Palm Beach teams hopeful

Wellington wrestling coach Travis Gray is hoping history doesn’t repeat itself — not only for his own team, but the entire county at the state wrestling championships.

The FHSAA meet, which includes Classes 1A-3A, starts today at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

Gray said Palm Beach County has generally sent a large contingent of wrestlers to the tournament only to come up short.

“We’ve taken large numbers up there in the past, but most wrestlers go 0-2 or just fall short of the top-six medal podium,” Gray said. “My team has been a direct reflection of that situation the last two years. Olympic Heights has been the one team that has had some success getting kids on the podium the past few years.”

Olympic Heights’ Laurence Kosoy won the Class 1A 170-pound title, while American Heritage-Delray’s Ryan Thomas captured the title for the 195-pound division last year. But both graduated last spring.

Still, Heritage-Delray coach J.P. Reese is “very confident” of a good showing from his team.

“We structured our training program to ‘peak out’ at the state tournament,” Reese said. “I expect to see several of our Heritage wrestlers occupying the podium.”

More than 50 local wrestlers will hit the mats during the two-day tournament. Among the top teams in 3A are Wellington, Forest Hill and Park Vista; in 2A, it’s Olympic Heights, West Boca and Suncoast; and in 1A, American Heritage-Delray, Jupiter Christian and St. Andrew’s.

Nationally ranked Lake Highland Prep is a favorite to repeat as Class 1A champion. In 3A, South Dade is expected to win its fourth state championship in a row, while Brandon’s 16-year run in 2A could come to an end with rival Lake Gibson in the hunt.

Coach Boomer Mears is hopeful of a strong performance this weekend from his Olympic Heights squad. It was a rebuilding year for the Lions.

“They are peaking at the right time,” said Mears, who qualified seven wrestlers this yearafter taking nine to states the previous two years. “They did their job, they put in the time — now it’s time to go out and execute.”

Gray believes this year’s meet could be one of the best yet for Palm Beach County wrestlers.

“This year it seems we have more individuals from various teams that are top-ranked compared to recent history,” Gray said. “As coaches in Palm Beach County, we are all cheering each other on because we all want to see our area growing and succeeding at the highest level. When we can do that then we can all grow and improve together.”