Gamez captures title

On Saturday, J.P. Gamez turned 18 – on the same day he won a state wrestling title. But thanks to his supporting parents and a coach that got the most out of him for four years, Gamez became a man long before he entered adulthood.

When Gamez defeated Orlando Lake Highland Prep's Anthony Petrone 8-7 in the Class 1A 120-pound state final, it was a culmination of four years of blood, sweat, and near misses at the state tournament in Lakeland.

After his final match, a jubilant Gamez, sporting a cut on his eyebrow, reflected on what it meant to him.

"I believe that you get what you deserve out of life," Gamez said. "Not just in winning the state championship. There's so much more in life than wrestling, but wrestling teaches you about life."

On his way to the state title, Gamez survived a gauntlet of tough wrestlers in the 120 class in Pasco County. Besides Gamez's first-place finish, he was joined on the podium with Fivay's Sean Speer (fourth place), Gulf's Forrest Swartsel (fifth) and Wesley Chapel's Tony Ruggiero (sixth).

Throw in 2A state qualifier John Ortiz of Sunlake, who placed sixth in the state tournament last year, and it's easy to see why Gamez was ready for the competition in Lakeland.

"Four out of the top six placers in 1A were from Pasco County," Gamez said. "So I think Pasco County deserves a lot of respect this year. We've all wrestled each other several times, and that made us all better."

Reflecting back on his four years and what the state title meant to him, Gamez was thankful for the guidance of his superiors in life.

"I learned a lot about respect," Gamez said. "From my dad and mom … also from God. ... I thank God so much. And my coach, too. He would always push me so hard. Not so I would win state, but so I would learn to be a man. If you work hard, it will pay off."

Elsewhere in the county, in only its second year, Fivay finished sixth in 1A and while coach Andy Medders was happy, he learned a lesson that could help his team in the future. Medders thinks tougher scheduling will help the Falcons in the postseason.

In the case of 220-pounder Mike Hahn, lack of competition may have been the reason he had to settle for second place. After winning his first 40 matches of the season, Hahn was defeated in the region final by Lake Highland Prep's Carter Shipley. Hahn reached the state final and was defeated by Shipley again, this time 5-2. Medders feels Hahn's competition earlier in the season may have hurt him in the postseason.

"I'll take some of the blame," Medders said. "I should have got Mike some tougher competition throughout the year. He didn't look ready for big matches. I think that was the case for most of my kids."

Medders hopes to get his kids involved in some tough tournaments in the offseason like Spring Hill Springstead and Brandon do. Besides Hahn's second-place finish, junior Troy Reed finished fourth at 113. The Falcons return several experienced wrestlers next year, like state qualifiers Andrew Scherer, Colin Hahn, Nico Lightfoot and heavyweight Kelly Meus.

Gulf only took four to state but had two placers. Joining Swartsel was junior Spencer Baxter at 160, who finished third. Sophomore 106-pounder Anthony Agazarm was one match away from placing.

With Swartsel, Baxter and Agazarm returning, the Bucs should be stronger next year as most of their younger wrestlers got better late in the year, such as Tanner Abbot, Tryston Bussey, Robert Napolitano and heavyweight Ken Hayes, who are sophomores.

Other county state placers were River Ridge's Dakota Arends who placed fifth at 106 and Wesley Chapel's Jeremy Qualls (fifth at 145) and Nick Popolillo (fourth at 160).