Seven wrestlers advanced to Saturday morning's semifinals for the Lions.

By Brant Parsons Staff reporter

9:45 PM EST, February 19, 2010

Oviedo's Chase Gordon (top) is one of seven Lions in contention for a state title after Day 1 of the FHSAA state wrestling meet. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

When 119-pound favorite Joey Hefley from Oviedo was upset in the quarterfinal round at the FHSAA State Finals, his Lions teammates rallied.

Kurt Keebler (112), Ray Rowland (125), Chase Gordon (145), Erin O'Dell (160), Jay Taylor (189), Alton Meeks (215) and Doug Vollaro (285) all advanced for the Class 2A Lions who are trying to win their fifth team title, and first since 2007.

"When you see a guy like Joey go down you feel for him and how hard he has worked," Meeks said. "It just makes the rest of us push that much harder out there."

Oviedo finished the quarterfinal round leading Class 2A with 69 points, 3.5 more than second-place Spring Hill Springstead.

"We did a good job of wrestling through some tough draws," Coach JD Robbins said. "We had some kids pick up some points that will help going into today."

St. Cloud advanced two wrestlers to the semis in Class 2A with defending state champion Frank Cousins (160) and Josh Chattin (285) moving on.

Other 2A semifinalists include Kissimmee Liberty's Felix Betancourt (130) and Oak Ridge's Justin Thiele (145).

In Class 3A, three Osceola wrestlers took the same mat for their quarterfinal bout in three straight matches and all three Kowboys won.

Defending state champion Joe Locksmith (135), Pete Baldwin (140) and Gabriel Bird (145) all advanced to this morning's semifinals with their coaches not having to leave the corner.

"I get strength watching Joe before me and then knowing (Bird) is coming up next," Baldwin said. "I cheer for them as hard as I cheer for my own brother."

In all, the defending Class 3A team champions advanced five to the semifinals with Jeremy Strickland (125) and Levi Clemons (171) also going 2-0 on Friday. The Kowboys finished the quarters in a tie for second place with American, 51.5 points behind Brandon.

Winter Springs' Eric O'Neill had one of the biggest wins on the day, defeating one-time state champion Alexander Doran.

The sophomore pinned the Bradenton Manatee 135-pounder in the second period of their quarterfinal bout.

"We told him that he was in position to do something special today," Coach Scott Gomrad said. "He made it happen by capitalizing on his chance."

The Bears finished the round in seventh place with 31 points. Matt Nereim (140) also advanced.

DeLand advanced two wrestlers to the semifinals with Valentin Sotomayor (135) and Stuart Maddox (189) winning twice. Dr. Phillips' Zach Whitmire (112), West Orange's Kyle Keoppen (160), Cypress Creek's Luis Alba (189) and Timber Creek's Donovan Green (285) also are in the semis.

In Class 1A, Bishop Moore advanced four wrestlers to the semifinals. Brian Santiago (119), Michael Garcia (171), Eddie Isola (189) and RJ Rowland (285) all were quarterfinal winners.

Lake Highland had two wrestlers advance with Jake Spengler (103) and Fox Baldwin (112).