Area unbeatens down to a pair

Gulf's Mike Calafiore and Springstead's Schuyler Swanton advance to the finals.

By Steve Lee
Published February 17, 2007

LAKELAND - Four North Suncoast wrestlers were unbeaten heading into Friday's state semifinals at the Lakeland Center. Two remained that way and will compete for championships today.

Springstead's Schuyler Swanton and Gulf's Mike Calafiore, state runnerups last season, advanced. Swanton's teammate, Mike Heagney, and Crystal River's Brandon Jones did not.

Swanton (42-2) wasted little time in the 103-pound semifinal, pinning Bradenton Manatee's Mike Torres in 39 seconds.

For Swanton, a junior, that marked his third decisive victory in Class 2A. He pinned Cape Coral's Roger Suarez in three minutes, 16 seconds before a 14-0 major decision over Sean Donnelly of Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

"A state championship," Swanton said. "That's been my goal since the beginning of the season. Anything less will be a disappointment to me."

Calafiore (16-3 at 130) had little trouble in the first two rounds of Class A, pinning Tampa Jesuit's Doug Holder in 1:35 and James Mazur of Tavernier Coral Shores in 5:29.

Calafiore's third match got much tougher with the Gulf senior needing a second-period reversal to eke out a 3-1 win over Fort Myers Riverdale's Aron Sanchez.

"I just kept trying and trying," Calafiore said. "I finally got out of it with five seconds left (in the second), which gave me enough to win that match."

Added Gulf coach Travis Dewalt: "He's had that resilience all year. I felt pretty comfortable (for Calafiore), even in a tight situation."

Swanton takes on Joey Kessler of Naples Barron Collier in the final; Calafiore faces Miami Monsignor Pace's Wilson Metelius.

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 23:03:31]