Abdon, Middlebrook bring home state wrestling titles
KISSIMMEE — Lake Gibson found itself down 25 points and in fourth place at one time Saturday, but battled back in inspiring fashion to capture third place at the FHSAA IBT Class 2A State Wrestling Championships at the Silver Spurs Arena.
The Braves seized two individual championships on their way to collecting 141.5 points, narrowing the margin on runner-up Palmetto Ridge (145) and team champion Charlotte (153.5)
Brendon Abdon completed an undefeated season (36-0) when he defeated Palmetto Ridge’s Roman Garcia 5-0 in the 152-pound championship final.
Abdon, found himself leading 8-3 in the final minute of his semifinal match, when suddenly he found himself in an 8-8 tie and on his back.
Abdon, who won the 2020 138-pound championship, regrouped to win a 10-9 thriller in two overtimes.
“Brendon is one of the better wrestlers to come through our program," Lake Gibson coach Danny Walker said. "I am happy for him, and he will only continue to get better. I am happy for his family; it’s a full family effort for the Abdon family."
Tristan Middlebrook (220) defeated Ida Baker’s Angel Alverio in the final.
Tied 1-1 Middlebrook suddenly got Alverio in a bear hug, stepped in front and threw him to the mat with only 18 seconds remaining for two points and the state championship.
Middlebrook (28-1) had secured his semifinal match by the same 3-1 score, needing overtime.
“I simply thought that I should go for it," Middlebrook said. "We were tied, if I didn’t score on the move, then I felt I could get him in overtime, because I know my conditioning is better than most of the 220’s here.”
Walker was overjoyed for Middlebrook, who has fought through adversity to get to this point.
“What an amazing story Tristan is; you can’t make this stuff up,” Walker said. "He collapses after a wrestling practice, things go wrong, he is put in intensive care, on a machine breathing for him ... and Bubba wins a state championship tonight? On the mat, just before the start of the match he looked at me and said, ‘I got this one, Walk. This one’s for you.’ He works so hard and other 220 pounders can’t go as long as he can. When it was close, I knew at the end he was going to wear down that kid.”
Abdon was rather subdued saying, “It’s good that I got the two wins today, but I could have done several things better. I am happy I won, but if I want to succeed at the next level, it is going to take a lot of hard work. So, if I am to get a third championship, the work starts Monday. It’s time to get back to the grind.”
Saturday was also a huge night for Walker as he was honored as one of the 2021 inductees into the Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Walker began his coaching career as an assistant at Lake Region in 1998, before moving to Lake Gibson, where has won three FHSAA team state championships, accumulated 17 “Coach of the Year” awards, two Disney Dual Meet Championships, and one Adidas National Championship.
Kathleen’s Jeremiah Jackson (285) captured a silver medal, losing in the final round to Winter Springs’ Marvin Collins.
It was only the second loss all season for Jackson (42-2), the other being a loss to Collins as well, in last week’s regional.
Jackson had earlier won his semifinal match coming from behind in the final period to win 4-2.
Lake Gibson displayed depth with Alex Walker (120), Hayden Whidden (126) and Raul Soto (170) all capturing third place.
Blake Walker (132) took fourth place and Frank Solarzano (160) earned fifth for the Braves as well.
Class 3A
George Jenkins’ Nathan Peoples (195) suffered a tough loss, when in the wrestlebacks he led 8-5 in the final period and was pinned.
The Eagles as a team finished 48th with 5.0 points.
Class 1A
McKeel Academy’s Vish Williams (152) accomplished a landmark in the Wildcats' wrestling program when he earned a fourth-place finish.
The Wildcats finished 18th scoring 30.5 points.
Mulberry and Tenoroc finished in a tie for 38th place with 8.0 points.