Four teams jockey for position behind Brandon

Durant, Bloomingdale, Alonso and Robinson are battling for second place in the Hillsborough County Wrestling Championships after the first of a two-day tournament.

By TERRY JONES Times Correspondent
Published January 27, 2007

VALRICO - Durant, Bloomingdale, Alonso and Robinson are battling for second place in the Hillsborough County Wrestling Championships after the first of a two-day tournament.

Brandon leads with 142.5 points and 11 wrestlers in today's 10:30 a.m. semifinals. Durant (106.5) has six in the semis, Bloomingdale (93.5) seven.

Wins by Bloomingdale's Kyle Paladini, a Class 3A state contender, and Chamberlain's Patrick Spano, a 2A contender, will put both into the 152-pound final.

Paladini (44-2) can get his 100th career win with a semifinal victory. Both of Paladini's losses are to Brandon's Keith Koziel, whom he has beaten once. Koziel will be taking college entrance exams today.

""I am a little disappointed Keith isn't going to be here," Paladini said. ""Because we are in different classifications, it would have been our last match.

"He is a great wrestler and, win or lose, it is good to wrestle guys like Keith."

Though his long-range goal is a state championship, Spano (30-2) is looking forward to a possible meeting with Paladini.

"It would be a great match with Paladini," Spano said. "He is a very good wrestler and a cool athlete."

Paladini's teammate, Austin Fagari (125) also is within one win of 100.

Brandon's Sean Joyce (145) and Tommy Timothy (160) cruised through their classes. David Mays (171), Adam Waymouth (189) and Chris Pasco (215) are among the others who advanced. 

County Championships

When: Today

Where: Bloomingdale High

Schedule: Semifinals, 10:30 a.m.; finals, , 6 p.m.

Admission: $4 per session

[Last modified January 26, 2007, 23:22:12]