Posts in Florida
Freestyle and Greco State

As we head into Southeast Regions this coming weekend in Jacksonville, Florida … we have a clearer picture of those that might be contenders for a SE Region crown as well as a member of their state dual team or on the trip to Fargo.

Many states use their “State Championship” as a qualifier for duals and Fargo. Florida has previously used the Father Devine Tournament as a qualifier for the duals team, but that was two decades ago - I don’t know if that has changed in recent years. Regardless - we highlight those wrestlers that won a State Freestyle or Greco title this past weekend … you might see more them this summer.

For those of you unfamiliar (and so I don’t have to write it multiple times for multiple states) - here is a possible breakdown:

  • 14U are your likely representatives for a Schoolboy/Schoolgirl team if the state decides to compete in the Duals which will be held June 9th-13th in Franklin, Indiana.

  • 16U are your likely representatives for “Cadet" (although I don’t believe USA Wrestling is still using that designation) for the 16U Duals in Westfield, Indiana on June 9th-13rh.

  • Junior Champs are your likely representatives on the Junior Duals team (and possibly Junior National Team) that will be held June 15th-19th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

What’s the saying … “Summer wrestling makes Winter Champions” - expect to see these names often over the next 12 months.

Alabama

Freestyle

14U Champs

  • 77 Jameson Thomas (Warrior WC)

  • 83 Will Atkinson (Warrior WC)

  • 92 Nick Sykes (Warrior WC)

  • 97 Joseph Marcum (Birmingham WC)

  • 102 Bradley Hastings (Ironclad WC)

  • 106 Evelyn Holmes-Smith (Assassins WC)

  • 110 Kiowa Vines (Warrior WC)

  • 114 Bradley Williams (Warrior WC)

  • 119 Carter Blalock (Ft Payne WC)

  • 125 Stuart Andrews (Mtn Brook WC)

  • 130 Ephram Ormiston (Ironclad WC)

  • 149 Sheldon Sharp (Tennessee Valley WC)

  • 165 Braxton Reaves (Ironclad WC)

16U Champs

  • 88 Wallace Blue (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 94 Wallace Blue (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 100 Cale Tucker (Spartan Fitness WC)

  • 106 Brodie Christmas (Ironclad WC)

  • 113 William Anderson (Ironclad WC)

  • 120 Hudson Waldrop (Warrior WC)

  • 126 Chad Strickland (Warrior WC)

  • 132 Daishun Powe (Gardendale)

  • 138 Bryce Alli (Ironclad WC)

  • 145 Clay Johnston (Warrior WC)

  • 152 Cole Sykes (Warrior WC)

  • 160 Connor Russo (River Rats WC)

  • 182 Will Conlon (Warrior WC)

  • 195 Cole Carter (Ironclad WC)

  • 220 Will Caneer (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 285 Will Caneer (Alabama Takedown Academy)

Junior Champs

  • 113 Davis Reiff (Ironclad WC)

  • 120 Kirk Smitherman (Ironclad WC)

  • 126 Yanni Vines (Warrior WC)

  • 132 Sam Sutton (Ironclad WC)

  • 138 Bryce Wanagat (Warrior WC)

  • 145 James Latona (Warrior WC)

  • 152 Oliver Howard (Tennessee Valley WC)

  • 160 Will Miller (Warrior WC)

  • 170 Keenan Wyatt (Unattached)

  • 182 Warren Hoyt (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 195 Kenndy Wyatt (Warrior WC)

  • 220 Kenndy Wyatt (Warrior WC)

  • 285 James Zogg (Auburn Takedown)

Greco

14U Champs

  • 83 Will Atkinson (Warrior WC)

  • 92 Nick Sykes (Warrior WC)

  • 97 Joseph Marcum (Birmingham WC)

  • 102 Bradley Hastings (Ironclad WC)

  • 106 Evelyn Holmes-Smith (Assassins WC)

  • 110 Kiowa Vines (Warrior WC)

  • 114 Bradley Williams (Warrior WC)

  • 119 Carter Blalock (Ft Payne WC)

  • 125 Stuart Andrews (Mtn Brook WC)

  • 130 Ephram Ormiston (Ironclad WC)

  • 136 Skylar Hernandez (Brute Force WC)

  • 149 Sheldon Sharp (Tennessee Valley WC)

  • 165 Braxton Reaves (Ironclad WC)

