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Orlando Sentinel Article 11-23-06 |
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Oviedo chases after elite distinction -------------------- Brant Parsons Sentinel Staff Writer November 23, 2006 When the FHSAA state wrestling finals roll around in February, Oviedo will be looking to do something no school has ever done in Florida's largest classification -- win its fourth consecutive state team championship. Before February, however, the three-time champion Lions will take on the most ambitious schedule in Central Florida. Oviedo will compete outside the Sunshine State three times, heading to Delaware for the Beast of the East, to Georgia for the Battle of the Borders and to California to compete in the Five Counties tournament in Huntington Beach. "The tougher we can make it the better," Coach Tom Coffman said of the ambitious travel schedule. "It helps the program and kids get recognized nationally." They also host one of the most prestigious fields in the state's history during the final weekend of December, at their Zac Jarzynka Ironman. The loaded field includes state champs from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, and also Florida's six-time defending Class 2A state champion Brandon. "Having Brandon there has captured the attention of the national wrestling community, and it could be tougher than the state tournament," Coffman said. Oviedo will head into its tough season with five nationally ranked returning wrestlers in Jesse Robbins, Anthony Salerno, Tyler Davis, Jake Schalles and Dustin Meloche. They will be joined by transfers Brandon Hatchett, two-time state champion at Winter Springs, Thrasher Porcher and Nic Chase. Two traditional powers in Osceola County also will expect big things in Lakeland in February. Osceola returns four state qualifiers in Jacob Mohr, Levi Strauss, Alex Eggers and Danny Byron. The Kowboys also added Gabe Bird, son of head Coach Jim Bird, who placed third at state last year in Class 1A as an eighth-grader at Life Academy. Across the county, St. Cloud counters with a young team loaded with potential. Gone are three state place-winners, but with Marcelo and Claudio Castaneda, Tom Oswald and senior captain John McMahan returning, the Bulldogs should contend for their 12th district title in 13 years. The battle for supremacy in Orange County promises to be one of the closest in recent memory. Going into the season, Dr. Phillips, Edgewater, Olympia, Timber Creek and University all have sights on taking home the Metro Conference crown. Last year's Metro co-champions, Edgewater and Olympia, both enter the season with new head coaches. Jon Cone takes over for the Eagles after John Hauser's retirement, and Jeremy Bourst heads up the Olympia program following Scott Gomrad's move to Winter Springs. Timber Creek graduated four state qualifiers but still returns seven varsity starters. University will be led by last year's Class 3A state runner-up, Brandon Tressler, and Dr. Phillips should continue to see improvement as the up-and-coming program returns its nucleus that finished sixth in the Metro. In Volusia, Matt Gillespie leads a Deltona team that is taking on a tough schedule in the hopes of preparing itself for a strong showing in Lakeland after a top-20 finish last year. Deltona, DeLand and Atlantic will join Osceola and Dr. Phillips at Oviedo for the Ironman tournament as some of Central Florida's top wrestlers will get a shot to compete with the best in the country with the hope that it pays off in February. "I think it raises the bar for the sport here in Central Florida," Coffman said of the high-caliber teams coming to the tournament. With the way Central Florida has been performing in Lakeland the past few years, the bar already has been raised. This year, the top teams in the area will look to put it even higher. Brant Parsons can be reached at bparsons@orlandosentinel.com. Copyright (c) 2006, Orlando Sentinel |
