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Bulls Enjoying Record Year

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 20, 2009

Bloomingdale had another good weekend of wrestling at the Palmetto Duals, and in the process the Bulls set a program record.

Bloomingdale went 5-0 to win the tournament and improved its dual-meet record to 24-5 this season. The 24 wins are a single-season record, eclipsing the previous mark of 19, according to Coach Donny Peek.

Sammy Conner (112 pounds), Alex Denmon (135), Carlos Montero (140), Chris Figari (160), Mike Gazda (171) and Chase Douglas (215) went undefeated for the Bulls. Montero, a transfer from Coral Gables, notched his 100th career win, Peek said.

Peek wouldn't go so far as to say this year's squad is the most talented during his tenure, but he did say the senior-heavy group - eight in the lineup - is different from squads he's had in the past.

"We're actually pretty solid all the way through," Peek said. "We've got some younger guys, some sophomores on the team who have stepped into a varsity role and stepped it up. ... Usually we've been tough in the lighter and middle weights, but this year most of our solid wrestling is done in the upper and middle weights and a couple of younger, lighter guys are stepping up."

Another Bulls program record could fall by season's end. Figari, a senior who improved to 33-0 on the season and has 145 career wins, is 14 shy of tying the program's career record held by his older brother, Austin.

Should Figari, a two-time state placer, remain healthy and continue performing at his current level, he likely will set the record during the regional or state tournament.

ONE TO SAVOR

Durant's performance over the weekend at the Billy Saylor Invitational in Suwannee certainly was one that brought a smile to the face of Coach Dennis Kitko. Not only did the Cougars win the 10-team tournament, but they also "finally wrestled up to their potential," Kitko said.

Alex Hamm (112), Reggie Beal (152), Marshon Shoemake (215) and Nick Hadick (285) were individual champions, and Billy Whitcomb (189), Titus Horner (171) and T.J. Davis (140) finished as individual runner-ups as every Cougars wrestler placed in the top four.

The Cougars' breakthrough is certainly one to savor for now, and one Kitko hopes can be a tone-setter for the rapidly approaching postseason.

"I hope so," Kitko said. "I think it was a real positive. We kind of got away and were able to do our own thing and just kind of jelled together."

ROLLING ALONG

Sickles had a nice showing at the Gary Freis Duals in Fort Myers over the weekend, placing fourth by posting a 5-3 mark. It was the latest strong effort for the Gryphons, who improved their dual-meet record to 19-6.

"We had a couple of big wins against Fort Myers and Venice, which are traditionally pretty good teams," Gryphons coach Terry Brockland said. "We won one of the county six-way tournaments a couple of weeks ago and did another six-way at Wharton recently and went 4-1. They've been wrestling pretty well lately."

Josh Fulford (135) had the best tournament for the Gryphons, posting an 8-0 record, but several others had good days as well. Skyler Woods (145) went 7-1, while Cory Sullivan (103), Ben Carriere (152) and senior captain Shawn Mroczko (130) went 6-2.

BUCS SHINE

Berkeley Prep took third at the ninth annual A-Patriot Championships at Florida Christian School in Miami over the weekend. Mark Timmel (160) was an individual champion for the Bucs, while Craig Rothschild (125), Antonio Weinberg (189) and Greg Tomlin (285) were individual runner-ups.

In addition, David Turkel, David Sanchez and Ryan Pickren finished third, and Eric Massey and Raunik Kedar placed fourth to help the Bucs amass 130 team points, 57 back of tournament champion Archbishop McCarthy.

NORSTREM WINS AGAIN

Tampa Bay Christian's Kevin Norstrem went 4-0 and won the 112-pound title at the 23rd annual Flagler Rotary Tournament over the weekend, improving to 30-1.

Victor Fugate (103) placed third to help the Rams finish 15th among 32 teams.

ON TAP

Brandon hosts the 25th annual Tony Ippolito Memorial Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The 32-team tournament includes 16 Hillsborough County squads.

Wrestling begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the finals scheduled for Saturday evening.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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