State of the Program ... Heritage (FL)
Heritage (FL)
Head Coach: Jeff Degginger (entering 7th season)
Staff: Tom Gregg, Cody Barton, Tori Degginger
Heritage, like many teams, graduates a few hammers, but also returns a solid core ready to make a run for the podium this season. State Placer Julian Stoneman and State Qualifier Austin Jones have graduated, but Heritage has a solid group to work with in 21-22. State Qualifiers Gabriel Ferreira and Roman Maldonado both won matches in Kissimmee in 2021 and both will be hunting a place on the podium during their Junior season. Heritage also returns Vicente Ramirez, Tannahil Jean, and Solomon Peterson - all three will be looking to punch their ticket in 2022.
They key to another District title and a run at the Regional crown will be the continued development of wrestlers like Dominick Maldonado, Ethan Cataldo, Keith Cole, etc. Keep an eye on Bayside transfer Aiden Baker who made a run at qualifying for state a year ago … he will look to be on the Heritage bus to Kissimmee in March.
“We’ll be an interesting mix of experience and youth this season. With the exception of a couple of weights, we’re reloading nicely this season. Heritage has a couple of returning SQ’s (Gabriel Ferreira BR and Roman Maldonado), two more that went out in the Regional blood round and 9 more kids with varsity experience. District 13 (2A) will be far more competitive this season with the additions of Merritt Island and Rockledge. Both teams are well coached and have good athletes. Couple that with Sebastian River returning a number of kids including 3 SQ’s and we should see some greatly improved wrestling this year. We look forward to defending both District titles and making a run at the Regional title. ”