16U Champs

  • 88 Wallace Blue (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 94 Clark Box (Ironclad WC)

  • 100 Cale Tucker (Spartan Fitness WC)

  • 106 Brodie Christmas (Ironclad WC)

  • 113 William Anderson (Ironclad WC)

  • 120 Hudson Waldrop (Warrior WC)

  • 126 Nicholas Dempsey (Warrior WC)

  • 132 Craig McIsaac (Ironclad WC)

  • 138 Bryce Alli (Ironclad WC)

  • 145 Clay Johnston (Warrior WC)

  • 152 Cole Sykes (Warrior WC)

  • 160 Kyle Oliveira (Warrior WC)

  • 170 Logan Pace-Ransom (Brute Force WC)

  • 182 Will Conlon (Warrior WC)

  • 195 Cole Carter (Ironclad WC)

  • 220 Will Caneer (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 285 Willie Cox III (Alabama Takedown Academy)

Junior Champs

  • 113 Davis Reiff (Ironclad WC)

  • 126 Yanni Vines (Warrior WC)

  • 132 Miguel McGrew (Birmingham WC)

  • 138 Bryce Wanagat (Warrior WC)

  • 145 James Latona (Warrior WC)

  • 152 Oliver Howard (Tennessee Valley WC)

  • 160 Will Miller (Warrior WC)

  • 170 Aiden Knight (Birmingham WC)

  • 182 Warren Hoyt (Alabama Takedown Academy)

  • 220 James Reed (Ironclad WC)

  • 285 James Zogg (Auburn Takedown)

Florida

Freestyle

14U Champs

  • 77 Everett Stephens (Beacon WC)

  • 83 William Buckley (Beacons WC)

  • 87 Emma Bacon (Beacons WC)

  • 92 Lincoln Sledzianowski (Garage Boyz WC)

  • 102 Adaias Ortiz (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 106 Dustin Kohn (Seminole County WC)

  • 114 Andrés DiGrigoli Beacons WC)

  • 119 Nathaniel Williams (Miami WC)

  • 125 Micah Wittenberg (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 130 Jonathan Moreno (Gladiator WC)

  • 136 Kalias Nazario (Golden Bears WC)

  • 149 Marrion Nelson (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 165 Willie White (Unattached)

  • 187 Alex Smith (Yulee)

16U Champs

  • 100 Derrick Williams (Gulf Coast Grappling Academy)

  • 106 Roman Lermer (Tampa Bay Tiger WC)

  • 113 Ethan Rivera (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 120 Anderson Heap (Attack WC)

  • 126 Jonathan Hudson (SWAT)

  • 132 Elvis Solis (Gladiator WC)

  • 138 Gavin Balmeceda (Gladiator WC)

  • 145 Ethan Mojena (Unattached)

  • 152 Kendrick Hodge (Project Grapple)

  • 160 Elijah Penton (Westside WC)

  • 170 Brian Burburija (Countryside)

  • 182 Jonathan Tumblin (Alpha Dog WC)

  • 220 Jonathan Fraga (Southwest Miami)

  • 285 Caleb Rodriguez (Beacons WC)

Junior Champs

  • 100 Vincent Biondoletti (Gladiator WC)

  • 106 Josiah Ortiz (Top Gun Wrestling Academy)

  • 113 Christian Guzman (Gladiator WC)

  • 120 Darrell Tabor (Lutz)

  • 126 Cooper Haase (Attack WC) - beat Hayden Whidden

  • 132 Eligh Rivera (Central Florida Wrestling Academy) beat Braden Basile with Melguizo 3rd.

  • 138 Danny Nini (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 145 Aiden Reichert (Westside WC)

  • 152 Carson Miller (Garage Boyz WC)

  • 160 Cody Rice (Charlotte)

  • 170 Frank Solozano (Lake Gibson)

  • 182 Tylynn Lukens (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 195 Sawyer Bartelt (Gladiator WC) - beat Mikey TalShahar

  • 220 Tristan Middlebrook (Lake Gibson)

  • 285 Ethan Vergara (Golden Bears WC)

Greco

14U Champs

  • 77 Uy’Kwon Wimberly (Florida Scorpions WC)

  • 83 William Buckley (Beacons WC)

  • 87 Emma Bacon (Beacons WC)

  • 92 Lincoln Sledzianowski (Garage Boyz WC)

  • 102 Tyree Graham (Miami WC)

  • 106 Dustin Kohn (Seminole County WC)

