Wrestling: Eagles look ready to go the distance

Springstead's top-notch lineup has the whole team thinking regionals.

By Derek J. LaRiviere
Published January 30, 2008

As the postseason begins, Springstead's goals are coming into focus.

The Eagles are an elite program and have been for years. The tradition of Springstead wrestling is renowned throughout the state. The past three seasons the program has been ranked in the top 10 overall in the Scout.com rankings.

Since Eric Swensen took over the reins four years ago, he has had many solid grapplers under his wing, but this season may mark the deepest lineup he has led into the postseason.

"The goal is always to advance the entire team and win the district," Swensen said. "It looks like we will have a lot of No. 1 seeds, but they must produce."

Two seasons ago, Springstead advanced all 14 wrestlers to regionals. Last season that number was still considerably high at 12.

In 2006, seven Eagles advanced to state with three, Schuyler Swanton, Seth Metz and Mike Heagney, placing. The team finished sixth in Class 2A, beginning a run that has kept the program close to the top ever since. Last season, Springstead finished seventh in Class 2A on the strength of a state title from Swanton at 103 pounds and state placings from Heagney and Keith Hansen.

This season, the Eagles looked primed to surpass both marks. Swanton, the top 112-pounder in the state, is the favorite to repeat an individual crown. Though Hansen and Heagney have since graduated, a senior stable that includes five former state qualifiers and two others who look ready to take that leap could have the program armed with four additional state placers.

A lineup of this magnitude only comes along every so many years. Dustin Soto (103), Swanton, Skylar Huff (119), C.J. Cook (125), Steven Bliss (130), Cesar Acosta (189) and Carlos Ramirez (275) will graduate this year.

"(Our region) is a pressure tournament, and I hope our kids can handle that," Swensen said. "Many of them should go to state, but all will have to step up."

The road to excellence starts this weekend with Step 1 - the Class 2A, District 5 Tournament at Ridgewood. Springstead is favored to advance as many as 13 to the regionals at Poinciana.

[Last modified January 29, 2008, 21:08:20]