Cougars take title over Largo

Countryside erases a 13-point deficit to overtake the Packers by two points.

By DOUG KATES Times Correspondent
Published January 14, 2007

CLEARWATER - Before the start of the Pinellas County Athletic Conference wrestling finals, Countryside coach Greg Chapman stood in the center circle as a gymnasium full of fans sang happy birthday.

Then Chapman stepped off the mat and let his Cougars take center stage - and what a birthday present it turned out to be.

Heading into the championship round, Largo held a substantial lead, 190.5 points to 177.5, over Countryside.

Chapman had six wrestlers competing in the first seven championship matches and figured at least two pins were necessary to overtake Largo.

The pins didn't come, but Countryside didn't need them. Chapman watched all six of his wrestlers win titles as the Cougars clinched the tournament 202.5 to 200.5.

"Our kids have stepped up all year," Chapman said. "Anytime we needed them, they were there."

Shaun Sprentall and Kyle Grueninger were the first two Cougars to win titles, but it was Jordan Frease's title at 119 pounds that made the home crowd cheer the loudest. Frease faced undefeated Demetrius Madry of St. Petersburg High and won the match with a 6-4 decision.

"He wrestled very, very intelligently," Chapman said. "He kept his opponent from getting his legs, and he took very safe shots and let them work."

Frease's win forced Countryside and Largo into a tie at 190.5 points. Then Tyler Parry and Eric Deupree won back-to-back decisions for the Cougars, and one weight class later, Brandon Lopez clinched the team title with a 4-3 decision over Dan Lemieux of Largo.

Dan Schroeder and Adam Gibson won conference titles for the Packers. Other champions were Ryan Santangelo of Palm Harbor University, Travis Williams of Dixie Hollins, Dante Graham, Dan Miller and Antonio Talley of Dunedin, and Dylan Mundella of Northeast.

As expected, Mundella and East Lake's Jordan Anastassiou met for the heavyweight title. Both wrestlers were undefeated, and both were ranked No. 1 in their respective classifications. Mundella won in a 17-2 decision.

[Last modified January 14, 2007, 00:05:26]