Lifetime Wrestling Fan Passed Away
Mrs. Helen Husk of Waynesburg, Pa. died Monday morning. She was 86 years old and a wrestling fan for the last 60 years.
Helen could always be seen at Waynesburg high school during wrestling season. She attended wrestling matches while going to school and then really got involved as sons James, and his brother Rick became wrestlers. She was hooked by then, but she became the talk of the wrestling community as her son James became a Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach.
She will be missed greatly by the Husk family, anyone who knew Helen remembers what a really nice lady she was.
The viewing will be on Thursday at Behm Funeral Home on West High St. in Waynesburg, the Funeral will be on Friday.
Wrestling
USA Magazine ALL-State Florida Freshman Team
First Team
Eric Gajales, Brandon H.S. State Champ 103
--2A
Eric Chandler, Braddock H.S. State Champ 103 --3A
Benjamin Carter, Barron Colllier, State Champ 135-- 2A
Joey Cozart, Temple Heights, Runner-up 1A 103 1A
Gabriel Byrd, Life Academy 3RD 1A 125-1A
Cory Monteforte, Lakewood Ranch, 4th
103 2A
Shakendrick Sanders, South Dade, 4th
130 3A
Jacob Harmer, Gainesville, 4th
130 2A
Kevin Timothy, Brandon, 5th
119 2A
Garrett Soileau, Clay, 5th
103-1A
Miquel Rios, South Dade, 6th
103-3A
SECOND TEAM
Jake Rio, Christopher Columbus
103-3A
Zach Burros, North Port
103- 2A
Pete Baldwin, Life Academy
103-1A
Donnie Bush, Okeechobee
112-2A
Alex Eggers, Osceola
125-3A
Tucker Raich, Jupiter Christian
135-1A
Byron Dames, Jupiter Christian
275-1A
Honorable Mention
Mookie Forbes, Walkula
103-1A
Frank Pettineo, Cardinal Gibbons
112-1A
Jacob Gregory, Manatee
112-2A
Chris Andrade, Coral Glades
119-2A
Herman Hernandez, Riverview
125-3A
Dustin Paridorm, Mosley
130-2A
Carlos Montero ,Coral Gables
135-3A
David Richardson, Coral Springs
140-1A
James Bland, Avon Park
152-1A
Ryan Van Valenburg, Lake Brantley
160-3A
Antonio Talley, Dunedin
160-2A
T J Mayer, Mosely
275-2A
By; Stuart Mahler State Editor Wrestling USA Magazine
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 2-21-06
FINAL RANKING
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Dr. Krop
5. Braddock
6. Winter Springs
7. Jupiter Christian
8. Hialeah
9. Suwannee
9. Gainesville
11. Palmetto Ridge
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 2-13-06
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Durant
5. Braddock
6. Hialeah
7. Osceola
8. Clay
9. Suwannee
10. Cardinal Gibbons
10. Manatee
10. Gainesville
10. Flagler Palm Coast
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 2-5-06
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Durant
5. Braddock
6. Hialeah
7. Osceola
8. Flagler Palm Coast
9. Winter Springs
10. Countryside
10. Clay
10. Suwannee
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-28-06
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Durant
5. Braddock
6. Hialeah
7. Osceola
8. Flagler Palm Coast
9. Manatee
10. Countryside
10. Clay
10. Suwannee
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-22-06
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Durant
5. Braddock
6. Hialeah
7. Osceola
8. Flagler Palm Coast
9. Manatee
10. Countryside
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-15-06
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Durant
5. Osceola
6. Southridge
7. Flagler Palm Coast
8. Manatee
9. Countryside
9. Hialeah
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-7-06
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Flagler Palm Coast
5. Durant
6. Osceola
7. Southridge
8. Manatee
9. Countryside
9. Clay
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 12-25-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Flagler Palm Coast
5. Bloomingdale
6. South Ridge
7. Braddock
8. Hialeah
9. Suwannee
9. Clay
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
FloridaKids.us
Florida Wrestling Rankings
released December 21, 2005
Compiled by John Lawton, Administrator, Florida & JL's
Wrestling Pages
Based on votes of coaches, fans and parents
ALL STATE
1 - Brandon (119);
2 - Oviedo (108 );
3 - Homestead South Dade (94);
4 - Live Oak Suwannee (65);
5 - Miami Southridge (45);
6 - Green Cove Springs Clay (41);
7 - Miami Braddock (34);
8 - Flagler Palm Coast (24);
9 (tie) Hialeah and Winter Springs (22);
11 - Naples Palmetto Ridge (21);
12 - Orlando Olympia (12);
13 - Durant (10);
14 - Ft Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (10);
15 - St Cloud (9);
16 - Venice (7);
17 - Kissimmee Osceola (6);
18 - Miami Krop (4);
19 - Tampa Jesuit (3);
20 - Valrico Bloomingdale (2);
CLASS 1A
1 - Live Oak Suwannee (85);
2 - Green Cove Springs Clay (80);
3 - Naples Palmetto Ridge (72);
4 - Ft Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (60);
5 - Tampa Jesuit (58 ) ;
6 - Jupiter Christian (45);
7 - Ft Myers Riverdale (39);
8 - Jensen Beach (20);
9 - Englewood Lemon Bay (18 ) ;
10 - Hollywood Chaminade (13);
Others - Tampa Robinson (4), Ft Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy
(1),
Panama City Bay (1), Brooksville Hernando (1);
Class 2A
1 - Brandon (40);
2 - St Cloud (36);
3 - Venice (29);
4 - Lakeland Lake Gibson (27);
5 - Gainesville (22);
6 - Spring Hill Springstead (20);
7 - Bradenton Manatee (16);
8 - Land O'Lakes (12);
9 (tie) Punta Gorda Charlotte and North Port (4);
Others - Cape Coral and St Petersburg Northeast (3),
Tallahassee Lincoln (2), Fleming Island (1);
Class 3A
1 - Oviedo (30);
2 - Homestead South Dade (27);
3 - Miami Southridge (10);
4 - Miami Braddock (16);
5 - Flagler Palm Coast (13);
6 (tie) - Orlando Olympia, Hialeah and Bloomingdale (10);
9 - Winter Springs (8 );
10 - Durant (7);
Others - Miami Krop (5), Clearwater Countryside (4),
Orlando Timber Creek (3), Kissimmee Osceola (2),
Orlando Edgewater (1);
TOP WRESTLERS
ALL STATE
103 - Eric Grajales, Brandon;
112 - Scotti Sentes, Ft Myers Riverdale;
119 - Frank Celorrio, Hialeah;
125 - James Brown, Brandon;
130 - Alex Aaroz, Brandon and Cory Baudendistel, Clay;
135 - Ryan Nye, Valrico Bloomingdale;
140 - Andre Johnson, Jupiter Christian;
145 - Sean Joyce, Brandon;
152 - Rudy Galarza, Miami Southridge;
160 - Damion Stephenson, Miami Krop;
171 - David Craig, Brandon;
189 - David Green, Oviedo;
215 - Ismael Vargas, Miami Krop;
275 - Kenny Lester, Oviedo;
Class 1A
103 - Scott Bouthiller, Lemon Bay;
112 - Scotti Sentes, Riverdale;
119 - Elias Rey Palmetto Ridge;
125 - Zach Mastro, Palmetto Ridge;
130 - Cory Baudendistel, Clay;
135 - Alex Piasecki, Jupiter Christian,
140 - Andre Johnson, Jupiter Christian;
145 - George Bancroft, Cardinal Gibbons;
152 - Lee Laxton, Suwannee;
160 - Nick Raich, Jupiter Christian;
171 - Justin Windley, Tampa Robinson
189 - Johnathan Valasquez, Jupiter Christian;
215 - Simmons Vance, University Christian;
275 - Bobby Christopher, Cardinal Gibbons;
Class 2A
103 - Eric Grajales, Brandon;
112 - Kyle Keller, Brandon;
119 - Anthony Jorge, Lake Gibson;
125 - James Brown, Brandon;
130 - Alex Araoz, Brandon;
135 - Jacob Harmer, Gainesville;
140 - Dakota Rahme, Cape Coral;
145 - Sean Joyce, Brandon;
152 - Keith Koziel, Brandon;
160 - Brett Nelson, Venice;
171 - David Craig, Brandon;
189 - Jeremie Cook, Venice;
215 - Lee Campbell, Gulf Coast;
275 - Anthony Saputo, Venice;
Class 3A
103 - Tommy Bennett, Durant;
112 - Todd Freeman, Olympia;
119 - Frank Celorrio, Hialeah;
125 - Tico Baez, South Dade;
130 - Aymen Habiballah, Miami Krop;
135 - Ryan Nye, Bloomingdale;
140 - Dwayne Tolleson, Winter Springs;
145 - Brandon Hatchett, Winter Springs;
152 - Rudy Galarza, Miami Southridge;
160 - Damion Stephenson, Miami Krop;
171 - Jesse Robbins, Oviedo;
189 - David Green, Oviedo;
215 - Ismael Vargas, Miami Krop;
275 - Kenny Lester, Oviedo;
This poll may not be copied onto any other web site without permission from John Lawton. Wrestling USA Magazine has my permission to post these.
Media outlets, newspapers and sports writers may reproduce
these rankings only if they identify them as FloridaKids.us Florida
High School Wrestling Rankings.
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 12-18-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Flagler Palm Coast
5. Bloomingdale
6. South Ridge
7. Braddock
8. Hialeah
9. Suwannee
9. Clay
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 12-11-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Flagler Palm Coast
5. Bloomingdale
6. South Ridge
7. Venice
8. Hialeah
9. Suwannee
9. Gainesville
9. St. Cloud
9. Winter Springs
9. Timber Creek
9. Clay
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 12-11-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Flagler Palm Coast
5. Bloomingdale
6. South Ridge
7. Venice
8. Hialeah
9. Suwannee
9. Gainesville
9. St. Cloud
9. Winter Springs
9. Timber Creek
9. Clay
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 11-27-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Miami Southridge
5. Braddock
6. Venice
7. Cardinal Gibbons
8. Suwannee
9. Clay
9. Durant
9. Gainesville
9. St. Cloud
9. Dr. Krop
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Thursday
our fellow referee, David Mendoza Passed Away
Thursday our fellow referee, David Mendoza keeled over at Dr.
Phillips High School. He was at the venue to see his daughter
wrestle and also to video his fellow referees in order to evaluate
them.
David has been a wrestling official for only a few years but he
has worked both as a FHSAA scholastic official and also as an
Olympic style official with the USWOA. He has made significant
contributions during his short tenure and there is no doubt he
will be missed.
Here is the information I have:
Dear fellow coaches and officials,
David Mendoza Memorial Services will be as follows:
Place:
Family Funeral Care
7565 Red Bug Lake Road
Oviedo Next to Lowe's off of 417
Date:
Monday, November 14, 2005
Time:
5 PM 6 PM Friendly Gathering
6 PM 7 PM Memorial Services
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 10-28-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Miami Southridge
5. Braddock
6. Venice
7. Cardinal Gibbons
8. Suwannee
9. Clay
9. Durant
9. Gainesville
9. St. Cloud
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
The
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Florida Chapter will host its
sixth Honors Weekend at the Lake Ashton Golf and Country Club,
4140 Ashton Club Drive, Lake Wales, FL 33859 on Friday and Saturday
August 26th and 27th.
This year the inductees to be honored are:
Ralph Ballou contributor and official from Miami
Kevin Carpenger coach from Altamonte Springs
Joeseph Gicobbe coach and official from Miami
James Hazewinkle coach from Pensacola
Randy Jessee coach from Orlando and
David Laxton coach and contributor from Live Oak
Reservations for the Honors Weekend may be obtained by contacting Gary Townsend 3167 Hoylake Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467 or calling (561) 439-2429 or sending a Fax. to (561) 736-6261 or Email to:
Gltowns
The actual schedule of events is:
Friday August 26th Golf practice round for $30.00 all day
At 8:00 PM, "Meet the Inductees" social and reception at the host hotel, Best Western Admiral's Inn, 5665 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33884 1-800-247-2799. Reservations to attend the "Meet the Inductees" can be obtained by filling out a reservations form or paying at the door, $10.00.
Saturday 8:00 AM the charity Golf Tournament at the Lake Ashton Golf and Country Club tickets are $75.00/person or $3000.00/foursome. This is the main fund raiser for the Florida Chapter and your participation is necessary and appreciated
10:30 AM Brunch for those not playing golf, $15.00.
1:00 PM Luncheon at Lake Ashton Golf And Country Club tickets included for those playing golf.
6:00 7:00 PM Cash Bar and Reception at the Lake Ashton Golf and Country Club
7:00-8:00 PM Dinner at Lake Ashton Golf and Country Club $35.00
8:00-10:00 PM Induction ceremonies for Class of 2005
WHY THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME FLORIDA CHAPTER?
Those who made early contributions to the sport of wrestling made possible the opportunities participants enjoy today. Pioneers established the early programs, overcame barriers, set the standards and developed the enthusiasm for the sport of wrestling in Florida
Those who came before set the standards and their example will serve to inspire others who learn about the history of wrestling in Florida. The individuals who sacrificed, set records, accomplished goals, maintained the programs and were dedicated to Florida wrestling set the precedents and serve as models for those who will follow.
The opportunity to teach by citing models requires that those of us who are active today take the time to research and recognize those who came before us. Exceptional length of service, outstanding accomplishment and special contributions deserve to be acknowledged and the individuals responsible thanked.
Taking time to celebrate our leaders and those who have contributed provides both the opportunity to learn about and thank those individuals. Bringing those who are to be honored together with those they served creates a reunion that may rekindle the love for wrestling that all shared at one time. There are other reasons to support the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Florida Chapter.
First, it allows the Florida wrestling community to honor those who have contributed to amateur wrestling
Second, it provides the opportunity to bring together the wrestlers, coaches, referees and volunteer contributors in a wonderful social setting to recall their relationships and experiences.
Third, it sometimes motivates those who have dropped out of wrestling to become involved again.
Fourth, it brings attention to the sport of wrestling in the media.
Fifth, it is simply a way to say THANK YOU to individuals who have been responsible for the programs we participate in.
Please feel free to nominate deserving individuals at any time. Contact me personally for a nomination form or download it from the Florida Chapter website at:
http://floridachapter.com/ http://floridachapter.com or hofsite.myinlinestudios.com
Ira Fleckman
Vice-President for Nominations
10604 Whitman Circle
Orlando, FL 32821-8619 Email: IraFleckman@aol.com
INDUCTEES TO THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME FLORIDA CHAPTER
2000
Mort Geller-Official(Miami Beach); Rick Tucci-Official(Miami-Dade & Broward); Russ Cozart-Coach(Brandon); Jim Husk-Coach(Miami) and Harriette Weller-Contributor(Clearwater Beach)
2001
Charles Almeida-Official(Miami); Brian Bain Official/Contributor(Lakeland); John Davis Coach(Miami); Johnny Rouse- Coach/Contributor(Orlando); Steve Evanoff Official(Miami) and Monsignor Michael Devine Outstanding American(Clearwater)
2002
Gary Fries Coach(Fort Myers); David Frayer Coach(Clearwater); John Heyman Official/Contributor(Villa Rica); Greg Bondurant Official(Lakeland), Lt. Governor Frank Brogan Outstanding American(Tallahassee) and Captain Stephen Archer Coach/Official/Contributor & Outstanding American(Port Charlotte)
2003
Jerry Biller Coach(Venice); Charles Zies Coach(Miami); John Lyzott Coach(Fort Lauderdale); Robert Herman Coach/Contributor(Pensacola), Bob walker Coach/Contributor(St. Petersburg) and Mike McCoy- Coach/Contributor(Homestead).
2004
Wili Sargable Medal of Courage Award(Riverview); Wayne Stapleford Coach/Contributor(Sebring); Steve DeAugustino Coach(Palm Coast); John "Jeff" Davis Coach/Contributor(Gainesville); Ron Shulz Coach/Contributor(Hollywood) and Walter Allison Official(Oldsmar).
2005
Ralph Ballou Contribtor/Official(Miami), Kevin Carpenger Coach(Lake Brantley), Joseph Gicobbe Coach/Official(Miami), James Hazewinkle Outstanding American/Coach(Pensacola), Randy Jessee Coach(Orlando), David Laxton Coach/Contributor(Live Oak).
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Florida Chapter is proud of those already inducted and looks forward to processing additional nominees. A nomination form may be submitted by anyone at any time. The nomination forms may be downloaded from:
Nominations may be made at any time by contacting:
Ira Fleckman
Vice-president for Nominations
10604 Whitman Circle
Orlando, FL 32821-8619
(407) 352-9314
<mailto:IraFleckman@aol.com>IraFleckman@aol.co
Those to be nominated must fall into three areas:
Lifetime Service to Wrestling (at least 20 years of service as a coach, official or contributor)
Outstanding American/Floridian a person of national acclaim in their profession with a background in wrestling
Medal of Courage a wrestler who has overcome insurmountable challenges to become successful.
