Raider Wrestlers go 1 - 1 at Citrus High School

    The Orange Park Raiders started the season by wrestling two matches at the home of Citrus High.  Wrestling in a dual meet tournament that does not count officially, the Raiders defeated North Marion in the first round and lost to Citrus 43 - 29.

   "There was some good, some bad," Raider Head Coach Chad Parker said.  "This was a great way to start the season, though.  Being in some one else's gym, having referees, having the team score on the line and all the other variables you have in actual competition, cannot be duplicated in practice."

The Raiders wrestled North Marion to a 57 - 24 win, finishing with 7 wins by fall.  "We've worked really hard this year on pinning people when the opportunity arises," Parker said.  "We gave up too many pins, but when you have lineup with young wrestlers, there are some growing pains.  In order for this team to reach its goals, we cannot give up pins."

    While North Marion was not at full strength due to some of their better wrestlers still playing football, they gave the Raiders tough battles in every match.

    In the finals, the Raiders wrestled a tough Citrus Squad to a decisive 43 - 29 loss.  "That match was a good barometer for the team to measure themselves against," Parker said. "I don't think they wrestled all their best guys against us, and the match still wasn't close.  We've come a long way from a year ago, and we have ways to go if we want to be competitive as a team this year."

    Wrestlers going 2 - 0 on the day were Timothy Lattimore, Luke Frame, Daniel Wolfe, Levi Duvall, Richard Brown and William Wiltsie.  Additionally, Brennan Bober went 1 - 0, splitting matches at 152. 

    "Individually, I saw a lot of what needs to be done," Parker said.  "We have a certain style we want to wrestle, and that is to score points, and the guys who wrestled that way had great success on the mat.  And I don't mean just results-wise.  We never stress wins versus losses. It's all about wrestling what we drill every day.  If the athlete believes it and transfers that effort into their matches, the wins will come.  It's a long season, and individually, they can only get better."

Orange Park 57 - North Marion 24
103 - Jacob Allen (OP) Pin Gavin Howard (NM)
112 - Timothy Lattimore (OP) pin Darain DeGeorge (NM)
119 - Luke Frame (OP) pin Taner Thompson (NM)
125 - Austin Lopez (NM) pin Aldo Vassallo
130 - Andrew Dunahughe win by FF
135 - Zack Hurst (NM) pin Jordan Muntain (OP)
140 - Daniel Wolfe (OP) pin Justin Pendilton (NM)
145 - Tommy Li (OP) win by decision James Molina (NM) 13 - 11
152 - Brennan Bober (OP) pin Conrado Arrendonda (NM)
160 - Levi Duvall (OP) pin Andrew Leon (NM)
171 - Jake Kinser (NM) pin Ryan Davis (OP)
189 - Luke Hanson (NM) pin Kimani Leecan
215 - Richard Brown (OP) win by FF
285 - William Wiltsie (OP) win by FF

Orange Park 29 - Citrus 43
103 - Austin Kelly (C) pin Jacob Allen (OP)
112 - Tim Lattimore (OP) win by decision Robert Norman (C) 7 - 5
119 - Lue Frame (OP) pin Coleman Martin (C)
125 - Justin Nolen (C) pin Aldo Vassallo (OP)
130 - Zach Gifford (C) pin Andrew Dunahughe (OP)
135 - Jacob Nolen (C) pin Jordan Muntain (OP)
140 - Daniel Wolfe (OP) pin Mike Glover (C)
145 - Blake Decarlo (C) win by major decision Tommy Li (OP) 12 - 2
152 - Casey Witton (C) pin Dominic Jones (OP)
160 - Levi Duvall (OP) win by technical fall Joe Venero (C) 19 - 4
171 - Taylor Jackson (C) pin Ryan Davis (OP)
189 - Fred Drevo (C) win by decision Kimani Leecan (OP) 8 - 4
215 - Richard Brown (OP) win by decision Joe Conway (C) 4 - 2
285 - William Wiltsie (OP) pin Tony Conant (C)