County squads try to reverse fortunes

CRYSTAL RIVER -- It's been a long time -- too long for local coaches to remember -- since a county team won a regional title.

Don't expect that trend to end anytime soon.

Though Crystal River has run roughshod over its district competition in the regular season and last week's Class A District 5 tournament, the Pirates have no misconceptions about Saturday's Region 2 championships at Hernando.

"It's just that much more difficult at the regional level," said Crystal River coach Bill Tovine, whose team defeated Dunnellon by 29.5 points to win its first district crown since 1996. "We just hope to get a few of our guys through."

Some of the faces will be familiar to the Pirates. Others will not.

The region consists of several squads from the North Suncoast (Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties) and several from Orlando and Florida's east coast -- including 1999 state champion Titusville Astronaut, winner of two of the last three Region 2 tourneys.

"We'll do what we can to prepare and get ready," Tovine said. "There are some tough guys we've seen before."

Crystal River will bring four district champs -- Brian McErlain (135 pounds), Billy Larder (171), Chauncey Minor (215) and Matt Hinman (heavyweight) -- along with four second-place finishers and one third.

The biggest surprise may be Larder. He avenged three earlier losses to Hernando's Thomas Lyle, a former Crystal River wrestler, in an 8-6 overtime victory.

Lecanto, a runner-up regional finisher in 2000, will not figure in the team competition. But the Panthers will bring title hopefuls in Mike Duca (125), Terence Hollis (160) and Billy Simmons (189), each of whom won at district for the first time. "The thing with Mike (Duca) the last two years is that he's wrestled great early but tapered off," Lecanto coach Dana Wilkes said. "This year his intensity has picked up, and I think the timing might be right." Hollis has been on a tear since losing in the (Springstead) Batista Bash in January.

"Terence has been very focused all year," Wilkes said. "He works hard in practice. He hasn't taken a day off, and I expect the same at regionals."

Citrus didn't have any district champions but will bring nine regional competitors -- including Kevin Larkin, who lost to Duca in the 125 final.

CLASS 2A, REGION 2 WRESTLING

WHEN/WHERE: Friday and Saturday at Hernando. Weigh-ins begin at 10 a.m. Friday and 8 Saturday. Finals are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

WHO: Citrus, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Hernando, Lecanto, West Port, North Marion, Gulf, Hudson, Pasco, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Port Orange Atlantic, Orlando Bishop Moore, Sanford Cyber Charter, Orlando Jones, Orlando Lake Highland Prep, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, Pierson Taylor, Titusville Astronaut, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, Sebastian River.

LOCAL QUALIFIERS: Citrus -- Micah Lamb (112), Evan Branson (119), Kevin Larkin (125), Scott Mauller (130), Mike Howard (135), Nick Simmons (145), Clark Stillwell (152), Courtney Henry (171), Ryan Jones (189). Crystal River -- Cale Trenary (119), Jeremy Cates (125), Brian McErlain (135), Drew Lepinski (140), Brady Pratt (145), Josh Stone (152), Billy Larder (171), Mike Katsifakas (189), Chauncey Minor (215), Matt Hinman (Heavyweight). Lecanto -- Greg Finely (103), Mike Duca (125), Dustin Cummings (130), Terence Hollis (160), Steven Brainard (215).

AT STAKE: Top four finishers in each class qualify for state.

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