The Bulls Made a Strong showing placing 15th as a team. Five Wrestlers qualified for the big show and four scored team points.This is the second most qualifiers the team has ever had and the first time we have placed two in the same year.

David Mason State Champion David went out defensive in the early rounds and worked hard to keep advancing. He won his first match in over time. Stopping Hush's good shots several times before putting him on his back in OT. He them pined his second match to move on to the simis and claim the teams most pins award. Things got harry in The Simis as David was suffering from a pulled neck muscle and could hardly move it 45 min. before the match. The Training staff at the Lakeland center did a great job working it out and getting him ready to wrestle. The Match itself looked like a heavy weight final with both wrestlers stalling and sending it to double overtime. Mason won the coin flip and chose to go down even after being rode out for and entire period. "I just went crazy there was no way he was going to hold me down"Said Mason,after escaping at the 12 second mark to win. The training staff come in early and worked on his neck after weigh ins Saturday morning and again before his match. At match time it was no longer a factor. Mason drew Chang in the finals who was having a great Tournament having beating Blue in the simis. Mason gave up the conservative approach for this match and went out after him from the first whistle. He took and early lead and never slowed down to win The state title in convincing fashion. 10-3
Tobby Tuberosa 6thTobby caped of a great senior year by placing 6th. He was not happy and felt that he could have done better. He was very close to doing so. Tobby got a chance to prove he was better than his cross town rival Martin of Brandon taking it to him the entire match. He then met Chisson in the last round of wrestle backs for a replay of their regional final. After going ahead 5-0 things looked good but Chission managed to storm back to send it to overtime. Where he scored a takedown to win it. Tobby should be very proud of the year he had.
Joe DinzeoJoe was the last Under classmen to fall from the race in a class dominated by very strong seniors. Joe served notice that he is a force and plans to use the off season to get stronger under the eye of Franking Cruz. To win matches At the State level at this weight while only 15 is very impressive and Joe will Be on top of this weight class next year.
Frank CruzFrank was in what was one of the best classes in the Tournament and went out and won a match and was very close to winning another. a good job for a second year wrestler.
Scott Fawk Scott went 0-2 at States but is the most successful heavy weight in School History.

The Bulls took 4th after an impressive opening day which saw them a perfect 17-0 with 9 pins. All 9 Qualifiers advanced to the simis. This as always was our only poor round with only 2 advancing to the finials. However we send 5 to state including 2 underclassmen. So it was a good day for the Bulls.
David Mason Suffered his second loss of the season when he went out conservative. He went to his back and lost 2-1 in the simis. He then came back to pin his University foe to take third. Better now than next week.
Jason Pinkerton Beat a regional champ and then won his second match before being put out of the tournament. He is starting to look like a wrestler and will compete hard next year.
Tobby Tuberossa Showed everyone including himself that he can go with any one in the State. In the most exciting Match of the day. Tobby wrestled Leto's Chisson in the finials. He gave up five points early then battled back to score a Reversal with 1 tick left on the clock to send the match into overtime. Tobby stayed on the attack with Chisson backing up for the first min. Chisson managed to win the match with a butcher. But I do not think he wants to see Mr. Tuberosa again.
Ron Buffano completed his senior season one match short of going to the show. Ron gave it everything he had but was just a little bit short. Great season Ronnie
Travis Cochran Had what appeared to all except the official to be a pin in his battle for a state birth only to see his lead slip away when he was not able to stop 2 takedown attempts late in the match. His one point loss was a heartbreaker. But he is currently tied for second with Mason on the all time pin list with 21. He will be back next year.
Dave Maynor Brought his career to a close with a strong simi showing loosing a close match to Reaber of Gather. A great Career Dave.
Joe Dinzeo Started with 2 very good wins against good opponents then met Spellman in the Simis. He lost a hard match then came back with two outstanding matches to place third and earn a trip to State.
Frank Cruz Coming in to the Match as the the strongest number four seed in History had a great Tournament. He took University district champ apart in the first round. Scored an easy pin in the second match and wrestled two good periods against Dennisar before losing in the simis. He Battled Back to take third beating Spellman of Plant city 5-3 to take the lead in their running battle 3-2
Scott Fawk In a repeat of last week wrestled a great match against Dropping Forcing him to the trash can several time. Then put himself to his back in the finals to place second.

