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Wrestler maintains intensity with attack attitude

Patrick Spano's controlled aggression keeps opponents on the defensive .

By TERRY JONES
Published January 12, 2007

The way Patrick Spano attacks his wrestling opponents, he gives the impression he's mad and has intentions to inflict pain. Actually, the Chamberlain High senior just has an aggressive style, and he wrestles with nonstop intensity. So far this season, he is 31-1, with more than 20 pins.

His attacking style came out of a loss last year in the regional meet.

After jumping out to a five-point lead in the regional finals last year, he eased off enough to get penalized for stalling and lost by two points.

Stalling is a penalty given when a wrestler is not aggressive or not working toward scoring a pin.

"The very next week, I beat that same guy by eight points," Spano said. "I'm not mad when I attack; I just don't like to lose. As long as I am on the attack, my opponents are on the defensive. Wrestling is supposed to be a tough sport and one that is intense."

He wrestles at 160 pounds now, but soon he will drop to 152 and stay there through the state tournament.

He denies having stored up anger inside that he vents against opponents in matches.

Chiefs coach Gary Jones agrees.

"Patrick is not an angry kid," Jones said. "He is just a highly skilled wrestler with an aggressive style. As the captain of our team, he doesn't yell and scream at his teammates when they slouch off. He leads by example with a strong work ethic."

He has found a way to improve his skills, even in a loss.

He shakes the hand of the winner and starts analyzing the match in his mind to use the moves of his opponent to do better in his next match.

At 152 pounds, he will be in one of the most competitive weight classes in Hillsborough County and in Florida.

In the Florida Kids wrestling poll, he is ranked second in the state, behind Brandon's Keith Koziel. Both are in the same Class 2A district and region.

Bloomingdale senior Kyle Paladini is ranked No. 1 in Florida in Class 3A in the same weight class.

All three could very well end up in the state championship finals in February.

Even though he is in one of the most competitive weight classes, Spano may be the best.

"I don't have any anger issues now, although I did when I was much younger," he said. "My style has been established with a specific objective. All college wrestlers are aggressive, and I want a college education, hopefully with the help of wrestling."

Several college coaches have sent Jones letters showing interest in Spano, but they both say no decision is even close at this point.

As a freshman, Spano said, he was beaten up quite a bit, by older, more experienced opponents, but still posted a respectable 21-18 record at 145 pounds.

He went 40-11 as a sophomore, placed second to the state champ in regionals and qualified for the state tournament.

Last year, he moved up to 152 pounds, posted a 36-7 record and placed fifth in the state tournament.

He wants to win the championship belt this year.

Jones summarized Spano's aggression in a match.

"His aggression is controlled," Jones said.

"His mind-set is to do what he wants to do and not develop his actions around the plans of an opponent. Some wrestlers play off opponents' moves, but Patrick prefers to be in control from the start."

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[Last modified January 11, 2007, 12:07:12]