Mike
Rio Former Miami Southridge 2X State Champion Wins 2nd National
Title
Mike Rio who has been an outstanding wrestler since he started
wrestling for Cutler Ridge Middle school, and after he won 2 Florida
High School State Championships wrestling for Hall of Fame Coach
Jim Husk at Miami Southridge, and last year wrestling for Harper
CC he won the NJCAA National Title at 149 pounds, has now won
the NAIA National Wrestling Title at 149 pounds while wrestling
for Lindenwood in Missouri.
Mike drew a first round bye; in the 2nd round he defeated Thomas
Konechne, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) WBF 5:28. In the Championship
Quarterfinals Rio defeated Shane Cristelli, Missouri Valley, 11-2.
Mike beat Chris Harada, Simon Fraser (B.C.) in the Championship
Semifinals, and in the Final for the prestigious NAIA National
Title he WBF over Darren Cotton, William Penn (Iowa) in 4:48.
Rio finished the season with a record of 29-1 and for the 2nd
year in a row he was the number 1 wrestler in his weight class
in the division that he wrestled in.
Written by
Stuart Mahler
State Editor Wrestling USA Magazine
National
Wrestling Hall of Fame Florida Chapter Class of 2005
CLASS OF 2005
INDUCTEES TO THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME FLORIDA CHAPTER
2000
Mort Geller-Official, Miami; Rick Tucci-Official Dade/Broward; Russ Cozart-Coach Brandon; Jim Husk-Coach Miami and Harriette Weller-Contributor Clearwater Beach
2001
Charles Almeida-Official Miami; Brian Bain Official/Contributor Lakeland; John Davis Coach Miami; Johnny Rouse- Coach/Contributor Orlando; Steve Evanoff Official Plantation and Monsignor Michael Devine Outstanding American Clearwater
2002
Gary Fries Coach; David Frayer Coach Clearwater; John Heyman Official/Contributor Valrico; Greg Bondurant Official Lakeland, Lt. Governor Frank Brogan Outstanding American Tallahassee and Captain Stephen Archer Coach/Official/Contributor & Outstanding American Port Charlotte
2003
Jerry Biller Coach Venice; Charles Zies Coach Miami; John Lyzott Coach Fort Lauderdale; Robert Herman Coach/Contributor Pensacola; Bob walker Coach/Contributor St. Perersburg/Micanopy and Mike McCoy- Coach/Contributor Homestead.
2004
Wili Sargable Medal of Courage Award Riverview; Wayne Stapleford Coach/Contributor Sebring; Steve DeAugustino Coach Palm Coast; John "Jeff" Davis Coach/Contributor Gainesville; Ron Shulz Coach/Contributor Hollywood and Walter Allison Official Oldsmar.
2005
Ralph Ballou Contribtor/Official Miami; Kevin Carpenger Coach Altamonte Springs; Joseph Gicobbe Coach/Official Miami; James Hazewinkle Coach Pensacola; Randy Jessee Coach Orlando; David Laxton Coach/Contributor Live Oak
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Florida Chapter is proud of those already inducted and looks forward to processing additional nominees. A nomination form may be submitted by anyone at any time. The nomination forms may be downloaded from:
OR
http://www.floridausawrestling.org/
RALPH BALLOU Official/Contributor
The Florida High School Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations both issued certificates to Ralph Ballou for 25 years of service. The United States Wrestling Officials Association has documented 21 years of volunteer service to amateur wrestling for Ralph Ballou at the regional, national and international level. These certificates only tell a small part of the story of Ralph's efforts to expand opportunities for Florida's youth in amateur wrestling.
Ralph served as an Area Director for the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association and when not helping to organize Saturday tournaments or officiate them, he would visit wrestling coaches, athletic directors and principals in an effort to convince them of the importance of wrestling to their athletic program and especially the importance of the Olympic styles program. Ralph was responsible for the establish of four new clubs.
Ralph could always be counted upon to help in any way he could to promote Florida wrestling. When health problems kept him off the mat as an official, he pitched in to help his wife, Mary, in the pairing room. There was no area in amateur wrestling where Ralph wasn't willing to help.
In addition to his refereeing skills; Ralph Ballou was always positive, cheerful and able to supply common sense when it was in short supply and to bring a peaceful and fair solution to problems when tempers flared. His humility kept him in the background but didn't diminish his effectiveness in promoting amateur wrestling.
Dr. KEVIN CARPENGER Coach
Dr. Kevin Carpenger has been the Head Wrestling Coach at Lake Brantley HS since 1977. His overall record consists of 218 wins, 164 losses and 4 ties. He has coached 98 State Qualifiers, one Champion and 9 placers. His team won the District and Region Championships in 1991. These are important accomplishments but they reflect only part of his record. He has consistently fielded complete varsity and junior varsity line-ups. He and his teams are recognized for their discipline, knowledge of the rules and overall sportsmanship.
Some of Dr. Carpenger's individual accomplishments include: 1972 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1972 Outstanding College Atheltes, 1982 Lake Brantley Teacher of the Year, 1982 Five Star Conference Coach of the Year, 1988 Florida Athletic Coaches Association District Chairman, 1989 Scholastic Coach Magazine National High School Coaching Award, Wrestling Coach Gold Award, 1992 Co-founder All Seminole County Academic Wrestling Team, 1997 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Service Award 20 Years, 1997 Florida Citrus Sports Coach of the Year Seminole County, 1998 Seminole County Coach of the Year, 1998 Co-Founder Seminole County Female Wrestling Program, 1999 The Sports Authority Award for Outstanding Athletic Leadership, 2003 Established Central Florida Wrestling Coaches Charity Challenge Meet to benefit Hospice/Cancer Society, 2002-2004 Florida High School Athletic Association Wrestling Advisory Committee Board Member.
Dr. Carpenger has supported all phases of amateur wrestling. He has encouraged kids wrestling, girls wrestling as well as the high school program. Dr. Kevin Carpenger has never allowed his great enthusiasm for wrestling to diminish his encouragement of academics or adherence to the highest standards of good sportsmanship.
JOSEPH GICOBBE Coach/Official
Josepf Gicobbe's career began as an assistant coach at Christopher Columbus HS in 1979 he quickly moved on to become Head Wrestling Coach at North Miami HS and then in 1995 he became Head Wrestling Coach at North Miami Beach HS. His records include: 230 wins, 95 lost and 2 ties 6 State Champions, 66 State Qualifiers, 20 GMAC Champions, 18 Regional Champions. His teams won 6 District Championships, 2 Region Championships and were State Runner-ups in 1985. He also served as a Florida High School Athletic Association referee for 23 years.
Joe Gicobbe supported all phases of amateur wrestling often providing transportation for his wrestlers to tournaments. Joe is well known and admired for working with youngsters who were not the best citizens or scholars in his school. Using wrestling to instill a sense of discipline, Joe was able to help many youngsters develop into productive citizens. At least three of his State Champions was accepted and wrestled and graduated from Ivy League universities.
Joe Gicobbe's teams and wrestlers were always competitive but beyond his career records is the fact that Joe remained devoted to his tough Miami wrestlers mentoring them in more than wrestling techniques.
JAMES HAZEWINKEL Coach
Jim Hazewinkel has been a wrestling coach for 33 years. After coaching at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Minnesota, he moved to Pensacola Christian College in 1991. His overall coaching record is 304 wins, 184 losses and 10 ties. He won 2 National College titles in Minnesota 1976 and 1980.
James Hazewinkel established Pensacola Christian College's first wrestling team and for a few years provided the only college level wrestling in the State of Florida. His accomplishments during his tenure in Florida include: 4 National Christian College Association titles 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998, 2 National Collegiate Wrestling titles 1999 and 2000. Since his move to Florida his program has produced 37 individual National Champions. He has been voted National Coach of the Year 5 times: NCCAA 1993,1994,1995 and 1996, NCWA 2002.
Since moving to Florida, Jim has also competed in the AAU Master's Division and won championships in 1998, 2000 and 2004.
Jim has already been inducted into four Halls of Fame: 1975 NAIA National Wrestling Hall of Fame, 1983 St. Cloud State University Hall of Fame (individual) , 1997 Minnesota State Wrestling Hall of Fame and 2004 St. Cloud State University Hall of Fame (team).
Jim's contributions go beyond wrestling. In his own words, "I believe the Lord has called me to teach and coach. It is a ministry and I love working with young man who want to wrestle for the honor and glory of the Lord."
RANDY JESSEE Coach
Randy Jessee has been a teacher and wrestling coach for 30 years. His overall record is 545 wins, 42 losses and 1 tie. He has coached at only two schools: Bishop Moore HS 1975 1990 and University HS 1990 2005. His team records include: Orange Belt Conference Championships 1978,1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, Metro Conference Championships 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, District Championships 1979, 1980,1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, Regional Championships 1981, 1986, 1988, 1989, State Championship 1981. Randy has coached his teams to top ten finishes in the state 20 times. He has coached 14 individual State Champions.
Randy Jessee's coaching accomplishments include: 10 times Orange Belt Conference Coach of the Year, 9 times Metro Conference Coach of the Year, 1981 Florida High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year, 1983 Nominee for National Coach of the Year, Induction into the Bishop Moore Hall of Fame and the Metro Conference Hall of Fame
Randy Jessee has also provided leadership running or assisting wrestling programs sponsored by the Orange County Police Athletic League, the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association and the University of Central Florida.
DAVID LAXTON Coach/Contributor
David Laxton's coaching career began in 1968 as a volunteer assistant at Davis Hills Junior HS in Alabama. After graduation from Auburn University in he again volunteered as Assistant Coach at JO Johnson HS in Alabama for two years. During the years, 1975 76, David became Head Coach at Bob Jones HS in Augusta, GA, 1979-80 and then mover to Gordan County HS in Calhoun, GA. David arrived in Florida in 1981 and began his tenure as Head Coach at Suwannee HS in Live Oak, FL. Froom 2000-2002, David served as Head Coach at Columbia HS at Lake City, FL. In 2004, David served as a volunteer assistant at Suwannee Middle School. David resumed the position of Head Coach at Suwannee HS at Live Oak, FL., in 2005.
David Laxton's teams during his 18 years at Suwannee compiled a dual meet record of 206 wins, 24 losses and 2 ties. His teams also earned State Championships in 1982, 1991 and 1996 they were runners-up in 1995, 1997, 1998 and finished 3rd in the State in 1984 and 1999. David Laxton's teams also won 9 Regional Championships in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999; 13 District Championships in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999. David was recognized as Gainesville Suns Coach of the Year 1990-91, 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1998-99. He was Florida's nominee for National Coach of the Year in 1992. His wrestlers earned 10 individual state championships and 11 All American honors over the years.
David's personal achievements include: USA Wrestling Bronze
Level Coach, USWA State Wrestling Chairman three years in Alabama,
Florida High School Athletic Association Coaches Advisory Committee
3 years, Team Coach for the 2000 National High School Coaches
Association Florida National Championship Team, Host of the First
Father Devine Tournament 1983, USA Wrestling coach and Club Director
since 1975, Founding Member of Board of Directors member for the
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Florida Chapter since 1999 and
Inducted into Suwannee County Sports Hall of Fame for Service
to Wrestling 2003.
Florida's
Best Freshman
Four months ago over 9000 wrestlers filled Florida's high school wrestling rooms with hopes and dreams of becoming a state champion. As the season came to a close last weekend only 14 of the 672 wrestlers in Lakeland who made it to the State Championship Round of 8 or placed in the Top 6 were Freshman.
As a result, those champions of tomorrow have been named to Florida's 1st Team All-State Freshman Squad. They are:
1-A Scott Sentes, Riverdale (103);Chad Mazurek, Cardinal Gibbons (103); Lance Day, Bolles (103); Colby Borchetta, Archbishop McCarthy (103); Zack Mastro, Palmento Ridge (112); Daphillo Success, Glades Central (119); Jake Schalles Bishop Moore (119); Rich Dehnz, Palmetto Ridge (130); George Bancroft, Cardinal Gibbons (140); and Jerico Weitzel, Bolles (189).
2-A Chase Roundtree, Gainsville (103); and C.J. Cook, Springstead (103).
3-A Austin Figari, Bloomingdale (103); Rodrigo Baez, South Dade (112)
Even more notable were two outstanding young wrestlers who made it to the Lakeland Civic Center as 8th graders. They are Eric Grajales from Temple Heights who finished 2nd at 103 pounds in 1-A and Zaqueray Berridge, also from Temple Heights at 135 pounds, who ended his season with 39 wins.
Honorable Mention State Qualifier
1-A Brandon Jones, Crystal River (103); Eric Dupree, Berkley Prep (103); Dylan Rico, Belen Jesuit (103); Jordan Cone, BAY (112); John Koney, Crystal River (112); Elias Rey, Palmetto Ridge (119); Jordan Thompson, Palmetto Ridge (125); Larry Carnes, Clay (152).
2-A Daniel Cappello, Flagler Palm Coast (103); Timothy Doran, Jupiter (103).
3-A Steve Bliss, Pinellas Park (103);Andrew Sifakis, Lake Mary (112); Allen Held, South Broward (135)
Written by
Stuart Mahler
State Editor Wrestling USA Magazine
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 2-27-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Cardinal Gibbons
5. St. Cloud
6. Hialeah
7. Winter Springs
8. Venice
9. Braddock
10. Suwannee
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 2-13-05
1. Brandon
1. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Braddock
5. Hialeah
6. Venice
7. Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Countryside
9. Durant
9. Wakula
9. St. Cloud
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 2-6-05
1. Brandon
1.Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Braddock
5. Hialeah
6. Venice
7. Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Orlando Olympia
10. Suwannee
10. Countryside
10. Durant
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-30-05
1. Brandon
1.Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Braddock
5. Hialeah
6. Venice
7. Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Orlando Olympia
10. Suwannee
10. Countryside
10. Durant
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-23-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Braddock
5. Hialeah
6. Venice
7. Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Orlando Olympia
10. Suwannee
10. Countryside
10. Durant
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-16-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4.Venice
5. South Ridge
6. Hialeah
7. Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Orlando Olympia
10. Suwannee
10. Durant
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-9-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Hialeah
5. Cardinal Gibbons
6. Clay
7. Orlando Olympia
8. Braddock
9. Venice
10. Durant
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 1-2-05
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Braddock
5. Hialeah
6. Southridge
7. Cardinal Gibbons
8. Venice
9. Clearwater Countryside
10. Orlando Olympia
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Sunshine
Open Wrestling Tournament Schoolboy and Kids Divisions Results
Lakeland Center, Lakeland, FL
PEEWEE
45 lbs
1. Zachary Sherman - Plantation
2. Hamid Salahutdin - Guardian
3. Colby Singletary - Wolfpack
BANTAM
47 lbs
1. Geoffrey Doback - Black & Blue
2. Shay Leatherman - UNA
53 58 lbs
1. Jesse Fulk - Manatee
2. Carson Wall - Manatee
59-62 lbs
1. Chase Singletary - Wolfpack
2. Dillon Welch - Black & Blue
MIDGET
65 lbs
1. Donnie Jankowski - Manatee
2. Conor Ross - Spring Hill
3. Connor Barrington - Manatee
70 lbs
1. Fox Baldwin - Attack
2. Luciano Guidoni - Stuart
3. Donnie Jankowski - Manatee
80 lbs
1. Cody Ross - Spring Hill
2. Dontae' McGee - Brandon
3. Alex Bernhardt - Manatee
88-92 lbs
1. Sean Redman - Spring Hill
2. Luis Peguero - Brandon
130
1. Aaron Bradley - Team - Extreme
NOVICE
70 lbs
1. Travis Fulk - Manatee
2. Andrew Rankin - Walhalla, SC
90 lbs
1. Bobby Dehnz - CCPC
2. Alex Doran - Manatee
3. David Dougherty - CCPC
95 lbs
1. Pete Baldwin - Attack
2. Ryan Leatherman - UNA
97-106 lbs
1. Kyle Koziel - North Port
2. Daniel Redman - Spring Hill
120
1. Brian Lussian - Fighting Irish
2. Michael Curtis - Ellet
130 lbs
1. Ben Bradley - Team Xtreme, GA
2. Michael Ettore - BWC
SCHOOLBOY
100 lbs
1. Scott Clock - Outlaws
2. Pete Baldwin - Attack
3. Schyler Swanton - Spring Hill
105
1. Kyle Brooks - Takedown
2. Thomas Gayer - CCPS
3. Richie Blasucci - Cougar
110 lbs
1. DJ Timms - LaBelle
2. Anthony Phillips - CCPS
3. Jermain William - Bulldog
121 127 lbs
1. Alex Eggeus - Attack
2. Gabriel Bird - Attack
3. Zack Mastro - CCPS
145 lbs
1. Erin O'Dell - Oceanside
2. Isaac Riley - Manatee
3. Luther Clisbee - Haverhill
159-169 lbs
1. Andrew Fulk - Manatee
2. Dustin Woods - Wolfpack
205 lbs
1. Anthony Clisbee - Haverhill
TEAM POINTS:
1. Manatee Wrestling Club 32
2. Spring Hill Wrestling Club 19
3. Attack Wrestling Club 18
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 12-20-04
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Hialeah
5. Braddock
6. Southridge
7. Green Cove Springs Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Venice
10. Orlando Olympia
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 Teams All Classes 12-20-04
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Hialeah
5. Braddock
6. Southridge
7. Green Cove Springs Clay
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Venice
10. Orlando Olympia
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida
Top 10 teams All Classes 12-13-04
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. South Dade
4. Braddock
5. Hialeah
6. Live Oak Suwannee
7. Cardinal Gibbons
8. Durant
9. Clay
10. Venice
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Mark
Schultz Clinic and Tourney
Marianna, Florida
November 13, 2004
USA WRESTLING CARD REQUIRED
Sponsored by FAWA
Mark Schultz
1984 Olympic Champion
2X World Champion
3X NCAA Champion (1982 OW)
7X National Champion
UFC Champion
National Wrestling Hall of Fame
California Hall of Fame
$50 FEE WHICH INCLUDES USA CARD
(If you have a USA WRESTLING card the fee will be $20.00)
CLINIC 2 SESSIONS
1ST SESSION 10AM-12NOON
2ND SESSION 1PM-3PM
TOURNAMENT IS ONLY FOR THOSE
ATTENDING CLINIC $6 FEE
WEIGH-INS FROM 8-9:30
WRESTLING TO START 3PM
For any info necessary contact Stuart Mahler
Head Coach Marianna H.S. at 305-970-2032
Cory
Waldron wins Outstanding Wrestler Award at Bulldog Open
held in Crestview.
