Out of the five Hernando County high schools, which one thought to take an indoor sporting event and bring it outdoors? Central High School did! “It was one of our Assistant Coaches, Dennis Harmon and Al Sorrentino, Central High’s Athletic Director, who came up with the idea to do something like this,” said Greg Climan, Central’s varsity wrestling coach.
Central hosted its second annual “Under the Lights” wrestling dual on Friday, January 14th, and it certainly was a different atmosphere from any regular wrestling environment. At this event, there were no concrete walls that made you feel closed in or have the feeling of being restricted. There were no wooden bleachers, no basketball hoops, or any acoustics coming from every corner of the building. This event wasn’t held in Central High school’s gym. This event was held on the Bears football field where everyone could breathe in the cool fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun, and have plenty of room to roam.
Climan said that the idea was easier to accept due to the uplift of Covid restrictions. 2021 was the first official outdoor event for Central, it did have its hiccups, but the overall concept was taken in quite well by the coaches and their wrestlers who participated in the event. “I heard a lot of the coaches before the matches say to their kids that they were not in a stuffy gym and just to have fun. I think it was a lot looser, for kids, which some kids benefited from and some didn’t. But for the most part, it worked out very well,” said Climan.
I do have to say, as a sports photographer, this was such a great experience to photograph a sport that is typically held in a gym, in an outdoor environment. The lighting was great, the action was superb, and the fresh air is always welcoming.
Climan wanted to thank all the teams and athletic directors for coming out and making this such a good event.
Under the Lights Competitors:
Central High School
Weeki Wachee High School
Nature Coast Technical School
The Villages High School
River Ridge High School
East Lake High School
Wesley Chapel High School
Mitchell High School
Dunnellon High School
Gulf High School
Zephyrhills High School
Boca Ciega High School
Crystal River High School
Dual Winners:
The Villages took first place and landed in second place, Boca Ciega.
Upcoming duals for Central
Central travels to compete in the two-day Hermann Duals held at Citrus High School on Friday, January 21st, and on Saturday, January 22nd. On Saturday, January 29, the Bears are at Pasco.
