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Springstead dominates tourney

 
Published Jan. 4, 2015

SPRING HILL — After a one-year hiatus from the team championship, Springstead was front and center at the 25th annual Springstead Invitational this weekend.

On the strength of five individual champions, the Eagles (216 points) took home their 17th team title in the event's history, beating runner-up Lakeland George Jenkins (192).

Springstead's Matt Landgraff (113 pounds) and Mike McDonald (126) became the 12th and 13th wrestlers in the tournament's history to win three individual titles in their careers.

"This was a humbling moment for me, bittersweet because I know it's the last chance I'll have to compete at home in front of my family and friends," Landgraff said. "Going forward, this will definitely help our confidence because we are starting to come together as a team instead of just relying on the big dogs."

Landgraff won a major decision over Gaither's Krystian Velez at 12-2 in his finals bout, while McDonald pinned George Jenkins's Kyle Marshall in two minutes. The Eagles also gained victories from Quentin D'Alessandro (120), Billy Swift (170) and Conor Ross (195).

Ross' 5-0 decision over George Jenkins's Tony Crowell in Saturday's finals was especially impressive considering the comeback season he is enjoying in his senior campaign. After missing his entire junior season due to a severe knee injury, Ross has bounced back to become a state title contender.

Weeki Wachee both impressed and surprised with four wrestlers in the championship round. Although the Hornets did not come away with any individual titles, the team made large strides.

Gaither placed three in weight-class finals. Chase Spurling (132), who finished in second place at this event last year, captured the gold medal with a 9-6 decision over Weeki Wachee's Brandon Enoch. Remaining area champions included Hillsborough's Connor Knauer (182), with a 13-4 major decision over Springstead's Brandon Burgess, and Gulf's Nathan Napolitano (106), who won a 2-1 decision over Weeki Wachee's Brandon Smith.