  • 114 Andrés DiGrigoli Beacons WC)

  • 119 Nathaniel Williams (Miami WC)

  • 125 Micah Wittenberg (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 130 Gavin Isaacs (Seminole County WC)

  • 136 Kalias Nazario (Golden Bears WC)

  • 149 Bryan Picallo (Golden Bears WC)

  • 165 Willie White (Unattached)

  • 187 Alex Smith (Yulee)

16U Champs

  • 100 Fredrick Mitchum (Miami WC)

  • 106 Roman Lermer (Tampa Bay Tiger WC)

  • 113 Ethan Vugman (St Augustine)

  • 120 Anderson Heap (Attack WC)

  • 126 Ryan Phillips (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 132 Elvis Solis (Gladiator WC)

  • 138 Brandon Cody (Seminole County WC)

  • 145 Ethan Mojena (Unattached)

  • 152 Kendrick Hodge (Project Grapple)

  • 160 Omer Barak (SWAT)

  • 170 Brian Burburija (Countryside)

  • 182 Alexander Strickland (Top Gun Wrestling Academy)

  • 220 Jonathan Fraga (Southwest Miami)

  • 285 Caleb Rodriguez (Beacons WC)

Junior Champs

  • 100 Vincent Biondoletti (Gladiator WC)

  • 113 Christian Guzman (Gladiator WC)

  • 120 Kevin Placer (Eagle Empire WC)

  • 126 Hayden Whidden (Lake Gibson) - beat Cooper Haase

  • 132 Braden Basile (Tampa Bay Tiger WC) - beat Sebastian Melguizo

  • 138 Isaac Church (Charlotte)

  • 145 Michael Shannon (Unattached)

  • 152 Jaurice Seymour (Project Grapple)

  • 160 Alexander Couto (Gladiator WC)

  • 170 Sergio Desiante (Tampa Bay Tiger WC)

  • 182 Tylynn Lukens (Central Florida Wrestling Academy)

  • 195 Mikey TalShahar (SWAT)

  • 220 Tristan Middlebrook (Lake Gibson)

  • 285 Ethan Vergara (Golden Bears WC)

Georgia

Freestyle

14U Champs

  • 71 Teequavious Mills (RWA)

  • 77 Cooper McArthur (TEK))

  • 83 Chris Swann (CPX)

  • 87 Roman Belardo (RWA)

  • 92 Taj Jones (Atlanta Wrestling Academy)

  • 97 Nicolas Owens (Teknique)

  • 102 Kadin McDonald (OSO)

  • 106 Scott Swann (Social Circle)

  • 110 Hagen Sharp (GWA)

  • 114 Philip Jax (706)

  • 119 Ronan An (LVUP)

  • 125 Paul Lanier (LVUP)

  • 130 Connor Stephens (CPX)

  • 136 Moose Bringer (South Effingham)

  • 149 Matthew VanWettering (Icon)

  • 165 Kriecg Roe (Unat)

  • 187 Anthony Alcazar (WW)

  • 250 Sebastian Garcia (WW)

16U Champs

  • 88 Eli Bowman (GWA)

  • 94 Ty Murray (CPX)

  • 100 Antonio Mills (RWA)

  • 106 Kieron Mccormack (TEK)

  • 113 Drew Gorman (TEK)

  • 120 Noah Danforth (TEK)

  • 126 Collin Mullins (LVUP)

  • 132 Cade Parent (LVUP)

  • 138 Joshua Denson (LVUP)

  • 145 Latrell Schafer (Storm)

  • 152 Dominic Bambinelli (RWA)

  • 160 Tyler Secoy (Icon)

  • 170 Hoke Poe-Hogan (Jefferson Wrestling)

  • 182 Omaury Alvarez (LVUP)

  • 195 Zach McAfee (SHS)

  • 220 Ivan Thurman (SHS)

  • 285 Ashton Anderson (South Effingham)

Junior Champs

  • 106 Matthew Denson (LVUP)

  • 113 Hunter McCullough (SGAC)

  • 120 Cole Hunt (GHW) - beat Dom Ditomasso in the finals

  • 126 Amantee Mills (RWA) - beat Jacob Silka in the finals

  • 132 Austin Thiel (Storm Wrestling Center) - beat Art Martinez in the finals

  • 138 David Panone (LVUP)

  • 145 Michael Kilic (WA)

