TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Locals Move One Step Closer

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring senior Shaanan Spiegel wraps up Tampa Robinson’s Mike Hawthorne during the opening day of the Class 1A state wrestling finals in Lakeland on Thursday.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: February 16, 2008

LAKELAND –– Sebring's Shaanan Spiegel and Avon Park's James Bland moved one step closer to state titles on Friday by dominating their opponents in the second round of the Class 1A state wrestling tournament at the Lakeland Center.

Spiegel (46-1) scored a 14-2 major decision over Tommy Oetting of Matanzas of Palm Coast to propel himself into a semifinal match against Baker County of Glen St. Mary's Joshua Trippett (31-6) in the 152-pound class.

Bland overcame an injured knee to score a technical fall against Tampa Prep's Wes Jarrell to set up a 160-pound class showdown with junior Luke McGurrin of Jacksonville Bolles (40-1), one many coaches say could be the best match of the tournament.

But first, Bland will have to contend with a knee injury that swelled up after his second-round match. The AP junior suffered the setback when Jarrell dove for Bland's legs and his head hit by the junior's knee.

"[Jarrell] shot in and crashed into James' knee, but he didn't let that stop him from winning," said AP head coach Lee Elder. "We're just going to ice it down and get him ready for tonight."

Bland and McGurrin were scheduled to wrestle in the semifinals on Friday evening. Results were not available at press time. See highlandstoday.com/sports for semifinal and final results.

On the opening day of the state finals on Thursday, Spiegel was put on the defensive by Tampa Robinson's Mike Hawthorne, who was shooting for the legs to gain the advantage. Spiegel's experience held off the feisty Hawthorne and both fought to a 0-0 tie after the opening two minutes.

A scary moment occurred when Spiegel and Hawthorne clashed heads, but the two combatants kept wrestling, only acknowledging the incident after the match.

"He head-butted me pretty good," Spiegel said. "But you can't think about that stuff. You just have to keep fighting."

Spiegel finally found his rhythm in the second period, wrapping up Hawthorne's leg and finally sending him to the mat to pin him moments later for the win.

The Blue Streak senior, dawning bright-blue hair dye, is seeking his first-ever state title in his last chance to make his dream a reality.

"All I want to worry about is my next match," Spiegel said.

Bland also received a stern test in his first match against Matanzas' Shane Dennis, who the AP junior had defeated in two previous meetings this season.

"Those matches don't mean anything when you get to state," Bland said. "At this level, anything can happen."

Dennis came out aggressive and caught Bland off guard. Coming dangerously close to being taken down, Bland used his strength to counter Dennis' moves and avoid the threat, finally ending the match at the 2:52 mark to stay undefeated on the season at 41-0.

Bland gave credit to Dennis for forcing him to be aggressive early in the match.

"[Dennis] came right at me and caught me off guard," Bland said. "I just kept fighting and avoided the takedown. I take my hat off to him. He fought really well and has improved this season. I think he was trying for a little payback."

A lingering and nagging knee injury sustained over Christmas break may have cost Avon Park junior Kemosi Hatten (171) a chance at a state title.

The injury kept Hatten from running many conditioning exercises and that proved to be a decisive blow against Calvary Christian's Dominick Pierre.

With the score tied at six with 30 seconds to go in the match, Hatten was visibly winded and seemingly didn't have the energy to go the distance against the evenly-matched Pierre.

The matched looked to be going into overtime as the two wrestlers were on their feet with nine seconds left until Pierre caught Hatten off balance and got the two-point takedown as time expired for the win.

A dejected Hatten shook hands with the opposing coaches and walked off in a very emotional state.

"I was real winded out there near the end," Hatten said. "I wasn't able to do as much work on conditioning exercises for cardio as I wanted to because of my knee. Plus, I don't think I was mentally ready.

"I just have to look forward to my next match."

Hatten rebounded in the evening wrestlebacks, defeating Clewiston's Tyree Sparrow in a 6-4 decision to keep his hopes alive for a top-three finish at state.

Avon Park coach Lee Elder knew Hatten had let a golden opportunity slip away, but said you have to be ready when you get to this level.

"You've got to give credit to the other kid," AP coach Lee Elder said. "[Hatten] wasn't feeling well, and I think it effected his conditioning. You can't use that as an excuse, though. Hatten didn't wrestle his best match and still he had a chance to win in the end.

"There are no cake walks when you get to this level. All the wrestlers here are good or they wouldn't be here."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT