Devils, Streaks Excel In Meet

Striving to get better.

That's the mantra the Avon Park and Sebring wrestling teams are using as they travel to weekend tournaments seeking out the very best in competition.

The two squads hit the road last Saturday for the 11-team Okeechobee Invitational wrestling meet, where some of the state's top high school programs were competing.

"The competition was excellent," said first-year Blue Streak coach Josh Miller. "There were state qualifiers in most every weight class and that gives our kids a chance to wrestle against the best.

"These kinds of meets are great barometers to let our kids know what they need to work on in preparation for the district meet later in the season."

Sebring senior Dustin Drummond led the way by winning all five of his matches, including one by a pin, en route to winning the gold medal in the 130-pound weight class.

"Dustin wrestled well and had a solid meet," Miller said. "He is a hard worker and is determined to have an outstanding year."

Michael Polatty managed to earn a bronze medal with a third-place finish in the 140-pound weight class, while Mike Hutchinson came in third in the 145-pound division.

Shane Liskey picked up a third-place medal in the 215-pound weight class to round out the top finishers for the Blue Streaks.

"I'm proud of our guys because it was a real tough tournament with lots of quality wrestlers," said Miller. "We had four kids that didn't make the trip because of injuries and taking tests so our depth wasn't what it usually is.

"That affected our team score, but overall I'm pleased with our effort and the experience we're gaining is invaluable."

Avon Park was paced by a pair of talented seniors.

James Bland went 5-0 en route to the gold medal in the 171-pound weight class, while Jace Grimmett took gold in the 275-pound weight class.

"James wrestled well and had three pins," Red Devil co-coach Lee Elder said. "He dominated his matches and is working hard to get better.

"Jace was real solid with three pins and that was against some real good wrestlers."

Red Devil senior Kemosi Hatten claimed a bronze medal in the 160-pound weight class by going 4-1 in his five matches, while senior Kevin Allong came in third in the 215-pound division.

"Our experienced wrestlers fared pretty well, but our younger guys are starting to understand they have a lot to learn," said Elder. "Wrestling in practice is one thing, but going up against someone you've never seen before in a meet is entirely different.

"They just need more match experience and keep listening to their coaches to reach their full potential."

The Red Devils are battling some injuries and aren't at full strength just yet, as the football players are just starting to get into wrestling shape.

"There is a big difference in football conditioning and the kind of shape you need to be in for wrestling," said Avon Park co-coach Ed Brown. "We've had a few injuries, but that's part of wrestling.

"The Okeechobee Invitational had some excellent competition and we just need to stay focused, work hard and we'll be fine when the district meet rolls around."

Avon Park has a home meet against Haines City at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

"It will be good to have a home meet and we hope to get a nice crowd to come out and support our team," Brown said. ""We're still in transition, but the kids are working hard and that's all a coach can ask for."

Sebring is back on the mat with an away meet at the Clewiston Invitational at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

"This is our last meet before the Christmas break and it would be nice to see our guys finish strong," said Miller. "We've got a good group of guys and they're working hard to get better.

"We'd like to have a good meet and that would give us some momentum heading into the second half of the season."