Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Bucs just keep getting better

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Gulf scratched past Wesley Chapel and Mitchell on Saturday to earn a spot in the finals of the 17-team Wesley Chapel Duals Tournament.

However, the Bucs might have let down a bit in the final, falling to Sebring 54-20.

Nevertheless, Gulf's second-place finish should send Pasco County teams a message that the Bucs won't be at the bottom of the Sunshine Athletic Conference standings this season.

"We've got a young team and they hadn't had much success prior to me coming on board," Gulf coach Travis DeWalt said. "Now that they are experiencing success, I think they kind of coasted when they got in the finals. There's no way that score reflects the team that I have."

Gulf edged Mitchell 33-32 in the semifinals, avenging a 20-point loss to the Mustangs earlier this season. Keith Delgado (125 pounds) and Butch Payne (171) led Gulf as both finished 4-0 in dual competition.

Mitchell finished third overall by beating Zephyrhills 47-31. The Mustangs thrived in part because of P.J. Miller (130) and Rob Metz (160), who went undefeated (4-0). "The kids came a long way from last year," Mitchell coach John Marretta said. "There's a kind of pressure now. ... Now people expect us to wrestle decent and win a few matches."

Zephyrhills finished fourth, but the Bulldogs nearly ended up in the final. Zephyrhills led Sebring 37-35 in the semifinal with one match remaining, but Sebring won the 103-pound match to claim a 41-37 victory.

The Bulldogs' Doug Burden (135), Matt Engels (145), Scott Calhoun (171) and Shane Hand (heavyweight) finished 4-0. Wesley Chapel finished fifth overall and had five wrestlers finish undefeated -- Andrew Cleek (103), Kevin Boyd (112), Mike Aponovich (145), Jason Duplantis (160) and Jason Boyd (215). Hudson was 13th but had four wrestlers finish unbeaten. Luka Jubran (125), Danny Herrera (152), Tim Bentley (160) and Walter Truzack (heavyweight) were each 4-0.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright