Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

No part-time contender

At first guess, many would have thought 160-pound senior Brandyn Kuhn won his weight class. He would be a solid choice as a three-time state qualifier, but it was not him.

By DEREK LaRIVIERE
Published February 14, 2007

BROOKSVILLE

The storied Hernando program had just one region champion at last weekend's Class A tournament in Avon Park.

At first guess, many would have thought 160-pound senior Brandyn Kuhn won his weight class. He would be a solid choice as a three-time state qualifier, but it was not him.

Another guess would be Taylor Rotunda, the 215-pound heavyweight whose brother Windham won a state crown in 2005. Not Rotunda either.

The lone Hernando champion was known only one year ago as a football player who happened to wrestle, too. Now Jesse Graham has his sport's respect as a two-time state qualifier and 2007 region champion.

Wrestling is one of the few high school sports in which the top participants are involved year-round to hone their craft. The premier programs fill their lineups with these types of grapplers, then plug in the occasional football player or swimmer.

The reason for this controlled atmosphere is simple. Coaches see outside athletes as wild cards. Graham was a prime example.

Last season, the sophomore followed coach Matt Smith's advice and joined the wrestling team. He soon found out that being in shape as a wrestler is far different from being in shape on the gridiron.

"Football players are never in shape," Hernando assistant Bill Combs said. "You play for 15 seconds at a time in football with a break every time. In this sport, there are no breaks."

Many outside athletes end up quitting the team or underachieving due to a lack of work ethic. Expectations were not high for Graham, but the 140-pounder surprised his team last postseason.

He qualified for state and actually won a match, earning a major decision in a bout with Wakulla's Ryan Qualls (17-6). According to Graham, that was when he knew what his potential was.

"I worked harder than ever this past offseason and through football season to stay in top condition," Graham said. "There's a certain level of dedication it takes to become at good this, and I wanted to be there."

The beginning of this season brought turmoil to the Hernando program, and it affected Graham on two fronts. After deciding to dedicate his time to the football program, Smith stepped down last spring as wrestling coach. Then, following a season where the team did not perform to expectations, Smith was released as football coach.

Former Key West assistant Brian Flanagan was in charge of the wrestling program at that point, but the Leopards weren't happy.

"Things just aren't as tough in practice," Kuhn said at the start of the season. "Maybe Coach Smith used to just push us harder, but for whatever reason, we aren't working as hard as we need to be."

To retain the services of Smith, a longtime Hernando favorite, the school released Flanagan of his duties. The move reformed a coaching staff of Smith and Combs that has thrived for 11 seasons.

This stability put the season back on track for all the Leopards, including Graham. With a 41-5 record, he has not gone through the growing pains of last season when he was 31-12 at this point.

The expectations for Graham are that of any other wrestler now. He no longer is a wild card. He no longer is a football player behind the curve.

He is a wrestler that should take his place among the elite of Hernando's program by placing at this week's state tournament.

[Last modified February 13, 2007, 20:20:35]