OVIEDO — Oviedo's Erin O'Dell walked around the Robert W. Lundquist Gymnasium this week rocking a bright purple baseball cap, a result of losing a bet with his buddy on who could be goofier.

The bet was about the only thing O'Dell lost as the 160-pounder took home an individual title in the Zac Jarzynka Sunshine Wrestling Classic Tuesday.

O'Dell found himself down in the third period against Lake Gibson's David Richardson with the Lions trailing Wentzville (Mo.) Holt by just 6.5 points. After trying two throws and with each one proving unsuccessful, O'Dell needed a big move.

"He was strong as an ox and kept on pummeling in on me," O'Dell said. "[At the end] he sat underneath me and I just took that time to capitalize."

With slightly more than 10 seconds remaining, O'Dell quickly pinned Richardson and raised his hands in the air, bringing the Oviedo crowd to its feet.

"The pin to me was just an exciting moment," Oviedo Coach Tom Coffman said. "I know I jumped and started running around and looked around and saw everyone else. It was like vintage Jim Valvano at N.C. State."

Holt was able to hold on for the victory with 202 points. The Lions finished second with 197.5 points, marking the closest margin of victory in the tournament since it took on its current format.

Oviedo's Chase Gordon (140 pounds), Davin Morris (171) and Jay Taylor (189) all took home second for Oviedo while Joey Hefley (112) and Stephon Jenkins (125) captured third place.

Osceola, led by three individual champions, finished third with 194 points. Joe Locksmith (130) defeated Winter Springs' Matt Nereim to claim his title while Alex Eggers (152) finished a dominant performance with a major decision victory over Bryce Neff of Charlotte High.

Osceola sophomore Pete Baldwin defeated defending Missouri state champ Tony James of Holt in the 135-pound division championship.


Zac Jarzynka Sunshine Wrestling Classic

Team scores: 1. Wentzville Holt, Mo. 202; 2. Oviedo 197.5; 3. Osceola 194; 4. St Anthony's, NY 154.5; 5. Lake Gibson 153.5; 8. Winter Springs 117.5; 23. Celebration 24; 24. Olympia 16.

Individual results: 103 – Marcos Gomez, Douglas, d. Chris Brienza, St. Anthony's, 6-1; 112 – Alex Chiricosta, Douglas, d. Kevin Norstrem, Tampa Bay Christian, 1-0; 119 – Michael Bond, Hoover, d. Grant Greene, St. Anthony's, 8-5; 125 – Eric Chandler, Braddock, d. Raymond Borja, Hayfield, 9-2; 130 – Joe Locksmith, Osceola, d. Matt Nereim, Winter Springs, 7-5; 135 – Pete Baldwin, Osceola, d. Tony James, Holt, 10-6; 140 – Brent Jorge, Lake Gibson, d. Chase Gordon, Oviedo, 7-2; 145 – Greg Amos, Holt, d. Jonatan Rivera, Kennesaw, 4-2; 152 – Alex Eggers, Osceola, majdec. Bryce Neff, Charlotte, 13-4; 160 – Erin O'Dell, Oviedo, p. David Richardson, Lake Gibson, 4:50; 171 – Jacob Harmer, Gainesville, p. Davin Morris, Oviedo, 3:04; 189 – Sam Kuntz, Peachtree, d. Jay Taylor, Oviedo, 6-2; 215 – Blake Schoeninge, Holt, d. David Esbeck, Forsyth, 5-1; 285 – Nick Auriemma, St. Anthony's, d. Danny Viniegra, Braddock, 3-1 OT.

 

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