Unlike the past two winters, there would not be five Springstead Eagles crowned as state wrestling champions late Saturday night at Jenkins Arena.
Instead, Springstead leaned on its county record of eight state placers to notch 171.5 points and outdistance Lakeland-Lake Gibson for the second straight year – this time by 79.0 points.
The previous record was seven state placers by the 2009-10 and 2010-11 Eagle teams.
The Spring Hill mat men fell just short of toppling the county record for most points at states (185.5) set last winter at The Lakeland Center.
Most importantly in the 48th annual tourney, SHS captured 32-of-47 bouts (68 percent), setting a new county record, to become Hernando County’s first-ever back-to-back state champion in any sport.
Showing the way
The Eagles were led by three seniors who each returned home as state champions: Sean Redman at 145, Cody Ross at 152 and John Dreggors 285.
Redman and Dreggors – who are best friends – each won for the first time.
For Ross, it marked his county record-tying third state title. Addison Chipoletti of Hernando and Springstead’s Richie Bliss are the county’s other three-time champs across 39 years of competition.
Three other Eagles settled for state silver medals including two freshmen, Josh Herrera at 132 and Conor Ross at 170, as well as senior Thomas Gupton at 195.
For a second straight winter SHS sophomore Jordan Rivera placed third at 126 while freshman Matt Landgraff placed sixth at 106.
Springstead’s eighth-year Head Coach Eric Swensen and Assistant Coach Sal Basile pocketed their seventh tournament title and 41st overall since taking over in 2004-05.
Swensen outlined the keys for a repeat success.
“Similar to last year we had a lot of good kids. This year, half the team was seniors and the other half were rookies,” said the defending Hernando County Coach of the Year. “We had terrific senior leadership from Buddha (Sean Redman), John (Dreggors), Gump (Gupton) and Cody (Ross) – they know how this thing works.
“I’m proud of all the champs, but tonight was a storybook ending for Buddha,” proclaimed Swensen. “Here’s a kid who started coming to our little kids wrestling club from the beginning and we’ve watched him grow.”
Swensen explained the difficulty in repeating in any sport.
“It’s hard to win one (state championship),” admitted Swensen. “Look how long it took for anyone from our county to break through. Winning twice is unbelievable. This (state championship) belongs to our kids.”
With tears welled up in his eyes, Coach Basile realized Saturday’s results were special.
“It was such a special night,” said the former two-time Eagle state qualifier, who placed as high as third in 1993. “The team win was awesome. Over the years, there’s been an evolution of the program. Tonight, we had three freshmen trying to win a state title – that just doesn’t happen.
“After last year, I had no idea we’d be this good,” shrugged Basile. “I knew we had a lot of potential. Potential doesn’t always translate into results, but hard work does.”
Basile chose his words carefully as three Eagles settled on silver medals.
“Coach Swensen and I won’t be satisfied until we get 14 guys at states and they all win,” noted Basile. “Every year there’s some heartache. I feel for guys like Gump and Conor (Ross) and Herrera, to come that close and not win is awful tough.”
And what does he think about the program’s immediate future?
“We can never look back,” warned Coach Basile. “When you do that, that’s when people pass you. I guarantee you there are guys running tonight that are already getting ready for next year. We’ll enjoy the weekend, but it’s back to work on Monday.”
Ross: Three-peats
Four years ago, heralded freshman Cody Ross stepped on the mats for the first time against Wesley Chapel’s Robert Jota in Spring Hill. The match resulted in a pin in 62 seconds.
Four years later, Ross completed his stellar prep career in a similar fashion: on top.
Despite competing in one of the most difficult weight classes and entering states as a disappointing third-place regional finisher, Ross returned to his dominant ways with a 4-0 run featuring two pins.
He opened his fourth state tourney with a 7-3 nod over Palmetto Ridge senior Anthony Curto before folding Jensen Beach senior Denzel Rego in 5:47.
In Saturday’s semifinal he twisted Citrus sophomore Colton Jackson into a 12-4 major decision. The win was Ross’s third this winter against Jackson.
On Saturday night, Ross clashed with Riverdale senior Miguel Rivera. Rivera earned his way into the finals with a huge 5-3 semifinal upset over 2A-II regional champ J.J. Francis of Celebration.
In a fitting fashion Ross (44-3 overall) wasted no time in attacking Rivera (43-2), pinning him in 1:47.
Ross’s 97th career pin – four short of the county record held by Springstead’s Richie Bliss (101) – allows him to leave with a mat blueprint featuring a third straight title.