The Bulls took third in the district well back of first place Brandon and Second place Manatee. After a very poor opening and simis the bulls did manage to pull 9 wrestlers through.
David Mason showed why he is ranked first in the state, He devastated a field that included 2 other twenty match winners and no wrestlers with loosing records.
Jason Pinkerton advances to regionals and only lost 4-2 on his way to 4th place.
Tobby Tuberossa had a mental melt down in the simis and had to sit in the stands,with his third place ribbon, and watch 2 kids he is better than go for the championship.
Ron Buffano Did not look sharp but still managed to make it to the finals placing 2nd.
Travis Cochran again lost to Bergman but then came back to pin the 8th ranked wrestler in the state to take third.
Dave Maynor started out slow but worked his way to the finals were he wrestled great but fell short in OT. to place 2nd.
Joe Dinzeo Went to his back early and lost to Spellman then work his way back for third.
Frank Cruz Showed big heart. 215 was one tough weight with 5 kids who could place at state going for 4 spots. Frank got off to a poor start loosing the opening round to plant city. His chance of going on did not look good at this point. He would have to defeat the 7th ranked wrestler in the state to stay alive. Frank responded by wrestling his best match of the year winning 7-3. in a match that was not that close. He then took fourth loosing in OT. in the sequel to plant city.
Scott Fawk Wrestled a great match against Dropping Then went to his back in the finals to place second.
All of these young men can make it to state if they can find they key to avoid the small lapses.

The team then broke down the gym in recored time to report to The Dinzeo's for a family get together. Plenty of food and fun for all.

After Fridays first two rounds the Bulls were in second place 8 points behind first place Palmeto. A record 10 wrestlers made it to the Simi Finals. Mason, Tuberosa, Cochran, Livingston, Matsulavage, Harless, Maynor, Dinzeo, Cruz, and Fawk were one match from the finials. Mendoza, Buffano and Bootires each won a match. Perhaps the best match of the Day was Joe Dinzeo's second when he got put on his back early in the first fought to avoid the pin for the period then came back in the third to win by pin with 3 ticks left on the clock.

However the simis were a repete of last year with only Mason and Tuberosa managing to win and go rest up for the the 8:00 matches. Now the rest of the team could only wait to see who they would have to wrestle to get into the 3rd and 4th place match. The last round of wrestle backs went well with five of our eight winning.

Takeing third for the Bulls were Travis Cochran, Steve Livingston and Frankie Cruz.
Fourth went to Joe Dinzeo, and Scot Fawk.
Fifth to Mike Maynor. Mike Matsulavage,and joe Harless placed 6th.

Mason showed complete control winning the Championship 11-4 for his first High School Tournament victory. He scored from all three postions and rode like a true champion. Tuberosa Got behind early giving up 11 points in the first period. Then showed the heart of a chammpion battling back to 11-9 before running out of time.

A Great start for the team said Coach Tipton. This gives a lot to build on.

Short Story in Trib

Two stories in Times

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Eric Gardner and Phil Thompson each scored thier first win of the season on varsity. Thompson won his wrestle off for his chance to recieve the forfiet. Gardner got in for the MIA from practice Cruz. Quickly scoring a pin. Buffano and Livingston were the only Bulls to lose both to good opponits and both showed some good stuff. The rest of the team played Cat to thier mouse and ran up the scores before going for the pin.

Freshman Bobby Hagin gave it a good try but was unable to keep his undeafeted streak alive at 103. It was the only loss for the Bulls. 9 wrestlers remain Undeafeated after the third match of the season.Jeff Lynch got his first varsity win. The team look better than thier first two matches. Mason almost went the rout of Cruz and was one penality away from a DQ for being to rough. I thought it was grappling not Basket Ball.

The Bulls scored thier first shutout of the year tonight against Robinson. The perfect score was stoped only by Joe Harless's tough match at 16o Joe scored a MD. But was unable to to pin. 100 wings are waiting at Beefs.

It look like a replay of last year with the Bull lite weights getting things started with three Pins. Robert Hagin in his first High school match scored a fall after a back and forth battle. Mason Stuck a scrappy Denman then Tuberosa recorded the fastes pin of the nite at :40 sec.Buffano Cochran and Livingston each looked good on their way to victory. New York and Dancing Joe Harless Both lost to tough opponits and have room to improve. The Upper weights finished in style with Maynor and Dinzeo winning my MD before Cruz was DQed for being to rough with his cross face. Fawk scored a quick pin at :49 Sec to round things out.

After a rocky start and some early season mistakes the Bulls managed to come away in first place.

Undeafeted for the Bulls were David Mason, Toby Tuberrosa, Stan Livingston, Joe Harless, Dave Maynor, Frank Cruz, and Joe Denzio.

Gateway High hosted the event with coach Chip Lowery providing a quility site though his vidio equipment could use a little updating.

The event drew 90 wrestlers last year but only 29 this year. Better for those who where there as coach Herman was able to give each a lot of attention. Mason may have gotten more attention than he wanted as he served as coaches dummy for most of the session.

Off to a good start but have a long way to go.

Team members be sure to check this page for updates daily now that the season is here.

Kids team sign ups start nov 19th get your little brothers the head start you wish you had. get a flyer from coach.