By Brentley Romine ORLANDO SENTINEL

December 28, 2009

OVIEDO -- - Since moving from Massachusetts to Florida before the season, Oviedo heavyweight Doug Vollaro has had difficulty keeping his weight up because of the warm temperatures in the South.

But dealing with the heat has been the only thing he's had trouble with as the sophomore is off to a 25-0 start, including two wins by pin during the first day of the Zac Jarzynka Memorial Ironman Tournament on Monday.

"It was the right decision for me," Vollaro said of the move. "The competition down here is about the same, but it's hard to tell since I've gotten a lot better. Hopefully I'll win states and bring back the Oviedo tradition of good heavyweights."

The Lions, who advanced 12 of 14 wrestlers to today's quarterfinals, haven't had a lot of success in the heavyweight division since former state champion Kenny Lester graduated in 2006. But that could change if Vollaro's performance so far is any indication.

"You're spoiled when you get a heavyweight like Kenny Lester, who was No. 1 in the country and got a scholarship to Arizona State," Oviedo coach J.D. Robbins said. "We've had some good heavyweights, but he set the bar so high. Kenny, who is home from college, his words about Doug today were, 'Man, he's quick.'

"Doug is a 4.2 student, he just turned 15 years old and he wrestles like a lightweight. It's wonderful having him anchor us and he's a big addition to our program."

Oviedo is currently in first place with 88.5 points, leading a field that includes 30 other teams from eight states and a total of eight individual state champions. Oviedo's Chase Gordon (145), a 2008 state champion, and Erin O'Dell (160), who won this tournament last year, both advanced to the quarterfinals, which begin today at 9:30 a.m.

"So far we've wrestled really well," Robbins said. "This is the toughest tournament in the Southeast and it's proven that and Oviedo is stepping up to wrestle at that level. We've got a long way to go still. We're going to be a lot better at the end of the year, but we're where we need to be at this point of the year."

Lakeland Lake Gibson (84.5) and Miami Springstead (74), both teams that should compete for the Class 2A state title, sit second and third, respectively. Winter Springs (50) is the only other local team in the Top 15.

Matt Nereim (140) of Winter Springs, Jared Watkins (119) of Dr. Phillips and Luis Alba (189) of Cypress Creek are all expected to finish strong on Day 2.

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