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High bar no obstacle for Mitchell pair

Seniors Gregg Steiner and Nick Dreger are the school's first to make state and aren't done yet.

By FRANK PASTOR
Published February 25, 2005

TRINITY - Other than a state final, there might be no more pressure-packed match than the consolation semifinal at the region tournament.

Win and you advance to state. Lose and your season is over.

As if the stakes weren't high enough, Mitchell seniors Gregg Steiner and Nick Dreger heaped additional pressure on themselves Saturday at Punta Gorda Charlotte.

Steiner chose, "Making states," as the topic for his senior project and would have to come up with another if he fell short. Dreger, who, like Steiner, qualified for region the previous three seasons, told himself he hadn't accomplished anything since his freshman year if he didn't advance.

Turned out, both were up to the task.

Steiner and Dreger each won their matches in the Class 2A, Region 3 tournament to become the first wrestlers in Mitchell's five-year history to make state. Dreger placed third at 135 pounds, Steiner fourth at 145.

"They're both exceptional young men, just all-around good kids, and I think they're thrilled to be at states their senior year," Mitchell coach John Marretta said. "I'm thrilled for them, and I think as a coach in getting my first state qualifiers as a head coach was a real emotional day Saturday, especially with it being two good, quality kids."

Steiner overcame back and shoulder injuries that sidelined him for the Springstead and conference tournaments and nearly caused him to quit the team. But a talk with assistant coach John Stanjeski ("He said if I stick around, you're sticking around," Steiner said) convinced Steiner to reconsider, and he was rewarded with his first state berth.

"Wrestling's a tough sport, and doing all the physical activities year in and year out year-round, I haven't had a break in four years," Steiner said. "My shoulders are hurting, my back's hurting, everything hurts. It would be nice to be done with it."

But not just yet.

Steiner, who took up wrestling after deciding as a freshman he was too slow for cross country, hoped to advance to the second day of states with a victory Thursday. He needs three wins to reach 100 for his career.

"It would be awesome having my 100th win coming at states," Steiner said. "It's still possible. I'm still looking to get that 100th win at states, but it's going to be tough."

Dreger's draw was no easier.

A win Thursday would put him into a second-round match today against three-time state champion Cesar Grajales of Brandon. If he gets that far, Dreger hopes to avoid being pinned, then do as well as he can in wrestlebacks.

Despite Grajales' presence in his bracket, Dreger said his most difficult opponent will be himself.

"I always lose my finals matches and all the important matches," Dreger said. "I just always get too nervous for the big match and can't get through it. Making it to states, I finally got through the big match and actually won something."

Dreger bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to pin Countryside's Dustin Incorvia in the second period of his consolation semifinal before edging Manatee's Daniel Betz 7-5 to place third at region.

Wrestling on the same mat immediately after Dreger's match, Steiner pinned Gibbs' Jamarcus Lane in his consolation semifinal. He placed fourth overall after falling 9-8 to Land O'Lakes' Evan Stack.

"Right now, each of those kids is in with the 16 best wrestlers in the state (in their weight class)," Marretta said. "Both of them are quality kids and deserve to be at the state tournament.

"I want them to show up wanting to win matches. They can't be happy just being there. We can be happy that we got to state on Monday. Now, they've got to go and believe in themselves and say, "Hey, I belong here. I can beat anybody that's in that bracket.' "

[Last modified February 25, 2005, 00:52:18]