Cory represented the newly formed Marianna wrestling club at
112 pounds this past Saturday at Crestview High School. The Marianna
wrestler was chosen OW after beating his 1st opponent Scott Lae
from Fort Walton Beach 11-1, he then pinned Ian Kelly from Crestview
in 27 seconds. He pinned his 3rd opponent Josh Jenkins in 34 seconds,
and he pinned his final opponent Kyle Miller from Fort Walton
Beach in 39 seconds.
Cory was the only member of the Marianna wrestling club to
compete in this event, Coach Mahler was quite pleased with his
performance, but stated that official high school season starts
on November 1st and it is a long way to the FHSAA State Wrestling
championships held each year in late February in the Lakeland
Civic Center.
Coach Mahler hopes to have a big turn out for the Marianna
High School wrestling team starting on November 1st. He states
that Marianna has many fine athletes and quite a few of these
young men have committed themselves to coming out for wrestling
this season and he expects to have complete Varsity and JV squads.
Any 9th, 10th, or 11th grader interested in wrestling should
see Coach Mahler this week, because November 1st is right around
the corner. Marianna High School has had many fine wrestling teams
and we expect to have a good team for many years to come.
USA
National Team at Palm Beach County Youth Wrestling Camps
We are excited about having the USA National Freestyle Team Training
in West Palm Beach, FL for two weeks before the Olympics. We are
having our First Annual Palm Beach County Youth Wrestling Camps
in conjunction with their training sessions. Here is a flyer detailing
the information about our camp. We are offering a rebate for clubs
and money could go back to your clubs if you have athletes come
to the camp. Please share the information about our camps with
your wrestlers this is an opportunity to train with the best and
see first hand how the top wrestlers in the nation train. If
you cannot view the flyer you can contact me for additional information.
Thanks,
Aaron Chambliss
CODP Coordinator
Palm Beach County Sports Institute
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 1410
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-233-1015 ext. 515 (office)
561-233-1012 (fax)
mailto:achambliss@palmbeachsports.com
www.palmbeachsports.com
Job
opening for an Asst.
Coach for Miami Southridge/Head Coach Cutler Ridge M.S.
we are looking for a dual role asst. coach to assist Head Coach
Kenny Johnson at Miami Southridge H.S. and for this same person
to be head coach at Cutler Ridge Middle School. Middle school
responsibilities mandatory. PE. AND SPECIAL ED teaching positions
available. RECENT GRADUATE WITH COLLEGE WRESTLING EXPERIENCE,strong
wrestling background preferred.
for more info you can call stuart mahler at 305-970-2032
It was in a tiny locker room in North Miami that my real education
began. I was on of many 7th graders searching for something, and
I found it. Coach Sam Mc Woodson was the junior high school P.E.
teacher who taught, guided, prodded, and eventually molded my
peers and me into what we are today.
The subject was wrestling. The lessons were honor, hard work,
commitment, respect, and belief. The method was "watch and
learn". Coach McWoodson was the man who made a sanctuary
out of a locker room. We had to check our problems, arrogance,
and prejudices at the door. There was no place for pettiness in
the presence of greatness.
In our sanctuary we learned that if we were going to get anywhere
in life we had to work hard. We also learned that because we worked
hard we were worthy of becoming champions. To Coach Mac championships
weren't necessarily medals, but they were A's in science, acceptances
into colleges, or simply handling a difficult defeat with dignity.
No accomplishments went unnoticed, and no lack of effort was
accepted. Mr. McWoodson gave his best effort everyday as our teacher,
and he demanded that every one of his pupils strive to reach the
highest level that their talent permitted. Coach Mac's eyes would
dance, as he would tell stories about former students. 'You remind
me of Jon Doe. He won state in "84, and now he's a lawyer.
I think you can be better than he was." These guys became
our heroes. They became immortal because of their commitment to
excellence and we all aspired to gain that level of respect for
ourselves.
Explaining what Coach Mac taught us on one sheet of paper is
like trying to stuff Mount Everest into a janitor's closet. Mere
words can't express the daily lessons of life and humility that
still push me to be the best man that I can be. It is no coincidence
that from my former teams that there are eight teachers and wrestling
coaches. It is our tribute to the great one, and although we have
never actually discussed it we all know that we share a secret
education, brotherhood, or fraternity. We walked into our sanctuary
as insecure, borderline hoodlums. We left as future heroes and
immortals heading into the world determined to bring pride and
honor back to the great man who molded us into men. Coach Sam
McWoodson taught us that the most important thing in life was
to believe in people, and his legacy is living on.
Homestead
YMCA Wins State Kids and Cadets
Wrestling Championship.
The Florida Amateur Wrestling Association held their State
Wrestling Championships on March 20, at Martin County High School
in Stuart, Florida.
This tournament was a great success; there were over 450 entries
from around the state. Wilbert Johnson and Curt Dewberry founded
the Homestead YMCA Wrestling program only 3 years ago, and they
were a force to be reckoned with. Not only did they win the state
title but also they beat perennial power Brandon in doing so.
The YMCA program has produced some outstanding Middle school and
High School wrestlers already, and will continue to do so in the
future.
Coach Dewberry and his assistant coaches work very hard on
a year round basis. They attend all Local, Statewide and National
youth wrestling competitions. The YMCA has an open door policy
toward membership, and they practice in the Gym on Monday, Wednesday,
and Thursday nights from 6-8 PM.
These young men won state titles at the FAWA State Tournament.
Matthew Noffo, Nick Moreira, Alexander Mendez, Kendrick Sanders,
Rodrigo Baez, Carlos Montero, and Jake Rio.
Coach Dewberry stated "it takes a lot of hard work to have such a good program and he couldn't do it without the help of his assistants." His assistant coaches are Humberto "Duck" Reina, Willie Bowen, Octavius Crawley, George Borgen, and Stuart Mahler. All of the coaches, parents and the YMCA are to be congratulated for their hard work and success.
Written by
Stuart Mahler
Girls
Wrestling in Florida have new Competition Coordinator.
The Wrestling Community Shares a very special and unique bond.
Wrestling is such a captivating sport and whether you are an Olympic
champion, just a participant or a fan the common bond is your
tremendous love for the sport. The comradely and respect shared
within the wrestling community is unmatched in any other sport.
A true wrestler believes that it is better to have wrestled and
lost than to never have participated at all. Wrestling teaches
values and lessons that can be used throughout life. Lessons such
as; You have to work hard for everything you get in life, and
anything worth having doesn't come for free.
With this said, it is my great pleasure and honor to be back
on the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association Board of Directors
for the State of Florida. I have an extensive wrestling background,
and plan on doing my best for the Woman's program as possible.
I have had the
Pleasure of coaching on 3 different Florida High School State
Championship teams,
Hollywood McArthur, Miami Southridge, and South Dade. Having
coached with Hall of Fame Coach Jim Husk and national coach of
the year Victor Balmeceda, has not only given me a formula for
success it has opened many doors and allowed me to be involved
in all aspects of wrestling. I am a Bronze Certified Coach and
Instructor since 1987, and have been involved with Florida wrestling
since 1965. I am also involved in wrestling as a sportswriter
for the South Dade News Leader, and a State Editor for Wrestling
USA Magazine for more than 17 years.
Wrestling is growing in Florida and throughout the United States.
This summer will mark the first time that Woman's Wrestling will
be recognized in the Olympic games. We in Florida would like to
provide the opportunity for our Woman's program to grow and prosper
into something special. With this said please feel free at anytime
to e-mail or call me about our woman's Wrestling Program. We will
be sending a team to Fargo to compete in the Junior Nationals
this summer.
Here is a quote that sums up my wrestling philosophy "No
sport on earth rivals it. It's the ultimate physical, mental and
emotional challenge. A sport where boys, girls turn into young
men and woman. Wimps need not apply. It will challenge you to
be the best you van be. It will demand your body to use every
ounce of its energy or be humiliated in front of God and everybody
else. It's pure brute strength matched with near-identical physical
ability. Blood, sweat and tears are commonplace. It will get your
attention and make you value life from another perspective. It's
pressure, pressure, and more pressure. It has no timeouts, no
substitutions, no place to hide and no way to escape. Glory is
near obsolete. It exposes adverse conditions where survival relies
on pure guts and determination. It forces you to make the most
out of any situation. It will teach you self-confidence along
with self-esteem. It provides a model for respect and admiration
for the courage to enter the fight and lose than not to have entered
at all."
It's a battleit's a war. It is Wrestling.
Written by
Stuart Mahler
Woman's Competition Coordinator 305-970-2032 hollywoodmahler@adelphia.net
Campbell
Drive Middle Wins Back To Back County Middle School Wrestling
Titles
Campbell Drive outdistanced the field with 4 individual champions,
and all 11 of the team members placing 7th or higher. Their team
score of 230 points was well ahead of 2nd place Redlands Middle
with 163 points, and 3rd place Cutler Ridge Middle with 162 points.
After the semis the battle for the team title was over and the
only thing left was the fight for 2nd place and the individual
championships. The south dominated all day and finished with 9
of the 12 individual titles. Cutler Ridge was undefeated during
the regular season, but the tournament team of Campbell Drive
was just too much for them to handle. Of the top 10 teams, 7 were
from the Southern Middle schools only northern Highland Oaks who
finished 4th and central Howard Doolin who finished 5th were able
to compete with the south.
The Outstanding Light weight Wrestler was Ricky Fonte from Cutler
Ridge, and the Outstanding Heavy weight wrestler was Caudrey Mack
from Campbell Drive
Individual Champions
78 pounds Gab Chandler, Howard Doolin
88 pounds James Williams, Campbell Drive
98 pounds Quintavian McPherson, Campbell Drive
108 pounds Shakendric Sanders, Redlands 2X
115 pounds Rodrigo Baez, Homestead
123 pounds Ricky Fonte, Cutler Ridge 2X
128 pounds Caudrey Mack, Campbell Drive
138 pounds James Walker, Campbell Drive
148 pounds Hector Clavijo, Cutler Ridge
158 pounds Vincent Nelson, Southwood
173 pounds Anthony Valencia, Palmetto
253 pounds Angel Yrure, Jose Marti
Top 10 Teams
1. Campbell Drive 230
2. Redland Middle 163
3. Cutler Ridge 162
4. Highland Oaks 135
5. Howard Doolin 122.50
6. Southwood 117
7. Palmetto 99.50
8. Richmond 94.50
9. Ammons 79
10. Glades 48.50
10. Homestead 48.50
The host school of Coral Reef did an outstanding job of putting on this event, their Head Wrestling coach C.J. Singleton his team members and booster club members need to be commended on the great job of running this event. Also we need to give special thanks to Kevin Whelan from South Dade High School for a job well done as Tournament Director. The top 8 individuals received medals provided by Dade County Middle School Athletic Director Dick Gans, and each individual champion received a trophy provided by Wrestling Coach Stuart Mahler. The wrestlers all had a special surprise to be awarded their medals by former Miami South Ridge Head Wrestling Coach and Hall of Fame Member Coach Jim Husk. Dade County Middle School Athletics is one of the major reasons that Dade High Schools are as successful as they are, and special thanks should be given to retiring Middle School Athletic Director Dick Gans.
2004
FLORIDA STATE FINALS WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lakeland, florida - February 26-28, 2004
By JOHN LAWTON, Wrestling Editor, Florida Kids Web Site
CLASS 1A
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
103 Cory Baudendistel (38-2) Green Cove Springs Clay, Fr. d.
Scott Sentes (37-1) Ft. Myers Riverdale, 8th 4-2 OT;
112 Keith Evans (34-0) Riverdale, Jr. d. Spencer Caniff (38-3)
Clay, Sr. 11-6;
119 Virgil McDuffie (37-2) Clay, Jr. md. Lavon Downs (31-3) Tallahassee
Godby, So. 16-7;
125 Jason Machado (38-0) Belen Jesuit, Sr. d. Josh Davis (33-3)
Live Oak Suwannee, Sr. 16-11;
130 Matt Miller (48-2) Labelle, Sr. d. Josh Helton (31-2) Crawfordville
Wakulla, Jr. 7-5 OT:
135 Morgan Dufresne (48-2) St. Augustine Menendez, Sr. d. Bryan
Ryder (43-3) New Port Richey Gulf, Sr. 10-7;
140 Paul Cannella (40-5) Hollywood Chaminade, Sr. md. Blake Germaine
(45-4) Sebring, Jr. 16-6;
145 Preston Hart (23-1) Suwannee, Jr. d. Craig Ponchak (35-6)
Clay, Sr. 4-1;
152 Alex Enriquez (46-0) Tampa Jesuit, Sr. d. Hunter Hill (40-2)
Clay, Sr. 8-3;
160 William Kendrick (18-0) Clay, Sr. d. David Pritz (47-5) Brooksville
Hernando, So. 14-6;
171 Addison Chipoletti (48-1) Hernando, Jr. d. Jerico Weitzel
(10-5) Jacksonville Bolles, 8th, 4-2;
189 Jason Abell (38-8) Jacksonville University Christian, Sr.
md. Alex Virgadamo (48-5) Tampa Jesuit, Sr. 8-0;
215 Bryce Green (29-7) University Christian, Sr. d. Harry Kenning
(29-2) Bolles, Sr. 8-7;
