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Brandon Rides 12 Individual Champions To District Blowout

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A Tribune staff report

Published: February 7, 2009

WINTER HAVEN - The Brandon wrestling team's performance in Friday's Class 2A-District 7 tournament wasn't the program's most dominant effort of all-time, considering the Eagles have swept through a district tournament with all 14 wrestlers claiming individual titles.

But it was close.

Brandon sent 13 wrestlers to the finals and 12 claimed individual crowns as the Eagles won the program's 36th consecutive district title. Brandon had 284.5 points, nearly 100 better than runner-up Lake Gibson (187.5).

Ryan Renkey (112 pounds), Rossi Bruno (119), Tyler Liberatore (125), Clark Glass (130), Eric Grajales (135), Kevin Timothy (140), Joe Cozart (145), Wally Figaro (152), Kyle Koziel (160), Zaq Berridge (171), Mike Ettore (189) and Rob Hoelzer (285) won individual titles for the Eagles, who advanced all 14 wrestlers to next week's region tournament.

"I thought we wrestled very well in the finals, and that's what it's all about at this time of the year," longtime Brandon coach Russ Cozart said.

Newsome finished third with 82.5 points and had eight wrestlers advance to the region tournament via a top-four finish in their respective weight class.

Among the Wolves advancing were individual runner-up Chadler Dobler (135) and third-place finishers Jake Drake (140), Garrett Fuglaar (189) and Shawn Shores (215).

Armwood's James Gray, the 112-pound runner-up, and Tim Witte, who took third at 171 pounds, qualified for the region tournament.

King's Mateus Alin, who was fourth at 171 pounds, also advanced.

Adam Adkins

Wharton Easily Repeats In 2A-8

TAMPA - Wharton successfully defended its Class 2A-District 8 championship in dominating fashion Friday at Jefferson High. The Wildcats built a comfortable lead early and never let up, finishing with a score of 163.5.

Robert Devault (112 pounds), Daniel Rodriquez (130), Jonathan Vasquez (135), brothers Bassam (140) and Bassim (145) Saed and Neiko Lightfoot (189) each won titles for the Wildcats.

Wharton's Isaiah Devault (103) reached the finals but lost to Middleton's Abe Fernandez. Patrich Wooden (119) and Conrad Jones (215) won third-place matches for the Wildcats.

Middleton finished second with 129 points, relying on four second- and three third-place finishes to accumulate its points. Jefferson finished with 125 points.

The Dragons and fourth-place Plant (92 points) were the only schools other than Wharton with two wrestlers to their weight class. Tony Posada (275 pounds) and Nick Piloto (160) won for Plant, and Devin Acosta (152) and Matt Parsons-Cohrs (171) won for Jefferson.

Hillsborough (81 points), Freedom (70.5) and Chamberlain (56.5) each had one weight-class winner. Joseph Lugo (119 pounds) won for Hillsborough, Allen Gabe (215) won for Freedom and Roger Philips (125) won for Chamberlain.

Leto (47) had two runners-up and Blake (30.5) had one.

Michael Franz

Robinson Wins 1st District Title

CLEARWATER - Hillsborough County's two entries finished first and fourth in Friday's Class 1A-District 10 tournament at Clearwater Central Catholic. Robinson won its first district crown and Berkeley Prep had a strong fourth.

The Knights had 232 points, followed by CCC (157), St. Petersburg Catholic (123) and Berkeley Prep (107). Eight schools participated.

Robinson sent nine wrestlers to the championship round and seven took titles: Chris Rollins (119 pounds), Zach Boyer (135), Eric Williams (145), Chris Padilla (160), David Canchola (171), D.J. Woods (215) and Mike Benitez (285).

The top four finishers in each of the 14 weight classes advanced to next week's regional at Fort Myers Evangelical.

Robinson and Clearwater Central traded places from last year, when CCC won the district and Robinson was runner-up. In fact, the Knights were tired of the bridesmaid role.

"We were runner-up to Jesuit for three years and then, when we moved to this district, we came in second to CCC last year," Robinson interim coach Shawn Taylor said.

"This championship means a lot to our school."

CCC coach Scott Stern wasn't too disappointed with his team's performance.

"We lost 10 seniors from last year's team," he said, "so we didn't expect to take first place, and second is OK."

Northside Christian School had three brothers competing. Dillon Dennis improved to 31-0 with a 140-pound win over two-time district champion Bobby Zagers of CCC, and Drydon Dennis (31-1) won the 103-pound class. Dalton Dennis (28-1) had to forfeit because of injury and placed second.

Mike Moore

Jesuit Continues 1A-9 Dominance

MULBERRY - Jesuit won the Class 1A-District 9 championship for the ninth consecutive season, rolling to an 87.5-point victory Friday behind four individuals winners.

David Gonzalez (125 pounds), Andrew Alizzi (135), Connor Gallegly (189) and Mike Lamoure (215) won championships for Jesuit. Two Tigers placed second and five were third.

Jesuit advanced 12 wrestlers to next week's regionals.

"Our goal all year was to send eight to state," Jesuit coach Mike Scicchitano said. "We need to work hard this week if we want to win regionals."

Eighth-grader Kevin Norstrem of Tampa Bay Christian won on an 11-4 decision over Jesuit's Austin Boudreau to win the 112-pound championship.

Tampa Bay Christian won three individual titles while finishing sixth as a team. Travis Berridge (119 pounds) and David Alonso were TBC's other winners.

Lennard finished fifth, with Chris Strump defeating Mulberry's Frank Olinger on a first-period pin in the 275-pound class.

Tampa Prep was seventh and Spoto ninth, each with one individual champion.

Tribune correspondent

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