Oviedo High School graduate Tyler Davis (Class of 2007) recently won his wrestle-off at 157 pounds as a redshirt freshman at the University of Wyoming to earn a starting line-up spot for the NCAA Division I Cowboys.

 

Davis, a 2007 State Champion and Team Captain for the Oviedo Lions wrestling team, as well as a double USA Wrestling All-American at Fargo, was one of just two wrestlers at Oviedo to wrestle varsity for each of the school's four consecutive big schools (3A) team State Champions, 2004-2007.  The other was Jesse Robbins.  The four consecutive big schools team championships is a Florida High School wrestling state record.

 

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and Davis is accompanied on the Cowboy squad by 2008 Oviedo graduate and Florida State Championships State Placer, Thrasher Porcher, who is wrestling at 141 in a redshirt year.

 

On a personal note, one of the simplest of acts, yet defining to me to the make-up of the man and defining of his character occurred when Tyler won his individual State Championship at 145 pounds in HS in 2007.  When the match ended, he simply took off his ankle band and laid it gently on the mat, and the referee raised his arm in victory as the State Champion.  I stood on the mat to congratulate him and he looked me squarely in the eye and gave me a firm handshake and simply said, "Thanks for everything you have done for me".  He then immediately went into the stands and sat with his family and the Oviedo fans to cheer on his teammates still to wrestle on the night.  When the media on the floor asked for his availability for interviews, I was proud to point him out in the stands, tucked away, unassuming.  He expected to win on that night, and he knew there were other mountains to climb in the future.  The pinnacle had not yet been reached was the message he sent to me then on that night by his actions....there was more to follow, and his making the starting line-up for the University of Wyoming only begins the journey.  I look forward to the chapters ahead....should be a great read.

 

Tom Coffman