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Friday, 19 November 2010 21:45
Strong squads abound in county
By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Osceola High has dominated county competition over the past five years as the OBC champion, but the loss of several state champions and state qualifiers to graduation make it difficult for the Kowboys to continue their reign.
Celebration
The Storm may be rising to the top of the county wrestling pyramid under the guidance of Vic Lorenzano, the coach of St. Cloud’s 2002 state champion.
In his second season as the head coach, Lorenzano has put together a team that will compete in several of the state’s toughest tournaments at Osceola High, Flagler Palm Coast and Brandon.
Back are standouts Justin Temple (160/171) and Cameron Ward (189) and sophomore Skyler Lerner (140). Josh Douglas (125) pinned both of his opponents at the Mat Classic last week.
The team is strong in the upper weight classes with Brandon Harris (215) and Brandon Guerrero (215) and heavyweight Alaro Norena.
Ahmed Zayed (112), Giovanni Mercado (119), Chris Haley (130), Chris Rohrer (135), Everett Suarez (145), Tyler Phelan (152) and Blaze Rodriguez (160) all have potential, said Lorenzano.
The Storm compete in district 2A-5 against St. Cloud, Harmony and Liberty along with several Orlando-area programs, including Class 2A state champion Oviedo.
Osceola
A 2009 Class 3A state championship and top three finishes since 2008 are Osceola High wrestling landmarks, but Coach Jim Bird said it may be difficult for this year’s version of the Kowboys to maintain that standard.
“Celebration and Liberty will probably beat us,” Bird said. “St. Cloud and us will be close.”
The Kowboys graduated two back-to-back state champions last year in Levi Clemons (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga) and Joe Locksmith (Naval Academy), and a state runner-up in Gabe Bird (Liberty University).
Anchoring the Kowboys this season is 2008 (119 pounds) state champion Pete Baldwin, a senior who was a state runner-up in 2009 (135) and 2010 (140). Baldwin will compete at 145 pounds. He signed to Old Dominion University last week.
Tim Locksmith, who placed third at state (119) last season, competes at 125 pounds.
Other veterans include seniors E.J. Jimenez (119), sixth at state last season, and Dillon Kelly (160).
The Kowboys roster also  includes freshmen Connor Waldron and Cody Dana (103); sophomore Sam Compres and junior Kevin Santos (112); junior Franky Torres (125); senior Alex Rivera and freshmen Ryan Osborn and Lee Dobbs (130); junior Wade Ridings and freshmen Giovanni Sellito and Devon Goddard (135); sophomores Paul Zupofska and Max Tilford, and junior Miquel Crespo (140); junior Kenny Martinez and freshman Mikeice Adams (152); freshman Spencer Lacey (160); senior Ramon Luciano and sophomores Cory Petrovick and Jhalen Flanders (171); sophomore Chris Pagan and freshman Ben Cruz (189) and senior Trevor Darnell and sophomore Darrin Brackbill (215).
The Kowboys, who compete in district 3A-5, will host the Marvin Haven Duals today at 8 a.m. OHS will host the Kowboys Kup Dec. 10, which may decide the OBC championship.
Gateway
Coach Jon Smorin begins his second season with the Panthers after a successful debut last year.
“We had a good finish to the year last year. We lost a lot of our team during the season and are once again very young,” he said, emphasizing the “very.”
State qualifier Alex Valez (103) returns, along with regional qualifiers Bryan Rosa, Christian Vazquez, Billy Hook and Kris Mora.
“We are working hard and hoping to just compete well this year,” Smorin said. “One goal is to not forfeit any weight classes this season and to stay healthy all year.”
Smorin is assisted by Dan Daniels.
Harmony
The Longhorns enjoyed their most successful season under Coach Chris Todd last year when they won the Terry Parker Duals in Jacksonville and placed third in 2A District 5 and the Orange Belt Conference.
“Our program has really come into its own over the last few years and a lot of that is because of our senior class,” Todd said.
Returning are seniors Justin Owens (119), Matt Vaughn (130), Chris Grillo (140), Joey Finneran (135) and Alex Githens (171).
Vaughn placed sixth at the Class 2A state meet and Grillo was a district champ and a state qualifier after undergoing ACL surgery in December.
Newcomers are junior John Arce (125), from New Jersey, and senior heavyweight Adam Gutman.
Todd has taken the team to several major tournaments and camps over the summer to prepare.
“Most of the guys have been wrestling year round and really stepped up their wrestling over the past year,” he said.
Harmony is hosting its 16-team 4th Annual Longhorn Christmas Tournament Dec. 17-18.
Liberty
New Coach Chris Kelly has a solid roster that will contend for the OBC and district championships.
Senior Felix Betancourt, fourth at the Class 2A state meet at 130 pounds last year, returns along with another state medal winner, junior Aric Fernandez. Fernandez was sixth at 171 pounds.
Another state qualifier, senior J.J. Elisis, returns at 160 pounds,
The starting lineup has seniors Corey Grey, Josh Garcia, Joel Martinez, Freddie Ruiz and Manuel Figueroa.
Kelly said it is difficult to determine how his team will perform this season.
“I’m just trying to help our guys get better every day,” he said.
Poinciana
Adam Hopman takes over the Eagles program and he is encouraged about a roster that includes several talented veterans.
Hopman said junior Michael Shephard (112 pounds), “Is looking like a monster this year on the mat and will make waves in his division.”
Also returning is Jerry Bazilme (130), a junior. “He is looking very strong and motivated. Could be his year,” said the coach.
Hopman said senior Moises Melo (125) is working hard and should be competitive all season, and that sophomore O’Neal Thomas is looking like a future team leader.
The Eagles compete in A District 7.
St. Cloud
Coach Matt Milton knows that you don’t replace a two-time state champion like Frank Cousins, now at Wisconsin.
But, he does think that he has several very good competitors in the mat room.
Senior Hunter Raddatz, juniors Ryan Finneran, Kyle Glunt and Chris Scavone, and sophomore Joe McGinley all have big expectations, he said.
“Joe and Ryan both had a great summer and have worked hard on earning a spot on the podium in February,” Milton said. “Hunter has also worked extremely hard and has set some goals to have a successful senior year.”
Milton said others to watch include brothers Riley and Zach Fertic, Will Vega and Eric Carrasco.
Milton has 13 freshmen also looking for a spot on the varsity roster.
For the girls, Trinity Livingston (112) has state meet potential, Milton said.
 

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