275 Cy Wainwright (29-2) Clay, Sr. d. Leon Herrington (47-1) Ft.
Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, Sr. 6-5;
3rd/4th Place Finals
103 - Genesis Mercedes Glades Central d. Kurt Spangler Jesuit
7-3
112 - Joey Pospisil Gulf d. Brandyn Kuhn Hernando 6-4
119 - Jorge Badia Cardinal Gibbons d. Brandon Rifa Clewiston 8-6;
125 - Edward Hru Bishop Moore d. Ernie Young Baker County 3-1
130 - Joe Stump Sebring d. Osvaldo Friger Archbishop Carroll 6-1;
135 - Ben Noralus Miami Pace d. Lyle Archer University Christian
7-6;
140 - Victor Porter Wakulla p. Craig McIntyre Nease 4:18;
145 - Alex Esquinaldo Key West md. Josh Miller Sebring 9-1;
152 - Sean McAleney Gibbons d. Spencer Smith Nease 9-2;
160 - Richard Davis Gibbons p. Reynaldo Munoz Miami Pace 1:42;
171 - Matthew Bryant Forrest d. Seth Metz Crystal River 17-13;
189 - Elijah Charles Clay p. Ruben Hernandez Clewiston 2:59;
215 - Dennis McCray Clewiston d. Andrew McKay Clay 8-3;
275 - Sam Ritter Episcopal p. Windham Rotunda Hernando 2:57
5th/6th Place Finals
103 - Patrick Harned Bay p. William Spreitzer American Heritage
2:36;
112 - Josh Harroun North Port d. Vincent Scirghie Chaminade 10-6;
119 - Nicholas Harbaugh University d. Barney Wainwright Suwannee
2-0;
125 - Chad Rodriguez Key West d. Andy Millburn Clay 5-2;
130 - Adames Garcia Chaminade d. Armand Algarin Cardinal Gibbons
2-1;
135 - John Pilgrim Archbishop McCarthy d. Justin Platt Wakulla
6-1;
140 - David Deaton Bay d. David Conrad Clay 4-3;
145 - Jamie Cross Cardinal Gibbons d. Justin Ragans Forrest 13-6;
152 - Brandon Hunt University Christian by default Peter Augustin
Immokalee;
160 - James Hudson Forrest by default David Thompson Bolles;
171 - Brian Engel Chaminade p. Zach Transue Jupiter Christian
1:42
189 - Chris Martinez Miami Pace d. Christian Schael Archbishop
Carroll 5-1;
215 - David Stevens Forrest p. Effrain Herrera Miami Pace 2:09;
275 - Jorge Rico Clewiston p. Jacob Sheffield Forrest 0:59;
CLASS 2A
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
103 Shawn Rouhan (42-0) Venice, Sr. Christopher Matos (29-1)
Palm Bay Bayside, Jr. 4-2;
112 Sean Joyce (37-2) Brandon, Fr. d. Keith Koziel (40-2) Venice,
Fr. 3-1;
119 Jeffrey Wimberley (41-0) Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas,
Sr. d. Freddie Williams (39-1) Orange Park Ridgeview, Sr. 8-3;
125 Cesar Grajales (49-1) Brandon, Jr. md. Chris Bencivenga (37-2)
St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr. 10-2;
130 Matt Bullwinkel (52-1) New Port Richey Ridgewood, Sr. d. David
Hoke (40-3) Punta Gorda Charlotte, Sr. 3-2;
135 Andrew Patacsil (40-1) St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr. p. Casey Schreiber
(40-3) Clearwater Countryside, Sr. 3:03
140 Dominic DeNunzio (42-0) Countryside, Sr. p. Zach Brown (38-2)
Ridgeview, Sr. 2:42;
145 A. Jay Hixon (42-1) Countryside, Sr. d. Brandon Kelly (43-3)
Ft. Myers, Jr. 7-2;
152 Wes Walker (35-1) Countryside, Jr. p. Jeff Ramer (41-7) Land
O'Lakes, Sr. 3:27;
160 Rocky Cozart (49-1) Brandon, Jr. md. George Keyzer (35-6)
Port St. Lucie Jr. 14-5;
171 David Craig (48-0) Brandon, So. md. Bobby Jablonski (31-2)
Okeechobee, Sr. 12-0;
189 Nick Davis (50-0) Gainesville, Sr. md. Mike Cozy (38-5) Venice,
Sr. 14-6;
215 Rashard Goff (49-1) Brandon, Sr. md. Eddie Hardee (34-4) Auburndale,
Jr. 12-2;
275 Keith Simmons (42-3) Brandon, Sr. d. Richie Rosabella (34-3)
Naples Barron Collier, Jr. 4-3;
3rd/4th Place Finals
103 - Travis Hoffman Gainesville d. Kent Costell Countryside 6-4;
112 - Nick Randall Lake Gibson d. Greg Vernon Countryside 4-2;
119 - Franklin Gomez Brandon tf. Kyle Wood Charlotte 16-1;
125 - Billy Bullwinkel Ridgewood dec. Craig Masters Ft. Pierce
Central 4-2;
130 - Nick Grande Wolfson md. Sam Patacsil St. Thomas 11-3;
135 - Ryan Joyce Brandon dec. David Corrao Columbia 5-4;
140 - Eddie Hutchinson Brandon d. Mathias Piasecki Port St. Lucie
7-3;
145 - Tommy Hutchinson Brandon p. Shane Simerly Niceville 3:57;
152 - Dane Hayes Ft. Pierce Central by default Bryan Little Venice;
160 - Donnie Jackson Bartram Trail by default Sean Murphy Countryside;
171 - Jeremie Cook Venice d. Barak Jones Lake Region 6-4;
189 - Sean Russ Cape Coral d. Scott Mays Land O'Lakes 3-2;
215 - Ben Hoffman Venice d. Haywood Range Jupiter 4-3;
275 - Willie Weber Flagler Palm Coast p. Taylor Wilkerson Satellite
1:55
5th/6th Place Finals
103 - Sam Mercado Miami Washington md. Anthony Jorge Jenkins 17-9;
112 - Wilson Frasier Lincoln d. Keith Cooper Parker 7-1;
119 - Dean Desrochers Estero d. Lourdy Devalon Port St. Lucie
6-0;
125 - Robert Petrick Gainesville pinned Chris Allen Alonso 3:00
130 - Brandon Ray Brandon md. Kevin Duclos Satellite 11-0;
135 - Brett Nelson Venice d. Alex Penabade Sickles 5-1;
140 - Troy Gerhart Venice d. Carlos Tellechea St. Thomas 5-1;
145 - Engel Vargas Ft. Pierce Central d. Joseph McDaniels New
Smyrna Beach 14-7;
152 - Marco Toledo Brandon md. Mike DiPaul Ridgeview 12-1;
160 - Joe Bizzozzaro Flagler Palm Coast d. Kyle Mills Manatee
7-3;
171 - Paul Markham Middleburg md. Ben Rzymek Countryside 13-1;
189 - Richard Mentillo Satellite d. Kyle Riley Middleburg 5-2;
215 - Nathan Sharp Sebastian River by default Courtney James Palatka
275 - Adrian Bull Venice d. Dominic Dawson Port St. Lucie 1-0
CLASS 3A
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS
103 Giovanni Harris (41-4) Miami Krop, So. p. Brian Guzman
(20-5) Miami, Jr. 5:49;
112 Raymond Stephens (46-2) Homestead South Dade, Jr. d. David
Cox (44-3) Oviedo, Jr. 18-14;
119 Ariel Mederos (21-2) Hialeah, Sr. d. Tremaine Franklin (43-4)
South Dade, Jr. 13-8;
125 Seve Hewitt (44-4) Oviedo, Sr. p. Ryan Palmer (26-5) Melbourne,
Sr. 3:39;
130 Michael Falgoust (40-2) Pinellas Park, Sr. tf. Ian Phillips
(38-4) Miami Palmetto, Sr. 20-4;
135 Jason Robbins (47-0) Oviedo, Jr. md. Garrett Feldman (40-10)
Krop, Sr. 13-4;
140 Jonathan Shoemaker (42-3) Miami Southridge, Sr. p. Raymond
Peabody (42-5) Orlando Timber Creek, Sr. 4:44;
145 Justin Fraga (38-1) Oviedo, Jr. tf. Andrew McDermott (27-7)
Davie Western, Sr. 18-1;
152 Aldo Victor (41-3) South Dade, Sr. d. John Mendosa (34-4)
Orlando University, Jr. 10-6;
160 Andy Perez (40-3) Miami Braddock, Jr. d Damaso Munoz (34-3)
Southridge, Jr. 3-2;
171 Harry Joseph (38-0) Palm Beach Gardens, Sr. d. Charley Blanchard
(44-1) Sandalwood, Sr. 7-5;
189 Luke Hallsten (38-3) University, Sr. d. Humberto De La Osa
(35-8 ) Braddock, Jr. 3-1;
215 Javier Estopinan (26-0) South Miami, Sr. d. Abner Nunez (35-7)
Southwest Miami, Sr. 9-5;
275 Marino Eatman (30-0) Coral Gables, Sr. d. Josh Tanner (31-2)
Orlando Edgewater, Sr. 2-1;
3rd/4th Place Finals
103 - Frank Celorrio Hialeah d. Kenny Desangles Cypress Creek
4-3;
112 - Tony Newkirk Gulf Coast d. Nick Miller Douglas 4-2;
119 - Joe Penafiel Olympia d. Alex Brown Sarasota 3-2;
125 - Gabe Maul Vero Beach d. Edwin Rey Gulf Coast 1-0;
130 - Chris Zuniga Vero Beach d. Mitchell Li McArthur 8-7;
135 - Sebastian Ruz Varela d. Steve L'Hommedieu Edgewater 6-3;
140 - Jesse Robbins Oviedo d. Michael Alfonso Hialeah 2-1;
145 - Mark Busse Miami Sunset d. Anthony Sifakis Lake Mary 7-5;
152 - Kyle Coffman Oviedo md. Damion Stephenson Miami Krop 12-2;
160 - Jason Chery Spanish River d. Robert Orta South Dade 7-5;
171 - Brian Johnson Riverview d. Daniel Gonzales Southwest 7-1;
189 - Brian Hyde Southwest d. Josh Freemyer Olympia 7-2;
215 - Greg Anderson Pinellas Park d. Anthony Alexander Evans 4-2;
275 - Harold Webster Miami Palmetto d. Connor Kelly Boone 6-2;
5th/6th Place Finals
103 - John Garcia Southwest Miami p. Anthony Califano Sarasota
4:30;
112 - Mick Arteaga Southwest Miami d. Kevin James Coral Springs
7-0;
119 - Matt Caraballo Durant by default Jean Leazard Miramar;
125 - Todd Squires St. Cloud d. Rudy Galarza Southridge 4-0;
130 - Andrew Sutton Edgewater d. Walter Gomez Flanagan 13-8;
135 - Byron Sanchez Braddock d. Xavier Morales Boyd Anderson 13-9;
140 - Sean Kirtz Spanish River d. Daniel Rivera Winter Springs
5-2;
145 - Shayne Funk St. Cloud md. Darin Baldwin South Dade 19-6;
152 - Nathan Mendenhall Wellington p. Joe Pitingolo Gulf Coast
2:48;
160 - Billy Lowe Lakeland by default Matt Seechuck Douglas;
171 - Travis Wright Homestead by default Mike Culbertson Winter
Park;
189 - Alejandro Casado Miami Palmetto d. Dominic Desir Southridge
4-1;
215 - Kevin Inca Douglas d. Rodriguez LeClerc Miami Krop 7-2;
275 - Ken Lester Oviedo won by default Travis Youngs Pinellas
Park.
These results may not be copied onto any other commercial web site without permission from John Lawton or Florida Kids web Site
2004
FLORIDA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS A DIVISION
From: IraFleckman@aol.com
103
1st Cory Baudendistel(9) Clay 4-2 2nd Scott Sentas(8) Riverdale
3rd Genesis Mercedes(11) Glades Central 7-3 4th Kurt Spanger(10) Jesuit
5th Patrick Harned(10) Bay FALL 2:36 6th William Spreitzer(9) American Heritage
112
1st Keith Evans(11) Riverdale 11-6 2nd Spencer Caniff(12) Clay
3rd Joey Pospisil(12) Gulf 6-4 4th Brandyn Kuhn(9) Hernando
5th Josh Harroun(11) North Port 10-6 6th Vincent Schirgio(10) Chaminade
119
1st Virgil McDuffie(11) Clay MAJ. 16-7 2nd Lavon Downs(10) Godby
3rd Jorge Badia(11) Cardinal Gibbons 8-6 4th Brandon Rifa(12) Clewiston
5th Nicholas Harbaugh(12) University 2-0 6th Barney Wainwright(9) Suwannee
125
1st Jason Marchado(12) Belene Jesuit 16-11 2nd Josh Davis(12) Suwannee
3rd Edward Hru(11) Bishop Moore 3-1 4th Ernie Young(12) Baker County
5th Chad Rodriguez(11) Key West 5-2 6th Andy Milburn(10) Clay
130
1st Matt Miller(12) LeBelle 7-5 2nd Josh Helton(11) Wakulla
3rd Joe Stump(12) Sebring 6-1 4th Osvaldo Friger(10) Archbishop Carroll
5th Adames Garcia(12) Chaminade 2-1 6th Armand Algann(11) Cardinal Gibbons
135
1st Morgan Dufresne(12) Menendez 10-8 2nd Bryan Ryder(12) Gulf
3rd Ben Noralus(11) Monsignor Pace 7-6 4th Lyle Archer(12) University Christian
5th John Pilgrim(12) Archbishop McCarthy 6-1 6th Justin Platt(11) Wakulla
140
1st Paul Cannella(12) Chaminade MAJ. 16-6 2nd Blake Germaine(11) Sebring
3rd Victor Porter(10) Wakulla FALL 4:18 4th Craig McIntyre(12) Nease
5th David Deaton(10) Bay 4-3 6th David Conrad(12) Clay
145
1st Preston Hart(11) Suwannee 4-1 2nd Craig Ponchak(12) Clay
3rd Alex Esquinaldo(12) Key West 9-1 4th Josh Miller(12) Sebring
5th Jamie Cross(11) Cardinal Gibbons 13-6 6th Justin Tagans(11) Forrest
152
1st Alex Enriquez(12) Jesuit 8-3 2nd Hunter Hill(12) Clay
3rd Sean McAleney(12) Cardinal Gibbons 9-2 4th Spencer Smith(12) Nease
5th Brandon Hunt(12) University Christian INJ. 6th Peter Augustin(12) Immokalee
160
1st William Kendrick(12) Clay MAJ. 14-6 2nd David Pritz(10) Hernando
3rd Richard Davis(12) Cardinal Gibbons FALL 1:42 4th Raynaldo Munoz(11) Monsignor Pace
5th James Hudson(11) Forrest INJ. 6th David Thompson(11) Bolles
171
1st Addison Chipoletti(11) Hernando 4-2 2nd Jerico Weitzel(8) Bolles
3rd Matthew Bryand(12) Forrest 17-13 4th Seth Mertz(10) Crystal River
5th Brian Engel(11) Chaminade FALL 1:42 6th Zach Transue(12) Jupiter Christian
189
1st Jason Abell(12) University Christian MAJ. 8-0 2nd Alex Virgadamo(12) Jesuit
3rd Elijah Charles(11) Clay FALL 2:59 4th Ruben Hernandez(12) Clewiston
5th Christopher Martinez(11) Monsignor Pace 5-1 6th Christian Schael(12) Archbishop Curley
215
1st Bryce Green(12) University Christian 8-7 2nd Harry Kenning(12) Bolles
3rd Dennis McCray(12) Clewiston 8-3 4th Andrew McKay(12) Clay
5th David Stevens(11) Forrest FALL 2:09 6th Effrain Herrera(11) Monsignor Pace
275
1st Cyrus Wainwright(12) Clay 6-5 2nd Leon Herrington(12)O Cardinal Gibbons
3rd Samuel Ritters(12) Episcopla FALL 2:57 4th Windham Rotunda(11) Hernando
5th Jorge Rico(12) Clewiston FALL :59 6th Jacob Sheffield(11)
Forrest
2004 FLORIDA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
AA DIVISION
103
1st Shawn Rouhan(12) Venice 4-2 2nd Christopher Matos(11) Bayside
3rd Travis Hoffman(10) Gainesville 6-4 4th Kent Costell(10) Countryside
5th Samuel Mercado(12) Washington-Miami MAJ. 17-9 6th Anthony George(9) George Jenkins
112
1st Sean Joyce(9) Brandon 3-1 2nd Keith koziel(9) Venice
3rd Nick Randall(10) Lake Gibson 4-2 4th Grag Vernon(10) Countryside
5th Wilson Frasier(10) Lincoln 7-1 6th Keith Cooper(11) Terry Parker
119
1st Jeffrey Wimberly(12) St. Thomas Aquinas 8-3 2nd Freddie Williams(12) Ridgeview
3rd Franklin Gomez(11) Brandon TECH. 16-1 4th Kyle Wood(12) Charlotte
5th Dean Desrochers(12) Estero 6-0 6th Lourdy Devalon(11) Port St. Lucie
125
1st Cesar Grajalas(11) Brandon 10-2 2nd Chris Bencivenga(12) St. Thomas Aquinas
3rd Billy Bullwinkel(12) Ridgewood 4-2 4th Craig Masters(12) Ft. Pierce Central
5th Robert Patrick(12) Gainesville FALL 3:00 6th Chris Allen(10) Alonso
130
1st Matt Bullwinkel(12) Ridgewood 3-2 2nd David Hoke(12) Charlotte
3rd Nick Grande(12) Wolfson MAJ. 11-3 4th Sam Patacsil(12) St. Thomas Aquinas
5th Brandon Ray(12) MAJ. 11-0 6th Kevin Duclos(12) Satellite
135
1st Andrew Patacsil(12) FALL 3:03 2nd Casey Schreiber(12) Countryside
3rd Ryan Joyce(12) Brandon 5-4 4th David Corrao(12) Columbia
5th Brett Nelson(10) Venice 5-1 6th Alex Penabade(12) Sickles
140
1st Dominic DeNunzio(12) Countryside FALL 2:42 2nd Zach Brown(12) Ridgeview
3rd Eddie Hutchinson(12) Brandon 6-3 4th Mathias Piasecki(12) Port St. Lucie
5th Troy Gerhart(12) Venice 5-1 6th Carlos Tellechea(12) St. Thomas Aquinas
145
1st A. Jay Hixon(12) Countryside 7-2 2nd Brandon Kelly(11) Ft. Myers
3rd Tommy Hutchinson(12) Brandon FALL 3:57 4th Shane Simerly(12) Niceville
5th Engel Vargas(12) Ft. Pierce Central 14-7 6th Joseph McDaniels(12) New Smyrna Beach
152
1st Wes Walker(11) Countryside FALL 3:27 2nd Jeff Ramer(12) Land O'Lakes
3rd Dane Hayes(12) Ft. Pierce Central INJ. 4th Bryan Little(12) Venice
5th Marco Toledo(11) Brandon MAJ. 12-1 6th Mike DiPaul(10) Ridgeview
160
1st Rocky Cozart(11) Brandon MAJ. 14-5 2nd George Keyzer(11) Port St. Lucie
3rd Donnie Jackson(12) Bartram Trail INJ. 4th Sean Murphy(12) Countryside
5th Joseph Bizzozzaro(11) Flagler Palm Coast 7-3 6th Kyle Mills(10) Manatee
171
1st David Craig(10) Brandon MAJ. 12-0 2nd Bobby Jablonski(12) Okeechobee
3rd Jeremie Cook(10) Venice 6-4 4th Barak Jones(12) Lake Region
5th Paul Markham(12) Middleburg MAJ. 13-1 6th Ben Rzymek(12) Countryside
189
1st Nick Davis(12) Gainesville MAJ. 14-6 2nd Mike Cozy(12) Venice
3rd Sean Russ(12) Cape Coarl 3-2 4th Scott Mays(11) Land O'Lakes
