Community

Club wrestlers place at tournament

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Corrspondent
Published January 11, 2008

Spring Hill Wrestling, headed by Springstead wrestling coach Eric Swensen, made a trip up to the Citrus 3-Style Youth Tournament on Sunday and placed five wrestlers, including three event champions.

The youngest and possibly most impressive of the Spring Hill champions was Chase Landgraff. Landgraff is only in first grade, but training with the staff at Spring Hill Wrestling turned him into an immediate contender at the event.

Brothers Cody and Coner Ross, in eighth and fifth grade respectively, also won their classes. Fifth-graders Matt Landgraff and Mike McDonald were the other two Spring Hill members to place, finishing in second and fourth place respectively.

Fundraisers: Springstead High is hosting the 19th annual Springstead Invitational Tournament this weekend at the Springstead Gymnasium. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the school's wrestling program.

Fans are encouraged to wear red and blue in support of the hometown Eagles. Wrestling begins today at 2:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. Springstead is looking to defend its team championship from last season.

Saturday night at Hernando High, Florida Championship Wrestling is holding a show in the gymnasium at 8 p.m. The professional organization is hosting the event in order to benefit the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Youth Education Services and Lea's Prayers and Postage Inc. for sending military packages overseas.

Pro wrestling fans will likely be familiar with some of the names on hand, including FCW champion Ted DiBiase Jr., Mike Mondo and Nattie Neidhart.

HYL Basketball Results: Hernando Youth League basketball continued this pastweekend.

In the Junior Varsity Division, Cortez Community Bank 5-0 remained undefeated, thanks to a 50-32 victory over Midway Services. Matthew Bennett led the scoring for Cortez with15 points.

In the Varsity Division, Technical Pump inched closer to first place with a 56-33 win over Hernando Fire & Safety. Technical Pump was led offensively by the shooting of Tyrone Alexander and his 18-point effort.

WHLL Registration: West Hernando Little League is beginning registration for the Spring 2008 season.

Open sign-ups will be held on the following dates and times at the West Hernando Baseball Complex on Deltona Blvd. in Spring Hill: Today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Jan. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fees are $90 for play, plus $50 for a concession and raffle deposit for a total of $140. The $50 is refundable at season's end. Birth certificate and proof of residence are required for registration. The season begins in March.

Bombers baseball: The Brooksville Bombers U8 travel baseball team is looking for players. For tryout information, e-mail bombers8U@aol.com or call Randy Mosser at (352) 397-8546 or Kevin Tomas at (352) 650-1938.

HYL BASEBALL REGISTRATION: HYL also will have baseball registration at Ernie Weaver Park in Brooksville at the following dates and times: Saturday and Jan. 19 and 26 from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday and Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Fees are $55 per child and $50 for each additional child per family. Financial assistance may be available to those who qualify. For more information, contact HYL director Kevin Kilbourne at (352)799-9944.

Clinic: Sunlake High School will have a baseball clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Major league coaches will conduct the seminars for coaches and players. Cost is $40 for adults and $25 for students. All proceeds will go to Sunlake.

Tom Nieto, first base coach and catching instructor for the New York Mets, will be there along with Rob Thomson (New York Yankees bench coach), Dave Eiland (Yankees pitching coach) and Derek Shelton (hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians).

To reserve a spot, or for more information, call Billy Garcia at (813) 996-6274.

Submit information, story ideas to kdixon@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 10, 2008, 19:36:58]