Palmetto Ridge wrestling team rocks at Disney Duals

While the JV wrestling team of Palmetto Ridge was busy at the Gulf Coast Summer Duals June 17-18, their varsity squad was preparing to take on some of the best competition in the nation at the Disney Duals in Kissimmee.

"It is always good to go up against that level of competition," said Bears varsity coach Mark Rosenbalm.

Submitted photo

Members of the Palmetto Ridge wrestling team following their 13th place finish at the Disney Duals. Seven Bear wrestlers medaled at the competition, helping the team to a 7-3 tournament record.

"This was a great learning experience for our team. We fared very well and I am extremely proud of our group." With a 7-3 record, the Bears finished thirteenth overall out of the fifty teams that participated in the tournament. Last year the team took twenty-fourth.

Rosenbalm said that a message is being sent to the nation that Florida wrestling is now a contender, able to match toe-to-toe with powerhouse states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois.

"We were able to see where we fit in and where our team was compared to some of the very best," Rosenbalm added. "This meet was huge ... I mean huge."

Seven medalists for the Bears included Zack Mastro (10-0 at 145 lb.), Richie Dehnz (9-1 at 140 lb.), Anthony Phillips(8-2 at 119 lb.), heavyweight Kurtis Morrison (8-2), Austin Andersen (6-3 at 171 lb.), Jeremy Cook (9-1 at 189 lb.) and Zeke Donahae (8-2 at 135 lb.).

The 1A Bears will return this season with four juniors who, last year, brought home three state championships and one state runner-up finish.

"We look forward to continuing where we left off last season," Rosenbalm said. "Hopefully we will be even better." That hope that will likely be backed up with hours on the mat and in the weight room.

Bears racked up victories over Walton, Georgia (61-13), Springfield, Ohio (56-15), Mustang White of Ohio (64-8), St. Stephens H.S., South Carolina (58-16), Perry Meridian H.S., Indiana (36-30) and Oregon state champion, Hermiston (36-27). Losses for the Bears were to tournament champions Dakota, Illinois (18-50), Pennsylvania state champions, Cumberland Valley (30-40) and Montana state champion, Sidney (15-57).