Devils, Streaks Grapplers Shine

KISSIMMEE -- With the district tournament only 11 days away, the Avon Park and Sebring wrestling teams are flexing their muscles at the right time.

The Red Devils went 8-1 in the 20-team, two-day tournament at Poinciana High School over the weekend to finish in third place.

Junior heavyweight Jace Grimmett led the way with a 9-0 record and was selected the meet's outstanding upper weights wrestler.

"Jace did a tremendous job," said Avon Park assistant coach Lee Elder. "He continues to improve with each match.

"The competition was tough and to finish third is outstanding and it took a total team effort."

State power Melbourne Palm Bay finished first, while East Lake from Tarpon Springs placed second.

"Wrestling this type of competition is good for us before the district meet," said Elder. "The kids have been working hard and we just need to heal up a little bit and get focused."

Junior Kemosi Hatten went 9-0 in the 171-pound weight class, while junior James Bland posted a 9-0 mark in the 160-pound division.

Red Devil freshman Greg Gentry went 8-1 in the 103-pound class and Troy Knight posted an 8-1 record in the 215-pound division.

"I'm really pleased because the kids competed hard in every match," said Elder. "We need to get used to individual matches because that's the way it is at the district meet.

"We need to maintain our conditioning over the next week and be peaking at the right time."

Sebring competed in the Marauder Invitational at Clearwater Central High School on Saturday.

The Blue Streaks, who had only seven wrestlers, won one dual match and lost three and finished in sixth place in the eight-team meet.

Dustin Drummond went 4-0 in the 125-pound weight class, while senior Shaanan Spiegel posted a 4-0 mark in the 152-pound division.

"We did pretty well considering we only had seven wrestlers," said Sebring coach Kenny Hays. "It was excellent competition and if we would have had a couple more guys, we could've won a couple more matches.

"The kids are working hard and we just need to hang in there and keep trying to improve."

Sebring travels to Avon Park for a meet tonight and then the Blue Streaks travel to Jupiter for a two-day meet on Friday and Saturday before the district meet at Avon Park on Feb. 1.