No elation for Eagles

A close loss in the 160-pound match clouds Springstead's runnerup finish in its tournament.

By DEREK LaRIVIERE
Published January 15, 2006

SPRING HILL - What was billed as the match of the year turned out to be the controversy of the year at Springstead's 17th annual Brijbag Invitational on Saturday.

On a day where Jesuit walked away with the team crown, the 160-pound final between Springstead's Seth Metz (28-2) and Hernando's Michael Combs (20-1) was projected as the top draw before the event began.

Their match marked the only time the two would meet this season, and both are seen as early favorites to walk away with the 160 crown at states.

Metz seemed to be in control and have the win cinched with only nine seconds remaining. Combs, down 6-4, escaped for one point, then the fireworks began.

With time running out, Combs drove Metz out of bounds as the horn went off, getting two points for a take down and the 7-6 victory. Whether Metz was out before the advantage was taken by Combs is still being debated, but the Hernando star walked off with the medal.

"It was disappointing to say the least," Eagles coach Eric Swensen said. "(Seth) was dominant on top, he was dominant on the bottom, and he was dominant throughout the match."

Overshadowed by that one match was Jesuit earning the team crown with 222.5 points. Springstead finished second with 203.5. The programs led the tournament with four and three individual first-place finishes, respectively.

One of the biggest upsets of the tournament took place in the 103-pound division, as undefeated Mikey Cowell (21-1) of Pasco took on Schuyler Swanton (28-2) from Springstead. Swanton made his mark early and emerged with the 11-4 decision.

"This gives a lot of confidence with states coming up," Swanton said. "To beat one of the guys who is a favorite to win there shows how close I really am."

Other winners included Crystal River's Cory Neal (125), Springstead's Keith Hansen (140) and Andy Leavine (275), Pasco's John Clarke (171) and Eric Stroud (215) and Hernando's David Pritz (189).