5th Richard Mentillo(12) Satellite 5-2 6th Kyle Riley(12) Middleburg
215
1st Rashard Gopff(12) Brandon MAJ. 14-6 2nd Mike Cozy(12) Venice
3rd Ben Hoffman(12) Venice 4-3 4th Haywood Range(11) Jupiter
5th Nathan Sharp(11) Sebastian River INJ. 6th Courtney James(12) Palatka
275
1st Keith Simmons(12) Brandon 4-3 2nd Richie Rosabella(11) Barron Collier
3rd Willie Weber(12) Flagler Palm Coast FALL 1:55 4th Taylor Wilkerson(12) Satellite
5th Adrian Bull(12) Venice 1-0 6th Dominic Dawson(12) Port St. Lucie
2004 FLORIDA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
AAA DIVISION
103
1st Giovanni Harris(11) Dr. Krop FALL 5:49 2nd Brian Guzman(11) Miami
3rd Frank Celorrio(11) 4-3 4th Kenny Desangles(11) Cypress Creek
5th John Garcia(10) Southwest-Miami FALL 4:30 6th Anthony Califano(9) Sarasota
112
1st Raymond Stephens(11) South Dade 18-14 2nd David Cox(11) Oviedo
3rd Tony Newkirk(12) Gulf Coast 4-2 4th Nick Miller(11) Douglas
5th Mick Arteaga(11) Southwest-Miami 7-0 6th Kevin James(10) Coral Springs
119
1st Ariel Medero(12) Hialeah 13-8 2nd Tramine Franklin(11) South Dade
3rd Joe Panafiel(11) Olympia 3-2 Alex Brown(10) Sarasota
5th Matt Caraballo(12) Durant INJ. 6th Jean Leazard(12) Miramar
125
1st Seve Hewitt(12) Oviedo FALL 3:49 2nd Ryan Palmer(12) Melbourne
3rd Gabe Maul(11) Vero beach 1-0 4th Edwin Ray(11) Gulf Coast
5th Todd Squires(11) St. Cloud 4-0 6th Rudy Galarza(10) Miami-Southridge
130
1st Michael Falgoust(12) Pinellas Park TECH. 20-4 2nd Ian Phillips(12) Miami-Palmetto
3rd Chris Zuniga(12) Vero Beach 8-7 4th Michell Li(12) McArthur
5th Andrew Sutton(12) Edgewater 13-8 6th Walter Gomez(12) Flanagan
135
1st Jason Robbins(11) Oviedo Maj. Dec. 13-4 2nd Garrett Feldman(12) Dr. Krop
3rd Sabastian Ruz(12) Verela 6-3 4th Steve L'Hommedieu(12) Edgewater
5th Byron Sanchez(10) Braddock 13-9 6th Xavier Morales(12) Boyd Anderson
140
1st Jonathen Shoemaker(12) Miami-Southrige FALL 4:44 2nd Raymond Peabody(12) Timber Creek
2nd Jesse Robbins(9) Oviedo 2-1 4th Michael Alfonso(11) Hialeah
5th Sean Kirtz(12) Spanish River 5-2 6th Daniel Rivera(10) Winter Springs
145
1st Justin Fraga(11) Oviedo TECH. 16-1 2nd Andrew McDermott(12) Western
3rdMark Busse(12) Miami Sunset 7-5 4th Anthony Sifakis(12) Lake Mary
5th Darin Baldwin(10) South Dade Maj. 19-6 6th Shayne Funk(11) St. Cloud
152
1st Aldo Victor(12) South Dade 10-6 2nd John Mendoza(11) University
3rd Kyle Coffman(12) Oviedo Maj. 12-2 4th Damion Stephenson(10) Dr. Krop
5th Nathan Mendenhall(12) Wellington FALL 2:48 6th Joe Pitngolo(12) Gulf Coast
160
1st Andy Perez(11) Braddock 3-2 2nd Damaso Munoz(11) Miami-Southridge
3rd Jason Cherry(12) Spanish River 9-5 Robert Orta(12) South Dade
5th Billy Lowe(10) Lakeland INJ.6th Matt Seechuck(12) Douglas
171
1st Harry Joseph(12) Palm Beach Gardens 7-5 2nd Charley Blanchard(12) Sadalwood
3rd Brian Johnson(12) Riverview 7-1 4th Daniel Gonzalez(12) Southwest-Miami
5th Travis Wright(11) Homestead INJ. 6th Miak Culbertson(12) Winter Park
189
1st Lake Hallsten(12) University 6-1 2nd Humberto De La Osa(11) Braddock
3rd Bryan Hyde(12) Southwest-Miami 7-2 4th Josh Freemyer(12) Olympia
5th Alejandro Casado(11) Miami Palmetto 4-1 6th Dominic Desir(12) Miami-Southridge
215
1st Javier Estopinan(12) South Miami 9-5 2nd Abner Nunez(12) Southwest-Miami
3rd Greg Anderson(12) Pinellas Park 4-2 4th Anthony Alexander(12) Evans
5th Kevin Inca(12) Douglas 7-2 6th Rodriguez Le Clerk(11) Dr. Krop
275
1st Marino Eatman(12) Corla Gables 2-1 2nd Josh Tanner(12) Edgewater
3rd Harold Webster(12) Miami-Palmetto 6-2 4th Connor Kelly(12) Boone
5th Kenneth Lester(10) Oviedo INJ. 6th Travis Youngs(12) Pinellas
Park
Campbell
Drive Middle win Southern District Wrestling Title
The Southern District Wrestling Championships were held at
Coral Reef High School on Saturday the 6th of March. Campbell
Drive the returning county champions had an outstanding showing
with 7 in the finals and coming away with 4 champions. They scored
185 points to runner-up Redlands Middle who had 6 in the finals
and also had 4 champions with a team score of 177. Third place
was Cutler Ridge who was undefeated in the regular season and
last year's county runner-up who only had 3 in the finals, but
had 2 champions and finished with 156 points.
Individual Southern District Champion
78 pounds John Brown CD
88 pounds James Williams CD
98 pounds Darin Baldwin RED
108 pounds Shakendric Sanders RED
115 pounds Rodrigo Baez HOM
123 pounds Ricky Fonte CR
131 Caudrey Mack CD
138 James Walker CD
148 Andy Jimenez RED
158 Javoris Plain CR
173 Dyvon Passmore CEN
253 Briant Otero RED
Ricky Fonte Cutler Ridge was the lightweight Outstanding Wrestler, and Briant Otero Redlands was the heavyweight Outstanding Wrestler.
On Saturday the 13th of March starting at 9AM
The Dade County Middle School Championships will be held at Coral
Reef High School. The teams to look out for will be Campbell Drive,
Redlands, Doolin, Cutler Ridge, and Highland Oaks. There are many
other individuals from many teams who could possibly be an individual
champion, but the above-mentioned teams are going to be competing
for the team title. If you have never seen middle school wrestling
you don't know what you are missing. The middle school wrestling
program is one of the main reasons we have so many Dade county
high school wrestling champions, and Southridge and South Dade
both have 7 state wrestling team titles.
Written by
Stuart Mahler
THE
2004 STATE OF FLORIDA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Ira Fleckman
THE 2004 STATE OF FLORIDA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Lakeland Civic Center hosted the Florida Wrestling Championship Tournaments and 15,747 attended over three days. The venue was reduced to eight mats due to having to wrestle on the ice as the Civic Center also hosts professional ice hockey. The hosts were gracious, the mats insulated and the administration of the tournament efficient.
There were no surprises in the team races as the favored teams in each division established their dominance by the termination of the quarter finals round. In the large school division, AAA, Oviedo, coached by Tom Coffman, was first with 163.5 points, a new record for that division, and had three individual champions. The next six places were the powerful Miami area teams: South Dade; Southwest Miami; Dr. Krop; Miami Southridge; Hialeah and Braddock.
Brandon, coached by Russ Cozart, one of the nation's top rated teams, dominated the AA Division with 6 champions and 261 points which was greater than last year's record setting 246. Countryside, Venice and St. Thomas Aquinas followed well behind. Countryside with 3 State Champions finished 103.5 points behind Brandon in what is the widest victory margin recorded in the AA Division.
Clay, coached by Jim Reape, was moved down to the A Division this year and crushed the other teams scores with 223 points and crowning 4 State Champions. Clay outdistanced Brandon's dominance of the AA Division by leading the second placed team, Cardinal Gibbons by 116 points in Division A; this is the largest margin of victory in any division
The Kids programs and the Olympic style programs that keep wrestlers at their sport during the spring and summer are mostly responsible for the excellence among the top schools. Cardinal Gibbons, St. Cloud, Oviedo and Brandon are also among the teams that traveled outside the State of Florida looking for top competition for their wrestlers. Brandon's second place finish at the Welsh Jesuit Iron Man Tournament shocked many in the wrestling community who haven't taken notice of Florida's improving programs. While it is a fact that the top schools have far outpaced their competition, the programs that allowed them to do so are available to all. Look for more and better Kids programs, increased participation in the Olympic style programs and better wrestling in all Florida schools.
There are a few notes to make about the individuals who established themselves as the best in the state:
135 Jason Robbins (11) of Oviedo is undefeated with over 140 victories and is a three time State Champion who will return next year to defend his title and extend his undefeated record. Jason will compete at national events this summer and is already looking at the Olympic games as a probable goal. 215 Javier Estopinan (12) of South Miami graduates with his second State Championship. In one of the most exciting matches of the entire tournament, Junior 112 Raymond Stephens of South Dade outscored Junior 112 David Cox of Oviedo 18-14 with the majority of the points coming on spectacular takedowns. It is doubtful that these two wrestlers will remain in the same weight classes but if they do, Florida wrestling fans are in for a treat.
125 Cesar Grajalas (11)* attending Brandon captured his third State Championship and this one comes with a big asterisk. When Cesar was an 8th grader wrestling at Temple Heights Christian in the A Division he was supposed to wrestle his cousin Alex Enriquez a 9th grader in the finals at 103. The two agreed not to compete and were eliminated from the competition as forfeits. One of the two wrestlers could have earned another State Championship. At 112 Sean Joyce (9) of Brandon earned his second State title as did 119 Jeff Wimberley (12) St. Thomas Aquinas; 160 Rocky Cozart (11) Brandon; 171 David Craig (100 Brandon; 189 Nick Davis (12) Gainesville and 215 Rashard Goff (12) Brandon.
125 Jason Machado (12) captured his third State Championship at 125 representing Belen Jesuit of Miami. His coaches were again resplendent in their tuxedos but Jason's wrestling speaks for itself. 152 Alex Enriquez (12)* captured his second State Championship as did 160 William Kendrick (12) Clay; 171 Addison Chipoletti (11) Hernando and 275 Cyrus Wainwright (12) Clay
There is a sad note and that is that because of the changing of schools classifications and the up and coming wrestlers from the Kids programs, it isn't safe to be a returning State Champion. Those who failed to defend their titles for whatever reasons are: Division A 103 Jorge Badia (12) Cardinal Gibbons; 145 Jericho Weitzel (8) The Bolles School and 215 Ettore Ewen (12) Tampa Prep; Division AA 112 Khalid Andwele (11) Brandon; 130 Ryan Joyce (12) Brandon, Division AAA Jesse Robbins of Oviedo who won a Division A title in 2003 failed to repeat.
It may seem to some that there are a few superior programs
followed by many good to fair programs, however, those who wish
to be superior need only attend the camps, wrestle in the off-season
programs and travel to the venues where the competition is better.
Florida wrestling should continue to improve. As it becomes more
difficult to repeat as an individual champion it should also be
more difficult for one team to dominate a class.
FLORIDA
RANKINGS 2-29-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. Countryside
4. South Dade
5. Southwest
6. Krop
7. Southridge
8. Clay
9. Hialeah
10. Venice
Coach
Kenny Johnson wins 1st 4a regional wrestling tournament as new
head coach at Miami Southridge High School.
The regional 4a-wrestling tournament was held on February 19th
and 20th at Holmes Braddock high school where they were defending
regional champions and leading a good portion of the tournament.
But the Southridge wrestlers promised their new coach that they
were going to win regionals for him and coach Jim Husk. The Ridge
had 5 wrestlers in the semi-finals Saturday morning and they all
won, and with the wins they picked up in the wrestle backs they
never looked back. This is the 1st regional title for Southridge
since 2000, and with qualifying 8 wrestlers for state and help
from the other Dade County schools Southridge, South Dade and
Southwest still have a good chance of Dade county winning the
3a state wrestling title again. Southridge and South Dade have
both won 7 state titles and can never be counted out.
When asked how it felt to win his first regional title coach Johnson
replied, " I want to thank the kids because they battled
for me after taking 2nd in the district last week and they promised
me my 1st regional title. After yesterday's standings they gave
their heart and soul in the semi's and wrestle-backs, and they
also wanted to dedicate this title to longtime Head coach Jim
Husk."
When asked what do you think of your chances next week at state
the spartan coach replied, " we have some good quality kids
but we need help, because of some of the other regions being so
weak it will take a Dade county effort for Dade to win the 3a
state title this year.
Regional Individual Champions
103 Glovanni Harris KR Dec 7-1 over Brian Guzman MHS
112 Raymond Stephens SD Dec. 9-7 over Alex Perez SR
119 Tramaine Franklin SD Dec 10-4 over Ariel Mederos HIA
125 Rudy Galarza SR Dec. 6-4 over Orlando Ponce HML
130 Edgar Neito SW Dec 8-5 Ian Phillips PAL
135 Sebastian Ruz VAR Dec. 8-6 Garrett Feldman KR
140 Denys Ribot SW Dec. 9-4 over Jonathan Shoemaker SR
145 Mark Busse SUN Dec. 13-6 over Darin Balwin SD
152 Aldo Victor SD Dec. 13-4 over Damion Stephenson KR
160 Damaso Munoz SR Dec. 7-6 ( 2OT) over Andy Prez BR
171 Daniel Gonzalez SW Dec. 12-10 (OT) over Alvin Franklin SM
189 Humberto De La Osa Br Dec. 5-2 over Dominic Desir SR
215 Javier Estopinan SM Dec 2-1 over Abner Nunez SW
275 Marino Eatman CG WBF 4:42 over Oscar Gonzalez HIA
FLORIDA
RANKINGS 2-21-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Oviedo
3. Countryside
4. Southridge
5. South Dade
6. Southwest
7. Venice
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Braddock
10. Krop
FLORIDA
RANKINGS 2-16-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Countryside
3. Oviedo
4. South Dade
5. Venice
6. Southridge
7. Krop
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Braddock
10. Southwest
Florida
High School Team Rankings 2-1-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Countryside
3. Oviedo
4. Southwest
5. South Dade
6. Venice
7. Southridge
7. Krop
9. Cardinal Gibbons
10. Braddock
10. Clay
FLORIDA
RANKINGS 1-25-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Countryside
3. Oviedo
4. Southwest
5. South Dade
6. Venice
7. Southridge
8. Cardinal Gibbons
9. Braddock
10. Clay
10. Krop
National
Record Holder and Legendary Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Retires.
