2021 SUN Preps All-Area Athletes & Teams
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1466350
Page 40 www.yoursun.com Okten Logue (Port Charlotte junior) The 195-pounder set himself up for an exciting senior season after a big showing at the state tournament. After falling to Harmony's Juan Gomez in the quarterfinals, Logue won three consecutive consolation matches to reach the third-place bout. There, he avenged that quarterfinal loss by defeating Gomez, 10-4. He finished the season with a 35-7 record. Patrick Nolan (Charlotte junior) When Nolan was upset in the state quarterfinals, the road to the podium become a long one. No matter — the 113-pounder mauled three consecutive opponents via pins, then posted an 8-0 major decision over Lincoln's Elijah Hendley to finish third and end his season with a 35-4 mark. His 23 team points positioned the Tarpons' four title contenders to bring home the team crown. Cody Rice (Charlotte senior) Other than Willis, there might not have been another wres- tler on the Tarpons that was considered as sure a title lock as Rice — due in part to his talent and work ethic and perhaps in equal measure because the entire team wanted it for him. He got the job done in typical workman-like fashion, earning decisions in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds before outlasting Countryside's Brian Burburija, 5-2, in the title match. The ensuing celebration was YouTube worthy as Rice finished his senior year with a 43-3 record. Blaine Taranto (Venice sophomore) Taranto was a steady force throughout the season for Venice, dropping just three matches during the regular season before finishing second at the region tournament. He won his first match at the state championships before falling into the consolation bracket, but once there, he rallied to win the fifth-place match with a second-round pin of Timber Creek's Trenton Dominguez. Bryce Taranto (Venice senior) The elder of the Taranto brothers ended his career in style, parlaying a third-place finish in the region tournament into a second-place showing at the state championships. In both cases, the 120-pounder ran into Osceola's Cooper Haase. At the region tournament, he fell to Haase in the quarterfi- nals, but ran it back through the consolation bracket to take third. He finished the season 21-4. Quinn White (North Port senior) After placing second at the region tournament, the Bobcats' 145-pounder won his first match at the state tournament and would eventu- ally land on the podium with a sixth-place finish. White capped his career with a 44-8 senior campaign. Second Team Chase Alden (Lemon Bay sophomore) The 170-pounder's run to the region title match will be remembered after he reached the final by pinning Tenoroc's Nick Haworth with just 24 sec- onds remaining while trailing 7-3. He finished the year 43-16 after winning a consolation match at state. Louis Baldor (Lemon Bay senior) The 195-pounder will leave the Manta Rays program in better shape than he found it after reaching the state tourna- ment on the heels of a fourth- place showing at regionals. He finished his career with a 49-10 campaign. Justin Brady (Lemon Bay sophomore) The 132-pounder reached the third round of consolation at the state championships after earning a 3rd-place finish in the region meet. He finished the season with a 45-13 record. Caleb Corridino (Lemon Bay junior) The 145-pounder won the re- gion crown by pinning previous- ly unbeaten Mateo Villalobos. He finished the season 40-13. Thomas Crone (Venice junior) The 113-pounder finished second at the region tourna- ment and won a pair of matches at the state championships, finishing 32-10 on the year. Vincent Donatelle (North Port freshman) An overtime loss in the second round of consolation at the state meet should have the 160-pound Donatelle hungry to achieve greater heights in 2022. He finished the year 38-6. Biaggio Frattarelli (Charlotte junior) The 220-pounder earned a trip to state after finishing fourth in the regional round and finished the year 24-9. Johnathon Hartsikov (Lemon Bay junior) The 126-pounder shook off a region quarterfinal loss and rallied for a fourth-place finish, earning a trip to the state meet in the process. He finished the season 30-19. Logan Kelly (Lemon Bay freshman) The 113-pounder finished his season on a high note, reaching the state tournament after scoring a third-place finish in the region meet. He finished the year 34-18. Cael Newton (Charlotte sophomore) The latest in the line from a wrestling family, Newton finished third in the regionals to earn a trip to state. He finished 32-7 in the 182-pound class. Chase Ruiz (Charlotte junior) The 152-pounder finished fourth at the region tourna- ment, then reached the second consolation round at the state championships to cap a 24-17 season. Austin Werden (Lemon Bay freshman) The 152-pounder capped a 42-17 campaign by reaching the second round of consolation at the state tournament. He reached Kissimmee by finishing fourth at the region meet. Gannon Wertz (North Port junior) The 138-pound Wertz reached the third round of the consola- tion bracket at the state tour- nament following a third-place showing in the region meet. He finished the season 37-5. Gage Wiggins (Venice freshman) The 126-pounder earned a trip to the state meet with a fourth-place finish in the region tournament, ending the year with a 34-10 record. Coach of the year — Evan Robinson (Charlotte) After two superb seasons ended in heartbreak, Charlotte finally broke through to win the school's first state title in 24 years. Robinson's crew totaled 153.5 points to win the Class 2A crown. A three- time state champion for the Tarpons during his wrestling days, Robinson joined George Sansone and Bill Hoke as a title-winning Tarpon coach and has the Tarpons positioned to make another title run in 2022. WRESTLING FROM PAGE 40 SUN FILE PHOTO BY TIM KERN Lance Schyck pins his Bonita Springs opponent at the District Team Duals.