Sports

Preps

Wrestling: East Lake senior takes center stage

Alex Dinielli wins the heavyweight title at the East Lake Invitational in impressive fashion.

By DOUG KATES, Times Correspondent
Published December 2, 2007

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EAST LAKE - East Lake was so talented at heavyweight last year that Alex Dinielli did not have many opportunities to show off his wrestling abilities.

In his first big tournament of 2007, however, the Eagles senior took center stage at the East Lake Invitational and took advantage of his opportunity to finally compete. Not only did Dinielli win the heavyweight title, but he won all four matches by pins. And not only did he record falls in all his matches, but all of them were in the first period.

"It was pretty frustrating (last year)," Dinielli said. "But I knew I was going to get a chance. Overall, I'm trying to make up for what I didn't do last year."

Dinielli was one of seven individual champions from Pinellas County. Countryside had the most with four, while East Lake, Dunedin and North East all had one.

Dinielli wrestled behind Jordan Anastassiou, who graduated this past spring. Heading into Friday afternoon, Dinielli was 2-0. He said his first tournament match was the toughest because he was a little nervous, but it didn't take long to focus. His title match took just 24 seconds.

Countryside was led by champions Dalton Dennis at 103 pounds, Tyler Parry at 135 pounds, Eric Deupree at 140 pounds and Dustin Incorvia at 160 pounds.

Dalton and his brother, Dillon, are newcomers from Oklahoma. Dillon finished second at 130 pounds.

Ambrose Chisholm of Northeast captured the 152-pound title with a 7-6 decision over Blake Mulligan of Lyman. Chisholm did not even place at last year's tournament. He said hard work in the offseason paid off.

"I was more intense and overall much better," he said. "This was a step toward my ultimate goal: placing at states."

Dunedin's Danny Miller won the 171-pound title with a 14-7 decision over Jessey Lorentsen of Mitchell. After the match, Miller was actually disappointed with the score.

"I gave up some points I didn't want to, but after everything, I'm glad it came out good," he said.

There were three most valuable wrestlers as selected by coaches. Chisholm earned the honor for the middleweights, Ronel Lubin of Southridge for the lightweights and Javoris Plain of Southridge for the heavyweights.

Southridge won the team title with 231 points, followed by Countryside (209), Sarasota (162.5) and East Lake (158).

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 23:44:50]