In the summer of 1964 Coach Jim Husk came to Florida after
an outstanding performance, as a running back for Xavier University
in Cincinnati, Ohio his new job was to coach Football and Track
at Archbishop Curley. This just happened to be the same time that
the FHSAA sanctioned Florida High School Wrestling. Even though
Coach Husk was an outstanding wrestler who wrestled on a 4 year
undefeated wrestling team in Waynesburg, Pa., Jim had pretty much
given up his wrestling career when he took a full scholarship
in football over wrestling, track and baseball. Coach Husk earned
12 varsity letters while he was a student athlete at Waynesburg
High School. Now while at Curley the football season was over
and he was waiting for the track season to begin, he walked into
the wrestling practice and saw the wrestling team being coached
by Brother Theodore Benten with a book in his hand. The team had
not won a match in 3 years and had already lost their 1st match
of the season. Jim felt a commitment to help and told the coach
that he would go home and get his workout gear. As strange as
it sounds when Coach Husk got back he was told the coach had gotten
transferred to a school in Texas and this was the beginning of
one of the 8 most successful wrestling coaches ever in the history
of high school wrestling. The team had already lost their 1st
match of the season, and after taking over they ended up 9-1 during
his 1st season as a coach. Curley High School under the direction
of Coach Husk had a winning record of 54-8 for dual meets; they
were state team runner-ups 2X and 3rd 2X. Jim was chosen Florida
Coach of the Year by the other wrestling coaches at the 1st official
state tournament held at MDJC North Campus in 1965. Two great
points of interest occurred while at Curley under Coach Husk;
Horatio Villa was awarded the 1st full wrestling scholarship for
any Florida wrestler to a Division 1 school. He received a scholarship
to Arizona State University during the Curley Culp era. Also Carlos
"Chico" Barquin who was a state finalist on Jim's 2nd
team became one of the states most the successful cross country
coaches and athletic Director of Belen Jesuit High School, in
Miami.
At the end of the 1968 season Jim had the opportunity to move
to the Dade County School System and take over one of many wrestling
programs, Husk took the challenge of building his own program
at Miami Southwest High School. During his tenure at Southwest
Jim built many great teams and he produced many champions including
2X State Champion and All-American Johnny Williams. Williams who
was Miami Dade County's leading rusher followed in the footsteps
of coach Husk and went to the University of Miami on a football
scholarship instead of taking 1 of the many wrestling scholarships
being offered. Southwest dual meet record under Coach Husk was
98-22-1; they were state team runner-up 1X and 3rd 3X's.
In the spring of 1976 Miami Southridge was about to open and Mr.
Teckerman knew that he wanted to win state championships and have
the premier wrestling program in the state, so he contacted Husk.
When Jim arrived to meet Mr. Teckerman, he was told that he would
be Physical Education Department Head, and Head Wrestling Coach.
Mr. Teckerman had already put in the paperwork for Jim to be transferred
to the Ridge. From that moment on Coach Husk really shined and
proved Mr. Teckerman to be right. In his 2nd season the Spartan's
won their 1st State Wrestling Title in 1978 without an individual
state champion. In all, while at Southridge the Spartans under
the only head wrestling coach in the history of the school they
have a dual meet record of 458-38-3, they have won 7 big class
state wrestling titles. Also they have been team runner-ups 4X'S.
The Spartan's also under the direction of Coach Husk have won
14 Regional titles, 17 District titles, 18 GMAC Conference championships,
22 Christmas Invitational Championships, and multiple invitational
tournaments.
Coach James Albert Husk has a lifetime dual meet record of 609-67-3;
he is also the National Record holder for tournament victories
with 129 not including dual meet tourneys. Jim has been chosen
Coach of the Year 11X's. In 1983 Campbell's Soup chose Coach Husk
National Coach of the Year. From 1985 through 1989 Jim served
on the National Rule Committee for Wrestling. Coach Husk was the
National Wrestling Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year
2X'S, he was also chosen Coach of the Year for the Dairy Farmers
in the years of 2000 and 2001. Coach Husk has been inducted in
the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. During
2002 Jim was inducted to the Florida High School Activities Association
Hall of Fame, and was Wrestling USA Magazines National Runner-up
for Coach of the Year.
In 2003 Jim was given 1 of his most prestigious awards when he
was chosen to coach the 7th Annual Wrestling USA Magazine/ Cliff
Keen Dream Team Classic Coach for the USA against the Iowa Individual
State Champions.
Coach Husk's career has spanned over 5 Decades starting in the
1960's
And now coming to an end in 2004. Jim is the only Coach to coach
at every Florida State Wrestling Championship that has been held
since the school year of 1964-1965. He has given his life to the
youth of South Florida and the Wrestling Community and he will
be greatly missed.
SOUTHRIDGE DREAM TEAM LINE-UP
103 EDDIE BLUE 2X SC
112 DONNIE GLENN 2X SC
119 CORTEZ JONES SC
125 J.P. PORTWOOD 3X SC
130 KEVIN STEWART SC
135 ORAEFO BROWN SC
140 DAVID PALMORE SC
145 MIKE RIO 2X SC
152 RALPH EVERETT 3X SC
160 ELIJAH DUKES SC
171 CARLOS WEST 2X SC
189 CHARLES ANDERSON 2X SC
215 CORY WOODBERRY SC
275 TOM FEACHER 2X SC
Written by Stuart Mahler
Asst. Coach Spartan Express Wrestling Clu
Southridge
Coach Husk Honored last Night in the South Dade Gym.
Wednesday night in the South Dade Gym, Athletic Director Joel
Furnari, and Head Coach Victor Balmeceda showed Coach Jim Husk
all the personal and professional respect that could be asked
for by honoring retiring Coach Jim Husk in their home. Before
the featured event of the 2 State and National powerhouses were
scheduled to start, they brought Coach Husk to the center of the
mat for an outstanding presentation honoring a great individual.
Coach Furnari called Dr. Dwight Witty the father of Florida wrestling,
but stated that Coach Jim Husk was the architect of Florida wrestling.
Among the many nice things that he had to say this one stood out,
we have a great coach in Victor Balmeceda last years National
Coach of the Year, but Coach Jim Husk is the benchmark for all
to follow.
The match was all it was expected to be, coming down to the last
match of the night with Southridge coming out on top 37-30. Coach
Balmeceda stated, " For us to be a good dual meet team we
have to play games with our line-up, example cut weight move up
weight classes." Last night he did all of these things, by
moving his studs up and down to match up with the best wrestlers
that Southridge had to offer.
It turned out that the three key matches of the night, 112, 125,
and 160 all went to Southridge and were decided in the last seconds
of each match. At 112 pounds Alex Perez defeated Ray Stephens
in a great wrestled match by both with a takedown in overtime
to win 12-10.
In the 125-pound class Tramaine Franklin moved up to 125 to wrestle
undefeated Rudy Galarza and lost 4-2. At the 160 pound match when
Victor Aldo moved up to wrestle Damaso Munoz and lost 11-9, last
night the Ridge best wrestlers beat the Bucs best wrestlers. Coach
Balmeceda stated " tonight the line-up I put out there was
our best chance to win, if we wrestled 10 times we would each
win 5. This was the 1st of the 5 times that Southridge and South
Dade will battle toward the road for the State Team Championships.
The next time will be this Friday and Saturday in the GMAC tournament
to be held at Braddock High School. They also have to go against
each other and the many other strong Dade County teams during
District Regional and State.
When new Head Coach Kenny Johnson was asked how does it feel to
get your biggest win of your life he stated " I don't know
yet, ask me tomorrow." Coach Johnson is no stranger to big
matches having been the assistant to Coach Husk for the last 20
years, he was an outstanding wrestler at South Dade High School,
and he wrestled Division 1 for Florida International University
before coming a coach. When asked about the outcome of the match
Coach Balmeceda said, "it was a good when for them with us
honoring their retiring Coach, they went out and wrestled well
for him." After the match was over and finally getting to
ask Coach Husk what he thought about the match, Jim said "it
was a great honor to have the kids dedicate the match to me and
all of the pre-match festivities it was like being on cloud nine
and made it a night to remember forever."
Individual Match Results
SOUTHRIDGE 37- SOUTH DADE 30
105 Jon Rojas SD WBF :55 Over Dennis Smith SR
114 Alex Perez SR Dec. 12-10 OT Over Ray Stephens SD
121 Curt Glassmer SD Dec. 9-2 Over Daniel Smith SR
127 Rudy Galarza SR Dec. 4-2 Over Tramaine Franklin SD
132 Kevin Cruz WBF 1:37 Over Tamaka Bully SD
137 David Gonzalez SD WBF 1:57 Over Carlos Molina SR
142 Jonathan Shoemaker SR WBF :39 Over Anthony Norman SD
147 Danny Anguiano SD WBF 2:30 Over Johnny Silva SR
154 Darrin Baldwin SD WBF :30 Over William Silva SR
162 Damaso Munoz SR Dec. 9-2 Over Aldo Victor SD
173 Robert Orta SD Dec. 7-6 Over Ronald Chunga SR
191 Dominic Desir SR WMDec. 16-3 Over Alfonso Hernandez SD
217 Laron Mack SR WBF 3:36 Over Robert Moehling SD
275 Phillip Simpson SR WBForfeit
This was a great match in the 29 year history matches between
Southridge and South Dade, and everyone in attendance should be
thanked for the respect and honor that they showed retiring Wrestling
Legend Coach Jim Husk, especially the South Dade administration
and coaching staff.
1-18-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Countryside
3. Oviedo
4. South Dade
5. Venice
5. Southridge
7. Cardinal Gibbons
8. Braddock
9. Miami Southwest
10. Clay
10. Krop
Wrestling
USA Magazine Florida State High School Team Rankings No. 2
FLORIDA RANKINGS 1-11-04
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor USA Wrestling Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Countryside
3. Oviedo
4. South Dade
5. Venice
5. Southridge
7. Cardinal Gibbons
8. Clay
9. Southwest
10. Krop
Southridge
Shoemaker beats Soderholm in convincing fashion
Southridge wrestling team continues to show its strength after
beating Palmetto Wednesday night in the P anther's gym.
The Spartans led by 3 undefeated wrestlers Rudy Galarza, Jonathan
Shoemaker, Damaso Munoz and a great team effort were able to show
why the Ridge are always hard to beat.
Palmetto could have easily broken the match open when their 140-pound
wrestler who was winning got caught in a back-jack Peterson and
was pinned. Then Shoemaker beat Soderholm convincingly to remain
undefeated. Palmetto never gave up and with a pin at 152, and
a win at 160 they were back in the lead. When undefeated Damaso
Munoz put the Ridge back on track with a win at 171 pounds. Southridge
also won at 189, and 215. With the ridge leading 27-21 going into
the last 2 matches of the night Palmetto's Harold Webster hit
a beautiful headlock and scored a pin to tie the match at 27-27.
The deciding match of the night at 103 pounds was won by freshman
Dennis Smith who caught his Palmetto opponent with a headlock
and scored the fall for Southridge to come away with a hard fought
victory 33-27.
Written by Stuart Mahler
Ralph
Everett and Mike Rio of Miami Southridge Shine at 41stMidlands
Wrestling Championships.
Ralph Everett 3X state Champion from Miami Southridge High
School loses in 6TH period of Overtime, 2-1 in the finals of the
41st Midlands Championships. Ralph wrestling for Hofstra University
won matches over Sean Earley from George Mason University 10-2,
over Chris Ressa, Rutgers 8-1, over # 5 seed Zacharirah Doll,
Pitt University 7-2 and over # 8 seed Heston Johnson, N. Iowa
3-2 to reach the finals. In the finals Everett lost to # 2 seed
David Bolyard, Central Michigan 2-1.
Mike Rio 2X State Champion from Miami Southridge High School broke a 41-year Midlands Wrestling Tournament record with his 15-second pin of Craig Wright from Pennsylvania University. Hall of Fame Coach James Husk and Miami Southridge High School were very proud of the accomplishments of their former wrestlers.
Written by Stuart Mahler
State Editor Wrestling USA Magazine
WRESTLING
USA Magazine Florida State High School Team Ramkings
FLORIDA RANKINGS 12-23-03
By Stuart Mahler
State Editor - Wrestling USA Magazine
1. Brandon
2. Countryside
3. Oviedo
4. Cardinal Gibbons
5. South Dade
6. Venice
6. Southridge
8. Green Cove Springs Clay
9. Dr. Krop
10. Brooksville
Husk
wins no.600
Coach Jim Husk of Miami Southridge High School wins his 600th
dual meet
And continues to move up the win ladder. He is now no. 5 of all
active coaches and no. 8 over-all in the sport of High School
Wrestling. His overall
Record is 600-63-4, congratulations to Coach Husk on this milestone.
Written by Stuart Mahler
Florida State Editor
Florida's
Top Wrestlers - All-Classes; December 5, 2003
By John Lawton, Florida State Wrestling Editor
103 - Shane Rouhan, Venice;
112 - Joey Pospisil, New Port Richey Gulf;
119 - Jeff Wimberley, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas;
125 - Cesar Grajales, Brandon;
130 - Jason Machado, Miami Belen Jesuit;
135 - Jason Robbins, Oviedo;
140 - Dominic DeNunzio, Clearwater Countryside;
145 - Justin Fraga, Oviedo;
152 - Wesley Walker, Clearwater Countryside;
160 - Rocky Cozart, Brandon;
171 - David Craig, Brandon;
189 - Nick Davis, Gainesville;
215 - Javier Estopiñan, South Miami;
275 - Cyrus Wainright, Green Cove Springs Clay.
Florida's
Top 10 Wrestling Teams - All Classes
1. Brandon;
2. Oviedo;
3. Clearwater Countryside;
4. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons;
5. Homestead South Dade;
6. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas;
7. Green Cove Springs Clay;
8. Venice;
9. Brooksville Hernando;
10. Southwest Miami.
By John Lawton 727-938-7908 - JOHNLAWTON@aol.com
Husk
and Balmeceda Receive National Awards. Schultz and Rouse Co-State
Men Of The Year
Coach Jim Husk was recognized for being the National Dream
Team Coach and Coach Victor Balmeceda was recognized for being
the National Coach of the Year, Ron Schulz of Nova High School
and John Rouse of UCF were recognized as State Men of the Year
at the 29th Seahorse Open. The Seahorse is one of the toughest
USA Wrestling scholastic tournaments held in Florida each year.
The Seahorse was held at Dr. Krop High School over the Thanksgiving
weekend. The tournament is wrestled over 2 days because of the
great number of participants, and is actually 2 different tournaments.
On the first day the Kids division, the Midget division, the Novice
division, the Schoolboy division and the Cadets division are all
wrestled. The age of those divisions ranges from 6years old through
16 years old. On the 1st day of competition South Dade High School
Wrestling Team representing the Real McCoy Wrestling Club in honor
of Coach Mike McCoy won the team Championships, and had a team
member win the fastest fall of the day, Nicole Olivera wrestling
at 103 lbs. in the boys cadet division had a pin in 10 seconds.
On the second day of the tournament The Real McCoy Wrestling Club
was successful again claiming the Team Title in the High School
Division over all comers. They also came away with the fastest
fall again with Raymond Stephens scoring a pin in 9 seconds. Coach
Balmeceda was quite pleased with the performance of his wrestling
club at this time of the year.
The Seahorse is the last tournament of the year before the
official High School season begins. South Dade looks to be the
team from the South Florida area to contend with, while Miami
Southridge H.S., Miami Southwest H.S., South Miami H.S. and Dr.
Krop all look to be very strong this season as well. Region 4
3A is without a doubt the toughest region in the State of Florida
bar none when it comes to Wrestling. If you are a regional individual
champion you have an outstanding chance at being a state champion.
But because this region is so tough it makes it very difficult
for South Dade and Southridge to continue to win State Titles,
but don't tell that to Coach Husk or Coach Balmeceda as they both
have 7 State titles. This is because only 4 wrestlers per weight
class get to go State, in most classes kids that we leave home
who placed 5th or 6th in this region could have scored points
at state and maybe even had placed in the top 6. Miami H.S. wrestling
is very good and the work of all of the coaches and student athletes
is why major colleges come to South Florida to recruit.
The Tournament staff of the Seahorse coach Ron Schulz of Nova
High School, and the wrestling club High Voltage coached by Eric
Phillips of Dr. Krop H.S., his coaches and Parents are all to
be commended. They did an outstanding job putting on this event.
Written by
Stuart Mahler
Olympian
Kenny Monday comes to South Florida
Kenny Monday Olympic Freestyle Gold Medal winner Put on an outstanding wrestling clinic on Saturday October 25th at the St. John Neumann H.S. in S.W. Naples. The Spartan Express Wrestling Club Coached by Miami Southridge H.S., Hall of Fame coach Jim Husk and 10 of his team members were in attendance. 3X National Champion J.J. Johnson, the newly appointed Naples H.S. coach, sponsored this event. The wrestling that was being taught by Coach Monday and Coach Johnson was outstanding. Everyone in attendance received a great learning experience, and had the opportunity to receive individual attention from these 2 outstanding coaches. The team members of the Spartan Express were extremely appreciable, since they received scholarships from Coach Johnson to attend.
State
Record Holder in Florida for most Champions are Miami Coral Park
H.S. and Brandon H.S.
Miami Coral Park H.S. coached by Dr. Dwight Witty in the school
year of 1966-67 records can never be broken. Dr. Witty had five
1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd, the reason this record can never be
broken is because he set this record when we only had 12 weight
classes. His Champions were:
98 lbs. Neil Paskiwitz
127 lbs. Larry Sokol
138 lbs. Joey Parker
154 lbs. Leon Hall
165 lbs. Paul Blanchard
at 105 lbs. Donnie Brisson was 2nd losing in OT 5-5 after regulation
time was 5-5 to a defending State Champion- back when they used
to bring out 2 more individuals, As judges and they voted on who
won.