  • 152 Jake Piccirilli (LVUP)

  • 160 Zyan Hall (LVUP)

  • 170 Gunner Filipowicz (LVUP)

  • 182 Nolan Pozzobon (LVUP)

  • 195 Thomas Godbee (The Storm Wrestling Center) - beat Hunter Adams in the finals

  • 220 Bernard Manga (Unat)

  • 285 Chase Horne (The Storm Wrestling Center)

Greco

14U Champs

  • 71 Eli Flowers (Appalachian Wrestling Academy)

  • 77 Cooper McArthur (TEK))

  • 83 Chris Swann (CPX)

  • 87 Roman Belardo (RWA)

  • 92 Taj Jones (Atlanta Wrestling Academy)

  • 97 Isaac Hoshide (LVUP)

  • 102 Kadin McDonald (OSO)

  • 106 Scott Swann (Social Circle)

  • 110 Paxon Legatt (Union County)

  • 114 Philip Jax (706)

  • 119 Ronan An (LVUP)

  • 125 David Jewell (LVUP)

  • 130 Connor Stephens (CPX)

  • 136 Moose Bringer (South Effingham)

  • 149 Matthew VanWettering (Icon)

  • 165 Kriecg Roe (Unat)

  • 187 Anthony Alcazar (WW)

  • 250 Sebastian Garcia (WW)

16U Champs

  • 88 Eli Bowman (GWA)

  • 94 Ty Murray (CPX)

  • 100 Antonio Mills (RWA)

  • 106 Kieron Mccormack (TEK)

  • 113 Drew Gorman (TEK)

  • 120 Noah Danforth (TEK)

  • 126 Logan Paradice (The Storm Wrestling Center)

  • 132 Cade Parent (LVUP)

  • 138 Joshua Denson (LVUP)

  • 145 Emil Necula (LVUP)

  • 152 Dominic Bambinelli (RWA)

  • 160 Tyler Secoy (Icon)

  • 170 Hoke Poe-Hogan (Jefferson Wrestling)

  • 182 Omaury Alvarez (LVUP)

  • 220 Albert Butler (LVUP)

  • 285 Ashton Anderson (South Effingham)

Junior Champs

  • 106 Matthew Denson (LVUP)

  • 113 Hunter McCullough (SGAC)

  • 120 Dominic Ditomasso (SGAC) - beat Cole Hunt in the finals

  • 126 Robert Austin Westbrook (LVUP) - beat Dawson Thompson in the finals

  • 132 Austin Thiel (Storm Wrestling Center) - beat Art Martinez in the finals

  • 138 David Panone (LVUP)

  • 145 Michael Kilic (WA)

  • 152 Jarrod Pominville (LVUP)

  • 160 Miles Watts (RWA)

  • 170 Grady Tisdale (The Storm Wrestling Center)

  • 182 Armond Jones (Atlanta Wrestling Academy)

  • 195 Thomas Godbee (The Storm Wrestling Center) - beat Josh McCutchen in the finals

  • 220 Dylan Galloway (MF)

  • 285 Chase Horne (The Storm Wrestling Center)

Tennessee

Freestyle

14U Champs

  • 77 Hudson Chittum of Boom Ranch

  • 83 Jose Cordero of HCWC

  • 87 Jacob Belcher of TNWA

  • 90 Axel Ritchie of Chattanooga Wrestling Club

  • 97 Nathaniel Boger of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 102 Zachery Little of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 106 Blake Congdon of HCWC

  • 110 Andrew Connow of Bad Wolf MMA

  • 114 Kaden Rice of HCWC

  • 119 Cannon Voiles of IWC

  • 125 Barrett Whaley of Crossroads Wrestling/Halls

  • 130 Blaise Meeks of Stars Wrestling Club

  • 136 Blaise Meeks of Stars Wrestling Club

  • 149 Cy Fowler of HCWC

  • 165 Ryder Smith of IWC

  • 187 Xavier Viazcan of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 250 Amos Huan of Drummonds

16U Champs

  • 94 Chase Creque of Stars Wrestling Club

  • 106 Jack Anderson of Elite Wrestling Academy

  • 113 Jarvis Little of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 120 Casen Roark of Nashville Catholic Wrestling

  • 126 Hunter Sturgill of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 132 Landon Desselle of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 138 Connor Payne of Chattanooga Wrestling Club

