Polk County wrestlers advance to Day 2 of IBT regionals
Several Polk County wrestlers have moved on to Day 2 in FHSAA IBT regional wrestling.
In Class 1A-Regional 2 action from Palm Bay High School, McKeel (third place) advanced 10 to the second day. McKeel's wrestlers moving on will be: Jackson Lietz (113, 32-22, semifinals), Caleb Causey (120, 30-11, consolation semis), Jean Benavidez (126, 29-19, consolation semifinals), Cade Beke (132, 32-14, consolation semifinals), Bradley Torres (145, 46-16, consolation semifinals), Deacon Warren (152, 25-12, consolation semifinals), Vish Williams (160, 47-4, semifinals), Owen McNabb (170, 39-5, semifinals), Wayne Campbell (182, 50-4, semifinals) and Ben Lietz (195, 53-7, consolation semifinals).
Mulberry (seventh) has six still fighting for state representation. Representing Mulberry in Day 2 will be Jonathan Espinosa (106, 39-3, semifinals), Kristian Abercrombie (138, 32-10, consolation semifinals), Thomas Danielson (145, 31-17, consolation semis), Abel Manville (182, 36-13, consolation semifinals), Keontay Smith (220, 40-9, semifinals) and Joquorius Taylor (295, 42-3, semifinals).
"We have six kids still in the tournament," Mulberry head coach Chris Dangle said. "Tomorrow (Saturday) the competition will improve so we will have to elevate our game. We need to focus on the task at hand and just bring it at this point. Nothing to loose and everything to gain."
Just behind Mulberry is Tenoroc (eighth place) thanks to six heading to Day 2 of regionals. Mulberry's mat warriors for the second day will be: Brandon Coleman (120, 36-13, consolation semifinals), Kris Hunter (126, 50-7, semifinals), Wes Booker (138, 40-14, consolation semifinals), Leighton Tinch (152, 33-4, semifinals), Isai Rivera (182, 24-12, consolation semifinals) and Darian Gillins (220, 52-6, semifinals).
"Regionals are always a tough time because you have some kids that are not reaching their goals, but the performance of my wrestlers today makes me excited to see what we can do tomorrow, even the ones that lost battled their butts off and did some extraordinary things," Tenoroc coach Anthony Cerullo said. "I’m proud of the effort that they have given today. Our program only has one regional champ in history tomorrow. I feel like we can add three more to that list along with three additional placers."
Lake Region (14th place) advanced two to Day 2. Lake Region will have Javarious Johnson (195, 13-6, consolation semifinals) and Omarion James (220, 16-9, consolation semifinals).
Class 2A-Region 2
In the lead of another meet so far is Lake Gibson (first), which has 10 wrestlers primed for the second day. Lake Gibson will have: Colt Brown (106, 43-8, semifinals), Elijah Lowe (113, 45-8, semifinals), Gaetano Tedesco (120, 37-11, semifinals), Hayden Whidden (132, 22-1, semifinals), Alex Walker (138, 34-7, semifinals), Blake Walker (145, 38-6, semifinals), Brendon Abdon (160, 47-2, semifinals), Frank Solorzano (170, 43-3, semifinals), Jayvien Haynes (182, 28-6, semifinals), and Tristan Vann (195, 29-10, consolation semifinals).
"Guys wrestled well," Lake Gibson coach Danny Walker said. "Wrestled much better than last week."
Auburndale (17th) has three heading into Day 2 at Lake Gibson. For Auburndale, it will be Amir Coston (182, 28-6, consolation semifinals), Adrian Castillo (195, 17-12, consolation semifinals), and Nate Gabriel (285, 29-8, semifinals).
"Nate Gabriel came out and performed well," Auburndale head coach Antonio Thomas said.
Lakeland (24th) for Day 2 will have three. Those wrestlers will be Cedric Townsend (106, 12-8, consolation semifinals), Eric Vargas (113, 27-22, consolation semifinals) and Kayden Graham (170, 18-7, semifinals).
Kathleen (28th) on the second day will have Jeremiah Jackson (285, 38-1, semifinals).
Class 3A-Region 2
At Osceola High School, George Jenkins (10th) has four student-athletes for the second day. In Day 2 will be: Roderick Brown (106, 47-12, consolation semifinals), Timothy Peoples (152, 47-11, consolation semifinals), Nathan Peoples (195, 39-3, consolation semifinals) and Landon Walters (220, 38-6, consolation semifinals).
"We definitely were thrown some curveballs today," George Jenkins coach Gavin Osborn said. "Our kids bounced back and finished strong. Tomorrow is a brand new day and the door is still open for us to step through to the state tournament."
Winter Haven (25th) has Zahquel Davis (220, 19-14, consolation semifinals) in Day 2.
And Bartow's wrestler for Day 2 will be Kemonte Foster (285, 25-7, consolation semifinals).
Day 2 action will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Palm Bay High School (Class 1A), 9 a.m. Saturday at Lake Gibson High School (Class 2A) and 9:45 a.m. Saturday at Osceola High School (Class 3A).
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: wrestlers, win, Polk County, Lake Gibson, McKeel, Mulberry