At 112 lbs. Johnny Jacobs was 3rd.
So any new records have to be just that, we now have 14 weight classes and scoring is completely different. Points are awarded for pins, major decisions, 5th and 6th place, and so forth.
Brandon H.S. coached by Mr. Russ Cozart had an outstanding
showing at last years State Tournament with 9 in the finals and
having six Champions. Brandon's Champions were:
119 lbs. Cesar Grajales
130 lbs. Ryan Joyce
145 lbs. David Craig
152 lbs. Rocky Cozart
189 lbs. Matt Juncal
215 lbs. Rashad Goff
2nd 103 lbs. Alejandro Figueroa
2nd 140 lbs. Tommy Hutchinson
2nd 275 lbs. Keith Simmons
3rd 135 lbs Eddie Hutchinson
Both programs and coaches deserve a great deal of credit and should be commended.
Submitted by State Editor Stuart Mahler
2003-2004 PRESEASON HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING RANKINGS
By Ira Fleckman & John Lawton
These rankings are base on the results of the FHSAA 2003 State Tournament alone.
3A* 2A A
1. Oviedo 1. Brandon 1. Cardinal Gibbons
(Ft. Lauderdale)
2. Southwest Miami 2. Countryside 2. Hernando
(Clearwater) (Brooksville)
3. Osceola 3. Riverdale
(Kissimmee) (Ft. Myers) 3. Clay
(Green Cove Springs)
4. Riverview 4. St. Thomas Aquinas 5. University
Christian
(Hillsborough) (Ft. Lauderdale) (Jacksonville)
5. South Miami 5. Naples 5. Southeast
(Bradenton)
6. Coral Springs 6. Niceville 5. Archbishop
McCarthy
(Ft. Lauderdale)
7. Cooper City 6. Gainesville 5. Cocoa Beach
8. Wellington 8. Ridgeview 9. Sebring
9. Coral Gables 10. Jesuit
(Tampa)
10. Pine Ridge 9. Bayside 10. Monsignor Pace
(Deltona) (Palm Bay) (Miami)
9. Flagler Palm Coast 10. The Bolles School
(Jacksonville)
*South Dade(Homestead), Miami-Southridge, Miami-Palmetto,
Dr. Krop(Miami),
Edgewater(Orlando), Palm Beach Gardens, Coconut Creek, Sarasota
and St. Cloud
don't have enough returning points but have a proven track record
of developing
outstanding wrestlers and teams each year and should always be
respected.
The best teams in the State of Florida next
year are:
2A BRANDON the holder of the nations longest winning streak, THE
STREAK, by any high
school team in any sport and the wrestling team with the most
State Titles will defend its Florida
title and will attempt to take on national powers this year. Coached
by Hall of Famer Russ Cozart Brandon is without a doubt one of
the best high school wrestling teams in the USA.
3A OVIEDO coached by Tom Coffman represents
the new kid on the block Oviedo has
a very talented team and an excellent coaching staff but the pressure
to win the State
Championship over the traditional powerhouse Miami teams will
be tough. St. Cloud did it in
2002 but it won't be easy.
A Division defending State Champion CARDINAL
GIBBONS coached by Frank
Pettineo and 2A COUNTRYSIDE coached Hall of Fame David Frayer
are clearly in
the second rank.
RANKING BY DIVISION
3A
OVIEDO coached by Tom Coffman is a very tough
high school team. They could be a
great team.In any case the Oviedo Lions will roar! Led by undefeated
2X State Champion,
Jason Robbins,who along with Brandon's Cesar Grajales, are probably
Florida's best
wrestlers, Oviedo has a strong team.Jason's brother, Jesse, who
won the Division A 125
title as an 8th grader wrestling for A DivisionCocoa Beach, is
expected to be a ninth grader
at Oviedo next year. Where he will fit in the Oviedo line-up is
a nice problem for Coach
Coffman to have to solve. Kyle Coffman, who has placed at the
USA Wrestling Junior
Nationals, has to force himself to wrestle the scholastic style
and he could be dominant.
Justin Fraga lost a very close match in the State finals last
year and that willnot happen again.
Kenny Lester, the intellectual giant heavyweight is still growing
and his technique and
strength only need to be matched by confidence for him to excel
in a state rich in great big man.
Then there is Seve Hewitt, who after placing fifth in 2002 and
looking great early
in the season became ill. If Seve returns, it could be just the
key to team depth. Returning are:
103 David Cox(11) 5th, 125 Jesse Robbins(9) State Champ Division
A, 125 Jason Robbins(11)
undefeated 2X State Champ, 130 Justin Fraga(11) 2nd, 135 Kyle
Coffman(12) 5th, ? Seve
Hewitt(12) 5th 2002 ?, State Qualifiers: 171 David Green and Allen
Dillon and
275 Kenny Lester(10).
Southwest Miami coached by Joel Mendez returns
215 Abner Nuez(12) 3rd, 189 Bryan
Hyde(12) 5th, 130 Edgar Nito(12) 6th and 145 Denys Ribot(11) who
qualified for state.
Osceola Coaches by Jim Byrd lost two-time State
Champion and team leader Javier
Maldonado but they will be a contender with the likes of: 189
Anthony Boles(12) 2nd,
103 Angel Olmo(12)6th and 119 Miguel Santos who qualified for
state.
Riverview(Hillsborough) coached by former Florida
State Champion, Willie Sargable has
to be considered in the running with returning wrestlers like:
135 Scott Berkery(12) 4th,
189 Michael Cozy12) 4th, Bryan Johnson(12) 6th and two qualifiers;
112 Bob Rinker(11)
and 215 Ryan Manning(11).
South Miami coached by Alberto Pardo boasts
one of Florida's best wrestlers in two time
undefeated State Champion 215 Javier Estopian(12). Javier should
show the way for team
members and South Miami will be a strong team.
Coral Springs coached Dan Jacobs returns: 275
Joseph Charles(12) 3rd and qualifier David
Picholtz(11).
Cooper City coached by Scott Sodergren returns:
119 Joe Eggnatz(12) 3rd and qualifier
145 Brian Cordova(11).
Wellington coached by Kevin Hebard returns:
140 Sean McAleny(12) 3rd and qualifier
152 Nate Mendenhall(12).
Coral Gables coached by Cory McCaslin returns:275 Marino Eatman(12) 2nd.
Spanish River coached by: Bill Boggess returns:
160 Jason Cherry(12) 3rd and qualifier
130 Sean Kirtz(12).
Pine Ridge(Deltona) coached by J.J. Semrad
returns: 125 Elisha Hunter(11) 4th and
119 Jerone Hunter(11) 6th.
2A
Russ Cozart's Brandon team is one of the best
teams in the nation. Brandon is making
Plans to participate in one of the toughest tournaments in the
nation to prove that they are
Ranked properly among the very best. Brandon's streak of 375 wins
in a row and most
wins without a loss are still intact and will continue to be extended
in spite of the Beat
the Streak tournament.Brandon has won the most State wrestling
championships 14 and
they will add the 15th this year. Brandon Hall of Fame coach and
his assistants' return
along with 7 State Champions, two runner-ups, a third placer and
one qualifier who failed
to place. This year's team has six seniors on it and some weight
classes without a returning
state level wrestler, however, Florida has never seen a team this
powerful. Teams on
Brandon's schedule should take up a collection and finance Brandon's
to tournaments like the
Ironman, The Beast of The East, Reno and the Virginia Duals. With
a heavy travel schedule
and national level competition Brandon might be too tired to crush
their in state opponents.
Here are the great wrestlers Brandon will have
dressed out this year. Probably the state's
Best wrestler along with Oviedo's Jason Robbins is Brandon's 119
Cesar Grajales(11),
Cesar is an undefeated two time State Champion. The rest of Brandon's
team will include:
103 Sean Joyce(9) who should transfer from Temple Heights Christian
where he won the
Division A title as an 8th grader. 125 Kalid Andwele (11) who
failed to make weight
at the State Championships after winning the year before could
return, 130 Ryan
Joyce(12) Champion, 135 Eddie Hutchinson(12) 3rd, 140 Tommy Hutchinson(12)
2nd,
145 David Craig(10) Champ and undefeated, 152 Rocky Cozart(11)
Champion,
160 Jarod Thompson(12) qualifier, 215 Rashard Goff(12) Champion
and 275 Keith
Simmons(12) 2nd.
Countryside(Clearwater) the runner-up team
last year to Brandon had one of the
best wrestling teams in its history. It was just too bad that
Brandon had one of the best
teams ever in Florida's wrestling history. Hall of Famer, David
Frayer, who lost three State
Champions to graduation, coaches Countryside. Countryside will
return: 112 Vince
Scholl(12) 2nd, 119 A.Jay Hixson(12) 2nd, Dominic DeNunzio(12)
2nd 145 Wesley
Walker(11) 4th and qualifier 152 Sean Murphy(12).
St. Thomas Aquinas coached by Frank Patascil
returns: 103 Jeff Wimberely(12)
undefeated State Champion, 130 Andrew Patacsil(12) 3rd and two
qualifiers:
119 Sam Patacsil(11) and 189 Chris Shula(12).
Naples coached by Cory Kness returns 112 Eric
DiGiacomo(12) 4th, 152 Kevin
Willkomm(11) 4th, 119 Daniel Toledo(12) 5th.
Niceville coached by George Stakley returns:
145 Shane Simerly(12) 2nd, and two
qualifiers: 103 Thomas Catanese(10) and 130 Daniel Thornton(12).
Gainesville coached by Scott Billings returns:
171 Nick Davis(12) undefeated
State Champion.
Ridgeview coached by J.R. Nesi returns four
qualifiers: 135 Casey Schrieber(12),
and 152 Shane Lavalle(12).
Bayside(Palm Bay) coached by Pat O'Bryan returns:
103 Chris Matos(11) 3rd and
qualifier 112 Joseph Rutigliano(11).
Flagler Palm Coast Coached by Steve DeAugustino returns: 275 Wilkie Weber(12) 3rd.
A
Cardinal Gibbons(Ft Lauderdale) coached by
Frank Pettineo has established itself as
the best of the Division A teams. Led by four returning Senior
class State placers
Cardinal Gibbons is favored to win. However, the loss of four
time State Champion
Jonathan "J.T." Taylor, who set the example will certainly
test this year's team. The
returning state placers are: 275 Leon Herrington(12) 2nd, 215
David Spanich(12) 2nd,
152 Richard Davis(12) 3rd and 112 Jorge Badia(12) 6th.
Hernando(Brooksville) coached by Matt Smith
has such a scrappy bunch of hard-nosed
wrestlers that they could prove to be a surprise. Bill Combs will
be hard to replace
but Hernando has returnees: 171 Addison Chipoletti(11) champion,
152 Charlie
Combs(12 2nd, and qualifiers 140 Stephen Pritz(12) and 275 Windham
Rotunda(11).
Riverdale(Ft Myers) coached by Chris Haywood
is another up and coming team.
Riverdale returns: 112 Keith Evans(11) 2nd and 103 Kyle Waugh(9)
5th.
Clay(Green Cove Springs) coached by Jim Reape
returns: 275 Cyrus Wainright(11)
Champion, 103 Spencer Caniff(12) 4th, Vergil McDuffie(11) 4th,
152 William
Kendrick(12) 6th and two qualifiers: 160 Hunter Hill(11) and 215
Tyrus Wainright(12).
University Christian(Jacksonville) coached
by Dave Galyan returns: 171 Jason
Able(12) 2nd, 103 Pete Peterson(10) 6th and three qualifiers:
125 Lyle Archer(12),
130 Andrew Maldonado(12) and 215 Bryce Green(12).
Southeast(Bradenton) coached by Bob Thomas
returns: 152 Jeff Baker(12) 4th,
160 Raul Amaya(12) 4th and 275 Alex Borja(12) 5th.
Archbishop McCarthy coached by Joe Bertolone
returns: 112 Chris Bencivenga(12)
3rd, 130 John Pilgrim(12) 4th and qualifier 160 Miguel Gonzalez(11).
Cocoa Beach coached by Jeff Kelly returns 152 Jamie Cross 5th.
Sebring coached by Jayson West returns 119
Joe Stump(12) 3rd, 140 Josh
Miller(12) 6th and three qualifiers: 112 Sherwin Fararo(11), 135
Blake
Germaine(11) and 171 Jim Hammortree(12).
Jesuit coached by Brett McGill has probably
this division's best wrestler in
135 Alex Enriquez(12) State Champion and returning are two qualifiers:
119
Addison Nelson(12) and 171 Alex Virgadamo.
FLORIDA'S BEST WRESTLERS
SENIOR CLASS
3A
215 JAVIER ESTOPINAN 2X State Champion and
undefeated last year South Miami
189 Anthony Boles 2nd Osceola
275 Marino Eatman 2nd Coral Gables
135 Kyle Coffman 5th Oviedo
2A
103 Jeff Wimberly Champion undefeated St. Thomas
Aquinas
130 Ryan Joyce Champion Brandon
171 Nick Davis undefeated Champion Gainesville
215 Rashard Goff Champion Brandon
275 Cyrus Wainright Champion Clay
112 Vince Scholl 2nd Countryside
119 A, Jay Hixon 2nd Countryside
130 Dominic DeNunzio 2nd Countryside
140 Tommy Hutchinson 2nd Brandon
145 Shane Simerly 2nd Niceville
275 Keith Simmons 2nd Brandon
112 Eric DiGiacomo 4th Naples
135 Eddie Hutchinson 3rd Brandon
A
119 Jason Machado 2X State Champion Belen Jesuit
135 Alex Enriquez Champion Jesuit
215 Ettore Ewin Champion Tampa Prep
103 Joey Pospisil 3rd Gulf(New Port Richey)
JUNIOR CLASS
3A
125 Jason Robbins 2x State Champion undefeated
Oviedo
130 Justin Fraga 2nd Oviedo
2A
119 Cesar Grajales 2X State Champion undefeated
Brandon
152 Rocky Cozart Champion Brandon
125 Brandon Kelly 4th Ft. Myers
125 Kalid Andwele Champion 2002 Brandon
A
171 Addison Chipoletti State Champion Hernando
112 Keith Evans Riverdale
125 Josh Helton 4th Wakulla
152 Jamie Cross 5th Cocoa Beach
Tenth Grade
3A
112 Alex Brown 6th Sarasota
2A
145 David Craig State Champion undefeated Brandon
A
103 Pete Peterson 6th University Christain
Ninth Grade
3A
125 Jesse Robbins State Champion Oviedo
2A
103 Sean Joyce State Champion Brandon
A
103 Keith Koziel 2nd North Port
103 Kyle Waugh 5th Riverdale
Eighth Grade
145 Jerico Weitzel State Champion The Bolles School
History
in the sport of NCAA Wrestling was made at this years 2003 NCAA
Tourney
History in the sport of NCAA Wrestling was made at this years 2003 NCAA Tourney held at the Kemper Center in Kansas City, Missouri. When 3x Florida State Champion Ralph Everett from Miami Southridge now Wrestling for Hofstra in Long Island, New York beat undefeated returning National Champion Greg Jones from West Virginia University. A defending National Champion had never been beaten in the 1st round ever before.
After beating Greg Jones 3-2 in sudden victory
when asked what it felt like to knock off a Defending Undefeated
Returning National Champion Ralph Responded
"I was happy that I won the coin toss in the 30 second overtime
because I was sure that I could get out to win." For people
not familiar with College rules the 30 second period of the overtime
choice of top and bottom is decided with the 2nd coin toss. The
winner has the chose of top or bottom, the job of the top man
is to control and ride his opponent and the job of the bottom
man is to get out. If the bottom man doesn't score a point during
the 30 second overtime the top man wins. Everett escaped to win
in 18 seconds to make history.
Ralph stated that all season no one he personally knows gets to see him wrestle, but at the Nationals to see my High School Coach Jim Husk and all the other Miami and Florida Coaches all routing for me really helped my mental aspect. I was looking for Coach Husk because he was at mat side last year and I hoped that he would be here this year, it really helps to know that there is someone I know personally routing for me.
Ralph Everett then beat Matt Erwin from VMI 4-3 he needed 2 takedowns in the 3rd period to win. In the Quarter Finals Ralph lost a heartbreaker to Carl Fronhoffer from Pitt 4-1. With no score in the 1st period Fronhoffer led 1-0 at the end of the 2nd period. He had been warned for stalling late in the 1st period and Everett had chased him all over the edge of the mat for 2 periods. In the 3rd period Ralph took down and Fronhoffer was able to earn a point riding time with 1:07 advantage when Everett escaped for 1 point so even though the scoreboard showed the score 1-1 the former Spartan was down 1 point. The referee never called stalling and in about the last 8 seconds Ralph got taken down shooting out of desperation to lose 4-1. Had the former Southridge 3x State Champion won this match he would have been guaranteed ALL-AMERICAN status.
