Wrestling 301139988

BUNNELL –
What transpired this past weekend in Flagler County may become the stuff of legends – particularly in honks across West Hernando County.
To paraphrase, it’s been said many times before that the heart of any champion is difficult to gauge.
Case in point: the brutally difficult 27th annual Flagler Rotary Invitational at Bunnell-Flagler Palm Coast.
Even without the presence of mat aircraft carriers like Brandon, Homestead-South Dade, and Kissimmee-Osceola – this two-day, 18-hour, 294-member, 31-team IBT (individually bracketed tournament) featured some of the state’s finest assembled mat talent.
In a word, two-time defending state champion Springstead struggled.
The Eagles were attempting to do something no state mat program had ever achieved at this event some 150 miles from Spring Hill – hoist the championship trophy for a fifth straight season.
First-year head coach Sal Basile’s mat men trailed by as many as 24 1/2 points early on day one.
Springstead, out of Class 2A, District 7, (135.0 points) entered Saturday’s critical second day in second place behind 3A-2’s Winter Springs (145.5 points), behind a sub-par 20-9 (69 percent) performance.
All day long the Spring Hill program inched closer but still trailed by 3 1/2 points entering Saturday night’s combined consolation finals (fifth/sixth and third/fourth) and championship finals (first/second).
With the team title on the table, Basile’s squad responded with six straight wins to clinch its sixth tourney crown of the season, this one over gutsy Winters Springs, 203.5-191.0
The difference: Springstead grapplers finished 45-of-65 overall (69 percent) – including a critical 6-2 stretch in consolation and finals worth eight placers, highlighted by two champions in three title bouts.
The young Winter Springs Bears faded down the stretch drive dropping 7-of-9 consolation and finals matches – including a disastrous 0-for-4 collar in the finals.
Last year’s fifth-place finishers in the 3A state finals in Lakeland concluded the meet as runners-up again to Springstead behind a meet-best nine placers.

Coaches’ corner

Veteran Winter Springs skipper Scott Gomrad did not extend excuses for the Bears’ collapse.
Despite leading the tournament for an estimated 98 percent of the time, “Springstead is a well-coached team. They’ve got some real tough guys. They’re the two-time defending state champions for a reason,” declared Gomrad, in his seventh season with the Bears and 13th overall.
“I thought we gave them a scare,” he added. “Being such a young team (Bears graduated four state placers from 2012) it was tough to rise to the occasion in our first real tough rodeo. We beat Springstead at Durant (Cougar Invitational), but they didn’t have all their guys.”
Reflecting on his biggest positives, “I’m so proud of getting out of here with nine placers,” said Gomrad. “That’s a big accomplishment. I’m looking forward to competing against Springstead here next year.”
The Eagles may relish this one for a while, especially considering their stellar comeback efforts.
“I’ve only really challenged the guys a couple times this year,” noted Basile on the conversations he had with his team before Saturday and prior to the consolation and finals round. “The conversation I had yesterday wasn’t G-rated, but they obviously got the message. I’m a straight shooter; the kids know that.
“I get frustrated when they don’t listen and we throw away matches,” emphasized Coach Basile, a two-time state qualifier from Springstead. “We still didn’t wrestle great, but consider the talent in this building. Winning here in this way shows how (mentally) tough this team really is.”
On his biggest positives, “To have a subpar performance on the first day and still pull this out is special,” indicated Basile. “Individually, Mikey (Michael McDonald) was totally dominant. The (St. Cloud’s Joe) McGinley kid is tough, but Mikey stuck him when we really needed the points.
“I also thought Billy (Swift) had the tournament of his life. It’s a shame to lose a (consolation match for third against Niceville’s Taylor Bartelson, tied 2-2 in the third) due to a nose bleed,” he said. “And Andrew (Smith) looked really good this weekend with the exception of the two losses to the Jensen Beach kid.”
On what Basile will take from this tournament, “I thought we were real scrappy. Looking back everyone won matches to help us do this,” he said. “All 13 guys competed on Saturday. We got a lot of unfavorable seeds and we had to battle back in a real tough tournament. Right now, I think we’re tired. We’ve battled through a lot to get here. It takes a lot of heart to do what we did.”

