Sports

Preps

Wrestling: Close isn't enough

By Mike Camunas, Times correspondent
Published November 14, 2007

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ZEPHYRHILLS - Nick Hynes came so close as a freshman.

Perhaps one more well-timed takedown or one more move to go his way and the 112-pound, 5-foot-4 wrestler with a 31-17 record would not have fallen a match short of placing at state.

"I was disappointed I didn't place, that I was almost there," Hynes said. "I couldn't believe I got that far as a freshman, but I was happy I did."

In the Class A finals, Hynes made it pretty far, getting to the third round before losing to Thomas Gayer, a sophomore from Palmetto Ridge. Gayer, however, placed sixth after defeating Hynes.

Former Zephyrhills coach Matt McDermott, now athletic director at Sunlake, said the match was close, but Hynes' season was a good one for the Bulldogs.

"His success was surprising, but not because of his work ethic, but because of his youth," McDermott said. "He really turned out to be the highlight for us (at Zephyrhills)."

First-year coach Troy Hochstetler, an assistant under McDermott, agrees Hynes had a good season, but adds: "I don't think he accomplished what he wanted to; he didn't place and that's really what the next step is. He has to get back there and place."

Hynes excels at takedowns, which is basically a sweep of an opponent's feet, knocking him to the mat. Hochstetler said Hynes has improved his riding technique. Hynes' dedication to improving and his weight room ethic should propel him to placing at state.

"I have to work on my takedowns and technique, that way I can be quicker," Hynes said. "That, along with working on having more confidence, should get me to place this year."

But there is no easy road to state. Gayer returns, and of the 16 wrestlers who qualified for the 112-pound class, none graduated, including state champion Archbishop McCarthy's Colby Borchetta, who went 44-3.

But McDermott knows the bar should be set even higher for Hynes.

"You know a lot of students, they set their goals just to make it to state tournament," McDermott said. "To be one match away from the podium as a freshman, he's got to set his goals a little higher now."

Key dates

Thursday: River Ridge at Mitchell

Friday: River Ridge at Mitchell

Nov. 24: Hernando Invitational

Nov. 28: Central at River Ridge

Nov. 30-Dec. 1: East Lake Tournament

Dec. 1: Beef O'Brady's dual at Land O'Lakes

Dec. 5: Springstead at Ridgewood

Dec. 7-8: Kiwanis Tournament

Dec. 8: Wesley Chapel at Wiregrass

Dec. 11: Ridgewood at Mitchell

Dec. 12: Springstead dual at Springstead

Dec. 14-15: Gulf Duals

Dec. 21-22: Ed Goodpastor Invitational

Jan 1: Central Invitational

Jan. 5: The Eagles Tournament

Jan. 11-12: Springstead Tournament

Jan. 16: River Ridge dual meet at River Ridge

Jan. 18-19: Ipollito Tournament

 

[Last modified November 13, 2007, 21:36:18]

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