By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Osceola High wrestler Pete Baldwin raised his national career wins record to 313 last weekend by pinning four opponents and taking first place at 145 pounds at the Michael Hutchins Invitational at Bishop Moore High.

Baldwin, who owns the national pins record (232), was named the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler.

The Kowboys, who finished second at the tournament, had two more champions in sophomore Paul Zupofska at 140 pounds and junior Kenny Martin at 152 pounds.

Tim Locksmith had to retire from the 135-pound championship final after an injury.

Chris Pagan was injured in the 171-pound semifinals but qualified for the consolation finals.

Osceola’s Yaidelice Martinez won the 145-pound championship at the girls state invitational at Cypress Creek Saturday. Nivanny Martinez (135), Julie Salvatore (140) and Rose Donaldson (171) were runners-up. Tobie Jones (103) placed fourth. Osceola, which won four consecutive state titles from 2003-06, was fourth overall.

Osceola visits St. Cloud Friday at 6 p.m.

Lake Highland Prep eighth-grader Fox Baldwin, Pete’s brother, won five matches and was the Outstanding Wrestler winner at the Palm Harbor Duals Saturday. He is 47-2.

Celebration was seventh at the Tony Ippolitto Invitational in Brandon Saturday as the Storm’s JJ Francis (2nd, 145), Josh Douglas (3rd, 119) and Cameron Ward (5th, 189) all placed.

Coach Vic Lorenzano said his team competed well.

“I’m not satisfied, but I feel strongly that we have made significant strides during the season,” he said. “We still have not wrestled our best as an entire team, and that is the goal. I like where we are and I think seventh is a very good showing for our program.”

Liberty’s Aric Fernandez was second at 189 pounds in Brandon. Also placing were Felix Betancourt (3rd, 130), Freddie Ruiz (4th, 171), Josh Garcia (5th, 152) and Corey Gray (6th, 125).