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Riverview Wrestler Hopes To Finish Season Strong

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Herman Hernandez, left, works takedowns with teammate Ryan Hight during the Riverview High School wrestling team's practice. Hernandez was a state qualifier during his freshman and junior years and hopes to capture the title this season.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Herman Hernandez was a qualifier for the state wrestling title in his weight class during his freshman and junior seasons.

He's looking to do even better during his senior year.

"My major goal this season is definitely winning the state title," Hernandez said. "The season's going pretty well so far."

Hernandez was named one of the Tampa Tribune's Five Hillsborough Wrestlers To Watch This Season in November, and he has not disappointed.

He is off to a 20-2 start this season. He primarily competes in the 135-pound weight class, but sometimes he gets bumped up to wrestle in the 140-pound division.

"He's a hard-working kid in and out of the classroom, and he pretty much does anything I ask him to do," said Willi Sargable, Hernandez's coach. "He has some club wrestling aspirations once he graduates high school, and he's a great athlete."

Hernandez has been wrestling since the summer before ninth grade, his first year at Riverview High School.

"The Riverview team had some workouts the summer before school started, and I've been with the team since," he said. "Wrestling's really a year-round sport."

Hernandez was born in Brandon but has lived in Riverview since he was 5. He has been a member of the team each of his four years at Riverview.

"I like wrestling because it's not a team sport," Hernandez said. "I like that I get to be the one who determines what happens on the mat.

"No matter who I face, I feel like I have a chance to beat them if I do what I need to."

Hernandez plans on attending Hillsborough Community College for two years before transferring to the University of South Florida. He wants to become a registered nurse.

"If I can get a scholarship to wrestle in college, that'd be great," Hernandez said. "Right now, I'm just going to focus on my goal for this season and finishing strong."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Herman Hernandez

AGE: 18

SCHOOL: Riverview High School

GRADE: 12

SPORTS: Wrestling

FUTURE PLANS: Hopes to wrestle in college and plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and become a registered nurse

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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