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Winning title runs through Skidmore's mindBy CAREY FREEMAN © St. Petersburg Times, published February 22, 2001 LECANTO -- Harold Skidmore takes his nightly runs. Only they are not so much an exercise in physical fitness any more as they are an exercise in mental salvation. This is what it comes to when you're one day removed from the most important three days in a wrestler's life. For Skidmore, a state runner-up last season, the nightly jaunts are the difference between sleepless torture and restful sleep. "It's not even so much to get in shape anymore," the Lecanto 130-pounder said. "I just jog and think, "Okay, it's the semifinals', and I just start running faster. "I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't run it out," Skidmore said. "The thought would just keep going through my mind and it would drive me crazy." The expectations have been building for nearly 12 months. They began in the minutes following Skidmore's slim loss in the state final last year and grew when he claimed ninth place in a prestigious national meet this summer. And they have continued to grow all season, in which Skidmore posted a 36-1 record -- the best in his weight class. The preparation is complete, and Skidmore's body and mind are tuned into the same goal. He is lithe and quick after three months of competition and practice. And his mind is sharp and well schooled in the techniques needed to win the Panthers' first state title since Nick Carrier captured back-to-back championships in 1997-98. All that remains is the execution of Skidmore's plan. "The goal now is just to be crisp," he said. "I don't want to forget anything. I just want to keep my muscles loose and stay focused." Which is exactly what Skidmore did in winning -- in convincing fashion -- his second consecutive regional crown last week. It's hoped that his 14-4 major decision over Brad Bundy in the final is a sign of things to come. "There is a lot pressure on him, but he's handled it well," said Lecanto assistant coach Dana Wilkes. "But he hasn't focused on that much. He's pretty confident, and he thinks that, as long as he wrestles as good as he has this year, that he's going to win the title." In a sport that requires so much physically and mentally, it is the only way to think. Part of Skidmore's success over the last two seasons is based on a certain fearless quality -- a belief that he's tougher, smarter and just plain better than his competition. It is a mental process that has played itself out more often than not as Skidmore has amassed a county-best 74-7 mark. Fueling his confidence even further is his success against those whom he and his coaches see as his major competition for the title. "I saw my bracket on the internet, and I need to wrestle good in my first two matches and get to the semifinals," Skidmore said. "It looks like I would meet Joe Goldman (Fort Lauderdale University) there. "I beat him at the Sunshine Open, but it was 4-3, so I need to wrestle good. I also beat (Ivan) Enriquez (Miami Belen Jesuit) last year, so I've beaten almost everyone. I just have wrestle good and I think I can win it." There are some who would be happy returning with a place among the top four at state, but not Skidmore. To put it bluntly, he will be nothing short of devastated should he come home with anything less than a championship. "There is nothing more important to me right now," Skidmore said. "I'm anxious, but I'm not really nervous about winning or losing. "This is my last shot. Physically, I feel good," he said. "I just want to have a good mental outlook."
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