Dunedin High's veteran wrestling skipper, Marc Allison, perhaps best summed up this weekend's 48th annual FHSAA Finals at The Lakeland Center.
All week long, Allison has preached a similar theme to his mat men: "If you want to be somebody, you've got to beat somebody. That's what this weekend is all about."
Allison, who enters his ninth state tournament at the Jenkins Arena in Polk County, subdivides prep grapplers entering states into two divisions.
"The first group of guys aspires to become state champions. Many believe they have the ability. For those guys they want to win four (straight) matches somehow, some way," said Allison. "Then there's the other group. They don't have the ability to win a state title, but they want to place. The easiest way for this group is by winning their first two matches. But that's easier said than done."
Dunedin survived St. Cloud's grueling two-day, 27-team Class 2A, Region II "Region of Doom" with six competitors.
Allison predicts 2A-II's top two squads — Springstead and Lakeland-Lake Gibson — will finish among the state's top three Saturday night.
"Springstead is the favorite. I see Springstead, Lake Gibson and Riverdale going 1-2-3," predicted Allison. "And that's without seeing Olympic Heights. I'm sure they have a strong squad, but Springstead, Lake Gibson and Riverdale are outstanding."
* * * * *
For only the third time, four Hernando County programs — Central, Hernando, Nature Coast and Springstead — will be represented at state, all competing in the individually bracketed, double-elimination Class 2A tournament.
A county-record 20 Hernando County grapplers have qualified, edging the previous high of 19 in 1998.
The tourney runs today and Saturday. Today's action begins at 10 a.m. and runs until approximately 10 p.m.
Saturday begins with a wrestleback round at 9:30 a.m., followed by semifinals and wrestlebacks. Finals are slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. on three mats.
The top six finalists in each of the 14 weight divisions will earn a medal. Trophies will be awarded to the team state champion and runner-up.
No Hernando County wrestling team had ever captured a state title until Springstead defeated the Lake Gibson Braves by 21.5 points last winter.
The Mariner Boulevard squad is searching for the North Suncoast's first-ever repeat.
* * * * *
Springstead enters Polk County tied for a state best and with a county record of 12 qualifiers: freshmen Matt Landgraff at 106 pounds, Michael McDonald at 113, Josh Herrera at 132 and Conor Ross at 170; sophomore Jordan Rivera at 126; juniors Stephen Pavao at 120 and Joe Russo at 138; and seniors Sean Redman at 145, Cody Ross at 152, Ernesto Padilla at 182, Thomas Gupton at 195 and John Dreggors at 285.
By comparison, Riverdale enters with 12 grapplers followed by Lake Gibson, Boca Raton-Olympic Heights and Punta-Gorda-Charlotte (eight); Melbourne-Palm Bay, Dunedin, Jensen Beach and NCT (six); and Orange Park-Ridgeview, Tallahassee-Lincoln and Inverness-Citrus (five).
* * * * *
The Eagles' strength is based on team depth and strength of schedule.
Last winter, the Eagles relied basically on six grapplers to reach the state finals — from which they returned with five gold medals.
This 32nd Eagle edition is much more diverse, with seven underclassmen — including a county-record four freshmen — alongside five seniors.
SHS' veteran skipper, Eric Swensen, and Assistant Coach Sal Basile are anxiously awaiting a chance at a rare state repeat.
"The mood this week in practice has been good," explained Swensen, seeking his seventh tournament win of the season and his 41st in eight years at the helm. "Health-wise, knock on wood, we're good, too. This week was like any other week — we had a full room. We even had three to four JV kids still in there.
"This group of kids wants to be state champions again," stressed Swensen. "The kids have exceeded Sal and I's expectations for a while. The guys are excited about this weekend. They want to do this as a team; they want to do it together."
* * * * *
According to Swensen, this year's team will take a different state approach than last year.
"We had home run hitters last year, and those guys went long in every tournament we went. We leaned on six guys and they took us to the title," recalled Swensen with a smile.
"But even with that group, Lake Gibson stayed right with us until the consolation finals. We knew that if we slipped up, Lake Gibson had the weapons in place to catch us.
"This year, Lake Gibson and Riverdale again have great teams. They could still be there at the end and cause trouble if we're not focused," noted Swensen. "Our goal is to place all 12 guys. This group is still hungry; I'm not setting the bar low. In fact, I'm keeping it high. We nearly took 14 to states.
"Our depth is a huge plus," added Swensen. "Using a baseball reference, we've got a lot of hitters. We've got some guys who could go long, but we could win this pushing a bunch of guys through the semis or having a lot of guys just place. I just hope the season ends the way it’s supposed to."
* * * * *
This weekend closes the chapter on two stout Eagle mat men. Both Cody Ross and Dreggors enter their fourth state championship tournament.
Dreggors comes in 25-0 this winter, featuring 20 pins. Though he's posted a career 114-11 (91 percent) slate at SHS with 86 pins, he has never stood atop the podium in Lakeland.
