Alford gets wish, signs with ODU

By WAYNE GRUMET

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 29, 2001

DADE CITY -- Long before the 2001 wrestling season concluded, Pasco's Brad Alford knew where he wanted to go to college. More important, he knew who he wanted his coach to be.

Alford said the place for him was under the instruction of Gray Simons at Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va.

Simons was a three-time NCAA champion at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a two-time Olympian. During his college career, Simons reeled off an 84-match winning streak.

Simons also coached Pasco coach Mark DeAugustino.

"I knew I wanted to go to (Old Dominion) throughout the season," said Alford, a state runner-up at 145 pounds. "I visited about two or three weeks ago and I loved Norfolk and the college."

DeAugustino was the one who initially told Simons about Alford. The scholarship details were finalized about two weeks ago, Alford said.

Alford will be the second Division I wrestler from Pasco this year. Tye Reedy will wrestle at West Point.

"I can't find anything that shows that Brad and Tye aren't the first Division I wrestlers in the history of Pasco High," DeAugustino said. "This is my first graduating class and I get two of them. It's very gratifying."

Alford is excited to wrestle under the tutelage of Simons, but he has no expectations about his freshman season.

"There's no telling what to expect next year," said Alford, a four-year varsity wrestler for the Pirates. "I'm real nervous but I'm excited. I'm ready to get out of here."

DeAugustino said he knew Alford was Division I material at the beginning of the season. With Alford wrestling under Simons, DeAugustino said anything is possible.

"Simons is a great technician. He really cares about his wrestlers. For me, he was like a second dad," DeAugustino said. "Brad is very coachable and he's very dedicated."

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