District wrestling tournaments begin

By RANDY DICKSON

randyd@nwfdailynews.com

Local wrestlers will attempt to take their first steps toward a state title today in the District 1-2A tournament at Crestview.

Niceville looks to defend its district championship in the District 1-3A tournament at Flagler on Saturday.

Along with host Crestview, locals Choctawhatchee and Fort Walton Beach will compete in the District 1-2A tournament.

The preliminaries start at 2 p.m. with the finals set for 5:30 in the Crestview gym.

South Walton will be in the District 1-A tournament at Arnold on Saturday.

Crestview coach Jeff Fowler expects a great meet from the three local teams. However, he gives the nod to a Bay County power as the team to beat.

“I’d say Mosley is the favorite coming in,” he said. “They were real strong early in the year, but they’ve had some injuries.

“They are still looking at four or five champions.”

Fowler expects his squad to be in the mix as well.

“We are peaking at the right time,” he said. “We are young, but we’ve wrestled well the last several meets.

“If Kyle Miller can make it to and win the finals at 130 pounds, it will be his 100th career win. Nick Panucci (171) and Danny Johnson (112) also have a shot at winning.”

Fowler likes the chances of several other locals. He expects Choctaw heavyweight Kyle Purcell to contend for the crown as well as Patrick Fitzgerald (140) and Clint Hill (160).

Fowler also expects several Viking wrestlers to do well. He thinks Matt Cabanas will be one of the favorites at 112. Andrew Fuller is a returning state qualifier at 152 and should be the favorite there. Johnny Robinson (215) and heavyweight Ulysses Roof will be in the mix as well.

The top competitors for the Seahawks should be heavyweight JuWayne Tanner, Jesse Cannon (130), Carlton Seilhan (152) and Howard Young at 145.

Niceville will have its work cut out for itself to defend the District 1-3A title.

The Eagles are young and have posted an 18-2 record this year, but youth isn’t the problem; several members of the team have been fighting off the flu this week and coach Morrie Geselter hopes that won’t hurt the squad.

Sickness or not, the Eagles are out to defend their title.

“We’ve planned and talked about this all year,” Geselter said. “This is what we’ve been building for.

“We know what our goals are and now we have a chance to accomplish them.

The Eagle coach is expecting several of his wrestlers to do well.

Dan Dunwald (103) finished second at a meet earlier in the season at Flagler and will try to avenge the loss with a district title.

Nick Grim is ranked sixth in the state at 130 pounds and has won 32 matches. Josh Allen has had his hand lifted in victory 29 times at 171 pounds.

And the list goes on. Eleven Eagles have won at least 20 matches this year.

“I’ve been coaching high school wrestling 40 years and this is the best team I’ve had,” Geselter said.

Fowler encouraged local wrestling fans to show up and support the local wrestlers.

“It’s a great thing to get to host this tournament,” he said. “This is a venue where local kids can shine.

“I hope everyone comes out and fills the seats in support of all the wrestlers.”