Lake Gibson disrupts Harmony's regional title bid

LAKELAND — The Lake Gibson wrestling team was in an unusual situation Saturday.

During the finals they found themselves trailing Harmony by 1.5 points after four matches. 

The Braves then showed why they are a favorite to win a state title year after year. 

Lake Gibson picked up championship finals wins from Brendon Abdon (152), Raul Soto (170) and Tristan Middlebrook (220) to seal the Class 2A, Region 2 title 211-200.5 over Harmony.

The Braves also collected consolation finals wins from Hayden Whidden (126), Jason Lemmond (145), and Frank Solarzano (160).

Lake Gibson also got second-place finishes from Alex Walker (120) and his twin brother Blake Walker (132).

With their wins Abdon (32-0) and Soto (20-0) remained undefeated for the season.

Kathleen’s Jeremiah Jackson (285) was 39-0 reaching the finals before losing his first match of the season to Winter Spring’s Marvin Collins 6-1.

“Our coaching staff sat down and looked at the draws and we knew Harmony was going to be tough,” Lake Gibson coach Danny Walker said. “They are very good and underrated. We knew it was going to be a battle today. Overall, I think we wrestled better today than we did at districts. We had some tough losses today, but we were also the underdogs in most of those losses. We will look to make some adjustments for the state tournament and we always think we can do what is needed to win a match. But overall, our kids fought today and pulled it out, and that is a good thing.”

The Braves were able to qualify nine wrestlers for next week’s state tournament.

Walker was quick to add that he was hoping to qualify more, and feels there will be a few teams who will qualify more.

Other Polk wrestlers who qualified for next week’s state meet with fourth-place finishes were Lake Gibson’s Austin Gehr (113) and Lakeland’s Rudy Destin (195).

Kathleen finished 13th with 34 points, Lakeland was 28th with 9 and Auburndale was 30th with 4.

3A, Region 2

Two Polk wrestlers qualified for next week’s state tournament.

George Jenkins’ Nathan Peoples (195) won his semifinal match when he pinned Palm Harbor University’s Chris Greil in the second period.

Peoples then lost in the championship final when he was pinned by Osceola’s Nolin Eaddy.

Bartow’s Azarious Williams (220) also qualified for the state tournament with his fourth-place finish.

George Jenkins finished 12th with 41 points, followed by Bartow (24th) with 12, Winter Haven (28th) with 8, and Ridge Community (29th) with 7.

1A, Region 3

McKeel Academy concluded the regional with 149 points, second only to Lemon Bay (198).

The Wildcats’ Vish Williams (152) and Wayne Campbell (160) both earned regional championships.

Guy Yodock (120), Owen McNabb (138) and Cody McNabb (145) collected consolation finals wins for third place, while Ashten Gehret (182) finished fourth.

Tenoroc finished fifth with 112.5 points as Gabriel Leach (132) led the way with a second-place finish.

Kris Hunter (126), Nick Haworth (170) and Darrin Gillians (220) each finished third, while Brandon Coleman (113) was fourth.

Joquorious Taylor (285) was a runner-up and Eric Cooper (195) finished third for Mulberry whose 76 points was good for 8th place.

Lake Region was 20th with 23 points and Discovery 28th with 13 points.

All wrestlers from the three regional meets who finished in the top four of their weight class advanced to next week’s state meet in Kissimmee.