Mustangs' opponent stripped of regional tennis title

Naples Barron Collier, which defeated Lakewood Ranch's and Bayshore's boys tennis teams during last year's Class 3A regional playoffs, has been stripped of its regional title for using an ineligible player, according to a story on the Naples Daily News' Web site.
The Cougars defeated the Bruins in the semifinals and Lakewood Ranch in the finals, advancing to the state tournament. According to the story, the Florida High School Athletic Association ruled back in June the Cougars had used an ineligible player, Bjorn Fratangelo, in the regional matches.
Fratangelo did not compete in district play because he was playing in the Easter Bowl and returned to play No. 1 doubles against Bayshore and Lakewood Ranch. Rather The FHSAA ruled Fratangelo was listed as the team's No. 1 singles player instead of being listed as an alternate, rendering him ineligible.
Bayshore and Lakewood Ranch filed protests following their losses last spring. Both were denied.
"After reviewing the situation and following my discussions with Mr. Gary Pigott (the association's senior director of athletics) … Barron Collier coach Eric Manring misinformed Mr. Pigott as to (Fratangelo’s) status on the district entry list,” Roger Dearing, the FHSAA's executive director, wrote in a letter to Lakewood Ranch principal Mike Wilder, according to the Naples Daily News. “Mr. Pigott was (led) to believe that (Fratangelo) was listed as an alternate on the district tennis entry list and not as the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles player on the entry list for the district tournament.”
Barron Collier coach Eric Manring told the paper he never said Fratangelo was an alternate.
The Cougars were the only team to defeat Lakewood Ranch, which finished 19-1.