Palmetto’s Brooks takes first at district

VENICE — Palmetto High heavyweight Darius Brooks was the only Manatee County wrestler to win a district title and helped spark the Tigers to a top-four finish in the Class 2A-District 11 tournament Saturday at Venice High.

Brooks pinned Venice’s Devin Balsinger 50 seconds into the second period for his second pin of the day in his only two matches and improved his record to 21-2. It made up for last year when he finished district runner-up.

“I was surprised because he is a good and was wrestling hard,” Brooks said. “The key for me was going hard, that was it and it feels good. That’s 17 pins for me so far this season.”

Brooks’ effort helped Palmetto place fourth in the nine-team event with 106 points. Punta Gorda Charlotte easily won the team competition with 227 points.

The top four individuals in the district tournament qualified for next weekend’s regional at Charlotte High. Palmetto qualified eight for Charlotte. The Tigers had one runner-up in Grant Lundsford at 171 pounds.

Third-place finishers for Palmetto were Hunter Braun (135 pounds), Greg Sanders (145), Donell Reed (152) and Shadarious Smith (189). The other regional qualifiers were Chris Perri (118) and Michael Clark (140).

The hard-luck award had to go to Braden River’s Trevor Barnes, who was leading 4-2 in the 215-pound championship match against Charlotte’s Jayson Richardson when he had to disqualify himself because of an injury. The senior tore the MCL in the PAL Bowl. He tried to go all the way, but the knee gave out in his final match, ruining his undefeated season (7-0).

Braden River’s other qualifiers were Francis Bianco, who placed second at 125 pounds, Thomas Dedona third at 130 pounds and Kaleb Deedrick fourth at 160 pounds.

“Trevor has been rehabbing for a month, and I’ve never seen a kid work harder. He deserves to go regionals and deserved to win tonight,” Braden River head coach Dane Trask said.

Lakewood Ranch will be sending seven to regionals. But the disappointment for the Mustangs was watching previously undefeated Kyle-Riley Hawkins lose his first match of the season after 36 victories.

Hawkins lost 4-3 to Charlotte’s Davion Stuarts in their 189 pound title match. The other runners-up for Lakewood Ranch were Evan Dipsner (103), Nick Schilson (140) and Mike Myers (160).

Third-place finishers for Lakewood Ranch were Mike Dauphine at 125 pounds and Peter Latham at 215 pounds. Jacob Goodman was fourth in the 171-pound division. Bayshore’s lone qualifier was Michael Young.