River Ridge Unbeaten In Pool Play

NEW PORT RICHEY - There's a distinct change in the River Ridge wrestling team.

Entering this weekend's Gulf High School Holiday Invitational at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatics Center, Royal Knights coach Russ Schenk was happy with the idea of going .500.

"We started going and we saw our bracket and we thought, 'We can compete,' " Schenk said. "Everything worked real well and we had some good breaks."

The squad beat Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (57-18), knocked off Pasco (54-23), crushed Sunlake (64-16), walloped Wiregrass Ranch (82-0) and topped Hernando (43-36).

All that led to a Pool B championship.

River Ridge lost to eventual tournament champ Manatee and, at the time, scored the most points on the Hurricanes than any team had to that juncture in the 57-15 loss.

The Royal Knights finished the weekend fourth behind Manatee, Springstead and Citrus.

"Our kids stepped up and they're starting to see that the harder they work, the better things will work out, so it's exciting," Schenk said. "I think it's just between the ears. We've taught a lot of technique, so now they basically know my system, how I coach.

"They're seeing that it's all a system. Your first move doesn't count, it's your third move in that series and they're starting to put three or four moves together in a series and it's all experience, practice time and mat time. They're starting to buy into it and between the ears, they're starting to believe that you can win instead of walking out there and thinking, 'I want to keep it close,' now they're thinking, 'I want to win.' "

One of those wrestlers who has bought into the system is River Ridge heavyweight Anthony Colello. He made an impressive showing at the tournament, going 7-0, including a first-period pin of Manatee's Richard Cunningham, who finished second at the state tournament last season.

"I try not to let my head get too big," said Colello, who admitted he had no clue about Cunningham's history. "I see all these people punching themselves after they lose, I try to keep cool."

Moments later, the accomplishment set in.

"It's does feel pretty cool," he said, laughing.

In the opening seconds of that match, Cunningham attempted to throw Colello with a head and arm, but slipped. The two went to the mat and later got back to their feet. That's when Colello sank in a double overhook of Cunningham's arms, threw him and pinned him 1:06 into the match.

"He's really working hard and he's got a lot of good things in his arsenal," Schenk said. "He's starting to believe. If that match doesn't give him confidence, what will?"