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Mitchell Wrestlers Romp

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - A smile came easily for Mitchell wrestling coach John Stanjeski early Saturday evening.

His group of Mustangs had just completed its dismantling of opponents at the second annual Fraternal Order of the Eagles Wildcat Duals and 10 of his 13 wrestlers took the top spot in their weight classes.

If that doesn't construct a smile across a coach's face, what will? But then again, when a group of wrestlers has made strides and surpassed its efforts of the previous groups, expect plenty of grins.

"Better, without a doubt," Stanjeski said, acknowledging the team continues to improve and has yet to peak. "Three years ago I started with them as freshmen, then they were sophomores, now they're juniors. So there's six juniors and we'll lose a couple of seniors, but we have some freshmen coming along.

"It's a better team this year than it was last year."

Mitchell (5-0) took the top spot and was followed by Sunlake (4-1), Wesley Chapel (3-2), Wiregrass Ranch (2-3), Zephyrhills (1-4) and Ridgewood (0-5).

According to Shea Taylor, a junior 145-pounder, chemistry has played a substantial role.

"There's something very special about our team that you don't see in a lot of other teams, we're pretty well bonded," he said. "We have a lot of team unity on and off the mat.

"A lot of the guys here, we've been here since our freshman year, so we've kind of grown up wrestling the last three years we've been together."

During the Wesley Chapel-hosted tournament, the Mustangs upped their dual meet record to 8-0, gave up just 40 points to five opponents and showed there is a team element in what many consider an individual sport.

"I have an enjoyment of team," Stanjeski said. "Wrestling, you're out there one-on-one, yes, but it's a team effort when you win a trophy in a tournament and not just one individual."

One of those individuals who went undefeated Saturday was junior Jessey Lorentsen. He, too, was impressed by the total effort given by his teammates.

"Overall we did very well," Lorentsen said. "There were a few mistakes I saw, kids getting caught in moves, some kids were a little out of shape, but overall, very good.

"As hard as everybody's been working in the room, I thought we deserved to win."

Mitchell will take this victory and its lessons and head into this weekend's invitational at Springstead High School.

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