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Blue Streaks Look To Break Through

Chris Hoffman, Highlands Today

Sebring 215-pounder Shane Liskey faces a tough road if he hopes to qualify for next week's state meet.

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By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: February 13, 2009

SEBRING - There may be three Blue Streak wrestlers heading to today's Class 1A-Region 2 meet at Matanzas High School, but it's been an all-hands-on-deck approach for Sebring this week in preparation for the state-qualifying tournament.

"We've had some other guys in the room who haven't gotten into other sports," said first-year Sebring coach Josh Miller. "We rotate as many guys in as possible, and keep the ones who are going to regionals moving and not letting them stop."

Senior district champion Dustin Drummond has benefited from the extra attention as he hopes to carry the top seed into the 130-pound class all the way to state. In preparation, the defensive Drummond has been working on his offensive moves and single drills to hone his strategy.

"We went really offensive this week with Dustin, putting him into situations where he's in the offensive position and he has to finish it," Miller said. "Dustin is a defensive wrestler and everyone knows that, so we're trying to get him in that offensive zone and keep those matches at 0-0 after the first."

Miller said he likes Drummond's tournament draw, which put the top two wrestlers at 130 on opposite sides of the bracket. Still, merely advancing to state won't be enough for Drummond, who has his sights on the regional title.

"His hardest match would be in the finals, which is awesome," Miller said. "But the most important thing for him is not to just make it to state, it's getting that top two to get the seed we need at state. We have to take it one match at a time, but the draw is set up perfect for him and he knows what he has to do."

Also hitting the mat today will be junior Shane Liskey, who faces a tough bracket at 215 pounds.

"I believe he can win his first match if he wrestles smart," Miller said. "He comes from the hardest district by far for his weight, and being a third seed, it gives us a lot more light to shine through."

Heavyweight Brytton Williams will also be looking for his first trip to Lakeland as a freshman. But his draw is toughest of Miller's bunch, and with many more meets ahead of him, the first-year coach and former regional champ is hoping his underclassman takes in the experience no matter how far he gets.

"Brytton is one of the smaller guys for among the heavyweights and he has a bad draw," Miller said, noting he'll face the region's No. 1 seed in his opening match. "Especially for a freshman, it's more of a learning experience and it opens his eyes to the whole process."

Miller said he's not giving his wrestlers too much advice heading into the meet, despite being only a few years removed from being in their very shoes.

"I have insight into how they're feeling and what they're going through," Miller said. "But at this point when you're so far into the season, you have to let them do their own thing."

Visit highlandstoday.com/sports tonight for results from regionals and see Sunday and Monday's Highlands Today for complete coverage of the meet.

1A-REGION 2 WRESTLING MEET

At Matanzas High School, Palm Coast

TODAY Prelims and Wrestlebacks, noon

SATURDAY Semifinals 10 a.m., Wrestlebacks 12:30 p.m., Consolation Finals 6 p.m., Championship Finals 7:30 p.m.

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

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