By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The question wasn’t whether Osceola would win its sixth Orange Belt Conference boys wrestling championship in seven seasons, but by how much?

The Kowboys (257.5) took 11 of 14 individual matches and sent 12 wrestlers to the finals to clinch the title at Celebration High Saturday.

Gateway (114) was second, followed by St. Cloud (106), Celebration (101.5), Harmony (95), defending champion Liberty (61) and Poinciana (28).

The format for the conference tournament this season switched from team duals to individual bracket, so 14 conference champions were crowned Saturday.

From Osceola are Ariel Dominguez (106, 33-5), Cody Dana (120, 21-11), Juan Arroyave (126, 20-1), Tim Locksmith (132, the tournament’s MVP, 31-4), Fox Baldwin (138, 41-2,), Paul Zupofska (145, 29-7), Kenny Martin (152, 32-7), Spencer  Lacey (160, 30-9), Chris Pagan (170, 36-5), Rashad Marshall (195, 35-8) and Franklyn Lantigua (220, 32-11).

Jhalen Flanders (27-6) was the runner-up at 182.

Aside from Arroyave and Locksmith, all the Kowboys’ conference winners are underclassmen.

Gateway’s Alex Velez (113), Liberty’s Aric Fernandez (182) and Celebration’s Alvaro Norena (285), all state placers last season, won conference titles as well.

The Kowboys, who are idle until a Jan. 26 match against St. Cloud, also won the OBC junior varsity championship led by match winners Tyler Schultz (106), Nefi Acevedo (120), Miguel Crespo (145), Bryce Flanders (170), Alex Betancourt (195) and Eddie Mora (220). Another group of OHS wrestlers won the Flagler JV tournament.

“It was one of the best weekends we’ve had here in a while,” Kowboys Coach Jim Bird said. “Winning 11 matches at OBCs, then winning the OBC JV and Flagler JV tournaments, it was a great performance from our guys. We had 38 of them competing. I’m proud of all of them.”

Locksmith continued to excel despite recuperating from off-season shoulder surgery, Bird said.

“He’s a little sore, but he’s getting there,” Bird said. “That’s four (OBC titles) for him, so that’s something for him to be proud of.”

Bird said the Kowboys, who competed at three elite tournaments in December, will spend most of their time getting healthy before Osceola hosts the 3A-5 district tournament Feb. 3. Gateway and Liberty also will compete.

“We’ll heal up, work on some skills and try to stay physically and mentally in shape so we will peak at the right time,” Bird said.

Gateway, competing without three injured starters, still had one of its most successful conference performances in a decade.

In addition to Velez, who with 114 career wins is closing in on former state champion Jose Vazquez’s school record (130), Gateway’s Bryan Rossa (132) and Christian Vazquez (160) reached the OBC finals.

“We still have a ton of work to do and a long way to go to get to where we want to be, but we are moving forward and growing by the week,” Panthers Coach Jon Smorin said. “Two years ago, my first season as head coach, we got our tails kicked by everyone, so it’s good to see us place second knowing we lose one senior this year.”

The Panthers continue a difficult path toward the district tournament with a trip to Viera today and then to Brandon’s 32-team Tony Ippolito tournament this weekend. Next Wednesday, Gateway  hosts Class 2A state champion Springstead and then goes to Jupiter’s Raich Memorial tournament.

Smorin said a last-minute scheduling conflict caused Gateway’s late-season schedule to become more challenging.

“Needless to say, the next two weeks are going to be very tough, but it should get us ready for the state series, which is where we want to peak,” Smorin said.

Celebration Coach Vic Lorenzano saw five of his nine wrestlers reach the finals. Norena improved to 30-1 with his championship.

The Storm’s J.J. Francis (29-2), ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, was tied with Osceola’s Martin at 152 pounds in the third period before Martin won, 6-2, with a reversal and near fall in the final seconds.

Nigel Jolliffie (106) was third for the Storm. Everett Suarez (138) and Tyler Phelan (160) were fourth.

“The team gave a strong effort and had some real bright spots. J.J. and (Alvaro) continue to perform at state level, and this is the time of year they need those performances if they expect to contend at state,” Lorenzano said. “It was a credible performance by our other finalists, but they all need to turn things up a notch. Our 106-pounder  (Jolliffie) really gave a nice effort, winning two matches.”

The Storm will compete at Brandon’s Ippolito tournament this weekend.

Harmony had two finalists in Chris Furber (106) and Tanner Williams (220).

Coach Chris Todd said his team could have performed better.

“We still have to work on the little things that make the difference between winning and losing a match,” he said.

The Longhorns compete at Bishop Moore’s Michael Hutchins tournament this weekend.

St. Cloud had four wrestlers in the finals, including Ryan Finneran (138) and Joe McGinley (113), favorites at the upcoming 2A-5 tournament at St. Cloud. Josh Rowe (195) and Alex Southall (285) also reached the finals.

Poinciana had a pair of third-place efforts from Oneal Thomas (182) and Brandon Harris (195).

Liberty’s Fernandez, the 182-pound champion, will attempt to qualify for the Class 2A state meet for the third time next month. He was fourth at state last season.