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Brandon Easily Wins Region

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A Tribune staff report

Published: February 15, 2009

KISSIMMEE - Sitting at the bottom row of the stands inside the Poinciana High gym, Brandon coach Russ Cozart watched the heavyweight finals match with his left elbow planted against his leg and his left hand braced against his face.

The look implied a routine. And why not, Brandon hasn't been on the losing end of a region tournament since 1989 when it finished in fourth place. Saturday, the team collected the Class 2A-Region 2 team title and qualified 12 wrestlers for next weekend's state tourney.

"This is a great team," Cozart said. "They've been great all season. They haven't just been good, they're been great. It starts with our 103-pounder and it goes all the way up to our heavyweight.

"We're going to bring 12 guys and these guys are tough. We went up to Wisconsin, won that tournament, we're ranked in the Top 10 in a lot of national polls. This is one of the best teams I've had."

Springstead (175.5) was the closest team to Brandon's 284 points. Lake Gibson (129) was third, followed by Dunedin (115).

In the lone battle of Hillsborough County finalists, Brandon's Ryan Renkey collected a 12-1 major decision against Armwood's James Gray at 112 pounds. It was the fourth time in as many weeks the wrestlers have faced each other.

Eddie Daniels

Bloomingdale Fourth In 3A-2

ROYAL PALM BEACH - Bloomingdale, Durant and Riverview led nine area teams competing in the Class 3A-Region 2 competition by each having three wrestlers advance to next weekend's state tournament in Lakeland.

The Bulls finished in fourth place in the team results with 82 points, while Durant finished sixth with 73 and Riverview eighth with 65. Osceola won the tournament with 204.5 and advanced eight wrestlers to state.

Bloomingdale was led by Chris Montero, who won at 140 pounds, Chris Figari, who won at 160, and Sammy Conner, who finished third at 103. Those three were the reason the Bulls went 3-0 in the medal rounds.

"Coming in we expected at least two individual champions, and that's we got," Bulls coach Donny Peek said. "All three wrestled real well, and I think Chris and Chris have a legit shot to win at state next week."

The Durant wrestlers to advance were T.J. Davis (103), Titus Homer (171) and heavyweight Nick Hadick.

Ryan Hight (130), Herman Hernandez (135) and Rafeal Rivera (189) all moved on for Riverview.

Other area wrestlers making their way to state are Tony Milanes (119) and Kendall Ivy (189) from Alonso; Vasil Kostakis (140) from Mitchell, and Tyler Hooks (171) from East Bay.

Joe Kairalla

Gulf Advances 6 To State Tourney

PALM COAST - Gulf wrestling coach Travis DeWalt had high hopes his Buccaneers could win the Class 1A-Region 2 tournament.

And the Bucs did advance six wrestlers to Thursday's state tournament in Lakeland but finished third in the team standings behind Inverness Citrus and Avon Park.

"We wanted to win the region but we fell short," DeWalt said. "We've got six advancing and my heart goes out to the six that didn't make it."

Richard O'Connor (112 pounds) and Ladarious Jackson (152) won region titles while Anthony Ayres (119, third), Josh Isom (125, fourth), Jacob Ritter (171, fourth) and Matt Gallagher (189, second) also advance.

Sunlake's Jarrett Baker improved his record to 39-0 by pinning Gallagher in 3:04 in the 198 class.

"Jarrett had a good weekend," said Sunlake coach Matt McDermott. "He's in a good place as long as he stays focused.

Other Pasco County wrestlers advancing to state are Pasco's Josman Gamez (112, third), Zephyrhills' Nicholas Hynes (119, fourth), Wiregrass Ranch's Fredrick Madden (130, second) and Sunlake's James Johnson (160, fourth) and Chris Whittington (215, third).

Rick Harmon

Knights Extend Magical Season

FORT MYERS - Robinson's dream season continued at the Class 1A-Region 3 wrestling meet at Evangelical Christian on Saturday.

After winning their first district title in 49 years last week, the Knights placed second in the regional with 162.5 points. Fort Myers Riverdale totaled 171.5 points to win the title. South Fort Myers (121.5) and Jesuit (106.5) finished third and fourth, respectively.

Robinson advanced seven wrestlers to Lakeland and had three champions: Chris Rollins (119 pounds), Zach Boyer (135) and Mike Benitez (285).

"It's been a special year for us," Robinson coach Shawn Taylor said. "To get runner-up to an elite program like Riverdale is an honor."

Jesuit advanced five wrestlers to state, including 125-pound senior David Gonzalez. Gonzalez won Jesuit's lone title, defeating Lemon Bay's Tommy McLaughin 9-6.

Tampa Bay Christian finished seventh with 74.5 points and three state qualifiers. At 112, TBC eighth-grader Kevin Norstrem lived up to his No. 1-state ranking defeating Jesuit's Austin Boudreau in a 17-2 technical fall for the title.

"This is my first year of high school wrestling," Norstrem said. "There's a lot of pressure for next week. There's only been a few eighth-grade champs in the past, so hopefully I can live up to that potential and just be part of that elite group."

Annabelle Tometich

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