Eagle heroes

Of Springstead’s 13-member squad (no 132-pounder: senior Michael Richards is out with a broken hand), 11 returned home with .500 or better marks.
Springstead placers were led by Flagler champions junior Jordan Rivera at 138 pounds and sophomore Michael McDonald at 113. Coincidentally, both went in as number one seeds. All three of Springstead’s number one seeds reached the tourney finals.
Another top seed, sophomore Conor Ross, who tweaked his knee in a semifinal 8-7 win over University Christian’s Trey Miller, was upset at 170. Ross lost in a dull match to second-seed and 2012 state placer (fifth) Chris Favoroso of Jensen Beach, 2-1.
The loss snapped Ross’ career-best 26-match win skein.
Senior Joe Russo, a Flagler champion in 2012, placed third at 152 while Swift placed fourth at 160.
Three Eagles picked up valuable wrestleback points to finish fifth featuring: sophomore Matt Landgraff at 106, senior Stephen Pavao at 120 and the sophomore Smith at 126.
McDonald, who went 5-0, finished with a meet-best four pins to earn the tourney’s award for most falls by a lightweight wrestler. His 23 pins lead all Hernando County grapplers.
McDonald opened the meet by planting Astronaut’s Ethan Ahrens (4:25), twisting Fleming Island’s Xavier Sampsel into a 15-3 major decision and pinning Palm Bay’s Tony Jaigobond (4:40).
In Saturday’s semis, McDonald dismantled Wakulla senior and 2012 state placer (third) Zach Malik for the second time this season via a pin in 4:35. McDonald, who opened the season with a 15-match winning streak, extended his current skein to 10 in a row.
In the finals, the Eagle captain needed 88 seconds to fold Joe McGinley of St. Cloud for his team-best fifth IBT gold medal of the season.
McGinley had solved McDonald in the Bulldog Brawl last month at St. Cloud when the 2011-12 All-County selection mangled the Osceola County mat man into a 21-4 technical fall.
“Coach Sal (Basile) was really hard on us yesterday,” recalled the 16-year-old McDonald, who improved to 34-2. “I knew the team really needed me to come through today.”
On solving McGinley for the second time, “Even when he beat me (at the Combs 6-Way Duals last month), he wasn’t better than me,” said McDonald. “I created some separation at St. Cloud. I didn’t want this one to be close either.”
After two third-place finishes at Flagler, Rivera climbed to the top of the podium behind a solid 4-0 run.
On Friday, Rivera notched his 20th pin of the season against Astronaut’s Jacob Farris (2:56) before twisting Orange Park’s Mitchell Harris into a 14-2 major decision.
Saturday’s semifinal served as a rematch against Ridgeview senior Coll Robertson. Robertson upset Rivera at the Deltona Duals, 10-6.
This time, Rivera dominated via a smothering 10-1 major decision.
In the finals, Rivera had another rematch against Winter Springs senior Patrick Cobb. In the earlier meeting at Durant, Rivera needed 74 ticks to solve Cobb. This time, Cobb kept his distance, but could not avoid losing a 10-2 major decision.
“This was a tough tournament,” explained the 17-year-old Rivera, who climbed to 35-4. “I felt like I had to push myself – the team really needed me.”
Rivera savored his last two victories.
“The Winter Springs kid really didn’t push the pace,” explained Rivera after his ninth straight win. “I think he listened to his coaches. He wasn’t trying to win as much as was just trying to keep it close.”
“I’ve been waiting for Robertson since Deltona,” explained Rivera. “I wanted to pummel him. I heard some people didn’t think I was worthy of the top seed here. Well, if people don’t think I’m the best 138-pounder, I guarantee they will be come Feb. 15-16 (at states).”
Russo felt he had to make things happen after dropping in his second-round match to Fleming Island’s Keith Whiddon in overtime, 5-4. It marked Russo’s first OT loss in three tries this winter.
After that setback, Russo helped fuel the Eagle comeback with four straight pins: Orange City-University’s Andrew Weaver (3:41), Flagler’s Justin Boyle (49 ticks), Winter Springs’ Will Young (2:37) and Clay’s Jeff Rivers (4:09).
“In the loss, I went back to being one-dimensional,” lamented this 18-year-old Russo, who enters next week’s rugged Ippolito Tournament at Brandon with a 29-5 slate. “I don’t know why I do that. I need to snap out of it and just trust myself.”
On the key to his success, “After I lost, I knew I had to pick it up,” noted Russo. “I didn’t want to be the guy that lost this tournament. I’m OK with third because I came in as the third seed. It’s hard not to like five wins, including four pins.”
With the exception of two losses (7-3, 4-1) to Jensen Beach’s Kolin Stapp – the number one seed – Smith wrestled exceptionally well producing a season-high six wins.
He concluded the meet on a huge high note.
At the season-opening Deltona Duals, Ridgeview’s Joey Epstein stuck Smith in 1:43.
This time, Smith earned fifth place by toppling Epstein in overtime, 7-5.
“This was a pretty tough tournament,” described the 15-year-old Smith, who’ll enter Ippolito with a first-year mark of 29-14, featuring 13 pins. “There were so many good wrestlers here.”
On evaluating his efforts, “I could have done better,” said Smith. “I just wish I hadn’t lost to the same kid twice. I feel great winning this the way we did for a fifth straight year.”

