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Wrestling: Bloomingdale's Figari Closes In On State Title

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

LAKELAND - It was evident in his voice Friday night.

Bloomingdale senior Chris Figari isn't satisfied with being just a state qualifier or any number other than the No. 1.

"It's good enough for now, but I have to kick it up Saturday," Figari said of his performance in his first two matches. "I'm just not finishing my moves. It's not perfect."

Although he is not satisfied, Figari (52-0) is at a point he has not reached before - the semifinals of the FHSAA state wrestling tournament.

"He's not going to be satisfied unless he wins it. That's his main goal," Bloomingdale coach Donny Peek said of Figari, who finished fourth last season. "When he got knocked out last year and walked off the mat, his last match of the state tournament with a loss, that's something we focus on - always win the last match."

Figari, Bloomingdale's leader in career victories (161) and victories in a season, has plenty of company in the next round of the tournament.

Of the 12 wrestlers Brandon brought to the tournament, 11 are still alive for state titles, and one more can place in the top three.

The Eagles lead the pack in Class 2A with 111 points. Manatee is second with 68.5, followed by Springstead (51). Kissimmee Osceola (74.5) is ahead in Class 3A, followed by Homestead South Dade (62), and Miami Monsignor Pace (55) leads all Class 1A teams.

The action picks up today at 9 a.m.

If anyone can empathize with Figari, it is Mitchell's Vasili Kostakis. Last season, Kostakis qualified for the region tournament but didn't advance to state.

This time around, he is at the state tournament, and he is two wins shy of a title. After a tough 2-1 victory in the 140-pound class against Camden Grimes of Deland, Kostakis wasn't about to get overconfident and take anyone lightly.

"That's why I need to definitely work for the next match, because the first match is always the easiest and after that it's harder," he said, still soaked with sweat from his first match. "Harder people, so I just have to work."

He knocked off Davie Western's Zack Parker, 6-3, in the next round to advance to today's semifinal.

Figari's desire to move beyond last season's fourth-place finish was largely evident in his offseason workouts. Instead of staying at 140 pounds, Figari wrestled and devoted himself to the weight room, putting on nearly 15 pounds of muscle.

"We looked at it in two different routes, either stay down where we're at at 140 or just get bigger and healthier and feel comfortable where we're at," Peek said. "He said, 'Coach, I really want to get into a bigger weight class next year.'

"I was hesitant at first, but I'll tell you what, that kid worked just as hard in the weight room as he does on the wrestling mat, and you can see it."

The steps Figari has taken to elevate his wrestling has filtered to his teammates and Peek. Now, it's time for that work to pay off on the mat.

"The whole year I've been working so hard, and that little bit pushes you over the top," Figari said of not being satisfied. "I think I put in enough effort for this. I just have to show it on the mat now."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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