“The reality is I’ve had a rough second half of the season,” acknowledged the 17-year-old Ross, who walks away with a county-record 186-14 lifetime (93.0) slate. “Since last week, I worked extra hard in running to prepare myself for states. I came here focused, refusing to lose.”
According to Ross, his finals match boiled down to confidence.
“I came in as a two-time state champ hoping to make a statement,” he recalled. “I talked to (Nick) Soto today. He told me enjoy the experience and that I won’t get any more chances like this. Winning (a third title) doesn’t get any better than this.”
Dreggors: Breaks through
The long state drought for Dreggors ended Saturday night. The four-time state qualifier – who competed the past three years with Springstead – roared through states with a 4-0 run featuring three pins.
Dreggors, who was denied a gold medal when he was pinned in 2011 by North Marion’s Matt Pringle, waited a year for one final chance at a gold medal.
Dreggors opened the tourney by crushing Dixie Hollins sophomore Andre Matthews (0:40 seconds) and folding Miami-Central sophomore Keyon Burgess (67 seconds).
On Saturday, he stuck Winter Haven senior Robert Thornton in the semis (1:43) to earn a berth in the state finals against Olympic Heights’ unbeaten senior Mike Kosoy.
Kosoy arrived 47-0 and has already inked a wrestling scholarship with North Carolina State.
Though Kosoy led 2-0 after four minutes, Dreggors rallied to tie the match with a one-point escape and one penalty point after Kosoy was whistled for stalling.
In overtime, Dreggors needed 36 seconds to secure a two-point takedown and complete the come-from-behind, 4-2 victory.
The win closed the books on Dreggors’ unbeaten 29-0 season (he missed the season’s first three tourneys due to a relative’s death).
“I came in with one goal – to beat his (butt),” said Dreggors, who completed his Springstead run at 118-11 (91.5 percent) featuring 89 pins. “I was tired of hearing people talk about him. There were 1,000 or more people in the stands who didn’t want me to win, but that’s OK, I used that as my motivation.
“I was really more nervous for my teammates when they wrestled than I was for my match,” added the 17-year-old Dreggors, who became Hernando County’s 40th state champion in 39 years. “This (win) was for my dad and my teammates.”
Redman: Atop the podium (finally)
Unlike Ross or Dreggors, Redman had one gorilla on his back – he had never placed at states, or at least until Saturday night.
Like Dreggors, Redman arrived hungry for a title and came in with momentum. He left Polk County 4-0 with a pin to conclude his final prep chapter on top.
The four-year varsity starter opened the meet by pinning Ridgeview’s Col Robertson for the second time this season (3:07). His 30th pin left him one behind the county leader, Greg Jarque of NCT (31).
Next, Redman decisioned Stranahan sophomore Kenny Boyd, 4-1, before clobbering Jerimiah Benson of Edgewater in the semifinals, 13-4. Last week, Redman stuffed Benson, 11-4.
The state final was a rematch from the Flagler Invitational final versus Jensen Beach senior Mike Hess.
Hess edged Redman in the fourth overtime with a one-point escape, 2-1.
Since that setback, Redman had captured 16-of-17 bouts – featuring 13 in a row.
This time after a scoreless first period, Redman solved Hess, 5-2. Make that 14 in a row.
The Eagle captain went out in style completing his career-best season at 43-4 to conclude his prep career at 143-46 featuring 94 pins.
“It (winning) felt amazing,” smiled the 18-year-old Redman. “All the hard work I’ve put in has all paid off. I came here with one goal – winning states – and I sure didn’t want to lose to Hess. After the first takedown, I broke him.”
Sharks: Record-setting effort
Locally, Nature Coast Technical also enjoyed a terrific weekend placing sixth in the 84-team field with 63.0 points.
The Sharks returned home with a school record of four placers including senior Carlos Carrasquillo (third) at 170, while Cameron Tull (42-13) at 126, Mitch Lambert (46-10) at 160 and Sean Nguyen (52-8) at 106 all placed fourth.
Before this weekend, NCT had totaled a combined 45 points in their last four state tourneys. Before Saturday night, the Sharks’ best-ever finish was 30th in Class 1A.
“I’m OK with sixth,” said NCT skipper Mike Lastra. “We came in with a goal of top five and missed it by one point. That’s pretty good for a team that was 1A until July. I’m so proud of these guys.
“It’s no secret we had a bad first round,” recalled Lastra. “Three guys lost first-round matches; this is what happens at states. I’m amazed at how hard our guys fought back to place. It really shows the character of this team.”