  • 145 James Strong of Blackman Freestyle/Greco

  • 152 Clark Vaughn of Music City Wrestling Club

  • 160 Kaiden Bates of Chattanooga Wrestling Club

  • 170 Dean Carrion of Midsouth Wrestling Club

  • 182 Jake Stacey of Next Level Wrestling Club

  • 195 Nicolas Jenkins of Middle TN freestyle &Greco

  • 220 Miles Workman of Blackman Freestyle/Greco

  • 285 Dion Stutts of Bluff City Wrestling Club

Junior Champs

  • 113 Kalen Reed of Bluff City Wrestling Club

  • 120 Justin Bradford of Blackman Freestyle/Greco

  • 126 Steven Dindl of Bluff City Wrestling Club

  • 132 Keyveon Roller of TNWA

  • 138 Brayden Ivy of TNWA

  • 145 Luke Belcher of Pride Wrestling

  • 152 Michael Colligan of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 160 Colby Dalon of TNWA

  • 170 Kodiak Cannedy of Greeneville High

  • 182 Gervacio Gonzalez of Wave Wrestling Club

  • 195 Thomas Stadel of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 220 Gabriel Fisher of Big Red Wrestling Club

  • 285 Stone Cummins of Anderson County High School

Greco

14U Champs

  • 77 Hudson Chittum of Boom Ranch

  • 83 Jose Cordero of HCWC

  • 87 Jacob Belcher of TNWA

  • 92 Charles Phillips of Boom Ranch Wrestling Club

  • 97 Nathaniel Boger of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 102 Zachery Little of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 106 Blake Congdon of HCWC

  • 110 Malachi Puckett of Chattanooga Wrestling Club

  • 114 Kaden Rice of HCWC

  • 119 Cannon Voiles of IWC

  • 125 Blaise Meeks of Stars Wrestling Club

  • 149 Cy Fowler of HCWC

  • 165 Ryder Smith of IWC

  • 187 Xavier Viazcan of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 250 Amos Huan of Drummonds

16U Champs

  • 94 Chase Creque of Stars Wrestling Club

  • 106 Jack Anderson of Elite Wrestling Academy

  • 113 Jarvis Little of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 120 Casen Roark of Nashville Catholic Wrestling

  • 126 Hunter Sturgill of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 132 Landon Desselle of Spartan Wrestling Club

  • 138 Drake Bowers of Wave Wrestling Club

  • 145 Spencer Kon of Williamson County Wrestling

  • 152 Lucas Szymborski of HCWC

  • 160 Jacob Barlow of Coffee County Wrestling Club

  • 170 Dean Carrion of Midsouth Wrestling Club

  • 182 Jake Stacey of Next Level Wrestling Club

  • 195 Nicolas Jenkins of Middle TN freestyle &Greco

  • 220 Miles Workman of Blackman Freestyle/Greco

  • 285 Dion Stutts of Bluff City Wrestling Club

Junior Champs

  • 113 Kainen Kyle of Maryville

  • 120 Justin Bradford of Blackman Freestyle/Greco

  • 126 Steven Dindl of Bluff City Wrestling Club

  • 132 Zander Hutson of North River Wrestling Club

  • 138 Sammy Shires of Wildside

  • 145 Luke Belcher of Pride Wrestling

  • 152 Michael Colligan of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 160 Steve Fisak of Sparan Wrestling Club

  • 170 Aidan Bowers of Wave Wrestling Club

  • 182 Gervacio Gonzalez of Wave Wrestling Club

  • 195 Thomas Stadel of Tennessee Outlaws Wrestling Cl

  • 220 Gabriel Fisher of Big Red Wrestling Club

  • 285 Malik McDaniel of Bluff City Wrestling Club

Southeast, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Freestyle, GrecoJason FulmoreComment
State Wrap-Up - Episode 9: The Florida Bracket Breakers

A bracket breaker is defined differently for different states and sometimes differently by classification in the same state. Mostly it comes down to how large the bracket is as to what defines a bracket breaker and where they finish. So read each state first to understand how I have chosen to define it. Broadly speaking … it is a wrestler that comes in under the radar and goes on to win matches they either “shouldn’t” win (according to their previous weeks finish).

Florida bracket breakers are wrestlers that finished #3 or #4 from their region and made the podium.

Italicized wrestlers were 4th in their region.