2013 Final Flagler Team Standings:
PL TEAM CLASS POINTS
1. Spring Hill-Springstead (SPG) 2A-7 203.5
2. Winter Springs (WS) 3A-2 191.0
3. Orange Park-Fleming Island (FLEM) 3A-1 181.0
4. Jacksonville-University Christian (UNIC) 1A-3 154.0
5. Green Cove Springs-Clay (CLAY) 1A-4 148.0
6. Jensen Beach (JENB) 2A-14 115.0
7. Bunnell-Flagler Palm Coast (FPC) 3A-2 100.0
8. Crawfordville-Wakulla (WAK) 1A-2 99.0
9. Orange City-University (UNIV) 3A-2 94.0
10. Deland (DEL) 3A-2 92.0
11. Orange Park-Ridgeview (RDV) 2A-3 88.5
12. Orange Park (OPRK) 2A-3 81.0
13. Titusville-Astronaut (AST) 1A-6 80.5
14. St. Johns-Creekside (CREE) 2A-3 76.0
15. Gainesville (GAIN) 2A-4 71.0
16. Clearwater-Countryside (CS) 3A-7 68.5
17. Niceville (NICE) 2A-1 63.5
18. St. Cloud (STC) 2A-5 61.0
19. JAX-Bolles School (BOLL) 1A-4 54.0
20. Melbourne-Palm Bay (PALM) 2A-13 43.5
21. Tallahassee-Chiles (CHIL) 3A-1 39.0
22. Palm Coast-Matanzas (MAT) 2A-3 29.0
23. Celebration (CEL) 2A-5 25.5
24. St. Augustine (SAUG) 2A-3 21.0
25. Deltona (DELT) 2A-5 20.0
26. St. Augustine-Pedro Menendez (MEN) 1A-4 19.5
27. New Smyrna Beach (NSB) 2A-13 18.0
28. Daytona Beach-Seabreeze (SEAB) 2A-13 15.5
29. St. Johns-Bartram Trail (BART) 2A-3 13.0
30. Palatka (PAL) 2A-4 9.00
31. JAX-Providence (PROV) 1A-4 3.00

Past Rotary Team Champions
YEAR CHAMPION
1987 Bishop Kenny
1988 Flagler Palm Coast
1989 Flagler Palm Coast
1990 Bolles
1991 Flagler Palm Coast
1992 Flagler Palm Coast
1993 Bolles
1994 Flagler Palm Coast
1995 St. Benedicts
1996 Flagler Palm Coast
1997 Bolles
1998 Brandon
1999 Flagler Palm Coast
2000 Clay
2001 University Christian
2002 University Christian
2003 St. Benedicts
2004 Venice
2005 Venice
2006 St. Benedicts
2007 Flagler Palm Coast
2008 Niceville
2009 Springstead
2010 Springstead
2011 Springstead
2012 Springstead
2013 Springstead

