By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Celebration won two of five matches at the Flagler Palm Coast Invitational last weekend over Sebastian River and Jacksonville Heritage.

Storm 160-pounder Justin Temple won by pin to clinch the 48-36 victory against Sebastian River.

The Storm will join the county’s other wrestling programs at Osceola High Friday at 3 p.m. for the Kowboy Kup Duals, where the Orange Belt Conference championship likely will be decided. The Kup continues Saturday.

Osceola is at Plant City Durant today for the Cougar Invitational.

St. Cloud High is hosting its St. Cloud Duals today at 8 a.m., while Gateway welcomes Tampa Alonso at 8 a.m.

Celebration won six of 10 matches against Menendez High at the Flagler tournament, but forfeited four weight classes in a 42-36 loss.

Celebration also lost matches against state powerhouse Green Cove Springs, the Class A runner-up, and to DeLand.

Celebration Coach Vic Lorenzano said Temple competed with a badly injured thumb against Sebastian River.

“The swelling was unbelievable, but Justin demonstrated a warrior attitude that you always look for from a senior and not only took the mat to compete, but was winning a close match 3-1 when he turned his opponent and pinned him to seal the victory,” Lorenzano said.

In addition to Temple, Lorenzano lauded efforts from Josh Douglas (119), Cameron Ward (189), Brandon Guerrero (215), Brandon Harris (215) and heavyweight Alar Novena at Flagler.

Douglas, Novena and Ward were unbeaten (5-0) at the tournament.

“Josh gave us the most impressive performance of the day, with four pins and one major decision,” Lorenzano said. “Cameron looked solid in every match. He is slowly dusting off the rust.”

Lorenzano said Novena has done well in his first season.