Citrus: Lecanto senior gains from loss

Lecanto senior gains from loss

By CAREY FREEMAN

LECANTO -- For Lecanto's Jimmy Rodriguez, a loss to Lake Weir's Eddie Gonzalez may have been the turning point of his senior season and the spot at which his quest for a state title began.

Rodriguez always was considered a contender for the 112-pound crown, but his improvement since that loss in the Citrus Invitational has led his coaches to think anything is possible in this week's Class A championships.

The 112-pound division "is a tough class," Lecanto assistant Dana Wilkes said. "But nobody, in my opinion, is better than Jimmy. The best thing that could have happened to Jimmy was losing to (Gonzalez) three weeks ago. Since then, he's been very intense and his practices have picked up."

So have his performances. Rodriguez has beaten Gonzalez twice in the last two weeks, claiming his first regional title Saturday with a convincing 7-2 win over his rival.

Rodriguez and teammate Harold Skidmore lead a four-man Panthers contingent into the state tournament -- the largest among the three Citrus County schools. Wilkes, who won titles in 1986 and '88 at Crystal River, likes the chances of his two brightest stars.

"If they wrestle like they've been wrestling, their chances are as good anyone in their respective weight classes," Wilkes said. "There are two kids in Jimmy's weight class that are supposedly real good. But I haven't seen them yet, so we'll just have to wait and see."

Skidmore and Rodriguez will be joined by Mike Duca (125) and Ishmeal Brown (189), who took third and second place, respectively, in their weight classes.

While Citrus was shut out in regionals and qualified nobody for state, Crystal River will bring a three-man group led by 125-pound runner-up A.J. Davis.

Not considered much of a contender at the beginning of the year, Davis has improved over the last two months and offers the Pirates their best shot at a top-four finish. Davis is joined by Brian McErlain (130) and Josh Stone (152), both fourth-place finishers in last week's regional. The emergence of McErlain as a state qualifier is a bit surprising in that he has battled bruised ribs for the last two weeks.

"We were real surprised to do as well as we did at regionals because we were pretty banged up," said Pirates coach Bill Tovine, a former teammate of Wilkes at Crystal River. "We were hoping A.J. would come through for us and he did, and Brian Mcerlain wrestled with bad ribs. We were pleased with Josh, too. He had a tough class, and he went though and got the job done."

Florida finals

WHAT: State wrestling championships.

WHERE: Lakeland Center, 700 W Lemon St., Lakeland, (863) 834-8100.

WHEN: Today-Saturday. Today: Noon -- Competition begins. 5 p.m. -- First round of wrestlebacks. Friday: 10 a.m. -- Second round of competition. 2:20 p.m. -- Wrestlebacks; 7 p.m. -- Semifinals. Saturday: 10 a.m. -- Third round of wrestlebacks. Noon -- Fourth round of wrestlebacks. 4 p.m. -- Fifth- and sixth-place finals and third- and fourth-place finals. 6:15 p.m. -- Introduction of finalists. 6:30 p.m. -- Championship finals.

WHO: Wrestlers from Springstead (8), Central (3) and Hernando (3) have qualified by finishing in the top four of the Class A, Region 2 Tournament. They are: Matt Booker (Springstead, 135), Gerard DeCristofaro (Springstead, 140), Jason Faucher (Springstead, 119), Steve Garofano (Springstead, 171), Drew Innes (Hernando, 160), Louis Kachiroubas (Springstead, 145), Reggie Pena (Springstead, 152), Bucky Solomon (Central, 103), Bobby Vasquez (Central, 189), Tommy Walker (Springstead, 103), Billy Woods (Hernando, 130).

ADMISSION: $6 per session.

ALTERNATE DIRECTIONS: Interstate 4 through Polk County will be closed for the duration of the tourney because of smoke from wildfires. The Florida High School Activities Association recommends an alternate route to the Lakeland Center: Take I-75 south to I-4, head east, then get off at Exit 17 (Kathleen Road). Take Kathleen Road to Sikes Boulevard, bear right at the yield sign and turn right at the second light (Lime Street). The Lakeland Center will be on the right.

COUNTY QUALIFIERS (7): Crystal River -- A.J. Davis (125), Brian McErlain (130), Josh Stone (152). Lecanto -- Jimmy Rodriguez (112), Mike Duca (125), Harold Skidmore (130), Ishmael Brown (189).

COUNTY CHAMPIONS (4): Crystal River -- Rob Hermann (1976), Dana Wilkes (1986-87), Bobby Fisher (1992-93). Lecanto -- Nick Carrier (1997-98).