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Key to the Eagles' return to the elite

Schuyler Swanton sparks Springstead's presence among state powers.

By DEREK LaRIVIERE
Published February 28, 2007

SPRING HILL

Eight years ago, a 9-year-old Schuyler Swanton looked on as his brother Dustin won the second of his back-to-back state championships for Springstead.

During the peak of success for the storied program, Dustin Swanton cemented his place as one of three Eagles with two state titles. Less than a week after winning his own state championship, Schuyler realized the parallels between eight seasons ago and this year.

Swanton, 17, was in the wrestling room on campus showing some of the 9-year-olds who intend to compete for Springstead some new moves.

"Over the past year or so, I came to grips with a lot of things as far as this sport's role in my life," Swanton said. "When you go to Springstead, it's almost like you are chasing the memories of some of the former stars."

Swanton is arguably the best in school history now. He does not have two state titles like Corey Hill or his older brother, but is the only Eagle named an All-American after his performance at last summer's Cadet & Junior National Championships.

Swanton endured some highs and lows this season. The junior lightweight breezed through local competition early. Then, in the most prestigious regular-season tournament on the Eagles' schedule, the Ippolito Memorial at Brandon, Swanton lost to two foes he knew he was better than.

"Everyone has bad days," Swanton said, "but I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't in my head after that."

Coach Eric Swensen believes the tournament served as a wake-up call. His ranking in the state polls slipped from almost a unanimous first place to third in Class 2A. As a wave of injuries and other distractions hit Springstead in the postseason, Swanton was the calming force.

He easily won the district title before tackling his first true test since Ippolito - regionals.

After becoming the only Eagle to take a region title, Swanton had faith the state title would be his. After coming up just short in 2006 against Brandon's Eric Grajales, he was in the finals again, this time against Naples Barron Collier's Joey Kessler. Needing only 1:32 to pin Kessler, Swanton's dream was realized.

"You can't be a premier program in this state unless you have state title contenders every season," Swensen said. "Schuyler has shown that we can do that again."

Swanton, who became the school's first state title winner in six seasons, already is preparing for offseason tournaments and bulking up for his senior season.

"My goal is to join Corey and Dustin on that list of guys who have two state titles here," he said.

First Team

Wrestler of the year

Schuyler Swanton Springstead, 103 pounds (44-2)

Coach of the year

Mike Porcelli Citrus

At the December holiday break, the Hurricanes were unranked and not on anyone's radar. Porcelli, in his first season as coach at Citrus, said, "We'll be a dangerous team come February." He was right. With 12 region qualifiers and five state qualifiers, his program won the second of back-to-back district and region titles. Four of the five to make it to state return for Porcelli next season.

Dillon Mullins Citrus, 103 pounds (30-10)

The scrappy sophomore advanced to his first state tournament this season. Though he lost both matches, the experience should be more than enough to cement his place among the better lightweights in the area.

Brandon Jones Crystal River, 112 (37-8)

After coming up just short of placing at state in 2006, Jones was on a mission during the tournament this season. The Pirates junior fell to Garrett Soileau of Clay, a state favorite, in the consolation finals to take fourth in Class A.

Skylar Huff Springstead, 119 (41-6)

The junior was possibly the most improved of this season. He moved from 125 to 119 pounds and decimated most of his area opponents. At state, he finished 2-2 and came up one win shy of placing.

C.J. Cook Springstead, 125 (39-9)

Cook is 3-for-3 in state qualifying opportunities. Facing one of the toughest weight classes in 2A, Cook found himself outmatched against Reco Simmons of Manatee and Paul Smith of Gainesville, both state placers.

Steven Bliss Springstead, 130 (38-9)

The top 130-pounder in these two counties did not even compete in that weight class until the postseason. The junior has qualified all three seasons for state.

Corey Neal Crystal River, 135 (38-8)

After finishing fourth at 125 as a junior, Neal failed to place at state this season, but the senior's career speaks for itself as he is one of the best Crystal River grapplers to put on a singlet.

Jesse Graham Hernando, 140 (45-7)

Praised for his improved work ethic and wrestling knowledge, the junior earned the respect of other wrestlers and coaches with his fifth-place medal.

Keith Hansen Springstead, 145 (36-9)

Hansen's postseason performance can be described as nothing short of courageous. Faced with the possibility of not competing at state in his senior year, Hansen toughed out a knee injury for a fifth-place showing.

Kevin Drawdy Crystal River, 152 (28-8)

Drawdy, a junior, also coped with a serious back injury much of the second half of the season and was able to break through for his first state qualifying performance.

Brandyn Kuhn Hernando, 160 (41-6)

After a fifth-place finish at state, the senior and four-time state qualifier can look back on his career with pride after capturing numerous school records. He is second in career wins (143) and first in overall matches (189).

James Davidson Hernando, 171 (26-15)

In what had to be the weakest weight class in the two counties, Davidson is one of two all-Citrus/Hernando team members to not qualify for state. But he is only the second sophomore on the list. He had 14 pins on the season and a good showing at regionals.

Mike Heagney Springstead, 189 (39-5)

Battling an ankle injury throughout the postseason, Heagney equaled his junior placing with a sixth-place medal in 2A.

Taylor Rotunda Hernando, 215 (37-9)

Rotunda's weight class in 2A was a stacked field. The junior went 1-2 at state, but his most impressive victory was over Pasco's Eric Stroud in the consolation finals at regionals.

Carlos Ramirez Springstead, 285 (23-11)

The junior was one of two 285-pounders in the area to advance to regionals and win two matches. His 3-0 season record over county rival J.J. Baker of Nature Coast gave him this spot.

Honorable mentions

Central Ken Supple (125), Shane Ralph (130), Vince Ramirez (135), Gilbert Perez (140), Miguel Molina (152)

Citrus Craig Barker (112), Bryant Fisher (119), Mike Laborda (130), Brock Gibson (135), Cory Wheeler (140), Josh Rutherford (145), Cody Neptune (152), David Zuckley (160), Joey Conway (171), Josh Sumlin (189)

Crystal River John Koney (119), Kevin Haviland (125), Dustin Panacione (140)

Hernando Spencer Weston (103), Daniel Pritz (112), Chris Bishop (125), Tim Ball (145)

Lecanto William Hooper (103), Angelo Arcadipane (125), Steven Struble (130), Thomas Duca (152)

Nature Coast Taequan Griffin (130), Lee Lehman (215), J.J. Baker (285)

Springstead Dustin Soto (112), Jerrod Reynolds (215), Cesar Acosta (160)

[Last modified February 27, 2007, 19:55:02]