Past Rotary Outstanding Wrestlers
YEAR NAME SCHOOL
1987 Wayne Williams Flagler Palm Coast
1988 Guy Gatti Merritt Island
1989 John Willaims Bradford
1990 Chris Bono Bolles
1991 Chris Bono Bolles
1992 Wes Spencer Flagler Palm Coast
1993 Miciah Weatherly Bolles
1994 A]phonso Clark Flagler Palm Coast
1995 David Alrndeda St. Benedicts
1996 Rob Fries Flagler Palm Coast
1997 Jamey Stowell Bishop Kenny
1998 Jason Lambrecht Brandon
1999 John Solomon Tampa Jesuit
2000 Andy Blicker Suwannee
2001 Bryan DeStefano Suffern, NY
2002 Zac Tomlinson Flagler Palm Coast
2003 Levi Duyn Venice
2004 Willie Weber Flagler Palm Coast
2005 Tommy Colyard Satelite
2006 Jordan Gaudette St. Cloud
2007 Stephen DeAugustino Flagler Palm Coast
2008 Deron Carter Flagler Palm Coast
2009 Jacob Harmer Gainesville
2010 Pete Baldwin Osceola
2011 Nick Soto Springstead
2012 Jared Browning Jensen Beach
2013 Jamarius Jackson Ridgeview

2013 Flagler Rotary Finals
106 – Matt Collora (CS) major dec. Brandon Staley (WS), 12-0.
113 – Michael McDonald (SPG) pin Joe McGinley (STC), 1:26.
120 – Jared Neyer (UNIV) dec. Jake Kosachiner (FPC), 4-3.
126 – Charles Cuthbert (FI) pin Bill Morgan (WAK), 5:52.
132 – Jamarius Jackson (RDV) major dec. Ian Wiswell (JENB), 19-6.
138 – Jordan Rivera (SPG) major dec. Patrick Cobb (WS), 10-2.
145 – Christian Lohsen (DEL) dec. Thomas Herlevich (GAIN), 6-2.
152 – Harry Glasser (BOLL) dec. Tanner Aull (NICE), 13-9.
160 – Cody Hankerson (UNIC) dec. Jonathan Pickens (AST), 5-1.
170 – Chris Favoroso (JENB) dec. Conor Ross (SPG), 2-1.
182 – Corey Vandorn (OPRK) dec. David Moodie (WS), 6-3.
195 – Shane Carpenter (CREE) dec. Robert Parland (UNIC), 5-3 (OT).
220 – Justin Fountain (CLAY) pin Brandon Rod (WS), 1:32.
285 – Jamal Fiffer (UNIC) dec. Devon Brooks (OPRK), 5-2.

Most Falls Lightweights – Michael McDonald (SPG).
Most Falls Heavyweights – Justin Fountain (CLAY).
Outstanding Wrestler Award – Jamarius Jackson (Ridgeview).

2013 Flagler Rotary Consolation Finals
106 – Hector Blanco (UNIV) dec. Jeremy Urban (FPC), 9-8.
113 – Zach Malik (WAK) dec. Aaron Galang (CREE), 8-4.
120 – Evan McCall (FI) pin Josh Farley (PALM), 4:29.
126 – Kolin Stapp (JENB) dec. Josh Calhoun (BOLL), 7-1.
132 – Victor Espana (FI) dec. Matt Tamayo (GAIN), 4-2.
138 – Coll Robertson (RDV) pin Adam Breindel, 2:46.
145 – Trevor Betros (UNIC) major dec. Abe Neriem (WS), 9-1.
152 – Joe Russo (SPG) pin Jeff Rivers (CLAY), 4:09.
160 – Taylor Bartelson (NICE) won via injury default Billy Swift (SPG).
170 – Jake Bain (CLAY) pin Trey Miller (UNIC), 3:49.
182 – Timothy Betros (UNIC) dec. Drew Delong (WAK), 11-6 (OT).
195 – James Duoin (WAK) dec. Josh Conroy (JENB), 4-2.
220 – Cleve Richardson (CHIL) dec. James Rumph (MAT), 3-2.
285 – Malcolm Kirce (RDV) dec. Alex Southall (STC), 1-0.

Springstead’s Flagler Individual Results
WGT NAME W L PINS PL
106 Landgraff, Matt 5 2 3 5th
113 McDonald, Michael 5 0 4 1st
120 Pavao, Stephen 5 2 3 5th
126 Smith, Andrew 6 2 3 5th
138 Rivera, Jordan 4 0 1 1st
145 Holdway, Robert 3 2 1 –
152 Russo, Joe 5 1 4 3rd
160 Swift, Billy 3 2 0 4th
170 Ross, Conor 3 1 2 2nd
182 Stock, Austin 2 2 0 –
195 O’Neil, Travis 1 2 1 –
220 Humphrey, Corey 2 2 2 –
285 Allen, Will 1 2 1 –
TOTALS 45 20 25 –