Though senior Carter Bolesta went 2-2 before being eliminated, Lastra singled him out for his efforts on and off the mats.
“Carter didn’t end up on the podium,” lamented Lastra. “He had a tough draw and wrestled as well as he could. Even though he didn’t place here, he’s the face of Shark wrestling. His year-round commitment to our sport rubbed off on the rest of his teammates. Like all teams, we have to start somewhere. Carter has kind of showed us the way.”
Nguyen established a new county record for most wins in a single season (52) snapping a four-way tie (50) between Chipoletti, Sergio Matos of Central, Cody Ross and Nick Soto of Springstead.
Carrasquillo’s finish was also the best-ever state performance by a Shark.
“I was a little disappointed when I dropped my first match,” recalled the 17-year-old Carrasquillo (36-9 overall). “After that, I just stepped on it. Winning five matches after I lost my first one is a great accomplishment. I know it’s a rare feat.
“Being the best-ever Shark state placer means a lot to me,” added Carrasquillo. “My only regret is that I wish I could redo the first part of the season and make up all those matches I missed.”
Perhaps Tull summed up the attitude of many wrestlers at states.
“Finishing fourth is OK,” said the 17-year-old Tull. “I could have moved better with my feet. It’s like I knew the shots were coming, but I couldn’t stop them. I feel like I could have done more.”
In other notes, neither Central nor Hernando were represented in the second day of the 2A competition.
CHS finished in a tie for 62nd place, out of 84 teams, with two points. In his first-ever state appearance, senior Puerto Rico Nieves (21-8 overall) went 1-2 at 182.
HHS finished in a tie for 72nd with one point as two-time state qualifier and senior Jared Young (37-12) also went 1-2 at 152.
All-Time Hernando County State Wrestling Champions (40):
Name School Year Class Wgt
Redman, Sean SPG 2012 2A 145
Ross, Cody SPG 2012 2A 152
Dreggors, John SPG 2012 2A 285
Bliss, Richie SPG 2011 2A 103
Toms, Virgil SPG 2011 2A 130
Soto, Nick SPG 2011 2A 135
Ross, Cody SPG 2011 2A 140
Landgraff, Shawn SPG 2011 2A 152
Bliss, Richie SPG 2010 2A 103
Toms, Virgil SPG 2010 2A 125
Soto, Nick SPG 2010 2A 130
Ross, Cody SPG 2010 2A 135
Cox, Kenny SPG 2010 2A 215
Pritz, Daniel HER 2010 1A 145
Bliss, Richie SPG 2009 2A 103
Swanton, Schuyler SPG 2008 2A 112
Swanton, Schuyler SPG 2007 2A 103
Rotunda, Windham HER 2005 1A 275
Chipoletti, Addison HER 2005 1A 189
Chipoletti, Addison HER 2004 1A 171
Chipoletti, Addison HER 2003 1A 171
Booker, Matt SPG 2001 1A 130
DeCristofaro, Gerard SPG 2001 1A 140
Pritz, Robert HER 2000 1A 140
Stevenson, Jim SPG 2000 2A 125
Smith, John HER 1999 4A 152
Swanton, Dustin SPG 1999 5A 125
Swanton, Dustin SPG 1998 5A 119
Stevenson, John SPG 1998 5A 112
Gant, Richard HER 1997 4A 125
Hill, Corey SPG 1997 5A 145
Mallin, Mike CEN 1997 4A 189
Hill, Corey SPG 1996 5A 145
Gordon, Reppard HER 1995 4A 152
Sang, Omah CEN 1994 3A 171
Deason, Chuck HER 1993 3A 125
Kuhl, Brad HER 1992 3A 135
Lane, John SPG 1991 3A 145
Hudson, Gerard HER 1987 3A UNL
Hamilton, Michael HER 1982 3A 185
Class 2A Results:
Round 1:
106 – Sean Nguyen (NCT) pin Jacob Geiger (LINC), 0:26.
106 – Matt Landgraff (SPG) dec. Eric Altreche (NICE), 9-5.
113 – Michael McDonald (SPG) pin Daniel Preciado (MSPGS), 0:55.
120 – Nicholas Anthony (FMY) dec. Stephen Pavao (SPG), 6-5.
126 – Jared Browning (JENB) tech. fall Cameron Tull (NCT), 19-4.
126 – Jordan Rivera (SPG) pin Jeff Bayonne (HER), 1:44.
132 – Josh Herrera (SPG) dec. Blake Riley-Hawkins (LWR), 7-3.
