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Weight Issues Hamper Red Devils In Loss

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Charles Hubbard takes control in the early moments of his match against Haines City's Jonathan Jean-Baptiste during Thursday's dual meet.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: December 20, 2008

AVON PARK - Omar Torres showed off his rapid improvement over last season by pinning his opponent in 47 seconds, but the rest of the team couldn't overcome several forfeits in Avon Park's 39-36 loss to Haines City on Thursday.

Torres pounced on Haines City's Ivan Velez from the opening whistle and never let him breath for the quick pin in the last match of the evening.

"I've been working hard in practice and doing everything the coaches tell me to do," Torres said. "I've been getting off quicker to my opponents and really being more aggressive this year."

Avon Park coach Ed Brown said Torres has learned from his past missteps and has rededicated himself to the sport.

"Omar has come a long way this year," said Brown. "He's really matured and has taken a lesson from the bumps and bruises he experience last year. He told me 'enough is enough' and I believe has the mind set to make a serious run at a state title if he keeps up the hard work."

But Brown and coach Lee Elder were frustrated with the team after suffering the home loss, as they held a team meeting for nearly 45 minutes after the match.

The big subject was on making the weight, which is crucial to any wrestler, but also to the team.

"The first-year wrestlers made some young mistakes and came in too heavy for the meet," Brown said. "I think they came in too cavalier about the process and didn't realize how bad not making the weight can hurt the team.

"The weight issue was the determining factor in the loss tonight."

The Red Devils were forced to take forfeits in the 135 and 140-pound weight classes, which cost them 12 points.

"As a coach, you always wish you had a team full of seniors, but we don't and we just have to school the younger kids on the rigors of a wrestling season of which making weight is a key part of it," Elder said. "When a wrestler doesn't make weight, then we don't have time to get another wrestler in his spot. We're not deep enough where we have two guys for every weight class."

Senior James Bland remained undefeated on the season, as he pinned Haines City's Eric Dauphin in the second round in the 160-pound weight class - dropping down from his normal 171 pounds to get certified in the lower weight.

Dauphin proved to be a very agile opponent and Bland admitted that he was surprised by the kid's speed.

"He surprised me at the beginning by coming right at me," Bland said. "I had to adjust my game plan and was able to wrap him up for the win."

The AP senior has had his own battles with weight, especially over the holidays, which can be a hazard for many wrestlers.

"Last year, I gained way too much weight over the holiday and had to cut it off fast," Bland said. "This year, I plan to enjoy myself but still run and keep in shape so I can try to maintain as close to my target weight as possible."

Brown said that he's scheduled several workout sessions to keep his wrestlers in shape over the holidays.

"We've got a meet on Jan. 8 and we don't return to school until Jan. 6, so we have to workout over the holiday break," Brown said. "There is no way we can be ready in two days.

"What I've told my wrestlers is to enjoy themselves during the break, but don't overindulge like we all have a habit of doing. Most of the veterans already have a routine down, so we'll see what kind of shape the younger kids are in after the break."

Jace Grimmett pinned Jonathan Greene in the first minute of his match at 285, while Charles Hubbard, Jeff Satine and Kermosi Hatten all earned pins on the night.

Satine proved to be surprisingly agile against the Haines City's Bryan Huertas and was able to use his speed and agility to outmaneuver his opponent before pinning him in the second round.

Hubbard came out with a swarming style to smother Jonathan Jean-Baptise and make quick work of him to earn the pin in 50 seconds, while Hatten was more tactical in his approach, using precise moves to keep on top of his opponent before rendering Cherby Lageurre into submission in the second round.

Avon Park is back on the mat today when they travel to take part in the Clewiston Invitational.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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