'We’re in postseason mode': Matanzas' state title defense is about to pick up
PALM COAST — Right after the whistle, Mike Fries yelled “go!”
Then, he went quiet.
A few ticks into his daughter’s match with Menendez’s Sage Lehman, a smile grew across his face and remained there as Matanzas junior Tiana Fries pinned her opponent in 33 seconds. The coach didn’t say another word until after the match.
He didn’t need to.
At this point, the Pirates know what they’re doing. The defending state champions sat seventh in the national rankings only a month ago and won their own Pat White Memorial Lady Pirate Classic with 142 points Thursday. That vaulted them 45 points above Bartram Trail, the runner-up and last year’s seventh-place squad at the state tournament.
It’s just about fine-tuning the physical stuff and confirming their mindsets.
And that kicks into high gear this week.
“We’re in postseason mode,” said TJ Gillin, head coach of Matanzas’ boys wrestling team and an assistant for the girls squad, who wrapped up the event Thursday after Mike Fries had to bolt early.
Beginning this week, Matanzas will shift into its postseason workout schedule. This is about the time they do it each year. Gillin said the staff won’t be teaching a bunch of new concepts or techniques. Mostly, they’ll sharpen.
The district tournament looms on Feb. 7.
“Our girls have experience,” Gillin said. “They’ve done it before. There’s a big difference wrestling in your gym than (the state event at) Silver Spurs Arena. Those lights are very different, but we have experience. I think that’s one thing in our favor. If all our girls wrestle to their potential, I don’t see why we wouldn’t repeat.”
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The Pirates have yet to enjoy their lineup at full strength due to injuries or personal absences this winter. But even without it Thursday, six Pirates grabbed first place in their respective weight classes.
Tiana Fries was one at 140 pounds. Reigning state champion Kendall Bibla was another at 155 pounds. The other four winners: Jazlynn Golder (105), Mariah Mills (115), Autumn Jarvis (120) and Ani Brown (170).
“Confidence is something they’re teaching us — me, the team, period,” Brown said. “They tell us, ‘You have the talent. You just have to have the confidence.’ I didn’t know confidence was such a big thing until I started getting it. I was like, ‘Whoa.’”
Mike Fries did a little more instructing during Brown’s match than he did for his daughter’s. Brown, a junior in her second year of wrestling, felt nervous before her final bout of the day, so the coaches encouraged her. She won by pinfall in 1:25 and, afterward, walked back toward Fries with a grin.
“Last year, I was more focused on, ‘Who am I wrestling?’” Brown said. “But this year, I’m like, ‘I don’t care who I’m wrestling. I’m a beast.’ You have to have confidence. If you don’t have confidence, you’re not going to succeed.”
That goes for anyone, first-year grappler or pro. Gillin has noticed the younger wrestlers getting more comfortable, which is exactly the goal as the playoffs creep closer.
After districts on Feb. 7, regionals will take place Feb. 16-17. Two weeks later, state-bound teams will head to Kissimmee.
“They just have three more weekends in front of them,” Gillin said. “Then, it’s showtime.”
Flagler Palm Coast slots third at Pat White Memorial
The other local program at the Pat White Memorial, Flagler Palm Coast, also performed well. The Bulldogs claimed third place, finishing behind only Matanzas and Bartram Trail.
Ana Vilar went 3-0 and secured the top spot at 135 points. Alisha Vilar and Gabrielle Proctor scored second place at 140 and 155 pounds, respectively.
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Pat White Memorial standings
Matanzas — 142 points
Bartram Trail — 97
Flagler Palm Coast — 49
Tocoi Creek — 45
Creekside — 31
Menendez — 26
Sandalwood — 18
Nease — 14
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school girls wrestling: Matanzas shifts into 'postseason mode'
