Wrestling: Pinellas state championships

Northeast's Ricky and Ryan Moore are enjoying the view from the mat.

By Doug Kates, Times Staff Writer
Published February 14, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Last year Ricky Moore was a spectator at the Lakeland Center.

"I was in the crowd, in the nosebleeds with my parents," Ricky said. "I went to watch (Northeast's) Dylan Mundella and Tay Harrington and I thought, 'That's where I want to be next year.' "

Ricky and his brother, Ryan, grew up soccer players but two years ago decided to try out for Northeast's wrestling team after St. Petersburg Catholic coach Bobby Damron's suggestion.

The brothers joined the team in 2005. Ricky competed his entire sophomore year, going 18-21. Those 18 wins gave him a drive and desire he had never felt in soccer. He joined a summer club team, went 30-10 as a junior, then went to the state tournament to watch his teammates.

One year later, talk about a dream come true.

Last weekend Ricky took fourth at regionals to qualify for state. Minutes after Ricky had his arm raised, Ryan, a junior, also moved on.

There won't be any sitting in the "nosebleeds" this weekend.

Ricky and Ryan are among 24 Pinellas County athletes competing at the pinnacle of high school wrestling.

"The fact that me and my brother would both be making state never crossed my mind," Ricky said.

"I started celebrating right after my match was over," Ryan said. "My mom was videotaping and you can hear it on the camera, 'I have both of my kids at states!' "

The state tournament runs today through Saturday. Northeast will be sending four representatives, including Josh Delmontagne and Ambrose Chisholm.

"I'm really, really happy to get these kids through," Northeast coach Aaron Leitner said. "They've all pulled together. With Ricky, I have not seen anyone work harder than that kid. It's not at all surprising.

"With Ryan, we had to work on his mental game, but with the ability these kids have, I'm not surprised at all."

There will be two brother combinations from the county at state. The other tandem is Dillon and Dalton Dennis of Countryside, which has the most county representatives with eight.

State wrestling

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

County qualifiers

Clearwater: Adam Kerrin (145)

Clearwater Central Catholic: Cory List (103), Kyle Rettig (285)

Countryside: Dalton Dennis (103), Kyle Grueninger (112), Jordan Frease (119), Dillon Dennis (125), Tyler Parry (130), Eric Deupree (135), Layton Ayers (140), Dustin Incorvia (152)

Dixie Hollins: Jake Lawhead (140)

Dunedin: Danny Miller (171)

East Lake: Alex Dinielli (285)

Northeast: Ricky Moore (130), Ryan Moore (140), Josh Delmontagne (145), Ambrose Chisholm (152)

Osceola: David Best (119), Cameron Porter (171)

Pinellas Park: Nick Andries (103), Phil Forsythe (160)

St. Petersburg: Demetrius Madry (119)

St. Petersburg Catholic: Nick Travis (112)

[Last modified February 13, 2008, 23:18:29]