State of the Program ... South Dade (FL)
South Dade (FL)
Head Coach: Victor Balmeceda (entering 29th season)
Staff: Humberto "Duck" Reyna, Chino Duran, David Zuniga
The South Dade train keeps rolling. There was a moment in the 2020-2021 season where there was some question of whether the Bucs would claim another title or not - Southwest Miami had been close all season and knocked South Dade from the top spot in the Region 4 team race a week before the traditional state tournament. But just when the whispers began - Balmeceda and his staff had the Bucs ready to win #20. Balmeceda seems to get every point he can from his squad at the state tournament and the 2021 traditional state tournament was no exception (the Bucs won by more than 30).
This team is used to having to reload instead of rebuild (otherwise they never would have amassed their current streak … so who returns to lead the way in 2021-22? The Bucs have 5 returning State Placers including State Champs Sawyer Bartelt and Adrian Morales, State Runner-up (and 2020 State Champ) Alex Couto, Cordell White, and Gavin Balmeceda. They also return State Qualifiers Misha Arbos and Luis Acevedo. The top of the lineup was the concern a year ago and it will be interesting to see if Balmeceda has developed the next group to step in up top.
The reloading comes in the form of EJ Solis as well as transfers Christopher Sanchez, Luis Arboleta and Ansel Cervantes … all 4 will make an impact in 2022. We know what Bartelt, Couto, etc. can do on the big stage - it will be interesting to see how Obby Encarnacion, Josh Aviles, Andrew Miller, Jaden Salgado, and incoming freshman Nathaniel Williams do when the bright lights come on. South Dade has to be the favorites to claim state titles again in 2022.
“New year, new team, same exact goals: go undefeated in duals and win another 2 state championships. We definitely have the horses to win our 9th consecutive state championship as well as our 5th consecutive dual meet state title and that is all you can ask for. We have built a tradition and the expectations are always high here at South Dade and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In order to reach these goals every athlete must come together to fight as a team and for their team. We need to stay heathy and most of all hungry for our 21st and 22nd State Championship titles.”