WRESTLING 311259984
After last weekend’s subpar performance during the Mulberry Panthers Duals Tournament, the Nature Coast Technical grapplers are broadening their horizons.
The Sharks, who went 3-2 last weekend in Polk County, are expected to contend in Saturday’s sixth annual Ocala-Forest Invitational at Forest High School gymnasium, 5000 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala, 34480.
According to Forest Head Coach Allan Hisey, 15 teams are expected to take part across three mats in the one-day individually bracketed tourney in Marion County.
The field is expected to feature: Brooksville-Nature Cost Technical, Orlando Bishop Moore, Ocala-Lake Weir, Citra-North Marion, Palatka, Orlando-Pine Castle Christian, Providence Christian, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, Suwannee, Tampa Bay Christian, Ocala-Trinity Catholic, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-West Port, Kissimmee-Liberty and host Ocala-Forest.
The tourney offers trophies for the top two teams and individual medals for the top three placers along with Outstanding Wrestler Awards for lightweights and heavyweights.
The tourney is expected to begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. The tourney finals will be at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.
The tourney’s goal according to Coach Hisey varies from team to team.
“This week’s goal depends on the team,” said Coach Hisey. “Most teams at this (early) point want to see where they’re at. Seasoned teams what to look at what they need to focus on or scale back on.
“We’re very young,” explained Hisey. “We lost a bunch of seniors including our heavyweight state champ. Right now, we have to grow up in a hurry. Being in 3A we have a tough schedule to deal with.”
With the tourney’s defending champion, Plant City-Durant, not returning there will be a new team champ crowned Saturday night in the Wildcats’ gym.
“Liberty is very well coached. They’ve got a lot of guys who can score some points,” said Hisey, on who he envisions as the team to beat. “Nature Coast is ranked 12th coming in. They could be right there, too. …Pine Castle Christian has a few outstanding wrestlers.”
13 Sharks at Forest
Unlike last weekend when the Sharks failed to field a full team with seniors Carlos Carasquillo (prior commitment) and Greg Jarque (failing to make weight) out of the lineup – all hands are on deck this time.
According to eighth-year Shark skipper Mike Lastra, “I guarantee you Greg (Jarque) will make weight at Forest,” he said. “Not making weight is unacceptable. What happened last week is behind is. Our goal this weekend is the same – to win it.”
Last weekend at Mulberry, NCT captured 76 percent – or 41 of 54 individual bouts – as nine of eleven team members posted above a .500 won-lost record.
The Sharks were paced by 2011 Class 1A state placer Carter Bolesta, who finished 5-0 with five pins.
Right behind Bolesta was 2010 state qualifier, senior Mitch Lambert, and third-year starter, junior Sean Nguyen, who both went 5-0 with three pins.
Four others including Peter Holloman, Cameron Tull, Brendan Vovan and Luis Espinosa all finished 4-1.
The Sharks are expected to compete with 13 grapplers minus their 113-pound freshman Peter O’Riley.
“I still think we’re the deepest team going to Forest,” said Lastra, who has never taken a team to the Wildcats’ gym. “It’s time to push guys into finals matches.
“We have to go above and beyond what we’ve done so far,” added Lastra on reaching his team’s goals. “Our core group of guys has been around for a while – that’s why we’re in competing in more IBTs (individually bracketed tournaments) this year. IBTs will help prepare us for districts.”
Lastra isn’t taking anything for granted approaching Marion County.
“Every team at Forest will have some good individuals; that’s why we chose going there,” he said. “Every team has at least one stud (wrestler). By going there is the only way to get some good experience.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Sixth annual Ocala-Forest Invitational Wrestling Tournament.
WHO – 15 teams expected to compete including: Brooksville-Nature Cost Technical, Orlando Bishop Moore, Ocala-Lake Weir, Citra-North Marion, Palatka, Orlando-Pine Castle Christian, Providence Christian, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, Suwannee, Tampa Bay Christian, Ocala-Trinity Catholic, Ocala-Vanguard, Ocala-West Port, Kissimmee-Liberty and host Ocala-Forest.
WHERE – Ocala Forest High School gymnasium, 5000 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala, 34480.
WHEN – Saturday, Nov. 26, beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m. Finals are set for 6 p.m.
AT STAKE – Trophies for the top two teams and individual medals for the top three placers along with Outstanding Wrestler Awards for lightweights and heavyweights.
