A fast track on the mat

Springstead's Thad Klenovich is turning his newfound confidence into success.

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Correspondent
Published December 20, 2007

SPRING HILL - A little over a month ago, Springstead assistant Sal Basile was asked which wrestler in his varsity lineup would be the guy everyone should keep an eye on this season. His answer was surprising.

"Thad Klenovich," Basile said with a grin. "Everyone's going to see this kid bust out of his shell this season."

At the time, the idea Klenovich could be mentioned in the same breath as Springstead stars like Skylar Huff, Schuyler Swanton, C.J. Cook, Dustin Soto and Steve Bliss was a tough pill to swallow.

Granted, the junior 152-pounder had qualified for the region tournament as a freshman and sophomore. By Klenovich's admission, his weight class was easy both years at the district level.

Granted, he has a strong lineage in the sport. His older brother, Matt Booker, is Springstead's record holder in wins and won the state title at 135 pounds in 2001. His cousins are Dustin Soto, a favorite to place at the state tournament at 103 pounds, and Nick Soto, an up-and-coming freshman on the Eagles' junior varsity team. His uncle, Chris Soto, is an assistant on the Springstead staff.

"If it wasn't for my uncle, I most likely wouldn't be wrestling at all," Klenovich said. "He is the one that pushed me back onto the mat when he found out that (Springstead) coach (Eric) Swensen was taking over here a few years ago."

Even with that family, Klenovich was a diamond in the rough.

This season, he looks polished and prepared. After being dominated at the region level his first two seasons, he now has the skills to potentially place at the state tournament, placing at a difficult tournament at Durant and going undefeated at the Gulf Holiday Duals.

"The way he has competed this year has been a shock to everyone," Swensen said. "A little confidence goes a long way."

That confidence was built this past summer during a string of events seemingly arranged by fate. Though he wasn't supposed to make the trip, Klenovich was called on to travel to Fargo, N.D., for the Cadet & Junior National Championships. He had previously qualified for Team Florida, but Nick Soto was planning to make the trip.

Bitten during a match at the Disney Duals Tournament, Soto was forced to withdraw because of a skin infection on his face. Klenovich took his place.

"If I had to pinpoint one moment that turned it all around for me, I would definitely have to say it was Fargo," Klenovich said. "I didn't think I could go up there and compete with the best in the country, but once I saw I could, it was exciting."

A confident Klenovich has been a major asset to the perennial state contenders at Springstead. At 16-1, the Eagles are receiving a boost from a weight class where they didn't expect one. The bigger surprise may come in the future.

With Swanton, Huff, Bliss, Cook, Dustin Soto, Carlos Ramirez and Cesar Acosta graduating, Klenovich will be the lone senior with experience in the program next season.

"Thad knows he has a chance to be something special, and this season he can focus on himself," Basile said, "but we know that with his success will come the leadership we'll need as a team next year."

The focus now is how far he can go in this campaign. With only one loss to state-ranked Isaac Riley from Manatee, Klenovich has looked on par with the best some of the best grapplers in the state. Now it's time for him to do what Springstead has always pushed: "Finish the job."

[Last modified December 19, 2007, 21:50:58]