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Stroud Finishes On Top With State Title

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By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

DADE CITY - Midway through the state wrestling tournament at The Lakeland Center in February, Eric Stroud revealed what was then a recent epiphany.

The Pasco 215-pounder declared he hadn't won any big matches during the season until he beat Hernando's Taylor Rotunda for the regional title.

Here's a little insight, that thought cropped up on Day 2 of the wrestling finals and Stroud had already dismantled Clewiston's Adam Trevino in the quarterfinals via a pin and collected a 12-3 major decision victory against Casey Hines of Bradford in the semifinals.

"I've worked harder than I ever have before," Stroud said. "Going to the 28-day J. Robinson Camp really taught me what hard work was."

The senior left that mid-tournament conversation, winning big match after big match, dwarfing his accomplishment against Rotunda in the regional tournament, collecting a 215-pound Class 1A state title.

Stroud, The Tampa Tribune's Pasco County Wrestling Athlete of the Year, became Pasco High School's first title winner since Tanner Orr's 2003 championship, with his pin of Harmony's Mike Amadeo at the 4:37 mark.

As if Stroud's mental challenge wasn't mountainous enough, his teammate, Ray Perez, wrestled just before he did on the same mat he was to use. The results: Perez suffered a 7-4 loss in the 189-pound finals.

Stroud made the adjustment and wrestled on.

He cranked up his iPod, jogged around the mat until it was his turn to not only achieve the ultimate high school wrestling plateau, but to also avenge his teammate's loss.

"Watching Ray's match," he said, holding back tears. "It ripped my heart out because I know how hard I worked and I honesty think he works harder than I do."

Once Stroud stepped off the mat, following a joyful shout and point to the 208 section of The Lakeland Center, Perez greeted Stroud with a tearful hug.

"It's the world. That's what it's all about," DeAugustino said, watching the camaraderie of his wrestlers. "Nobody knows what it's like unless you do it and that's the honest to God's truth. You don't know the emotion. You can talk about other games or other sports, but there's nothing in the world like it.

"... It's so emotional, it's just unbelievable and to be able to keep all that in check and wrestle like Stroud did, that's what it's all about."

Stroud ripped through the competition in the state tournament, going 4-0 over the three-day event and finished his final season 36-6. Of the 15 Pasco County wrestlers who qualified for the state tournament, Stroud was the lone champion.

WRESTLING FIRST TEAM

Vidal Jimenez, Pasco

Dean Stupar, Ridgewood

Tyler Fleming, River Ridge

Matt Penix, Pasco

Jordan Holding, Gulf

Allyn Williamson, Ridgewood

Robbie Kunkle, Zephyrhills

Shea Taylor, Mitchell

John Sacco, Mitchell

Tony Germano, Hudson

Devin Brown, Hudson

Ray Perez, Pasco

Eric Stroud, Pasco

Travis Tindell, Hudson

Coach of the Year: John Stanjeski, Mitchell

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