Lake Wales' Hardy Reaches 1A-2 Semis

LAKELAND | Lake Wales leads all Polk County teams with 42 points and has six wrestlers still battling for a spot into the FHSAA state championship after competing in the double-elimination, class 1A, Region 2 qualifier at Tenoroc on Friday.

Senior Jeff Hardy is the lone Highlander to advance to the championship semifinals after pinning Austin Marlette of Lake Nona in 57 seconds into his first match and defeating Tim Goff of Astronaut by a major decision, 5-4. The top four placers in each weight class advance to states. 

"I try to work as hard as I can," Hardy said. "I'm always practicing hard and making my teammates better by doing what the coaches tell me to."

Laron Richardson, Hardy's sparring partner in practice and fellow senior, pinned his first opponent Jonathan Coats of Pasco but was pinned 3:10 into his championship quaterfinal match by Geordan Speiller of Pine Castle Christian. Richardson is staying alive for today's bouts after winning two other matches in the consolation bracket advancing to the quartefinals.

"We're not happy with the number of guys we got into the consolation (bracket), but overall we're happy with the way we wrestled and look forward to tomorrow," Highlanders' coach Chris Ford said. "We had a couple of tough draws in the championship bracket — especially at the 120-pound weight class."

John Kimbrough beat Alec Dansereau of Space Coast by a major decision but lost in the quarterfinals to Anthony Petrone of Lake Highland Prep, the No. 1 rated 120-pounder in Class 1A.

Ford also has three other grapplers in the consolation quarterfinals today in senior Eddie Chadwick (220 pounds), junior Deshaun Dunn (heavyweight) and junior Timothy Sorisa (160), who was forced to move up two weight classes after missing the 145-pound district weigh-in.

Frostproof juniors Wesley Smeal and Clayton Farrer each moved on to the semifinals today after pinning their respective opponents in the 145- and 160-pound divisions. 

McKeel has five wrestlers in the hunt and holds on to ninth place overall by finishing with 35 points on Friday. 

Senior Alex Probasco (195) pinned both of his opponents to move onto the semifinals.

Sophomore Austin Porter (132) and juniors Dominic Livingston (152), Luke Creekmore (160) and Robert White (182) each fought through tough losses early to hold their positions in the consolation quarterfinals.

Despite an untimely exit by Mulberry senior Antonio "Nino" Cerna (125), who was ranked No. 3 in the state, the Panthers advanced three competitors to today's action.

Two-time district champ David Prindiville leads the Mulberry hopefuls after pinning both of his opponents halfway through the first and second periods to remain in the championship bracket.

Sophomore Gino Cerna (138) and junior Kyle Jerkins (170) each lost their second matches for the Panthers but have a chance at the consolation quarterfinals today. 

In spite of having six participants, not one Tenoroc wrestler was able to make it past the championship quarterfinals Friday and will not compete today.

Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m. this morning and the championship semifinals are set for 10 a.m. The consolation quarterfinals will take place right after championship bracket action is through. The consolation and championship finals are scheduled for 6 p.m.