This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on June 19, 2001.By DAVE WALTERS
Tribune correspondentThere are so many witty sayings that adorn wrestling T-shirts, but the phrase gracing the back of the Florida Pride Wrestling Camp shirt fits Gulf High coach Travis DeWalt's philosophy perfectly.
The saying, "The will to win is not as important as the willingness to prepare to win," was a constant reminder to the 300 wrestlers at the camp held at Saint Leo University.
To DeWalt, the slogan is a way of life.
DeWalt, who will enter his second season as the coach of his alma mater, was a counselor at the camp and brought 10 of his wrestlers with him to learn from legendary wrestler and coach Glenn Goodman and his staff of college All-Americans and Olympic medalists.
"Some of the fundamentals and the awesome technique they learned here will enhance what we do in the wrestling room," said DeWalt, who finished his high school career with a state title in 1990. "Coming to a team with so many young wrestlers, I had to bring it back to basics. These instructors showed these clinic moves that expanded on what we showed them."
DeWalt had to resurrect the Bucs' wrestling program last year after several seasons of lack of interest, academic ineligibility and turmoil.
Gulf was 0-14 the season before DeWalt took over the program. The Bucs won nine dual meets last season, more than in the past three years combined.
While the success was obvious with wins, his team was still young and inexperienced.
Most of the youthful Bucs return next season and the additional training they received at the Florida Pride Camp could push them toward becoming a Sunshine Athletic Conference contender.
DeWalt, a three-time NAIA All-American while wrestling at Westmar College, and Briar Cliff College in Iowa, used the camp as a training tool for himself.
He was in awe watching Jared Frayer, an All-American from Oklahoma and Andy Medders, a former Gulf and Countryside High wrestler who became a NAIA national champ at Cumberland (Ky.) College.
Florida coaching legend Russ Cozart of Brandon taught a session at the camp and wrestlers received instruction from Goodman, the first four-time Florida state champion.
It was the presence of 1996 Olympic gold medalist Kendall Cross that will leave a lasting impression on DeWalt and his team.
"I haven't competed in three years and as far as the clinicians go, I haven't seen this level of wrestling in a long time," DeWalt said. "The kids see there's light at the end of the tunnel. They see success stories walking all over the gym."
Gulf wrestler Steven Manzione sat on the mat Saturday and hung onto every word Cross was saying during a motivational speech.
"He told us there were four ingredients to becoming a champ," Manzione said. "He said keep your head up, drive for what you want, always believe in yourself and try your hardest."
Manzione is convinced the Bucs will be a team no one can take lightly next season.
"We'll be a tougher team next year," Manzione said. "We all came here and gave it our best "
Gulf heavyweight Kyle Schmidt proudly wore Cross' autograph on the front of his T-shirt, but there was one place Cross wouldn't put his signature.
"He signed everything for us," Schmidt said. "We wanted him to sign coach's head, but he wouldn't do it."
