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Orlando Sentinel Article 2-8-07 |
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Regional wrestling tournaments set for this weekend across Florida -------------------- Brant Parsons Sentinel Staff Writer February 8, 2007 Trips to Lakeland will be won and lost this weekend as regional tournaments take place across the state. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will punch their ticket to the state tournament. Most of Central Florida's big schools will be at Flagler Palm Coast for the Class 3A, Region 1 tournament. The region is considered one of the toughest in the state and can claim some of the tightest weight classes in Florida. Five state qualifiers will meet in the 119-pound division led by Cypress Creek's Joey Ortiz, last year's state runner-up. Ortiz (37-1) will be joined by Lake Mary's two-time state qualifier Andrew Sifakis and Oviedo's Brett Leatherman. Flagler Palm Coast's Stephen D'Augustino, who finished third last year and Niceville's Nick Grim complete the stacked bracket. "That's the weight class that has been the talk of all the coaches," Oviedo Coach Tom Coffman said. Ortiz and Sifakis could face off in the second round if both win their opening round matches meaning one will have to battle in wrestle-backs to qualify for Lakeland. "Someone with great talent is going to fall and that will make it even more interesting," Coffman said. On the other end of the scale, the 189-pound bracket lurks with University's Brandon Tressler and Oviedo's Anthony Salerno heading the group. Tressler finished second last year at Lakeland and defeated Salerno in their only meeting this season. Alongside those two are Lake Brantley's Ryan Vanvalkenburg and Apopka's Deonte Payne. The region could also see an exciting rematch in the 152-pound weight class. Oviedo's Jake Schalles defeated Flagler Palm Coast's Allen Rutherford 3-2 to win the District 2 title. "Those two could face each other a couple more times season," Coffman said. Rutherford was 38-0 on the season entering that match. Class 3A, Region 2 District 7 champion Osceola avoids fellow Central Florida powers in Class 3A, Region 2 at Pinellas Park. The Kowboys will be joined in 3A-2 by defending region champion Plant City Durant, Clearwater Countryside, Lakeland and Bloomingdale. Jacob Mohr (119), Gabriel Bird (130), Tim Eggers (135), Alex Eggers (140), Danny Byron (145), Levi Clemmons (152) and Niko Brown (171) all won district titles. In all, 11 wrestlers will compete for Osceola. Class 2A, Region 2 St. Cloud will get a sneak peak of Class 2A favorite Brandon when the Bulldogs compete at the Class 2A, Region 2 tournament at Polk Community College in Winter Haven. "If they really are the best team in Class 2A than it is good to face them now," St. Cloud Coach Vic Lorenzano said of Brandon. "But it's a tough region and we can't overlook anybody." Along with Brandon, St. Cloud's 12 wrestlers will also have to deal with the likes of Lake Gibson and Springstead. "We'll have our work cut out for us this weekend," Lorenzano said. The Bulldogs won eight individual 2A-6 district titles on their way to winning the team title over Seabreeze. Hagerty's Perry shines Hagerty sophomore Stephen Perry had never wrestled before this season but decided to try it out after a friend suggested it to him. It was a good choice. Perry became Hagerty's first ever district champ when he won the 152-pound weight class last weekend at the Class 1A, District 6 tournament at Zephyrhills. "It's a pretty big achievement in my first year of wrestling," Perry said. Six years of Tae Kwan Do prepared Perry for the individual rigors that take place on the mat. "I like that it's just me out there," Perry said. "It's all on me to be successful." Perry has also shown the ability to learn the sport quickly. "He listens to what we tell him and has tremendous athletic ability to go along with it," Hagerty Coach Isiah Cabal said. Perry will try to continue his first season of wrestling this weekend at the Class 1A, Region 2 tournament at South Florida Community College at Avon Park. Copyright (c) 2007, Orlando Sentinel | Get home delivery - up to 50% off Visit OrlandoSentinel.com |
