AP Wrestlers Record 7 Pins On Frostproof

AVON PARK -- The Avon Park boys wrestling team has had enough of the travel meets and tournaments in far away places.

The Red Devils finally enjoyed the comfortable surroundings of home in Tuesday's 57-21 victory over the Frostproof Bulldogs in a Class 1A-District 8 match.

"The kids wrestled as good as we expected," AP coach Lee Elder said. "It's nice to go into the Christmas break on a positive note.

"It was really exciting to finally wrestle in front of the home crowd and now we have to get ready for the second half of the season."

This marked the last meet for Avon Park in '07, which won't see action again until Jan. 5 in the Spiegel Tournament in Sebring.

Avon Park notched seven wins by pin against the Bulldogs and looked technically superior on the mat.

Greg Gentry (112), Jack Bland (145), Charles Hubbard (152), Omar Torres (160), James Bland (171), Isuel Guzman (215) and Jace Grimmett (heavyweight) all won on pins, while John Chittum and Josh Sala won 15-5 and 12-0 decisions, respectively.

Junior Kermosi Hatten, who is seeking to return to the state finals this season, won his match by forfeit.
The Red Devils, who conversely had only eight wrestlers during the Polk County Duals last weekend, had 12 dressed against Frostproof, forfeiting just two matches.

"It was nice to have as close to a full compliment of wrestlers as we could against Frostproof," Elder said. "We had some guys wrestle at higher weight classes, which was a pleasant surprise.

"We just want this team to come back from the break ready and work towards a good showing at districts."