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Early Day For Bloomingdale

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 15, 2008

LAKELAND - Bloomingdale coach Donny Peek certainly wasn't complaining about his team's early exit from The Lakeland Center on Thursday, the opening day of the state wrestling tournament. In fact, Peek was smiling about it.

Peek was leaving early because his three state qualifiers - seniors Austin Figari (130 pounds) and Keith Mooney (215) and junior Chris Figari (140) - all posted wins in their first-round matches to advance to today's quarterfinals, meaning the Bulls had no need to stick around for the first round of wrestlebacks.

"It was a real good day," Peek said. "It's certainly nice to get out of here early."

Bloomingdale was the only Hillsborough County team with multiple state qualifiers to post a perfect day. Pasco County had two; Pasco High's three state qualifiers - Vidal Jimenez (103), Ray Perez (189) and Eric Stroud (215) - each won their first-round bouts, as did Zephyrhills' Nick Hynes (112) and Robbie Kunkle (140).

While perennial power Brandon wasn't perfect on Day One, the Eagles were very close. Of the 12 Brandon qualifiers, 11 won their first-round matches.

But the best news for the Eagles was the way they won. Of those 11 first-round wins eight were by pin, including two from defending state champs Eric Grajales and Joey Cozart, and one by major decision. That gave the Eagles a lot of bonus points, something crucial in their quest for an eighth consecutive Class 2A state title.

"Those bonus points add up," Brandon coach Russ Cozart said. "Of course, you've got to stay up with the competition, but at the end of the day that can be like another state placer."

The big day helped Brandon take the first-day lead in the 2A team standings with 39 points. Naples Palmetto Ridge (36) and Bradenton Manatee (29.5) were second and third, respectively.

Tampa Bay Christian and Jesuit also had a good day. Three of the Rams' four qualifiers won their opening bout, including eighth grader Clark Glass (119), last year's Class 1A 103-pound state champ. Meanwhile, four of the Tigers' six qualifiers won their opening bout, including seniors Ben Reid (152) and Chris Kavouklis (189).

Few could smile as wide as the Bulls, though. Whether or not those smiles will continue today is the question.

Bloomingdale has not fared well in state quarterfinal matches the past two seasons. Bulls wrestlers are 1-5 during that time, including 0-3 in 2007.

"The quarterfinals have been our Achilles' heel the past couple of years, but we're not focusing on the quarterfinal jinx or anything like that," Peek said. "We're just focusing on taking it one match at a time.

"Besides," Peek continued before cracking a smile, "every streak comes to an end."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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