State of the Program ... Cypress Bay (FL)
Cypress Bay (FL)
Head Coach: Allen Held (35 years)
Staff: Michael Otero, Dwayne Anderson, Eric Busenbarrick, AJ Held
The Lightning return a very good squad despite graduating State Qualifier Rafael Diniz as well as Jonathan Spurlock, Connor Ivory, and Jared Campbell. In fact, the Lightning have a real opportunity to improve on their 11th place finish from 2022 with the return of 4 State Placers. Seniors Gozie Mosi, Andrew Punzalan, Zach Weidler, and Jordan Escarra all made the podium a season ago and each should be in the hunt for an individual title this season. Those 4 will lead the way and are a solid core on which to continue to build a 3A power. They key for Cypress Bay really knocking on a top 5 finish is the continued development of the rest of the squad.
Punzalan and Escarra are joined by Gabriel Herrero, Julio Gonzalez, and Michael Carsten down low … those 5 will be huge in getting the Lightning off to a fast start in every dual. Tyler Bill, Gil Torres, and Guiliano Roccagerra will look to make some noise in the middle of the lineup before Coach Held looks to his upperweights. Weidler joins Gyanni Mosi and Gozie Mosi up top … they have a few spots to fill in, but those three can compete with anyone. Keep an eye on Matheo Capdevila and Enrique Bolanos - both freshmen will look to break into the lineup and make a name for themselves as well.
“With 4 State Placers returning and an undefeated wrestler or was injured at the end of the year we believe we will be in the mix for a top ten or better finish at the State tournament.”
NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.