Now Ralph waits for his next match if he wins
he is ALL-AMERICAN, if he loses he is what we call 1 away. In
this case Ralph lost 6-5 in a barnburner. Ralph finished 2-2 for
this years 2003 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Tournament, this is
the 2nd year in a row the former Spartan has qualified for the
NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships. He is only a junior,
so he has 1 more season and we look forward to his continuing
success. Ralph wanted to thank everyone that ever supported him
during his wrestling career. He wrestled a great tournament and
for those that were there know it could have easily been 2 South
Florida Wrestlers meeting in the Finals in the 174 pound class.
3x State Champion Mark Fee of St. Thomas Aquinas now wrestling
for Appalachian State and 3x time State Champion from Southridge
now wrestling for Hofstra.
It is a shame with the quality of High School Wrestling in the
State of Florida that we don't have one Division 1 Wrestling Program
or 1 Jr. College program in the State of Florida.
Attendance for the 2003 NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Tournament held from March 20-22 in Kansas City, Missouri, was 65,149. The Tournament was won by Oklahoma State for the 31st time with 143 points, Followed by Defending National Champions Minnesota with 104.5 points. In 3rd place was Oklahoma they scored 78 points, and Lehigh finished 4th with 69 points.
"This is the most pure sport left,"
Iowa head coach Jim Zalesky said. 'The only reason you do it is
because you want to do it. It goes back to ancient times. Techniques
have changed, but when it comes down to it, it's one-on-one.
"A lot of principles of wrestling are what America is built
on. Hard work. Competition. A lot of people don't like competition,
or they don't want society to be competitive. They want everyone
to be even.
Losses are remembered forever. When asked if he remembered his last match in High School, Coach Husk took a moment and then responded " 44 years ago and I remember the State Finals in Pa. Like it was today."
Miami Southridge wrestling coach Jim Husk was
honored at the Annual Awards
Ceremony held in Kansas City, Missouri in conjunction with the
NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Tournament. Coach Husk was recognized
for having 595 victories during his coaching career. Jim is no.
5 for victories among all High School wrestling coaches ever,
and he is the all-time leader for High School wrestling coaches
nationally with 127 tournament victories not including dual meet
tourneys.
FLORIDA'S
STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2003
By Ira Fleckman
Many are already calling this year's State Wrestling Tournament the Brother's Tournament due to the several sets of brothers contesting and winning. This author will focus on three trends, the Florid Kids programs, the strength of Miami area wrestling and Brandon's machine.
The Kids programs are beginning to impact Florida wrestling by turning out excellent wrestlers who can compete with anyone in high school. This year the first eight graders to win State Championships, Temple Heights Christian's Sean Joyce (8th) 103 and Cocoa Beach's Jesse Robbins (8th) 125 were also joined by The Bolles School's Jerico Weitzel (7th) 145. Another impact the wrestlers who participated in Kids programs are having is to make it unsafe to be a returning State Champion. Twelve of the twenty-three returning State Champions failed to defend their titles. Next year there will be even more pressure coming from those who are veterans of Kids programs and are fully prepared to compete with anyone in high school.
Miami is back! The Miami schools, Victor Balmeceda's South Dade finished well ahead of Saul Tejada's Braddock, which had a comfortable lead over Alberto Pardo's South Miami, dominated the 3A division. The central Florida schools, which made a move last year, were represented by Oviedo, which managed a close fourth place finish. Manatee, the school with the most returning points managed to gain fifth place. Dr. Krop and Miami Lakes also managed to place in the top ten from the Miami area.
Brandon placed nine wrestlers in the finals and came away with six championships a new state record and also broke the record for most points scored set last year by Cardinal Gibbons in the 1A Division with 201.5 by accumulating 246 points. Russ Cozart's Brandon team also won its 14th State Championship setting another record for excellence. Next year's team will be better. This year returning State Champion Khalid Anwele failed to make weight but he should return ready to regain his title. Sean Joyce is expected to move from Temple Heights Christian to Brandon like his brother and he already won a State Championship at 103 Division 1A this year. Brandon will return five of the six State Champions from this year's team, too.
Lakeland hosted another great FHSAA sanctioned State Championship Tournament over a three-day period. The officiating was excellent. The management of the venue was efficient and friendly. The wrestling was better than ever.
In the 1A Division, Cardinal Gibbons dominated
the rest of the competing schools. However, Hernando which features
two Combs brothers; William (11) 135 and Charlie (11) 152 took
control of second place. A younger brother is in the wings, too.
University Christian, Zephyrhills and Riverdale were well behind
the leaders but look to improve next year. Jonathan "TJ"
Taylor won his fourth State Championship at 130 joining Glenn
Goodman Tampa Catholic and Tampa Chamberlain and Paul Cobbert
of Clay as Florida's only 4 timers. Belen Jesuit's Jason Machado
(11) managed to win his second State Championship.
Brandon dominated the 2A Division and second place Countryside
had one of its best teams ever. Coach Russ Cozart has built a
machine and if he can keep all his champions at different weight
classes the machine is ready to go national. There is no team
in Florida that can defeat Brandon. Countryside managed only 158.5
points compared to Brandon's record setting 246 and Countryside
had a great team. Brandon will lose senior and 3X State Champion,
Matt Juncal and Alejandro Figueroa who placed second this year
but that shouldn't slow down Brandon's powerhouse.
The 3A Division belonged to Miami and South Dade was the undisputed power. Victor Balmeceda seems to be able to turn out exceptional teams each year. While St. Cloud which placed first last year and Winter Springs which placed third last year threatened a Central Florida revolt in 2002, this year's tournament was Miami dominated. Osceola's Javier Maldanado, who won a State Championship at 103 in 2001 but failed to defend his title, returned this year at 112 to win his second title. Allan Herrera from Miami Goleman HS showed why he is the very best in class 3A by winning his third State Championship at 160. Bobby Latessa (12) 130, Trevor Fair (12) 152 and Jason Robbins (10) 125 joined Javier Maldonado winning for the second time.
Florida is turning out superior wrestlers and the results should show up nationally.
Florida
Top 25 Wrestling Team Rankings 2-12-2003
FLORIDA TOP 25 WRESTLING TEAM RANKINGS
REGULAR SEASON FINAL RANKINGS - 2/12/03
By John Lawton, Wrestling Editor
Brandon ends the regular season as the number 1 team in Florida
The contest to be the number 1 wrestling team in Florida was over back in mid-January when Brandon won its "Graves Invitational" also known as the "Challenge the Streak" tourney. The Eagles shut out their first three opponents in that event and won handily over number 2 ranked Countryside by a wide 40-15 margin although there were ten highly contested bouts in that one.
In the weeks following that win, Brandon has ripped off four other tourney wins by huge margins and ended with a romp in their Conference Duals tourney last weekend so they have officially ended their season with a 16-0 mark in dual meets and upped the count of wins in their "streak" to 375.
And congratulations to Brandon's coach Russ Cozart on winning his 300th in a row. In their final meet of the year, Brandon shut out Armwood 79-0.
In the FHSAA state series that started yesterday, I expect Brandon won't have much of a problem winning either district, region or state team titles, so the only question that remains is whether they can break the state record for individual champions, five, held by the 1967 Miami Coral Park team.
Yes, way back in "Yesteryear", when Florida only had a single class state tourney, Neil Paskewitz (98), Larry Sokol (126), Joey Parker (138), Leon Hall (155) and Paul Blanchard (167) all won individual state titles in just the third year of an official state tourney according to the FHSAA's record books. And that mark has held steady
But I think that there are six Eagles who have an excellent shot at state titles that could break that long-standing mark. Alejandro Figueroa (103), Cesar Grajales (119), David Craig (145), Matt Juncal (189) and Rashard Goff (215) are all unbeaten this season while Khalid Andwele (125), Eddie Hutchinson (135), Tommy Hutchinson (140) and Rocky Cozart (152) have just a single loss on their season records. So overall, there are as many as nine Brandon guys with a solid shot at state titles.
The next tier of teams, Countryside, South Dade and Cardinal Gibbons can all make legitmate claims to the number two position but we're sticking with Coach Frayer's Cougars as they were the only team to give top-ranked Brandon any kind of challenge.
South Dade has quickly rebuilt itself in just seasons after their 2001 state title squad had four state champs. The Bucs had a second place finish to Miami Braddock at the DeSoto tourney at the start of the season but have reeled off five impressive tourney victories including a win over Braddock in the Greater Miami tourney plus they are undefeated in duals. I just wish that South Dade and Braddock would have faced off in a dual meet this season.
Right behind South Dade and clamoring for respect are Frank Pettineo's Cardinal Gibbons team. The Redskins have only been beaten in the nationally ranked Virginia Duals tourney but their regular season schedule only includes just one All State team, St. Thomas Aquinas so it is difficult to figure the strength of this team versus South Dade and Countryside. Despite those negatives, expect Cardinal Gibbons to take a crack at breaking the state tourney points record (201) that they just set last season in winning the Class 1A state title.
The second tier of top teams, Miami Braddock, Oviedo, St. Thomas Aquinas and Venice have all been defeated more than once in either duals or tourneys but each has outstanding talent that will put them in the running for a state title. I take that back, while St. Thomas has at least two guys who are favorites to win state titles, they won't seriously challenge Brandon this year.
A third level of top teams, Miami Dr. Krop, Bradenton Manatee, Lakeland and Orlando University all have an outside shot at winning a state title but they certainly have individual wrestlers that should stand atop the podium in their weight class in Lakeland on Saturday, March 1.
Another group of teams, led by Tampa Sickles,
Green Cove Springs Clay, St. Cloud, Orlando Edgewater, Pinellas
Park, Port Orange Atlantic, Key West and Ocala Forest have multiple
tourney wins and have consistently challenged the top ranked teams
in some hot tourney contests or duals.
The final tier of All State teams, Miami Southridge, Boca Raton
Olympic Heights, Sebastian River, South Miami and Stuart Martin
County has been in and out of the Top 25 this season. They are
in when they win a tourney and out when they slip in an event
but this situation has caused me to add another dozen teams in
an Honorable Mention category as they were in serious consideration
for elite status at the end of the season.
Now its on to the state series where Florida Wrestling starts out fresh again as everybody is eligible for a district title and their individual wrestlers can run the table to a state title.
Actually, as long as an individual wrestler finishes in the top four places in both the district and region tourneys, he still can win a state championship if he wins four straight in Lakeland without a loss.
And while I'm at it, I've gotten away with using just "he" when referring to individual wrestlers. It is past time for the state to officially recognize our females and sanction Girls Wrestling as an official high school sport in Florida. Lets get on with that effort and give those gals who are fond of wrestling their opportunity to officially win state titles too.
All State
1 Brandon
2 Clearwater Countryside
3 Homestead South Dade
4 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
5 Miami Braddock
6 Oviedo
7 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
8 Venice
9 Miami Dr Krop
10 Bradenton Manatee
11 Lakeland
12 Orlando University
13 Tampa Sickles
14 Green Cove Springs Clay
15 St Cloud
16 Orlando Edgewater
17 Pinellas Park
18 Port Orange Atlantic
19 Key West
20 Ocala Forest
21 Miami Southridge
22 Boca Raton Olympic Heights
23 Sebastian River
24 South Miami
25 Stuart Martin County
Honorable Mention
Satellite
Jupiter
Brooksville Hernando
Tampa Jesuit
New Port Richey Gulf
Royal Palm Beach
Deltona Pine Ridge
Hillsborough Riverview
Naples Gulf Coast
Orange Park Ridgeview
Ft. Myers
Sebring
Class 3A
1 Homestead South Dade
2 Miami Braddock
3 Oviedo
4 Venice
5 Miami Dr Krop
6 Bradenton Manatee
7 Orlando University
8 St Cloud
9 Orlando Edgewater
10 Pinellas Park
11 Miami Southridge
12 Boca Raton Olympic Heights
13 South Miami
14 Stuart Martin County
15 Royal Palm Beach
16 Deltona Pine Ridge
17 Hillsborough Riverview
18 Sarasota Riverview
19 Valrico Bloomingdale
20 Boca Raton Spanish River
21 Palm Harbor
22 Winter Springs
23 Orlando Timber Creek
24 Orlando Olympia
25 Tampa Chamberlain
Honorable Mention
Pembroke Pines Flanagan
Kissimmee Osceola
Miami Palmetto
Southwest Miami
Hialeah Miami Lakes
Miami Varela
Jacksonville Mandarin
Parkland Douglas
Jacksonville Sandalwood
Class 2A
1 Brandon
2 Clearwater Countryside
3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
4 Lakeland
5 Tampa Sickles
6 Green Cove Springs Clay
7 Ocala Forest
8 Satellite
9 Jupiter
10 Naples Gulf Coast
11 Orange Park Ridgeview
12 Ft. Myers
13 Longwood Lyman
14 Cape Coral
15 Naples
16 Fort Walton Beach
17 Okeechobee
18 Port St. Lucie
19 Estero
20 Fort Pierce Central
21 Tarpon Springs East Lake
22 Lakeland Lake Gibson
23 New Port Richey Ridgewood
24 Land O'Lakes
25 Bradenton Bayshore
Honorable Mention
Punta Gorda Charlotte
Springfield Rutherford
Tallahassee Lincoln
Niceville
Plant City Durant
Melbourne
Gainesville
Jacksonville Forrest
St. Petersburg Northeast
Class 1A
1 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
2 Port Orange Atlantic
3 Key West
4 Sebastian River
5 Brooksville Hernando
6 Tampa Jesuit
7 New Port Richey Gulf
8 Sebring
9 Zephyrhills
10 Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy
11 Miami Monsignor Pace
12 Jacksonville University Christian
13 Crawfordville Wakulla
14 Jacksonville Episcopal
15 Clewiston
16 Titusville Astronaut
17 Orlando Bishop Moore
18 Pinellas Osceola
19 Immokalee
20 Bradenton Southeast
21 Pensacola Christian
22 Ft Myers Riverdale
23 Tampa Berkeley Prep
24 Lake Wales
25 Crystal River
Honorable Mention
St. Petersburg Catholic
Panama City Bay
Live Oak Suwannee
Jacksonville Lee
Hollywood Chaminade
Glades Central
LAST TWO WEEKS TOURNAMENT'S TEAM CHAMPIONS
TEAM CHAMPION / Tournament
Brandon - 19th Annual Tony Ippolito @ Brandon
James River, VA - 4th Annual Tiger Prowl Invitational @ Robert
E. Lee, Jacksonville
Homestead South Dade - GMAC @ Coral Reef, Miami
Boca Raton Olympic Heights - Lion Heart Invitational @ Olympic
Heights, Boca Raton
St. Petersburg - Blue Jacket Invitational @ Admiral Farragut,
St. Petersburg
Gulf - Sunshine Athletic Conference @ Land O'Lakes
Brooksville Hernando - Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)
Ocala Forest - Marion County Championships @ West Port, Ocala
Royal Palm Beach - Duals @ Jupiter
Cardinal Gibbons - Duals @ Immokalee
Wakulla - Wakulla Bank Classic @ Wakulla, Crawfordville
Fort Pierce Central - Russ Destito Memorial Classic @ Martin County,
Stuart
Venice - 1st Annual Taco Bell Duals @ Charlotte High, Punta Gorda
Oviedo - Seminole Athletic Conference @ Lake Mary
Ft. Myers - Mariner Cup @ Mariner, Cape Coral
Coral Springs - Cobra Duals @ Coral Springs
Lakeland - Polk County Championships @ Lake Gibson
Bradenton Manatee - Manatee County Championships
@ Bayshore, Bradenton
Key West - 6th Annual Tomasso Invitational @ Jupiter
Mandarin - Gateway Conference Tournament @ Wolfson, Jacksonville
Satellite - Cape Coast Conference Championships @ Satellite
Orlando University - Metro Conference Tournament @ Dr. Phillips,
Orlando
Kissimmee Osceola - Girls State Championships @ Gateway, Kissimmee
Sebring - Duals @ Lemon Bay, Englewood
Clay - Florida Star Conference Duals @ St. Augustine
Tampa Jesuit - Terrapin Invitational @ Tampa Prep
Crystal River - Quality Inn Tournament @ West Port, Ocala
Bradenton Bayshore - All Area Duals @ Sarasota
Hillsborough County Western Conference Divisional Duals
Tampa Sickles - American Division @ Gaither, Tampa
Hillsborough Riverview - Congressional Division @ Riverview
Brandon - Federal Division @ Brandon
Plant - National Division @ Jefferson
THIS WEEKEND'S HIGH SCHOOL TOURNEY SCHEDULE
48 FHSAA District Tournaments
Regardless of how FKN ranks the teams, it is what happens on the mat that counts most. Our rankings are a composite of results from dual meets and tourneys - both individual bracketed or dual meet tourneys. They are not a prediction of future results. Moreover, the rankings are based on how the teams are performing now, not on how they will finish at the State tourney.
If you find errors in our results or if key results are missing, e-mail those results to johnlawton@aol.com. Results as of the end of wrestling on each Saturday are generally considered as the cutoff time for each week's rankings. So what might happen on Monday or Tuesday before the Weekly Rankings are released is too late for consideration.