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Mustangs' Upperclassmen Lead Charge Into Regional

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: February 13, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - As Mitchell wrestling coach Justin Fenton talked about his six regional qualifiers, one word came to mind: backbone.

The Mustangs qualified the most wrestlers in program history with Chris Sorrick (103 pounds), Vasili Kostakis (140), Paul Bassous (145), Shea Taylor (152), Garrett Andrasik (160) and Leigh Andre (285). Kostakis, Bassous and Taylor are seniors, and Andrasik is a junior.

"The four guys are really the structure of the team," Fenton said. "They're really a tight group. Those guys have been the backbone for the last three or four years of this program."
Fenton said he has never had a team captain - in any sport he has coached - such as Taylor because "he does it all right" and holds other wrestlers accountable for their efforts. Fenton said Bassous is in the same mold.

One wrestler who should benefit is Sorrick. Fenton and the freshman have had many talks about the leadership and quality of wrestlers he witnessed all season in the team's wrestling room.

"I told him you have a kid Taylor right here who is an example of what you should be as a senior, and if you don't tale advantage of having that right there, you're going to have to do it on your own," Fenton said he told Sorrick.

The Mustangs will compete in the Class 3A-Region 2 tournament today and Saturday at Jupiter Royal Palm.

LISTENING TO ADVICE: It's clear what Ladarious Jackson has over many of the wrestlers he faces - sheer strength. The Gulf sophomore is a solid 152-pounder with little fat on his bones.

Jackson said he was once told to "work hard, get big muscles, you'll be unstoppable as a senior. Some day you might be a wrestler or a football player, whatever your heart desires."

Last season as a freshman, wrestling for the first time, Jackson won the Class 1A-District 6 title at 145 pounds and was second in the Sunshine Athletic Conference tournament.

He has repeated as a district champ and collected his first SAC title at 152.

The person who gave Jackson the advice also said, "Go out for all the sports, whatever you want to do. Just be good at it. Don't let anyone tell you different. Go out there and give it all you've got."

He's listening.

Coaches who want to add their team's information can contact Eddie Daniels by calling (813) 948-4214 or e-mailing

edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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