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Measure of postseason readiness

By STEVE LEE
Published January 10, 2007

LAND O'LAKES - Three years away from the Springstead Invitational was long enough for Land O'Lakes, which returns to the two-day series that begins Friday in Spring Hill.

"When I was at Land O'Lakes we went there every year, so I'm going back to it," said coach Brent Coleman, a 1999 graduate and former Land O'Lakes wrestler. "We've gone to Oviedo in the past, but last year it was so unorganized."

Coleman feels that defending district champion Springstead, a runnerup to Tampa Jesuit in last year's invitational, is favored. The Eagles are ranked second in the state in Class 2A and Jesuit third in Class A by FloridaKids.us.

"This is a really tough tournament," Coleman said.

Aaron Blevins 20-4, fourth in the 215-pound class in last week's Chaminade Madona tournament in Hollywood, Brian Rushing (23-3 at 140) and Josh Kweller (17-5 at 135) are the Gators' top contenders for individual titles.

Like Coleman, Zephyrhills' Matt McDermott views the Springstead Invitational as a postseason yardstick.

"To me, it's a good tuneup for the regional competition," said McDermott, who has been to 11 consecutive Springstead tourneys (including seven as a Zephyrhills assistant). "If (wrestlers) place in the top four at Springstead, usually that's a good indicator if they've got a shot at state."

Among Zephyrhills' top wrestlers are Nick Hynes (16-8 at 112), John Reubens (6-2 at 119) and Westley Thornton (18-2 at 145 and 152). Gulf senior Mike Calafiore (24-1 at 130 and 135) also ranks among the top contenders and has his sights set on a title after two third-place finishes at Springstead.

"I've never won it, so it would be nice," said Calafiore, a state runnerup at 119 last season.

Moving up in weight classes, Calafiore said, was challenging.

"The kids are a lot stronger," said Calafiore, attributing this season's success to conditioning and improved technique.

Calafiore's teammate, Jarrod Carpenter, is coming off his first tournament win. The freshman took first at 103 in last week's Fraternal Order of Eagles Wildcat Duals Invitational at Wesley Chapel.

As the wins mounted in that series, Carpenter, who went 5-0, said, "I was confident in myself that I could beat (opposing wrestlers). With each win, it got greater and greater."

Steve Lee can be reached at lee@sptimes.com or (352) 521-6517.

[Last modified January 9, 2007, 22:55:59]