Last winter, the 6-foot-5 Dreggors was the only Eagle to reach the state finals and not return home with a gold medal draped across his neck. SHS grapplers have earned 10 gold medals over the past two winters at state.
Facing his unfinished business, Dreggors will open against Dixie Hollins sophomore Andre Matthews before possibly facing Choctawhatchee senior Nick Diunizio in the second round.
Looming on the opposite side of the bracket is undefeated North Carolina State signee Mike Kosoy (44-0) of Olympic Heights.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, Hernando County's most decorated wrestler, Cody Ross, bids adieu also with some unfinished issues.
Ross, who enters with a career record of 182-14 (93 percent), is seeking to tie the county mark for most career state titles (three) – held by Hernando’s Addison Chipoletti and Springstead’s Richie Bliss.
The three-time state finalist opens against Palmetto Ridge senior Anthony Curto.
Like Ross and Dreggors, Rivera is a returning state placer (third).
Rivera arrives 33-5 overall and has captured 10 matches in a row since losing to 2011 state runner-up Jamarius Jackson in the finals of the Flagler Invitational, 2-0.
Like Dreggors, Rivera enters as regional champion and will open against Palm Bay-Heritage junior Jeff Bayonne.
Looming in the semifinals is a rematch with Miami-Belen Jesuit senior Esteban Gomez-Rivera. Gomez-Rivera edged Rivera in the Flagler Invitational semifinals, 5-2.
For Redman, he’s four wins shy of completing his best-ever season. Redman enters states 39-4 this winter and a 139-46 career slate featuring 93 pins. Interestingly, Lakeland is the only venue Redman has not placed in his four-year varsity career.
In one of the toughest weight classes at states, Redman comes in riding a 10-match winning skein. He’ll open against Ridgeview’s Coll Robertson, who he pinned at the Deltona Duals in 4:40.
Like Redman, Gupton has never placed at states. Like Redman, this is Gupton’s second trip.
Like Redman, Gupton has been a model of consistency all season. “Gump” has reached eight straight tournament finals and won six.
His only two losses came via criteria in eerily similar fashion: not escaping from the bottom position in the fourth overtime against Camden County senior Michael Johnson at the Cougar Invitational in Tampa and versus Lake City-Columbia’s Monterance Allen in the Ippolito finals at Brandon.
Since losing to Allen, Gupton has posted eight straight wins and since losing to Johnson, Gupton has gone 28-1.
Gupton will open against Olympic Heights senior Nick Santiago. Looming in the semis is a possible rematch with Allen. Allen will have his hands full in his opener against Hillsborough High’s Demetrius Hill.
The Eagles other seven grapplers – Landgraff (31-9), McDonald (35-9), Pavao (26-9), Herrera (27-2), Russo (33-9), Conor Ross (32-8) and Padilla (10-5) – are all making their state debuts.
* * * * *
Nature Coast's best season in eight years features a school-record six state qualifiers: junior Sean Nguyen at 106 pounds; and seniors Cameron Tull at 126, Carter Bolesta at 145, Mitch Lambert at 160, Carlos Carrasquillo at 170 and Peter Holloman at 195.
Eighth-year NCT skipper Mike Lastra hasn’t had to sell this weekend’s tourney to his troops.
“There’s no need to sell this,” explained Lastra. “The kids know what’s at stake. Right now, it’s not about drilling; it’s really about the mental game.”
On the Sharks’ goal, “I’d like to see us finish in the top five,” Lastra said. “There’s a three-headed horse at the top. Unless Springstead lays an egg, they’ll win. I can’t see their coaches allowing that to happen.
“Right now, I see Lake Gibson and Riverdale fighting for second,” added Lastra. “As long as our guys don’t get the deer in the headlights look at states, we could make some noise.”
As far as best bets to reach the state finals – something no Shark has ever done – Lastra savors the draws that both Nguyen and Lambert secured.
“At this stage, you have to wrestle well,” stressed Lastra. “But a good draw really helps. I’m not saying anyone else can’t make it (the finals), but those two guys got favorable draws. We have five seniors and one junior who are still hungry to win – that says a lot.”
Bolesta and Lambert are returning state qualifiers.
Bolesta, who went 3-2 and placed fourth in Class 1A in 2011, enters states with an outstanding 48-9 slate this winter.
Though Redman got a favorable draw at 145, Bolesta did not.
Bolesta, who enters with a school record 131-59 career mark with 62 pins, opens against Gainesville junior Thomas Herlevich. His second-round opponent should be Riverdale senior Jonathan Heffner.
Should Bolesta go 2-0 on Friday, he’ll mostly clash against either Lake Gibson junior Chase Krutzy or Jensen Beach senior Mike Hess in the semifinals.
Lambert, who last reached states in 2010 and did not place, drew a much more favorable draw than Bolesta.
