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

For months after a pregnant 20-year-old Marine accused a colleague of rape, her family says, she continued to work alongside her attacker and endured harassment at Camp Lejeune. ...more

January 13, 2008

Authorities said Friday that they believe they found the shallow grave of a pregnant Marine in the backyard of a comrade she accused of rape, and found evidence inside his house that suggested she had been killed. ...more

January 12, 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

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

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

AVON PARK — Coaches Lee Elder and Ed Brown are dipping deep into the well of athletes in Avon Park to find the right mix to put on the mat this season of Red Devil wrestling. Undeniable success was reaped during the program's sophomore season, as Avon Park fostered three state qualifiers and have a crop of young, talented wrestlers. "We're in a bit of a rebuilding mode this year," Elder said. "With so many new kids, our success will depend on how quick they learn this sport. We experienced so much success as a program last season in only our second year, last season should be a blueprint for what it takes for a successful wrestling program." ...more

November 16, 2007

AVON PARK — Avon Park High School senior Clarence Gochenour started small in his first year in a building construction class – making little boxes to become familiar with operating a table saw. ...more

October 14, 2007

After months of monitoring a couple convicted of tax evasion, all U.S. marshals needed to get inside their fortresslike home was a little deception. ...more

October 6, 2007