State tournament beckons for 11 area wrestlers

The storylines are many for area wrestlers heading into the state tournament Friday.

The list of 11 wrestlers representing four schools in two classifications at The Lakeland Center includes veterans and rookies. Some were expected to advance, while others were pleasant surprises. And some gained a measure of redemption.

Arnold and Mosley lead the way with four qualifying wrestlers each.

Mosley’s Jimmy Kahle is the old man of the group, making his third state appearance in as many years, this time in the 140-pound weight class. Ryan Newsome (135) is making his second straight trip, while Dillon Humphrey (103) and Kyle Angove (119) are on their initial journey.

The Marlins’ Zane Turnipseed (145-pound weight class) is his team’s lone returner, as Joel Ensminger (112), Jayme Atkins (125) and Colby Baker (130) advanced for the first time. Ensminger exorcised his demons from a failed bid at regionals last year to qualify in 2010.

Rutherford’s Chris Searles also redeemed himself, but it had nothing to do with anything that happened last February. The senior’s season started out rocky when he was ejected from the Arnold Invitational in December for using threatening language. He was suspended by the Florida High School Athletic Association for three weeks and needed to be on his best behavior to avoid another stumble.

“The thing I learned from that is to control my anger,” Searles said. “And I knew that if it happened again, then I could have lost my season.”

Once he returned to the mat his focus was placed on finally making it to state. He said his coaches pushed him hard and it was a matter of time before he was on track to qualify.

“We knew that if I continued to compete and work that this could be my year,” Searles said.

Searles was runner-up at regional, giving him a balanced matchup against Tavernier Coral Shores’ Daniel Doyle, a third-place finisher, in the first round Friday. Doyle has won and wrestled fewer matches than Searles, which gives the Ram cautious optimism.

“I want to wrestle well and at least win a couple of matches,” Searles said.

The goal is the same for Bozeman participants Brandon Reyes (103) and Charles Vincent (135). However, both are sophomores in their first state event. They are the Nos. 2 and 3 state qualifiers in school history.

Reyes has the better record of the two, but that doesn’t mean he’s kidding himself when it comes to the competition.

“It’s going to be tough,” Reyes said. “There are a lot of good wrestlers there.”

One such good wrestler is Reyes’ opening opponent, James Flint of Tampa Bay Christian. Flint is 32-5 and is only in the eighth grade.

“He may be an eighth-grader, but he is a good eighth-grader,” Reyes said. “I still have to be precautious and ready.”

Reyes is like most wrestlers in that he would like to win. He isn’t fooling himself, either, and said losing twice in a row and being eliminated early wouldn’t be disappointing.

“I need to think positively,” Reyes said. “I made it to state, so that’s a pretty good achievement.”