Sports

Wrestling: Troubles to triumphs

Alonso's Kurt Ivy has a knack for turning tough situations on the mat into something good.

By TERRY JONES, Times Correspondent
Published February 5, 2008

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VALRICO - Alonso senior 152-pounder Kurt Ivy is known for his creativity on the mats.

"Sometimes he gets into situations with no way out, then suddenly he makes up something and turns trouble into scoring," Ravens coach John Moore said. "I don't have names for some of his created moves, but he is 26-1, going into the state run, so he knows how to make things work."

Even if Ivy doesn't capture the state gold, he should place high in both meets and finish high school with an impressive record. Ivy works hard in wrestling, as his record indicates, but he also works hard in the books.

He carries a 4.3 grade point average, takes honors courses and hopes to attend Florida, with a future goal of becoming a writer.

"I am currently working on several books at once, but I have little time to wrestle, maintain high grades and create my books at the same time," Ivy said. "But wrestling will wind down in a couple of weeks, and I will get back to the books I'm writing."

For the Ravens, Ivy says he will do everything he can to help his team do well in the region tournament and turn in a respectful showing at states.

In competition, he does well in the top starting position, but he says if he is in a tied match with a tough opponent, going into the final period he prefers to be in the bottom position.

"If he is really a skilled wrestler and strong, I may not be able to tilt him from the top, but if I am on the bottom I believe I would have a better chance to escape for the winning point," Ivy said. "A lot of things can happen in a close match with a good opponent, and it can go either way."

With his team, Ivy is not a cheerleader.

"Kurt is just not a rah-rah guy," Moore said. "He encourages and even helps teammates perfect moves, but quietly. His biggest value to the team is his presence. The team seems to do better when they know he is there."

Moore cited a match with Winter Springs to support his evaluation of his seasoned team leader.

"We lost to a team we should have beaten," Moore said. "I challenged the guys after that match to discover why they didn't wrestle up to their capability.

"They reminded me that Kurt was not there, and they believed they do better when he is present."

Region preview

When: First rounds start at noon Friday followed by two rounds of wrestlebacks. On Saturday, semifinals and wrestlebacks are at 10 a.m. Consolations for third and fourth are at 6 p.m., championship bouts about 7:30.

Admission: $6 each session

Up next: The top four in each weight class move on to state, Feb. 14-16 at the Lakeland Center.

Class 3A

At East Lake

Skinny: Clearwater Countryside and Kissimmee Osceola are the top teams, but likely will get a challenge from East Lake and Lakeland. From Hillsborough County, Alonso and Bloomingdale should challenge for the top five. Top Hillsborough County challengers include Durant's Yamil Crespo (145) and Christian Reed (125); Bloomingdale's Austin (130) and Chris (140) Figari; Alonso's Kurt (145) and Kendall (189) Ivy; Riverview's Herman Hernandez (135); Gaither's Matt Roach (145); and East Bay's Chris Collins (160).

Class 2A

At Kissimmee Poinciana

Skinny: Brandon is favored to win the team championship but may not dominate as it has in the past decade. Top Eagles include past state champions Eric Grajales (130) and Joey Cozart (140), plus state runnerup Kevin Timothy (135) and state placer Zaq Berridge (160). Other potential county qualifiers include Armwood's James Gray (103), Wharton's Matt Guice (145), Jefferson's Skylar McMahon (215) and Newsome's Conor O'Neal (285) and Mike Colonna (140). Other teams in the hunt for top three include Springstead, Kissimmee St. Cloud and Lake Gibson.

Class A

At South Florida Community College, Avon Park

Skinny: Naples Riverdale should win the team title but could be challenged by Sebring, Lemon Bay and Robinson. Because of Rossi Bruno (103), past state champ Clark Glass (112) and Kyle Koziel (135), all eighth-graders, plus dark horse David Alonso (125), Tampa Bay Christian should score in the top 10, and Tampa Prep's Tyler Liberatore (112) will challenge for a title belt. Jesuit has the muscle to place in the top six or seven, though the Tigers are rebuilding. Spoto's 189-pounder, Rafael Rivera, may challenge for a state spot.

 

[Last modified February 4, 2008, 23:33:03]

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