EAST LAKELAND — Some Lake Placid players stood silent as they watched West Volusia's Trey Turner warm up before they were about to take their first at-bats. Turner's fastball, which has been clocked at 60-65 mph, forced numerous pop-ups and kept Lake Placid in check, as West Volusia defeated LP 12-1 in a four-inning, mercy-rule game in the opening round of the Dixie Youth Majors (ages 11-12) "O" Zone state tournament in East Lakeland on Saturday. "That's the best pitcher and best team we've faced all year bar none," Lake Placid coach Ed Stanley said. "We couldn't catch up to [Turner's] fast ball and had very few chances to get anything going offensively." The loss dropped Lake Placid into the loser's bracket where they were scheduled to face Malone at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. ...more

July 6, 2008

AVON PARK — Taking advantage of familiar surroundings, Avon Park dominated the action on the mat by winning four weight-class titles in Friday's Class 1A-District 8 wrestling meet in the Red Devil gym. Lake Wales won the eight-team meet, which sends the top four wrestlers from each weight class to Friday's regionals at South Florida Community College. Lake Wales finished first with 152 points, while Avon Park, which advanced nine wrestlers, placed a close second with 146, despite having two less athletes than the Highlanders. ...more

February 3, 2008

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." ...more

January 28, 2008

AVON PARK — "It's tough when you don't have the numbers," SHS coach Denny Hays said after his Blue Streaks made a good showing against arch-rival Avon Park in Tuesday's dual meet, but wrestling is a numbers game. The Red Devils had the higher number on this night with a 46-28 team win over Sebring, but the Blue Streaks can walk away knowing they have quality and not necessarily quantity this season. ...more

January 24, 2008

SEBRING — Holiday breaks are great for kids, who enjoy the time off from school and homework. Wrestling coaches, on the other hand, seem to dread this time of year, as it tests each of their athlete's dedication to the sport. "It's very difficult for us as coaches with the kids not being on a regular schedule," said Avon Park wrestling coach Lee Elder. "I know the kids are eager for competition, and we'll see how they fare on the mat." ...more

January 5, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - James Gaulden is eight years removed from his Class 2A 160-pound wrestling state title, and he still gets goose bumps. ...more

January 3, 2008

In need of some offense and a spark up front, Bishop McLaughlin coach John Mayer turned to the player all the way in the back. ...more

December 23, 2007

LAKELAND — "There still not taking what we do in practice and bring that to the mat," said AP coach Lee Elder after watching many of his team underachieve during the George Jenkins Eagles, losing 45-24 in a dual meet on Wednesday. "It's frustrating to see this," AP coach Ed Brown said. "We work hours and hours in practice, but when the whistle blows, some of us still don't know what to do. "That is where we lack in experience with such a young team." ...more

December 14, 2007

Coaching success in college football is more than X's and O's or innovative game plans. Many times, a team's fate in a particular season - and a coach's future - was decided several years earlier. ...more

December 5, 2007

LAKELAND — The freshmen on the Avon Park wrestling team are wasting no time making a positive impact. Jack Bland, Greg Gentry and Erik Arocho — all ninth-graders — won their matches to lead the Red Devils to a 41-24 win over McKeel Academy in a non-district dual on Thursday night. The impressive showing by the underclassmen and the opening-season win was a pleasant surprise for Avon Park coach Ed Brown. ...more

November 17, 2007