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Red Devil Wrestlers Set Sights On Medal Stand

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Avon Park is sending five to the state wrestling meet: James Bland, Kemosi Hatten, Jace Grimmett, Charles Hubbard and Alvin Moore.

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By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: February 20, 2009

AVON PARK - It's hard to find much to complain about following an undefeated season, but after three regional and district championships, James Bland's experienced enough to know improvement is always possible.

Which is why, even though the Avon Park wrestling team is sending five wrestlers to state in just its fourth year of existence, Bland wants his team thinking bigger.

"I was hoping some of the younger guys would make it (to state)," Bland said before practice on Wednesday afternoon in the Red Devils' wrestling room. "It gets the jitters out of them. When you get to state, most guys have jitters, and that's a big disadvantage."

As Bland heads to his fourth consecutive state appearance after finishing third in Lakeland last year, he has only one goal - and one color - on his mind.

"I'm going to try and go win it all," Bland said, admitting he'll still feel some butterflies stepping onto the mats today at Lakeland Center. "I'll always have jitters, but they won't be as bad as my first year."

Heading into his third state appearance at 171 pounds is senior Kemosi Hatten (42-3 this season), who faces fellow senior Anthony Elbert (28-12) of Jacksonville-Raines in the first round. Hatten said he's been sharpening the same tools that led him to a regional title this year, making only a few last-minute adjustments before his first match.

"I always feel like I can be a little better than where I'm at," Hatten said. "But right now, I'm feeling pretty good."

Hatten said the biggest difference between state and regionals - other than the size - is the level of competition, meaning he'll have to be on-guard and alert for every match to make a tournament run.

"It means I have to be more careful with what I do, and do it with conviction," Hatten said. "When my coaches aren't saying much, I know I'm doing good."

Jace Grimmett heads to his first state meet in his senior season, though the heavyweight took in all the festivities the past two seasons in support of Bland and Hatten. Sporting a distinct red-shaded hairstyle on Wednesday, Grimmett said competing will be a totally different experience, and that he's been preparing accordingly.

"I'm just trying to push myself hard and work on conditioning, because all the heavyweight matches I watched last year went to overtime," said Grimmett, who faces Matt Bates (34-9) of Tenoroc, a fellow senior he's beaten four times this season, in the opening round. "I'm working on pushing myself through being tired. I don't want to leave anything out on the mat."

Sophomore Charles Hubbard (38-6) will open with a tough draw in Tampa-Robinson senior Eric Williams (28-7) at 145 pounds, though Hubbard said he has only one mindset heading into state: "Win," he deadpanned.

"I'm expecting to see people on my level and up, so it's going to be pretty serious," said Hubbard, who noted he's working on quickening his pace between moves this week. "I've been working on chaining moves and my throws."

Senior Alvin Moore (18-2) also faces a senior in the opening round of the 152-pound bracket in Fort Lauderdale-Archbishop McCarthy's Parker Larson (24-8), and the first-time state competitor is ready to meet the challenge after falling short of a regional title.

"When I lost at regionals, it showed me you can't take anybody for granted," Moore said. "I've seen to state once, and there's a lot of mats and a lot going on. You have to be prepared mentally, physically and emotionally for the trip."

To be ready for the toughest competition of his career, Moore's focused his practice time on using his quickness to his advantage.

"I'm working on shooting across my body, shooting outside and not tying up with guys," Moore said. "Because that takes away my speed."

Bland (44-0) faces Nick Brown (30-11), a junior from Hollywood-Chaminade in the opening round, and as he was for districts, the state veteran is honing his moves with "shot-re-shot" drills.

"If our opponent shoots on us and we defend it, while he's recovering, we attack," said AP co-head coach Ed Brown. "We shoot during that window because those are excellent opportunities to get takedowns."

Red Devil co-head coach Lee Elder said he wants his wrestlers to rely on and believe in all they've learned this season and throughout their careers.

As far as conditioning, he said, they're ready.

"I think they're at the peak of where they need to be," Elder said, noting the Devils have gotten stronger in every meet since Christmas. "I think they're all at the top of their game and they know the importance of each match and each point.

"It's no longer about qualifying for state, it's about going there with a purpose."

As four of the five state-bound Devils gathered and an intimate practice slowly trickled to a start, Elder looked around the room and commented on the program-forging talent warming up around him. He said it will be special to see so many AP warm-ups milling about the arena, proving they're among the state's best.

"It means a lot that we'll be there with more than one person," Elder said, "to see that our name's out there as a new program, but a respected program.

"They know when we show up, our kids are going to be tough and they're going to fight and battle for every point."

The first round of the state meet begins at 10 a.m. today. Championship finals are set for 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Visit highlandstoday.com/sports for complete coverage.

CLASS 1A STATE WRESTING MEET

Today's first round matches at Lakeland Center

145-Pound: Charles Hubbard, 38-6, So., vs. Eric Williams, 28-7, Sr., Robinson (Tampa)

152: Alvin Moore, 18-2, Jr., vs. Parker Larson, 24-8, Sr., Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale)

160: James Bland, 43-0, Sr., vs. Nick Brown, 30-11, Jr., Chaminade (Hollywood)

171: Kemosi Hatten, 42-3, Sr., vs. Anthony Elbert, 28-12, Sr., Raines (Jacksonville)

Heavyweight: Christian "Jace" Grimmett, 35-5, Sr., vs. Matt Bates, 34-9, Sr., Tenoroc (Lakeland)

Mat Schedule

TODAY First Round competition, 10 a.m.; Wrestlebacks (First Round), 4:30 p.m.; Second Round Competition, 6:15 p.m.; Wrestlebacks (Second Round, 8 p.m.)

SATURDAY Semifinals (6 mats), 9 a.m.; Wrestlebacks (Third Round), 11:15 a.m.; Wrestlebacks (Fourth Round), following third round; Fifth & Sixth Place Finals and Third & Fourth Place Finals following Fourth Round; Championship Finals, 6:35 p.m.

Visit highlandstoday.com/sports on Friday and Saturday night for results from the state meet.

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

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