Red Devil Grapplers On A Roll

WINTER HAVEN -- With each passing meet, the Avon Park wrestling team takes another step up the ladder.

The Red Devils continued their late season surge by finishing third in Saturday's prestigious 16-team Polk Invitational at Winter Haven High School.

With the Class 1A district meet slated for Friday, Avon Park is peaking at the right time.

"Overall we're pleased with our performance," said co-Red Devil coach Ed Brown. "The competition was tough and this is exactly what we needed to tune-up for the district meet.

"It was an all day meet with lots of distractions and we were able to stay focused and perform well and that's all we can ask for."

Leading the way for Avon Park was junior James Bland, who went 4-0 to win the 160-pound weight class.

Bland improved to 36-0 on the season and defeated Horace Davis of Lakeland in the finals.

Junior Kemosi Hatten went 3-1 to improve to 35-4 overall and placed second in the 171-pound division.

Isuel Guzman claimed third in the 189-pound class and knocked off Damon Farmer of Mulberry 13-6 in the consolation finals.

Junior Jace Grimmett finished third in the 285 category and beat Steve Smith of Lakeland Kathleen in the consolation finals.

Troy Knight finished fourth in the 215-pound weight class by posting a 2-2 mark.

Knight was injured in his third match of the day and had to default in the consolation finals.

Freshman Greg Gentry managed to finish fourth in the 103-pound division after losing to Jacob Burkett of Auburndale in the consolation finals.

Red Devil Charles Hubbard finished fourth in the 145-pound weight class and had two pins to his credit.

Lake Gibson won the event, while Lakeland finished second.

The Red Devils impressive showing gives them plenty of confidence and momentum heading into Friday's district meet, which is at Avon Park.

"The kids came through and wrestled well against top competition," said Red Devil co-coach Lee Elder. "We had the best finish of any team in our district and the highest finish of any of the 1A teams at the meet.

"The kids are giving everything they have in each match and that's all we can ask."

Sebring High Wrestlers

JUPITER-- The Sebring wrestling team prepared for the upcoming district meet by competing in the Jupiter Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

The two-day meet featured 20 teams, including state power Palm Beach Gardens, which finished first.

Blue Streak senior Shaanan Spiegel led the way by going 5-0 to win the 152-pound weight class.

Speigel had three pins in his five wins and improved to 34-1 on the season.

"Shaanan is focused on his goal of qualifying for state and he had an impressive meet," said first-year Sebring coach Denny Hays. "He dominated his opponents and is in good shape for the district meet."

Dustin Drummond managed to place second in the 119-pound division with a 5-1 record, while Michael Polatty went 2-2 in the 130-pound weight class.

Logan Juliano went 0-2 in the 135 category, while Evan Hunter posted a 1-2 mark in the 140-pound division.

Jimmy Polatty went 0-2 in the 160-pound weight class, while Shane Liskey went 1-1 in the 189-pound division.

"I'm proud of the kids because they gave excellent effort against some very physical wrestlers," said Hays. "In fact we got some guys banged up and that's not a good thing before the district meet.

"Hopefully, the guys can rest and heal up and be ready to go come Friday."