New, veteran Eagles mesh well in opener

By DEREK LaRIVIERE
Published December 1, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - What a way to open the season.

Springstead (1-0) rolled over county rival Nature Coast Tech (1-4), setting a school record with the 81 to -2 victory. The previous record margin was 76 points.

In the debut of its three star senior transfers, Steve Bliss (112), Seth Metz (160) and Andy Leavine (275), the Eagles decimated an overwhelmed Sharks squad Wednesday night. Points were deducted from Nature Coast after an unsportsmanlike penalty in the 171-pound class against Preston Williams.

Bliss (2:31), Metz (:31), and Leavine (1:32) all got their Eagle careers off to quick starts with pins over their Nature Coast counterparts.

Add to that the dominance displayed by Springstead veterans C.J. Cook in the 119-pound class (pin in 1:20) and Walter Acosta in the 171-pound class (pin in 3:48), and one can see why coach Eric Swensen was beaming after the match.

"These kids work so hard every day," Swensen said. "They deserve this."

While Springstead carded a full 14-wrestler lineup for the varsity meeting, Nature Coast had to forfeit matches in the 103- and 160-pound classes due to nonparticipation.

Only one match went the distance in the sweep, a 10-5 win by Springstead's Steve Leon over Tony Grossi in the 130 class.

The win was somewhat of an upset because Grossi just won an individual medal at the Dr. McBath Tough Team Tournament at Pasco High on Saturday.

The Eagles start the season and conference competition on the right foot with the team win. Springstead next sets its sights on the Hooters Classic on Saturday at Seminole High.

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 01:08:09]