AVON PARK — Sean Spiegel was just inches from the wall during his 50-meter freestyle swim at last weekend's Sunshine Games at Rowdy Gaines Pool in Winter Haven. ...more

June 20, 2008

WINTER HAVEN — Megan Wolfe brushed aside the sort of nagging ailments that would sideline most swimmers to post eight top-five finishes, as the Highlands Hurricanes had an impressive showing at the Sunshine State Games at Rowdy Gaines Pool last weekend. The Blue Streak swim team member and state qualifier finished in the top six and earned team points in each of her 10 events, highlighted by first-place finishes in the 50-free (25.32) and 200-back (2:21.97). Wolfe also took second place in the 100-free with a 54.06 and third in the 100-back with a 1:05.75. She also grabbed fourth in the 400 IM (5:12.22) and 100 fly (1:02.97). ...more

June 18, 2008

BERLIN - Warren Buffett, whose business and investment acumen has made him one of the world's wealthiest men, said in an interview published Sunday he believes the U.S. economy is already in a recession. ...more

May 25, 2008

LAKELAND — Battling back against adversity and top-notch competition, three wrestlers from the Heartland came away with medals from the Class 1A state wrestling tournament on Saturday night. Avon Park junior James Bland earned a bronze medal at 160 pounds, Red Devil teammate Kemosi Hatten came in fifth at 171, and Sebring senior Shaanan Spiegel finished third in the 152-pound weight class. Bland, who suffered a knee injury in winning his first bout on Friday against Tampa Prep's Wes Jarrell, overcame a close 9-4 loss to eventual state champion Luke McGurrin of Jacksonville Bolles, to finish third by beating Tronic Williams of South Fort Myers by a technical fall. ...more

February 18, 2008

State title hopefuls Shaanan Spiegel of Sebring and Avon Park junior James Bland were ousted from the winner's bracket with a pair of losses on Friday night during the evening session at the Class 1A state wrestling tournament at the Lakeland Center. ...more

February 16, 2008

LAKELAND –– Sebring's Shaanan Spiegel and Avon Park's James Bland moved one step closer to state titles on Friday by dominating their opponents in the second round of the Class 1A state wrestling tournament at the Lakeland Center. Spiegel (46-1) scored a 14-2 major decision over Tommy Oetting of Matanzas of Palm Coast to propel himself into a semifinal match against Baker County of Glen St. Mary's Joshua Trippett (31-6) in the 152-pound class. Bland overcame an injured knee to score a technical fall against Tampa Prep's Wes Jarrell to set up a 160-pound class showdown with junior Luke McGurrin of Jacksonville Bolles (40-1), one many coaches say could be the best match of the tournament. But first, Bland will have to contend with a knee injury that swelled up after his second-round match. The AP junior suffered the setback when Jarrell dove for Bland's legs and his head hit by the junior's knee. ...more

February 16, 2008

LAKELAND –– Both the Heartland's regional wrestling champions won their opening matches by pin on Thursday at the Class 1A state wrestling tournament at The Lakeland Center. Avon Park junior James Bland continued his undefeated season with a pin in the second period over Matanzas junior Shane Dennis in the 160-pound class, while Sebring senior Shanaan Spiegel needed just two periods to dispatch junior Mike Hawthorne of Robinson in the 152-pound class. Bland is now 41-0 on the season, while Spiegel is 45-1. In a hotly contested 172-pound match, Calvary Christian sophomore Dominick Pierre narrowly defeated Avon Park junior Kemosi Hatten in the final seconds of the third period, sending Hatten (39-5) to wrestlebacks. All three wrestlers will compete today. Second-round competition begins at 10 a.m., while wrestlebacks kick off at 2 p.m. ...more

February 14, 2008

AVON PARK –– After winning the 152-pound weight class at the Class 1A-Region 2 wrestling meet on Saturday, Sebring senior Shaanan Spiegel wasn't overly excited. The talented Blue Streak grappler was satisfied with his performance, but with this being his third and final trip to the state meet, winning an elusive state title was foremost in his thoughts. "It feels good to win," said Spiegel. "I wrestled pretty well except for a couple of small errors. "I'm satisfied because this is my second consecutive regional championship, but my goal is to win a gold medal at state. "I didn't wrestle very well at state the last two years and I'm determined to do better, because this is my last shot." The two-day regional meet was held at South Florida Community College and it attracted 34 teams, with the top four wrestlers from each weight class advancing on to the state meet, which begins on Thursday in Lakeland. ...more

February 11, 2008

AVON PARK — Sebring senior Shaanan Spiegel walked through South Florida Community College's Panther gym, watching all his fellow wrestlers in competition, with his mind set on nothing but his upcoming match. "I just take it one match at a time," Spiegel said. "But I've been here before. This is nothing new and a lot of times my experience gives me the edge I need." Spiegel (152) turned off his iPod and entered the squared circle against Space Coast's Gage Mullins. Less than four minutes later, he walked off with minimal sweat and maximum effort given to dispatch the final opponent of the day. ...more

February 10, 2008

SEBRING — Staying poised in front of a crowd can be tough for a 13-year-old in an evening gown and high heels. But what worries Celeste Breylinger more is making the judges fall in love with her hog, Cledius. Breylinger has her sights set on both a beauty pageant crown and a blue ribbon for the hog competition at the Highlands County Fair. The annual Highlands County tradition returns to Firemen's Field from Friday, Feb. 8 through Saturday, Feb. 16. ...more

February 7, 2008