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Tenoroc's Nick Thomas Eager to Show He's a Contender in Today's Semifinal

Sat. February 09, 2013 at 1:00 a.m. | By Bill Kemp


TENOROC'S D'Anthony Dorsey breaks the hold of Cocoa's Jonathan Hennes during their 195-pound match at the Class 1A, Region 2 tournament at Tenoroc High School in Lakeland. (Photo by PIERRE DUCHARME | THE LEDGER)


By BILL KEMP

LEDGER MEDIA GROUP

LAKELAND | Aside from a few middle school matches, Nick Thomas has only been wrestling for two years, and today he's just one win away from a state tournament berth.

 

The Tenoroc sophomore pinned Manuel Tapia Friday at the Class 1A, Region 2 meet at Tenoroc High School to advance to the 220-pound semifinals today against Astronaut's Travis Dunbar.

 

"Last year was the first year we did not have a state qualifier and I am eager to get back," Tenoroc head coach Peter Fender said. "I think he has the tool set and the makeup to definitely make it as a sophomore. I think he will medal his junior year and I think he will be on top of the podium his senior year."

 

Thomas (32-7) suffered an ankle injury at the regional meet last year and now he feels his time has arrived to realize his first goal.

 

"Making it to state this year, that's all that matters," Thomas said. "Wrestling not a season, it's a lifestyle. It's a one-year sport."

 

There are 15 wrestlers from Polk County still alive in the 1A, Region 2 brackets today, including Mulberry's Brian Treacy, who recorded two first-period pins in the 152-pound division setting up a semifinal meeting with Lake Highland Prep's Jake Spengler.

 

Spengler won the Class 1A 132-pound state championship last year.

 

"I'm going to be facing the best wrestler in the tournament, so if I win, I could have a (regional) championship," Treacy said, who won the district championship last week with a come-from-behind third-period pin. "My goal is to just make it to state. I don't care if I place. I just want to be known as a state qualifier."

 

Frostproof has three wrestlers still vying for a state berths today, including Domonick Patterson in the 120-pound division. he pinned Troy Reed (Fivay) to advance to the semifinals.

 

"Domonick had a great day today," Frostproof head coach Brian Schmitt said.

 

Other Polk County wrestlers advancing to the semifinals are: Lake Wales' John Kimbrough (126), McKeel's Austin Porter (132) and Luca Creekmore (160), Frostproof's Clayton Farrer (160), Mulberry's David Prindiville (170) and Lake Wales' Jacob Tomlin (HW).

 

Polk County wrestlers still alive in the consolation brackets are: Frostproof's Danique Rosius (126), Mulberry's Robert Thomas (145), McKeel's Luke Schwartz (170) and Kyle Jerkins (182), Lake Wales' Alex Silfa (182) and Tenoroc's D'Anthony Dorsey.

 

 

 

 

 

Class 1A:

 

Team Standings

 

1. Pasco 66.0; 2. Lake Highland Prep 60.00; 3. Crystal River 55.00; 4. Astronaut 54.50; 5. Villages 48.00; 6. Fivay 47.00; 7. Rockledge 45.00; 8. Lake Nona 41.00; 9. Avon Park 33.50; 10. Bishop Moore 31.50; 11. Frostproof 29.00; 12. Atlantic 28.00; 13. CFCA 27.00; tie. Space Coast 27.00; 15. Lake Wales 26.50; 16. Mulberry 26.00; 17. McKeel Academy 25.50; 18. Cocoa Beach 21.00; 19. Titusville 18.50; 20. Cocoa 19.00; 21. Titusville 18.50; 22. Anclote 18.00; 23. Tenoroc 17.00; 24. Poinciana 14.00; 25. Weeki Wachee 13.00; 26. Trinity Catholic 9.00; 27. Dunnellon 7.00; tie. Satellite Beach 7.00; 29. Hudson 3.00;