SIDELINES 2.22.2012

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

+ Matanzas’ Tony Mendez finishes sixth at states
Tony Mendez, the 220-pound senior from Matanzas, clawed his way back through the consolation bracket Saturday and finished in sixth place at the Class 2A state wrestling meet, in Lakeland.

Mendez, who won regionals last weekend, pinned his first opponent Friday to advance to the quarterfinals. Mendez was then pinned in his second match.

Mendez went on to win the consolation quarterfinals in a 6-2 decision and the consolation semifinals on a 3-2 decision. He lost one match short of wrestling for third place in the state. Mendez lost in the fifth-place match by way of a pin.

A sixth-place finish is considered placing at the state meet.

Jason Cowles lost in the consolation quarterfinals by a close 2-1 decision in the 182-pound class.

Sophomore Pedro Nieves also lost in the consolation quarterfinals.

Flagler Palm Coast 182-pounder Logan Smith also lost in the first round of the Class 3A meet.

+ PC Futballers win BASL winter league
The PC Futballers won the Beaches Adult Soccer League winter season for the second straight year, defeating the Hat Trick Heroes, 4-1, in the finals.

PC Futballers knocked off the Flagler Dawgs, 6-5, in overtime in the quarterfinals and beat the Palm Coast Free Agents, 8-2, in the semifinals.

There were eight teams in the men’s league.

+ Five FC United players selected for ODP
Five FC United soccer players have been selected to for the Olympic Development Program for the 1999 age division.

The players are as follows:
Neild Joseph
Lao Layman
Anabella Giuliano
Madison Hald
Tanagna Payne

“I am excited to see FC United players testing their abilities with the top players in the state of Florida and finding success,” said Josh Braun, FC United’s director of coaching. “Their selection is a great testament to their hard work and commitment to playing soccer at the highest level, and to the FC United family of coaches, players and parents for providing the structure necessary for success. The FC United staff looks forward to our older players’ state team tryouts in the spring.”

For more information on ODP, go to http://www.fysa.com/odp/index_E.html.