FLEMING ISLAND – In the annals of sports, going unbeaten and winning a championship in your event is mostly a matter of God-given talent, preparation and training and a little bit of luck.

For Fleming Island High senior 170 pound wrestler Paul Detwiler, the key piece of that three-way puzzle is the preparation.

“I didn’t really think about an undefeated season way back,” said Detwiler. who finished third at 152 pounds last year with a 54-5 record. “I think everything kind of clicked after my Disney Duals week where I beat a lot of really good and ranked guys. I just don’t want to lose.”

Detwiler, who had started this season with a string of first period pins for wins, has recently had some close calls; including a 4-2 win over Tallahassee Lincoln’s Justin Grant, a third placer in Class 2A last year, at the Osceola Knockout Christmas Tournament that Detwiler won an individual title at.

“It’s all matchups and I’ve wrestled a lot of good guys; a lot of defending state champions,” said Detwiler. “I really haven’t thought about a state title yet even though it’s just four days away.”

Throughout the season, Detwiler said his philosophy, as coach P.J. Cobbert often repeats, is to concentrate on the match in front of him at the time.

“I try to take one match at a time,” said Detwiler.

Detwiler’s speed and ferocity on the mat combined with his hidden grip strength and leverage has left many opponents gasping for air early in his matches and unable to cope with the pace.

“I always think that these guys are going to break at some point because of my pace,” said Detwiler. “If they are tough in the beginning, I know that I can just weather the storm, start working my moves and take over in the third period. I’m in pretty good shape and really patient. I’ve always been in good shape.”

Against Hagerty’s Justin Segarra in the region semifinal, Segarra held a 2-1 lead after the first period with Segarra grabbing a first takedown in the match with a single leg takedown. Detwiler would pin Segarra in the second period.

“I was content ending that match (with Segarra) 2-1,” said Detwiler. “I knew if I went out and tried to hit a bad shot, he was very athletic and still fired up and could have hit something. I can tell when a guy is about to fold.”

The difference from last year to the present, said Detwiler, is simply the cutting weight aspect of wrestling.

“I’ve always had good technique, but last year I was cutting weight everyday,” said Detwiler, who struggled to make 106 as a freshman, tried to stay at 138 before settling for 152 last year. “I wasn’t lifting, focusing on technique and not being at full strength. This year, without that worry, I can say I haven’t missed any reps (in the weight room and on the running track).”

At the upcoming state meet, one wrestler that is on Detwiler’s radar is South Dade’s Mikaelle Fundora, whom Detwiler pinned twice earlier in the season. Fundora, 58-2 (both Detwiler pins) finished fourth last year at 160.

“I wrestled him twice and pinned him twice early in the season, but I haven’t seen him since,” said Detwiler. “I think they did that for a reason by not letting me figure him out and him also surprising me this week. South Dade guys always get better as the season moves on.”