Three years ago, as a member of Mitchell High's softball team, Tenisha Dixon realized she needed to improve. Succeeding at a higher level required increased strength and better conditioning. She turned to her mother, Regenia, Mitchell's assistant weightlifting coach. Shortly afterward, Dixon began lifting weights regularly. ...more

February 24, 2008

After losing his first match, Travis Vollick just wanted to find his way to the final day of the state wrestling tournament. ...more

February 23, 2008

In a double treat Hernando High's Stephens, Central's Jackson each place at River Ridge. ...more

February 18, 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

It has been said there are more roads than one to reach a certain destination in life. ...more

February 13, 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

Paced by two regional champions, Pasco scored 86 points to finish in third place in the Class 1A-Region 2 wrestling meet Saturday at South Florida Community College. ...more

February 10, 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

Things are certainly going to get more difficult for Travis Vollick this weekend. ...more

February 9, 2008