place showing.

He realizes this team will surpass NCT's previous best-ever regional finish (seventh).

"This weekend we start with a clean slate," Lastra said. "Whatever happened in the past is just that. We need to do what it takes to push guys through to states this weekend. The key for us is just handling our business.

"One of the things we noticed from last week was we were not the first to score points in consolation and finals," Lastra added. "Our guys have to set the tempo early. We want to be the first guys to score."

As far as the final team standings, Lastra believes Springstead will hoist the tallest trophy on Saturday night.

"Springstead's the returning regional champion and returning state champ," he said. "That didn't happen overnight. That happens for a reason. To me, they're the clear favorites. I think Lake Gibson is the clear number two. I'd like to see us push Lake Gibson. Honestly, we don't want to settle on third."

Last week, Hernando placed fourth in the seven-team field, advancing five to regionals: freshman Bailey Mosher (5-13) at 106 pounds, sophomores Ricky Swain (24-15) at 138 and Brennan Ertl (23-15) at 145, senior Jared Young (33-8) at 152 and sophomore Jesse Gaudin (31-2) at 220.

"I thought we came out well in the draws," Hernando High head coach Bill Combs Sr. said. "We know a lot of our guys finished fourth, so they'll draw district champions (in their openers on Friday) – but that really doesn't matter at this stage. Everybody from here on out is tough."

Central enters regionals with five grapplers: junior Josh Marquez (2-1) at 113 pounds, sophomore Jesus Nieves (8-13) at 132, senior Josh Cleveland (8-8) at 138, senior Luke Walton (32-10) at 145 and senior Puerto Rico Nieves (16-5) at 182.

Of all the county teams, Central is the most physically banged up. Cleveland and P.R. Nieves are competing with tender knees. Both missed significant time due to injuries.

"We're still a MASH unit," second-year Bears skipper Rich Drumheller said. "We've got some great kids, but we just can't keep them healthy this year. Even this week, guys have missed practice due to injuries. It's like missing rehearsal time before the curtains go up. To me, practice is critical.

"If we're healthy this weekend, we could push one or maybe more through (to states)," said Drumheller. "Our most competitive guys are still in the room. The guys who have worked the hardest and been the last ones to leave are here. I really haven't had to say much this week; the guys already know what's at stake."

Head coach Joe Felice's Weeki Wachee squad entered last week's nine-team Class 1A, District 8 Tournament with nine grapplers and two survived: sophomore Dante Padilla (19-7) at 113 pounds and Andrew Vreeland (16-14) at 152.