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Wrestling: Sunlake Claims Tournament's Inaugural Title

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: January 17, 2009

LAND O’ LAKES - Sunlake High played host and spoiler Saturday, snatching the team title in its inaugural Seahawk Duals.

The Seahawks went undefeated in the six-team tournament, knocking off Hernando in the championship dual, 42-39. Wiregrass Ranch (3-2) was third, followed by Middleton (2-3), Spoto (1-4) and Zephyrhills (0-5).

"It was good competition," Sunlake coach Matt McDermott said. "I didn't know what to expect from Middleton or Spoto, but every match we had today was down to the wire and was a nail biter. At this time of year, the kids need to have some tough matches and see what it's all about getting ready to go into [the Sunshine Athletic Conference Tournament] and districts, where it individualizes a little bit. This was a good team effort."

Sunlake built a 12-0 advantage in the first three matches against Hernando after Jake Himes and Ryan McMillan collected pins. Luke Peterson's forfeit victory lengthened the lead, 18-0, but Hernando came right back in the ensuing three matches.

Daniel and Zack Pritz each pinned their opponents, as did teammate Max Morrill. Kenny Day's second period pin propelled the Leopards to a 24-18 advantage.

Sunlake's Deven Johnson collected a first round pin of Blain Day, which tied the dual, 24-24. But that was short-lived as Hernando's James Davidson pinned Josh Ellis. Those six team points put Hernando back ahead, 30-24.

It was the heavyweight division, which sealed the team title for Sunlake.

Jordan Meyers, ahead 6-0 in the second period, used a power half to roll Dakota Raney to his back. Seconds later, Meyers earned a pin, 3:21 into the match. That gave Sunlake a 36-32 advantage.

"It was a great confidence boost for our team to come in and to make it to the finals and push it like that. I think it was pretty good," Hernando coach Joe McLain said.

It was also a better showing for the Leopards, who fell to Sunlake, 57-22, during the Pool A wrestling of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Wildcat Duals Invitational at Wesley Chapel.

CHAMPIONSHIP DUAL
Sunlake 42, Hernando 39
103 pounds- Scalise (S), forfeit; 112- Gunderson (H) p. Wood (S), 1:11; 119- Himes (S) p. Young (H), 3:06; 125- McMillan (S) p. Worsley (H), :45, 130- Peterson (S), forfeit; 135- D. Pritz (H) p. Hart (S), :55; 140-Z. Pritz (H) p. Burgmeyer (S), :49; 145- Morrill (H) p. Bellavia (S), 4:25; 152- K. Day (H) p. Cooper (S), 3:17; 160- Johnson (S) p. B. Day, :35; 171- Davidson (H) p. Ellis, :57; 189- Smith (H), forfeit; 215- Smith (H) dec. Whittington (S), 7-2; 285- Meyers (S) p. Raney (H), 3:21.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Sunlake (5-0), 2. Hernando (4-1), 3. Wiregrass Ranch (3-2), 4. Middleton (2-3), 5. Spoto (1-4), 6. Zephyrhills (0-5).

UNDEFEATED WRESTLERS
103- Abe Fernandez, Middleton
112- David Hill, Wiregrass
119- Nick Hynes, Zephyrhills
125- Ryan McMillan, Sunlake
130- Eric Madden, Wiregrass
135- Daniel Pritz, Hernando
140- Zack Pritz, Hernando
145- Max Morrill, Hernando
152- Jason Peirce, Middleton
160- Deven Johnson, Sunlake
171- James Davidson, Hernando
189- Jarrett Baker, Sunlake
215- George Smith, Hernando
285- Andre Coleman, Middleton and Jordan Meyers, Sunlake

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

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