County teams ready to challenge Springstead in Kiwanis

The Eagles have had a stranglehold on the holiday tournament in seasons past.

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 14, 2001

In most years, Hernando's Kiwanis Invitational is good for two things just before wrestlers leave for the holiday break: an early glimpse at a level of competition they might not see again until the postseason, and ... a Springstead victory.

Six Pasco County teams are among the 18 in Brooksville tonight and tomorrow, but so are the Eagles, who have 13 titles in the event's 19-year history.

Springstead's hold on the trophy might be challenged, however.

The Eagles were tied earlier this season by Crystal River, which is also in the field, along with other strong state teams like Gainesville and Sickles.

"They're definitely rebuilding, but from a tournament standpoint, Springstead still has four or five guys who can win a championship in their class, and that's hard to beat," said Ridgewood coach Vincent Lowe.

"You've got such a degree of talent there at the tournament that it's a tough battle from the start to the finish."

A Pasco County team has finished second behind Springstead in each of the past two years: Lowe's Rams in 1999 and Land O'Lakes in 2000, with Zephyrhills taking fourth in 1998.

But Ridgewood is one of only four teams in the field not ranked among the top 25 in their class according to floridakids.net -- which means even the preliminary rounds tonight will be hard-fought.

Lowe said his wrestlers set a goal to place in every tournament they enter, and five Rams placed in the top four in their class last week at Seminole.

At 103 pounds, Anthony Jackson reached the finals before losing to a Countryside wrestler, and four others have placed in both of Ridgewood's tournaments: sophomore twins Billy and Matt Bullwinkel at 112 and 119 pounds, sophomore Keith Coghlan at 125 and senior Bobby Shields at 171.

While challenging Springstead for a title will be tough, all six county entrants have individuals capable of reaching the finals, including Gulf's Keith Delgado (125), Hudson's Larry Barabas (275), Pasco's Nate Engel (112), River Ridge's Joey Mayo (215), Wesley Chapel's Jason Duplantis (160) and Zephyrhills' Shane Hand (275).

The top five teams will receive trophies. The top four individuals in each weight class will get medals. Plaques will be awarded for outstanding wrestler, most falls in the least amount of time by a champion and fastest pin.

FOR THE FANS

WHEN: Wrestling begins at 3 p.m. today and resumes with semifinal action at 10 a.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Hernando High School.

WHO: Central, Chamberlain, Crystal River, Gainesville, Gulf, Hernando, Hudson, Jesuit , Lake Weir, Lecanto, North Marion, Ridgewood, River Ridge, Sickles, Springstead, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills.

THE SKINNY: Gulf and Wesley Chapel are the county's top-ranked entrants -- 21st and 22nd in the floridakids.net Class A poll -- but would need huge weekends to catch the likes of Springstead.

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

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