138 – Jordan DiPaul (RDV) dec. Joe Russo (SPG), 9-6.
145 – Sean Redman (SPG) pin Col Robertson (RDV), 3:07.
145 – Carter Bolesta (NCT) dec. Thomas Herlevich (GAIN), 8-2.
152 – Cody Ross (SPG) dec. Anthony Curto (PALR), 7-3.
152 – Miguel Rivera (RVD) dec. Jared Young (HER), 5-4.
160 – Chris Favoroso (JENB) dec. Mitch Lambert (NCT), 8-7.
170 – Michael Cannizzo (MOS) dec. Carlos Carrasquillo (NCT), 8-6 (OT).
170 – Conor Ross (SPG) dec. David Martinez (SAU), 6-4.
182 – Puerto Rico Nieves (CEN) dec. Joe Kennedy (PALMB), 10-5.
182 – Ernesto Padilla (SPG) dec. Jonathon Kemp (OKE), 7-5.
195 – Thomas Gupton (SPG) dec. Nick Santiago (OLYH), 7-0.
285 – John Dreggors (SPG) pin Andre Matthews (DH), 0:40.
Round 2:
120 – Stephen Pavao (SPG) pin David Higgs (MID), 4:02.
126 – Cameron Tull (NCT) pin David Griffel (PVE), 3:59.
138 – Joe Russo (SPG) dec. Devonta Bohannon (HOM), 5-0.
152 – Jared Young (HER) dec. Bryson Dains (TEP), 3-0.
160 – Mitch Lambert (NCT) pin Tim Manning (MILT), 4:42.
170 – Carlos Carrasquillo (NCT) major dec. Savonni Jones (LWO), 13-0.
195 – Shane Carpenter (CRE) major dec. Peter Holloman (NCT), 8-0.
Round 3: (Quarterfinals)
106 – Sean Nguyen (NCT) Byron Rhodes (CHR), 8-4.
106 – Matt Landgraff (SPG) dec. Eric Altreche (NICE), 4-3.
113 – Tanis Taylor (BAC) dec. Michael McDonald (SPG), 6-4.
126 – Jordan Rivera (SPG) dec. Joe Guelfi (NAP), 7-4.
132 – Josh Herrera (SPG) dec. Tristan Sommer (LINC), 3-0.
145 – Jonathon Heffner (RVD) pin Carter Bolesta (NCT), 5:43.
145 – Sean Redman (SPG) dec. Kenny Boyd (STR), 4-1.
152 – Cody Ross (SPG) pin Denzel Rego (JENB), 5:47.
170 – Conor Ross (SPG) pin Dylan Arias (OLYH), 5:10.
182 – A.J. Jones (POC) dec. Ernesto Padilla (SPG), 7-5.
195 – Thomas Gupton (SPG) won by criteria Derrick Doss (LAR), (4OT) 3-3.
285 – John Dreggors (SPG) pin Keyon Burgess (MIC), 1:27.
Round 4:
113 – Yancarlos Guerra (MAT) major dec. Michael McDonald (SPG), 10-1.
120 – Wilmer Almendarez (MAT) dec. Stephen Pavao (SPG), 4-3.
126 – Cameron Tull (NCT) dec. Joe Guelfi (NAP), 7-2.
138 – Aiden Collins (CHAR) dec. Joe Russo (SPG), 4-1.
145 – Carter Bolesta (NCT) pin Col Robertson (RDV), 2:14.
152 – Connor Funderburke (LINC) dec. Jared Young (HER), 7-2.
160 – Mitch Lambert (NCT) pin. Jordan Harriott (OSS), 4:57
170 – Carlos Carrasquillo (NCT) dec. Dale Mooney (CHAR), 9-2.
182 – Joe Fields (COC) major dec. Puerto Rico Nieves (CEN), 10-2.
182 – Ernesto Padilla (SPG) major dec. Travis Macon (ARM), 10-1.
Round 5:
126 – Cameron Tull (NCT) dec. Greg Manfredi (GUB), 6-4 (OT).
145 – Chase Krutzy (LKG) dec. Carter Bolesta (NCT), 4-3.
160 – Mitch Lambert (NCT) dec. Nicholas Accardo (RVD), 5-4.
170 – Carlos Carrasquillo (NCT) dec. David Martinez (SAU), 3-1.
182 – Joe Fields (COA) dec. Ernesto Padilla (SPG), 8-7.
Round 6: (Semifinals)
106 – Jacob Wasserman (KING) dec. Sean Nguyen (NCT), 14-11.
106 – Donoven Hough (ARM) dec. Matt Landgraff (SPG), 3-2.
