Paced by two regional champions, Pasco scored 86 points to finish in third place in the Class 1A-Region 2 wrestling meet Saturday at South Florida Community College. ...more

February 10, 2008

AVON PARK — Taking advantage of familiar surroundings, Avon Park dominated the action on the mat by winning four weight-class titles in Friday's Class 1A-District 8 wrestling meet in the Red Devil gym. Lake Wales won the eight-team meet, which sends the top four wrestlers from each weight class to Friday's regionals at South Florida Community College. Lake Wales finished first with 152 points, while Avon Park, which advanced nine wrestlers, placed a close second with 146, despite having two less athletes than the Highlanders. ...more

February 3, 2008

Brandon rolled to its 35th consecutive district title, more than doubling its nearest competitor with 282.5 points in the Class 2A-District 7 meet Saturday night at King High. ...more

February 3, 2008

WINTER HAVEN –– With each passing meet, the Avon Park wrestling team takes another step up the ladder. The Red Devils continued their late season surge by finishing third in Saturday's prestigious 16-team Polk Invitational at Winter Haven High School. With the Class 1A district meet slated for Friday, Avon Park is peaking at the right time. "Overall we're pleased with our performance," said co-Red Devil coach Ed Brown. "The competition was tough and this is exactly what we needed to tune-up for the district meet. "It was an all day meet with lots of distractions and we were able to stay focused and perform well and that's all we can ask for." ...more

January 28, 2008

PORT CHARLOTTE — Despite having several girls post personal best efforts, the Heartland did not have any weightlifters qualify in the top three at Thursday's sectional meet. The one-day, 20-team event featured some of the top programs in state with only the top three girls from each weight class advancing on to the state meet. ...more

January 26, 2008

KISSIMMEE –– With the district tournament only 11 days away, the Avon Park and Sebring wrestling teams are flexing their muscles at the right time. The Red Devils went 8-1 in the 20-team, two-day tournament at Poinciana High School over the weekend to finish in third place. Junior heavyweight Jace Grimmett led the way with a 9-0 record and was selected the meet's outstanding upper weights wrestler. "Jace did a tremendous job," said Avon Park assistant coach Lee Elder. "He continues to improve with each match. ...more

January 22, 2008

SEBRING –– Displaying a nice blend of determination and power, the girls from the Heartland made quite an impressive showing in Saturday's sub-sectional high school weightlifting meet at Firemen's Field. Six schools participated in the event and the top three finishers in each weight class advanced to the sectionals, which will be held at Port Charlotte High School on Jan. 24. Avon Park led the way with eight girls moving on, while Sebring had seven and Lake Placid had four advance. ...more

January 14, 2008

NEWS AND NOTES Brandon's Grajales Gets 200th Wrestling Win Shortly after Brandon wrestler Eric Grajales pinned Jonathan Taylor of Red Bank (Tenn.) High 5 minutes, 25 seconds into his third match at the third annual Heart of Dixie Classic in Alabama, the Eagles' junior standout couldn't help but ponder a simple question. ...more

December 28, 2007

LAKELAND — The freshmen on the Avon Park wrestling team are wasting no time making a positive impact. Jack Bland, Greg Gentry and Erik Arocho — all ninth-graders — won their matches to lead the Red Devils to a 41-24 win over McKeel Academy in a non-district dual on Thursday night. The impressive showing by the underclassmen and the opening-season win was a pleasant surprise for Avon Park coach Ed Brown. ...more

November 17, 2007

AVON PARK — Coaches Lee Elder and Ed Brown are dipping deep into the well of athletes in Avon Park to find the right mix to put on the mat this season of Red Devil wrestling. Undeniable success was reaped during the program's sophomore season, as Avon Park fostered three state qualifiers and have a crop of young, talented wrestlers. "We're in a bit of a rebuilding mode this year," Elder said. "With so many new kids, our success will depend on how quick they learn this sport. We experienced so much success as a program last season in only our second year, last season should be a blueprint for what it takes for a successful wrestling program." ...more

November 16, 2007