TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

A Complete Reversal

ADVERTISEMENT

By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - This season's Tony Germano is a lot different than the one of last season.

He readily admits he didn't have a lot of dedication when it came to the sport of wrestling, but the Hudson standout showed a key ingredient in his transformation.

After winning the 160-pound weight class in the Class 1A-District 6 tournament, Germano suffered a shoulder injury the following week in the regional tournament. He fought though the injury, qualifying for the state tournament.

In his first match in Lakeland, he pinned his opponent. Ultimately, Germano didn't place at state, but he did enough to show he could dedicate himself when he wanted.

"Last year I didn't take it too seriously," Germano said. "I had good fortune, but I didn't take it too serious, but this year I came in dedicated."

His gutsy performance late last season was only a glimpse into what he has done thus far. The senior has compiled a 21-1 record and is the fifth-rated 152-pounder in Class 1A by floridascoutpreps.com.

"He's turned it on a lot this year, a lot of dedication," Hudson coach Dana Bentley said. "He worked over the summer time, he's been lifting weights, he's been running, he's put a lot of dedication into practice and taken on a lot of leadership responsibilities on the team. So all of that has made him into a better wrestler."

Saturday, Germano earned the 160-pound title in the Sunshine Athletic Conference wrestling tournament and in the process did not give up a point to his opponents. He pinned the first two and scored a 9-0 major decision in the final.

In addition to his newfound devotion, Germano's wrestling partner is Devin Brown, No. 2 in 1A. On top of that, Germano is also training with former Ridgewood and University of Iowa wrestler Jason D'Agata.

"Watching him, he's coming hard in the end and wrestling the whole six minutes," D'Agata said. "And he's picking the pace up when his opponent's pace is starting to go down."

D'Agata, who trains Germano in addition to his teammates Travis Tindell, William Bentley and Brown, calls the group the Four Horsemen.

"They're hard workers. That's what it comes down to," D'Agata said. "I'm giving them what they need and they're not asking any questions. They're showing up and paying the price. It's all about paying the price. If you can pay the price in the practice room, when you step on the mat, you have fun."

So what has Germano gained while paying for it in the wrestling room?

"I go in with the mind-set that I'm going to win," he said. "It's me and him."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT