Tom Crook named Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Wrestling; Somerset’s Blasucci earns top coach honors

Tampa Jesuit’s Tom Crook has always wanted to be named Mr. Wrestling.

On Tuesday, the Florida Dairy Farmers named the three-time Florida state champion Mr. Wrestling for the 2020-21 season.

“Since I’ve been a little kid and watched the state wrestling tournament, I always wanted to be Mr. Wrestling,” Crook said. “It’s a prestigious group to join and it’s nice to be recognized for the work you put in.”

The honor comes after the junior completed his third undefeated season in Florida by going 41-0 and winning the 138-pound state title in Class 2A.

This year’s state title run featured a semifinal bout between two nationally-ranked wrestlers when Crook topped Countryside’s Ethan Mojena 4-3.

“Having pressure is a privilege and I when everybody is watching, it’s an opportunity,” Crook said of the semifinal match that had a lot of attention back in March at Silver Spurs Arena.

Crook also had the pleasure of watching his brother Jack win his first state title this year, taking home the top spot at 145 pounds.

“He’s everything to my wrestling,” Crook said. “It’s invaluable to have a built-in partner who is my best friend. He’s also a weight class above me and knows me better than anyone and he’s a huge part of my success.”

The two brothers have moved onto the freestyle season and will start taking college visits this summer once the NCAA dead period ends before competing at Fargo.

“The plan is to keep working hard and then go to Fargo and win a couple of national titles.”

Other wrestling honors went to Manatee’s Tylynn Lukens and Lemon Bay’s Lance Schyck.

Lukens was named the Class 3A Wrestler-of-the-Year after winning the 182-pound title. The senior finished the season 54-1, avenging his only loss on the season in the state final.

Schyck was also a state champion at 182 pounds and was named the Class 1A Wrestler-of-the-Year after a 39-0 season.

Somerset’s Joe Blasucci was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Panthers to the program’s first two state titles in wrestling.

The first came in January when Somerset topped Palm Bay in the Class 1A state duals championship and the second was added in March when the Panthers took home the Class 1A team title behind the strength of four individual state champions.

“It’s a great honor to receive this award,” Blasucci said. “It’s a tribute to the kids, the program, parents and coaching staff that have worked for 10 years to achieve this goal.”

Christian Fretwell, Chase Gillis, Bas Diaz, and Darian Estevez all won state titles for the Panthers.

“We are trying to cultivate well rounded student athletes who represent Somerset wrestling family on and off the mat,” Blassuci said.

Charlotte’s Evan Robinson and South Dade’s Victor Balmeceda were also named for top coaching honors.

Robinson was named the Class 2A Coach-of-the-Year after the Tarpons won the school’s first state team title since 1997.

Balmeceda’s Bucs squad finished the year with an eighth straight team title in the IBT, and a state-leading fourth state duals title to help him earn the Class 3A Coach-of-the-Year.