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Highlands Today

Rings of honor

Jasmina Meyer, Highlands Today

From left, Avon Park's James Bland and Jace Grimmett won state wrestling titles and now the Red Devil duo are headed to Newberry College in South Carolina to wrestle at the collegiate level in the fall.

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By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: July 3, 2009

AVON PARK - James Bland and Jace Grimmett have memories to last a lifetime after each won state high school wrestling championships in their respective weight classes in March.

The Avon Park dynamic duo now have a memento that will always remind them of their outstanding accomplishments after receiving their state championship rings on Wednesday.

Grimmett, who wrestled in the heavyweight division, went 43-3 during the regular season and capped his high school career by winning the state championship in triple overtime.

"Getting this ring brings back a lot of good memories," said Grimmett. "I worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get better in wrestling and every time I look at this ring, I'll remember that I was the best in the state.

"Getting the championship ring signals the end of one chapter of my life and the beginning of another."

Bland, who wrestled at 160-pounds, went an impressive 48-0 during the season and capped his high school career with an easy win in the finals.

"Receiving the state championship ring is a proud moment for me," said Bland. "I was a team captain, and I felt I had to lead by example.

"I'm proud of my high school career and now I'm looking forward to the challenge of wrestling in college."

That's something that Bland and Grimmett will both get to do as the former Red Devil grapplers will be attending Newberry College in the fall.

Newberry is a Division II school in South Carolina, with an outstanding wrestling program led by Coach Jason Valek.

"I talked to Coach Valek and he's a pretty stern guy," said Grimmett. "He tells you what to do and he expects it to get done.

"I'm going to hit the weight room to get stronger, I'm going to have run a lot more and I'm going to work on my technique because I want to succeed at the college level."

Bland is also going to hit the weights and work on his conditioning in preparation for wrestling stronger, older opponents.

"I know the first year in college is going to be tough," said Bland. "But I'm a team player and I'm willing to work hard and sacrifice to make myself a better wrestler.

"Wrestling has been around a long time and there are only so many things you can do, but I'm just going to go out on the mat and do what I do."

For Avon Park High School to have two state wrestling champions in only the fourth year of the program says volumes about the leadership and guidance of Red Devil co-coaches Lee Elder and Ed Brown.

"I'm so pleased and proud of Jace and James because their state championship rings are well-deserved," said Brown. "They both worked extremely hard and this is the benefit of all that hard work.

"Our program is only four years old, but Coach Elder and I have tried to teach our wrestlers the right way to do things, and with dedication, a lot of hard work and much sacrifice, they can look at Jace and James as good examples to see where it can take you."

Grimmett hasn't been resting on his laurels this summer, as the Avon Park wrestler has posted a 91-8 record, while competing in the Sunshine State Games as well as in the East Coast Duals in Maryland.

"Jace is never satisfied and he continues to train and compete against tough competition to get ready for college," Brown said. "James is also working out and is excited about the challenges that are going to come his way."

Both wrestlers had other offers, including from The Citadel and Cumberland College, but the Red Devil duo felt comfortable with the Newberry College and its campus.

"We visited the other schools, but they didn't seem to fit," said Brown. "We went to Newberry and all the pieces fell into place.

"The wrestling program is solid, the scholarship offer was good, the majors the school offers was right and it's where both guys felt comfortable."

Brown is happy to see his pair of Red Devil athletes heading off to college.

"Jace and James deserve their success and are good role models for our wrestling program," the AP coach said. "They come from different backgrounds, but it just shows what dedication and hard work can do."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com.

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