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PHU aims to capture PCAC title

By BOB PUTNAM

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 17, 2001

The Palm Harbor University program is in its fifth year, has a new coach and has never finished higher than ninth at the Pinellas County Athletic Conference tournament.

Nevertheless, the Hurricanes have lofty goals. They have designs on knocking off host and defending champion East Lake Friday and Saturday at the PCAC tournament.

The high expectations stem from their experience. The kids have grown up.

Six wrestlers -- Sean Kelley (112 pounds), Jon Finegold (119), Bart Knellinger (145), Rob Goetz (152), Mike Horan (160) and Henry Schreiber (171) -- were freshman when PHU competed at the varsity level for the first time four years ago.

Now they are seniors.

Their maturity has shown this season. In December, the Hurricanes finished sixth at the Jerry Mita Invitational, the highest finish among county teams. This month, they beat Bloomingdale, ranked No. 5 in the state, and recorded their first victory over East Lake at the Bradenton Manatee Duals.

"It's been a real fun season so far," Horan said. "Last year, we lost some close matches. This year, the senior leadership is helping us win those close ones."

The seniors also helped PHU get through the transition of coaches.

In the spring, Mike June, who had coached the program since its inception, stepped down to take over as PHU football coach. Replacing him was Bill Perry, a recent graduate of Lenior-Rhyne who wrestled at Clearwater. "I had no clue as to what the team had to offer," Perry said.

The wrestlers were equally unfamiliar with their new coach.

"We were worried only because he was new and we didn't know what to expect," Kelley said. It didn't take long for Perry to be accepted. And he now shares the high expectations. "I think we're definite contenders for the conference title," Perry said. "To win, that would put a lot of smiles of the seniors' faces. It would be the right kind of reward for all their hard work."

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: For the past decade, Northeast had not known what it was like to win a tournament title.

This season, the Vikings are making up for lost time.

Northeast won a tournament at St. Petersburg Catholic last week, beating Northside Christian, St. Petersburg, Admiral Farragut and the host Barons. It marked the Vikings' second tournament title this season after earlier winning the Mustang Invitational.

Four Vikings -- Jesse Floyd (125), Thimios Kyriazis (145), Danny Fanning (152) and Alex Beyley (189) -- went undefeated. With the PCAC tournament this week and their own St. Petersburg City championships the following week, the Vikings have two more chances to win titles. "It's nice because it's been awhile since we've won a tournament," coach Bill Dudley said. "Hopefully, it keeps going."

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