After winning another district title, Clay High's wrestling team presses on to regionals

The Clay High School wrestling team is hosting the regional tournament this weekend after winning the district 1-5A title held last weekend at The Villages. Clay, winner of 16 straight district titles, will compete for its third straight regional title this weekend.

Clay had nine district champions, four runners-up and one third-place finisher at last weekend's event: Chris Merring (113 pounds), Cody Taylor (120 pounds), Dale Browning (126 pounds), Roy Runnels (132 pounds), Adam Breindel (152 pounds), Trevor Larson (160 pounds), Tristain Sichmeller (170 pounds), Kaleb Collins (195 pounds) and Roland Samec (heavyweight) all won district titles. Also qualifying for regionals were Christian Downs (138 pounds), Connor Green (145 pounds), Jonathan Whiting (182 pounds) and Jeremy Beaulieu (220 pounds).

Blue Devil head wresting coach James Reape said he was pleased with his team's performance in districts.

"Merring, Samec, Breindel, Larson and Sichmeller were all particularly sharp and appear to be hitting their stride," Reape said.

The Blue Devils have eight wrestlers who have won 30 or more matches.

Reape said he is counting on four seniors to lead the team in districts, regionals and state. Breindel (36-3) is a defending state champ. Reape said Breindel has had some challenges, but he likes his chance to repeat. Larson (34-14), a state qualifier last season, has been in the finals in three tournaments. Sichmeller (36-10) won at the Valdosta Invitational; and Whiting (38-10) has placed in the top four in every event.

"They are all steady performers and they have been to finals," Reape said. "I'm proud of our senior group. Adam [Breindel] is a gifted athlete and competitor. The other three are a product of grit and hard work. They're great kids to coach."

Samec (35-10) has only lost twice since Christmas. He has been in top three in every event.

Reape said other Clay wrestlers to watch are Merring (26-14) who has placed at every invitational; Browning (31-8), a two-time state qualifier who was a Valdosta champ; Collins (33-9), and Belieau (26-7) who has finished in the top three of every event.

Reape said the Blue Devils have a dozen wrestlers who could finish anywhere from third to sixth in each meet.

"We need Adam in the finals, another guy to punch through to the finals and 8-9 medalists. We don't have a lot of room for error," Reape said.

ELSEWHERE

Four other Clay County schools - Orange Park, Middleburg, Oakleaf and Ridgeview - participated in the district 3-2A tournament.

Orange Park won district 3-2A. The Raiders had five district champions: Marcus Reid (113 pounds), Tyrese Germain (126 pounds), Skyler Taylor (160 pounds), Chasen Irvine (195 pounds) and Eric Tejada (220 pounds). Other Raider qualifiers were Frank Sawyer (106 pounds), Victor Perez (120 pounds), Kirtis Davis (132 pounds), Jordan Harbin (145 pounds), Ricky Torres (152 pounds), Skyler Taylor (160 pounds), Nartorian Lee (170 pounds), Chasen Irvine (195 pounds) and Jessie Williams (285 pounds).

Middleburg finished second in district 3-2A. Bronco district champs were Dylan Rossetti (106 pounds), Zach McClinton (138 pounds), Keith Sawdo (145 pounds), Travis Neubeck (152 pounds) and Jonathan Shoen (170 pounds). Other Bronco qualifiers were Joel King (113 pounds), Bailey Custer (120 pounds), Tristan Tollison (126 pounds), Tyler Langford (160 pounds), Kurt Jackson (182 pounds) and Ammon Meeks (195 pounds).

Oakleaf finished third in district 3-2A. District champions were Chris Griffin (120 pounds), Tristen Roderick (132 pounds) and Jason Davis (182 pounds). Other qualifiers were Ryan Rosano (106 pounds), Vince Karl (113 pounds), Riggs Wolf (126 pounds), Detrall Lanier (138 pounds), Luke Karl (152 pounds), Andre Carter (160 pounds) and Josh Detrick (170 pounds).

Ridgeview finished fifth in district 3-2A. Qualifying for the Panthers were Justin Trinh (120 pounds), Trevor Belden (126 pounds), McKenzie Williams (132 pounds), Bryce Wilkes (145 pounds), Devon Farrar (170 pounds) and Brandon Wilkerson (220 pounds).

Fleming Island qualified 12 of 13 wrestlers as they finished second behind Flagler Palm Coast High School in the district 1-3A tournament. Fleming Island district champions were Chase Robinson (113 pounds), David Detwiler (138 pounds), John Martorano (160 pounds) and Austin Smenda (195 pounds). Also qualifying for Fleming Island were Albie Snedaker (106 pounds), Xavier Sampsel (120 pounds), TJ Davis (126 pounds), Anthony Petrelli (145 pounds), 152-Gabriel Lear (152 pounds), Ryan Smenda (170 pounds), Jalyn Robinson (182 pounds) and Jose Concepcion (220 pounds).

Brent Beaird writes for Gator Bait magazine and Collegesportsnotebook.com, is a college football analyst for WFOX sports television and 1010XL sports radio in Jacksonville, and provides color commentary for the Play ON! sports network. He's also a Heisman Trophy voter. Contact him at (904) 703-7832 or brentbeaird@comcast.net.