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AP Wrestlers Jump Out To Perfect Start At State

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: February 21, 2009

LAKELAND - All five Avon Park wrestlers won their opening-round matches on Friday morning at the Class 1A state wrestling meet at Lakeland Center.

Charles Hubbard, James Bland, Kemosi Hatten and Jace Grimmett each won by pins, while Alvin Moore out-pointed his opponent to move on to the second round, which began on Friday night (log on to highlandstoday.com/sports right now for second-round results and see Monday's Highlands Today for complete coverage).

"I'm elated," said AP coach Ed Brown. "They have the state tourney jitters out of their system now and we'll go from there, one round at a time."

Hubbard, at 145 pounds, defeated Tampa-Robinson's Eric Williams by fall at the 1:59 mark. At 152 pounds, Moore defeated Archbishop McCarthy's Parker Larson 2-0, while Bland got rolling with a win at 3:41 over Chaminade's Nick Brown.

Hatten defeated Anthony Elbert of Jacksonville-Raines in 5:28, while heavyweight Grimmett pinned Tenoroc's Matt Bates in 3:30.

Semifinals begin at 9 a.m. this morning and third-round wrestlebacks get underway at 11:15 a.m. Finals are set for 6:35 p.m. tonight.

SOFTBALL: Sebring 10, Palmetto 3

PALMETTO - The Lower sisters - senior Sammie and freshman Danielle - combined for six hits, two home runs and seven RBI on Thursday night to lead the undefeated Sebring softball team to a 10-3 district victory over Palmetto.

Pitcher Niki Helms pitched a complete game one-hitter, striking out 14, while Kayla Clemons was 2-for-4 with an RBI to push Sebring to 5-0 on the season.

"Our bats are starting to come alive," said Sebring coach Joe Sinness. "They're working hard at the plate and the seniors are doing what they need to do."

The Streaks were back in action on Friday night against Braden River (see Sunday's paper for complete coverage). They return to play on Tuesday at Lake Wales.

SOFTBALL: McKeel 16, Lake Placid 4

LAKE PLACID - The Green Dragons had a defensive lapse in the fifth inning on Thursday and McKeel Academy took advantage on their way to a 16-4 district victory over the Green Dragons.

"We had a horrendous fifth inning," said LP coach Marilyn Jones. "We had a couple of errors and they scored when they needed to score."

Jessica Wantuck, Diane Martinez and Ashley Wells were each 2-for-3 to lead the Dragons offensive. LP was back in action on Friday at Mulberry (see Sunday's Prep Rundown for result). They return home on Tuesday, when they host Clewiston at 7 p.m.

The Highlands Today sports department can be reached at 863-386-5841 or sports@highlandstoday.com.

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