Lambert, who enters states with a career 95-56 won-lost slate with 40 pins, opens against Jensen Beach freshman Chris Favoroso.
Should Lambert go 3-0 on his side of the bracket he’ll most likely face Archbishop McCarthy senior Javier Rodriguez or Citrus senior Nick McLean in the finals. Though Lambert hasn’t faced Rodriguez, he’s 0-4 this season against McLean.
Nguyen (county-best 49-6), Tull (38-11), Carrasquillo (31-8) and Holloman (37-17) are all making their state debuts.
Regional champion Nguyen needs two wins to set the county record for most wins in a single season (50), set by Central’s Sergio Matos in 2002-03, Hernando’s Addison Chipoletti in 2004-05, and Springstead’s Cody Ross (2009-10) and Nick Soto (2010-11).
* * * * *
Hernando High will be represented by senior Jared Young at 152 pounds.
Young (team-best 36-10) is making his second trip to states. He will open against Riverdale senior Miguel Rivera (40-1).
Young’s efforts enabled HHS to extend its county record to 23 straight winters – or since 1989 – with at least one state qualifier.
With Young competing in one of the toughest weight classes at states, HHS’ county record of having at least one state placer over the past 21 years could be in jeopardy.
“Sure, Jared’s bracket is pretty tough, but that’s why they call it states,” shrugged HHS Hall of Fame skipper Bill Combs Sr. “In high school wrestling you never count anybody out.
“Who gave Jared any chance of getting here after St. Cloud?” queried Coach Combs. “Not too many. But he’s here. He’s wrestled in the toughest district and then the toughest regional in 2A. How much tougher can states be, really?
“Can Jared place? Yes, he can. He’s just got to wrestle hard. What he did really well last week was avoid making mistakes. You make mistakes against top guys at this level and you’ll pay the price.”
Central High’s 45th state qualifier, senior Puerto Rico Nieves at 182, would love to become the school’s 12th-ever state placer and first medalist in nine years.
Nieves enters his first state tourney with a fine 20-6 campaign. He’s recovered since injuring his knee in the season-opening tourney at Dunedin.
Nieves arrives at states behind a momentum-building regional effort. At St Cloud, Nieves went 4-1 with three pins.
After pinning his first two foes, he was folded by defending state champion Taylor Jackson of Citrus High in 5:11.
But facing elimination, Nieves responded by flattening Sebring’s Vincente Moore (2:46) before mangling Sunlake’s Austin Lopez for third place via a 14-4 major decision.
“Puerto Rico has been driven since he got here,” described second-year Bears’ Head Coach Rich Drumheller. “He’s like a lot of our guys. I wouldn’t hesitate putting him out on the mats against anybody.
“I told him that this was his chance to leave a legacy at Central High School,” noted Drumheller. “Have people talk about him the same way they did for Robbie (Monsegur) last year. I’d like to see him do one better than Robbie and place.”
Nieves opens states against Palm Bay senior Joe Kennedy. Looming in a possible semifinal bout is a clash with Springstead’s Padilla.
“If Puerto Rico doesn’t place, I’ll be disappointed,” said Drumheller. “He has the ability. Right now, everything is up to him."
2012 HERNANDO COUNTY CLASS 2A STATE QUALIFIERS (20)
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
WGT NAME SCH YR. W L PINS
106 Nguyen, Sean NCT 11th 49* 06 26
106 Landgraff, Matt SPG 9th 31 09 14
113 McDonald, Michael SPG 9th 35 09 23
120 Pavao, Stephen SPG 11th 26 09 13
126 Rivera, Jordan# SPG 10th 32 05 14
126 Tull, Cameron NCT 12th 38 11 20
132 Herrera, Josh SPG 9th 27 02 15
138 Russo, Joe SPG 11th 33 09 13
145 Bolesta, Carter * NCT 12th 48 09 25
145 Redman, Sean+ SPG 12th 39 04 29
152 Ross, Cody$$ SPG 12th 40 03 26
152 Young, Jared+ HER 12th 36 10 17
160 Lambert, Mitch+ NCT 12th 42 08 19
170 Carrasquillo, Carlos NCT 12th 31 08 08
170 Ross, Conor SPG 9th 32 08 17
182 Nieves, Puerto Rico CEN 12th 20 06 12
182 Padilla, Ernesto SPG 12th 10 05 03
195 Gupton, Thomas+ SPG 12th 37 02 14
195 Holloman, Peter NCT 12th 37 17 20
285 Dreggors, John# SPG 12th 25 00 20
$$ Denotes returning two-time state champion
# Denotes returning state placer
+ Denotes returning state qualifier
* Denotes county leader
All-Time Hernando County State Wrestling Champions (37):
NAME SCH YR CLAS WGT
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, Genard HER 1987 3A UNL
Hamilton, Michael HER 1982 3A 185
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