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Osceola News-Gazette
DANNY BROWN INVITATIONAL
Led by junior Jaekus Hines, a trio of Osceola wrestlers claimed Gold Division titles at the season-opening Danny Byron Invitational, held at Osceola High School, Dec. 6-7.
Eighteen schools, including defending 3A state champion Miami South Dade and runner-up Fleming Island, sent wrestlers to the event.
Competitors were seeded in one of three divisions (Gold, Blue of White), during Friday’s round robin based on skill level, with the Gold Division representing the top-level wrestlers at the meet.
No team score was kept, but three Osceola wrestlers won championships in the elite division.
Hines, who placed second in the 113-pound class at the 3A state championship a year ago, dominated the 132-pound class at the Byron.
Hines (5-0) opened the tournament with a 17-1 technical fall over Fleming Island’s Isaac Padgett before pinning his next four opponents, including state semi-finalist Adrian Neco (South Dade) in the first minute of the championship match.
Freshman Cooper Haase, seeing his first varsity action at Osceola, recorded two pins and was never really challenged in winning the Gold 106-pound class.
Junior Nolin Eaddy, the starting linebacker who helped Osceola to an appearance in the Class 8A Regional Final two weeks ago, also won in the Gold Division. Eaddy pinned Fleming Island’s Nick Jannsen in the 182-pound final, going 5-0 in the tournament.
For the first time in a number of years, the Kowboys do not return a defending state champion wrestler to its roster, and will be looking for someone to step up and keep its streak of 12 consecutive years with at least one state champion alive.
“It was a good opening meet for us,” Head Coach Jim Bird said. “We expected Jaekus and Nolin to do well but we had some young kids step up and wrestle well. This was a good test for our entire team.”
The Kowboys put forth five wrestlers in the Gold Division. The meet saw Adriel Martinez place fourth in the Gold’s 152-pound. Division. Other top placers for Osceola included LaQuavian Pinellas (180-pounds), who finished second in the Blue Division and Jomar Sanchez who won the 220-pound White Division.
Gateway and Poinciana also participated in the tournament. Senior Ky’Juan Allen finished fourth in the Gold 280-pound class for the Panthers; while Ezikeal Baez placed third in the 152-pound White Division. Jeremiah Jules grabbed a fourth place finish in the 195-pound White Division for the Eagles.
The 2019-20 season will include the State Dual Meet Championships at Osceola High School on Jan. 24-25; District Tournaments at various sites Feb. 17-22; Regional Tournaments at various sites on Feb. 28-29; and Florida High School Wrestling State Championships March 6-7 at Osceola’s Silver Spurs Arena.
