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.”

— Coach Held

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.

Doral Academy (FL)

Head Coach: Alexis DeArmas (5th year)

Staff: Will DeArmas

Extremely solid team from top to bottom. Finished 17th in an extremely deep 3A and given their returners - will look to make a move into the top 10 this season. The Firebird’s lose State Placer Enrique Sanchez, but return the bulk of their team and with a few new faces could make some noise in 22-23. Christian Vazquez and Julian Montero both finished on the podium a season ago with Vazquez taking 2nd and Montero 7th. Both will be in the hunt for the top spot in 2023. David DeArmas qualified for the state tournament a season ago as an undersized 113 and should flip spots with Vazquez this season … giving Doral a solid 1-2 punch down low. All three will look to climb onto the podium in Kissimmee - giving the Firebirds a legit shot to have 3 placers (with maybe a champ or two).

The key for Doral breaking into the top 10 is the continued development of the rest of the squad. Enzo Santoro, Albert Manzini, Hector Cruz, Rolando Diaz, and Alexis Mendizabal all won matches in last year’s region 4 tournament (the toughest in the state of the Florida in my opinion). All have the experience to breakthrough this season and if Doral can get 8 through to Kissimmee then they will be a force to watch. Keep an eye on Athan Toro, Gabriel Beracasa, Joel Carillo and Malakai Roberts to make some noise as well. This is a senior heavy squad that has a ton of potential … if they can wrestle to that level then the 3A top 10 better watch out.

NOTE: I missed including Jose Gutierrez … oversight on my part. I was looking at last year’s region and state wrestlers and he wasn’t there, but we saw him weeks later become an NHSCA All American. Certainly Jose will play a huge role in how Doral does this season.

“We have a good mix of Veterans and younger wrestlers with experience. We are going to continue to implement our system and push our wrestlers to reach their goals.”

— Coach DeArmas

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.

Arab Girls (AL)

Head Coach: Kyle Routon

Staff: Klay Cranford, Keith Henderson, Hayden Henderson, Scott Cleland, Stephan Dasaro

Arab has long been one of the top programs in Alabama … on the guys side. Well the girls now coming into emerging sports status in Alabama - expect Arab to establish themselves as one of the top programs on the girls side as well. Coach Routon has 10 girls on the roster and this is a hungry bunch that is ready to show the girls in Alabama what Arab does on the mat. The squad is led by a handful of Seniors and Juniors including Maggie Whitaker, Madilyn Rodgers, Freedom Harper, Rihanna Mariner, and Haley Zajkowski. The should lead the way for the next wave of Knights … a bunch of 7th and 8th graders that will certainly be around when the AHSAA finally gets around to sanctioning the sport.

Keep an eye on Niya Turner, Reagan Golden, Gracie Boyd, Bella Partington, and Madison Beasley … not just for 2022-23, but for the future. The standard at Arab is high and that extends to the girls as well - expect them to work hard to meet that in 22-23.

“Very excited to watch these girls in year two of having our program. We made huge strides last year and I just look forward to the overall growth of girls wrestling in Arab and in Alabama as a whole. Our girls worked just as much as our boys this off season. They are as ready as anybody to get the season kicked off.”

— Coach Routon

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.