126 – Esteban Gomez (BELJ) dec. Jordan Rivera (SPG), 3-0.
132 – Josh Herrera (SPG) dec. Dana Harrington (DH), 4-2 (OT).
145 – Sean Redman (SPG) major dec. Jerimiah Benson (EDGE), 13-4.
152 – Cody Ross (SPG) major dec. Colton Jackson (CIT), 12-4.
170 – Conor Ross (SPG) dec. Esteban Rua (PAR), 2-1 (3OT).
195 – Thomas Gupton (SPG) dec. Monterance Allen (COL), 4-1.
285 – John Dreggors (SPG) pin Robert Thornton (WH), 1:43.
Round 7:
106 – Sean Nguyen (NCT) major dec. Dakota Arends (RR), 19-8.
106 – Cole Schreiber (COL) dec. Matt Landgraff (SPG), 7-1.
126 – Jordan Rivera (SPG) dec. Andrew Vartianinen (CHAR), 1-0.
126 – Cameron Tull (NCT) dec. Samir Dominique (PAB), 6-2.
160 – Mitch Lambert (NCT) dec. Chris Favoroso (JENB), 7-5.
170 – Carlos Carrasquillo (NCT) vs. Esteban Rua (PALR), 6-3.
Round 8:
106 - Cole Schreiber (COL) dec. Sean Nguyen (NCT), 3-2.
106 - Dakota Arends (RR) dec. Matt Landgraff (SPG), 5-0.
126 – Jordan Rivera (SPG) tech. fall Cameron Tull (NCT), 16-0.
160 – Nick McLean (CIT) dec. Mitch Lambert (NCT), 9-2.
171 – Carlos Carrasquillo (NCT) dec. Tyler Goudy (CRV), 7-0.
Round 9: (Championship Finals)
132 – Jamarius Jackson (RDV) dec. Josh Herrera (SPG), 10-5.
145 – Sean Redman (SPG) dec. Mike Hess (JENB), 5-2.
152 – Cody Ross (SPG) pin Miguel Rivera (RVD), 1:47.
170 – Kyle Goodnow (DUND) dec. Conor Ross (SPG), 3-1 (OT).
195 – Davion Stuarts (CHAR) dec. Thomas Gupton (SPG), 2-1.
285 – John Dreggors (SPG) dec. Mike Kosoy (OLYH), 4-2 (OT).
Final Class 2A State Team Points/84 teams
PL TEAM PTS.
1. Spring Hill-Springtsead (SPG) 171.5
2. Lakeland-Lake Gibson (LKG) 92.5
2. Fort Myers-Riverdale (RVD) 89.5
4. Jensen Beach (JENB) 72.5
5. Punta Gorda-Charlotte (CHAR) 64.0
6. Brooksville-Nature Coast Tech. (NCT) 63.0
7. Inverness-Citrus (CIT) 55.0
8. Dunedin (DUND) 47.0
8. Melbourne-Palm Bay (PALMB) 47.0
8. Orange Park-Ridgeview (RDV) 47.0
Other:
72. Brooksville-Hernando (HER) 1.00
Springstead Individual Results:
WGT NAME W L PINS PL
106 Landgraff, Matt 2 3 0 6th
113 McDonald, Michael 1 2 1 -
120 Pavao, Stephen 1 2 1 -
126 Rivera, Jordan 4 1 1 3rd
132 Herrera, Josh 3 1 0 2nd
138 Russo, Joe 1 2 0 -
145 Redman, Sean 4 0 1 1st
152 Ross, Cody 4 0 2 1st
170 Ross, Conor 3 1 1 2nd
182 Padilla, Ernesto 2 2 0 -
195 Gupton, Thomas 3 1 0 2nd
285 Dreggors, John 4 0 3 1st-
TOTALS 32 15 10 -
NCT Individual Results:
WGT W L PINS PL
106 Nguyen, Sean 3 2 1 4th
126 Tull, Cameron 4 2 1 4th
145 Bolesta, Carter 2 2 1 -
160 Lambert, Mitch 4 2 2 4th
170 Carrasquillo, Carlos 5 1 0 3rd
195 Holloman, Peter 0 2 0 -
TOTALS 18 11 5 -
Hernando Individual Results:
WGT NAME W L PINS PL
152 Young, Jared 1 2 0 -
TOTALS 1 2 0 -
Central Individual Results:
WGT NAME W L PINS PL
182 Nieves, Puerto Rico 1 2 0 -
TOTALS 1 2 0 -
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