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Last weekend, Nature Coast Technical made history by capturing it’s first-ever tournament.
The Sharks went 5-0 by a 45-16 win in the finals against archrival Central High.
This weekend, another obstacle awaits.
The Sharks will attempt back-to-back tournament wins for the first time ever in Saturday’s six-team Chuck Hackney Bear Duals at Central High beginning at 10 a.m.
The robin-round format features: Tarpon Springs-East Lake, Ocala-Lake Weir, Lecanto, Clearwater Central Catholic, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical and Brooksville-Central.
Central will compete in order against East Lake, Lecanto, CCC, Lake Weir and NCT.
NCT will compete against CCC, East Lake, Lake Weir, Lecanto and NCT.
Team trophies will be given to the top three teams while each team will select its own Outstanding Wrestler Award.
Last year’s tourney champ was Palm Harbor-University, while Central finished runner-up.
Central 101
Since falling to NCT, CHS bounced back Wednesday night with a 70-6 dismantling over visiting Crystal River.
The Bears (20-4) are focusing on filleting the Sharks this time around.
“Regardless of the final score, the results weren’t acceptable,” explained CHS’ fourth-year Head Coach Roy Reyes. “Every tournament you go to you want to win it. On paper there were a lot of matches that could have gone either way against Nature Coast.
“Give them credit, they’re an improved team,” he said. “It seemed all the close matches went their way.”
What’s happened since?
“Our kids have been responding well in practice,” noted Coach Reyes. “It’s a new week. We welcome another challenge to go head-to-head.”
The Bears are led by sophomore Robbie Monsegur, who went 5-0 last weekend, and stands with a team-best 27-1 won-lost record.
NCT 101
The Sharks will be missing one starter from last weekend, Keith Dodson at 215 pounds.
Dodson tweaked his knee and is not expected back in the lineup until districts.
Besides Dodson, NCT’s lineup is intact.
According to sixth-year NCT Head Coach Mike Lastra, the Sharks’ goal is to finish the season with three straight tournament wins.
“We had a little carryover from last week,” said Lastra. “But I told the guys we’re gonna have to fight for every match we compete in.”
What will possibly winning back-to-back-back tournaments do for the Sharks?
“Hopefully, it will build momentum for districts,” Lastra said. “We need to raise the intensity to be competitive in our district against Gulf. And I told the guys, just because we beat Central at our place we’ve got to be ready to go for every match at their place.”
NCT enters the Hackney Duals with four grapplers with 23 wins including: Scott Cronin, Tyler Forand, Greg Jarque and Jeff Gilbert.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Chuck Hackney Bear Duals Wrestling Tournament.
WHO – The robin-round format features: Tarpon Springs-East Lake, Ocala-Lake Weir, Lecanto, Clearwater Central Catholic, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical and Brooksville-Central.
WHERE – Central High’s Bears’ Den gym on three mats. Admission is $5.
WHEN – Saturday, Jan. 22 beginning 10 a.m.
AT STAKE – Team trophies for top three teams while each team will select its own Outstanding Wrestler Award.
