Wrestling: North Suncoast state championships

By Derek LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Published February 14, 2008

Fast facts

1. With state qualifiers coming from Nature Coast and Sunlake this season, the only program on the North Suncoast without a state qualifier in its history is Wiregrass Ranch. It took Nature Coast seven seasons and Sunlake only one.

2. Central ended a four-season drought without a state qualifier, advancing two.

3. Springstead has been among the state's top 10 the past two seasons.

4. Thirty-two state qualifiers on the North Suncoast are the most this decade.

Potential placers

C.J. Cook, Springstead (125): Cook (43-7), who recently notched his first region crown, is a four-time state qualifier and needs four wins at state to place him second all-time at Springstead in wins. If there were a year he could do it, this is it.

Tyler Fleming, River Ridge (119): Fleming (38-5) was dominated by Springstead's Skylar Huff in four of his five losses this season. Something changed for Fleming in the region finals. If he maintains momentum, there's no ceiling on his potential.

Skylar Huff, Springstead (119): Huff (41-10) looked to be in prime position for his first region title until he was stunned by Fleming in the final. Huff will need to get his head back on straight for a shot at the medal stand in Lakeland.

Taylor Rotunda, Hernando (215): Rotunda (31-1) looked unstoppable much of the season, but in the past has been shaky as the season winds down. That trend continued in the region semifinal as Pasco's Eric Stroud upset the then-undefeated heavyweight.

Eric Stroud, Pasco (215): Stroud's past two seasons ended in disappointment in Lakeland, losing matches to Chaminade's Xavier Stinson both years. After taking out Rotunda, Stroud (32-6) looks to be peaking at the right time.

Travis Tindell, Hudson (285): Much like Rotunda, Tindell (32-1) suffered his first loss at the region level. In a finals, Tindell lost an advantage and gave up two points for a last-second loss. Much can change in a week, and Hudson's heavyweight is as dangerous as ever.

Jordan Holding, Gulf (130): Holding (38-2) has been overshadowed in an area where his weight class is always tough and evenly matched. He decimated his competition at regionals, pinning his finals opponent in 1:15.

Devin Brown, Hudson (171): Brown (36-1) is one of three Cobras who appear legitimate contenders to place. When opponents attempt to overpower Brown, they are playing right into his hands.

Tony Germano, Hudson (160): Germano (29-2) was pinned in the region final by Avon Park's James Bland, considered one of the premier contenders for the Class A title at 160 pounds. That leaves Germano in good company.

Best of the rest

Central: Danny May (189) 28-15, Kenny Supple (125) 24-17

Gulf: Martin Levinson (171) 25-13

Hernando: Daniel Pritz (125) 40-9, Max Morill (135) 28-18, James Davidson (171) 33-9, Nick Pauliot (189) 22-6

Mitchell: Jessey Lorentsen (171) 33-5

Nature Coast: David Simonson (112) 35-11

Pasco: Videl Jiminez (103) 34-8

Ridgewood: Dean Stupar (112) 30-10, Allyn Williamson (135) 28-5

River Ridge: Anthony Biondo (112) 38-13

Springstead: Dustin Soto (103) 37-8, Cesar Acosta (189) 38-12, Scott Wern (171) 23-14, Thad Klenovich (152) 36-7

Zephyrhills: Robbie Kunkle (140) 32-10, Nick Hynes (112) 34-10

Sunlake: Jarrett Baker (189) 29-9

Derek LaRiviere, Times correspondent

Where: The Lakeland Center, Lakeland

Admission: $8 per session; parking $5 per day

Today: First round, noon; wrestlebacks, 5 p.m.

Friday: Second round, 10 a.m.; wrestlebacks, 2 p.m.; semifinals, 7

Saturday: wrestlebacks ,10 a.m.; wrestlebacks, noon; third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-place finals, 4 p.m.; championship finals, 6:30

Directions: Take I-75 South to I-4 East. Take Exit 31 into Lakeland. Merge onto Kathleen Road. Turn right at Lake Wire Drive. Continue onto Sikes Blvd. Turn right at W. Lime Street.

Threatening three

The North Suncoast's best shots at an individual state title:

Jesse Graham, Hernando (140): Graham (43-2) is in his final season and could be a major threat after the way he dominated in regionals. He will face tough competition from a weight class that includes three grapplers with only one loss, including Riverdale's Mikah Fellows.

Schuyler Swanton, Springstead (112): Swanton (32-2) started the season as the preeminent favorite to repeat as a state champ even though he moved up a weight class to 112. After a couple injuries, he reasserted himself by defeating his biggest threat, Brandon's Terry Dawson, twice in the past month.

Ray Perez, Pasco (189): Perez (37-3) has been in a tough weight class all season. In an area that produced five state qualifiers and another who probably should have made it (Hudson's William Bentley), Perez was the kingpin. His biggest obstacle should be Key West's Ralph Major, who is undefeated at 29-0.

[Last modified February 13, 2008, 19:31:30]