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Eagles need late pins to top Leopards

BROOKSVILLE -- Wednesday's meet lacked some of the star power of past meetings between perennial state power Springstead and rival Hernando because of graduation, injury and a car crash Thanksgiving weekend. It didn't lack drama, however, as the Eagles used two forfeits and consecutive, meet-ending pins by Tommy Walker (119 pounds) and Tim Heal (125) to come back for a 46-35 victory. Forfeits at 103 and 112, where Hernando (1-1) has no wrestlers, were ultimately costly as the Leopards earned five pins and a decision in the 12 contested matches.

Springstead (5-0-1) was without three wrestlers, including Steve Garofano -- a state runner-up at 160 pounds last year -- and John Legner (215), who are injured.

"We were holding our breath out there," Springstead coach Bob Levija said. "When kids are out, it's like a domino. We had a lot of kids wrestling up two (weight) classes."

Hernando also went without 152-pounder Charley Combs, who could miss another month while recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash. Such attrition cost the meet its marquee matchups, forcing each team's established talent to make quick work of less experienced foes.

"We wrestled hard, but we're young and we're still in the teaching mode," Hernando coach Matt Smith said.

Defending 135-pound state champion Matt Booker, wrestling at 152, scored a technical fall for Springstead, and younger brother Nate (171), Adam Wielder (215), Walker and Heal earned pins.

Hernando's Billy Woods (140) Stephen Pritz (145), Adison Chipoletti (160), Ryan Brown (189) and Jason Bianco (heavyweight) had pins.

Despite losing a 13-point lead with four matches to go, Hernando still had a chance for victory in the final match, when Heal met Jason Paynter.

Heal eliminated that possibly quickly, however, with a pin in 44 seconds.

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