3A - 84 wrestlers made the podium. 83% of them either won their region or placed 2nd. Below are the 17% (14 wrestlers) that battled from a #3 or #4 spot to make the podium … two Holland and Greaves won their brackets (Holland was #3 out of Region 2 and Greaves was #4 out of Region 3). 10% of all the #4’s in 3A made the podium.

  • Brayden Johnson (Newsome) - 6th at 113

  • Anthony Madriz (Coral Reef) - 5th at 113

  • Bryce Taranto (Venice) - 2nd at 120

  • Kobe Litov (East Lake) - 5th at 120

  • Elijah Ortiz (Palm Beach Gardens) - 6th at 126

  • Nicholas Romero (Riverview) - 5th at 126

  • Favian Oliva (Southwest Miami) - 6th at 138

  • Gunner Holland (Osceola) - 1st at 152

  • Ranson Coons (Lakewood Ranch) - 6th at 170

  • Bryce Dodge (Flagler Palm Coast) - 5th at 170

  • Maxamus Kyser (Palm Harbor) - 3rd at 182

  • Tony Carter (Mandarin) - 4th at 182

  • Seth Suvak (Colonial) - 6th at 195

  • Gerald Greaves (Dr Phillips) - 1st at 285

2A - 84 wrestlers made the podium (same as 3A and 1A). 23 wrestlers (27% of the field) battled from a #3 or #4 spot to make the podium … none claimed a title, but 3 (Vargas, Burburija, and Church) made the finals. Just 3 #4’s (or 5%) made the podium.

  • Camren French (Charlotte) - 5th at 106

  • Richard Albert (Cape Coral) - 6th at 106

  • Danny Vargas (Jesuit) - 2nd at 113

  • Darrell Tabor (Brandon) - 4th at 120

  • Lucas Giles (Barron Collier) - 5th at 120

  • Hayden Whidden (Lake Gibson) - 3rd at 126

  • Ethan Byrd (Barron Collier) - 4th at 126

  • Isaac Church (Charlotte) - 2nd at 132

  • John McNichols (Harmony) - 3rd at 132

  • Riley Chapdelaine (Winter Springs) - 2nd at 138

  • Joe Gallo (Springstead) - 5th at 138

  • Davis Deal (Winter Springs) - 6th at 145

  • Koen Hoffman (Port Charlotte) - 4th at 152

  • Mack Koselke (Mariner) - 4th at 160

  • Frank Solorzano (Lake Gibson) - 5th at 160

  • Brian Burburija (Countryside) - 2nd at 170

  • Joe Santana (Jesuit) - 6th at 182

  • Often Logue (Port Charlotte) - 3rd at 195

  • Wyatt Yown (Lincoln) - 6th at 195

  • David Polaski (Niceville) - 4th at 220

  • Maikeli Tuinkauvadra (Osceola - Seminole) - 6th at 220

  • Nathaniel Box (Charlotte) - 4th at 285

  • Darren Davis (Harmony) - 5th at 285

1A - 84 wrestlers made the podium. 21 wrestlers (25% of the field) battled from a #3 or #4 spot to make the podium. Chase Gillis of Somerset went from #3 in Region 4 to the top of the podium and Khalil Mitchell, Jewell Williams, and Max Ryan went from the same spot on the bracket to the finals. Still just 5 #4’s made the podium.

  • Raider Morelli (Space Coast) - 4th at 106

  • Dylan Garcia (Mater Lakes) - 5th at 113

  • Max Brewster (South Walton) - 6th at 113

  • Jewell Williams (Jensen Beach) - 2nd at 120

  • Austin McKinney (Suwannee) - 6th at 120

  • Isaiah Wilson (Wakulla) - 6th at 126

  • Tyler Savastano (Jensen Beach) - 5th at 132

  • Luis Bellon (Mater Lakes) - 6th at 132

  • Chase Gillis (Somerset) - 1st at 138

  • Ryan Duguay (Jensen Beach) - 4th at 138

  • Emil Ganim (Florida High) - 6th at 138

  • Rafael Romero (American Heritage Delray Beach) - 4th at 145

  • Tehran Piza (Jensen Beach) - 5th at 152

  • Daniel Kotchensky (Cardinal Gibbons) - 3rd at 160

  • Izac Martinez (Clewiston) - 5th at 160

  • Khalil Mitchell (Merritt Island) - 2nd at 170

  • Hunter Eichelberger (Oasis) - 6th at 182

  • Jamari Watson (Raines) - 3rd at 195

  • Max Ryan (Key West) - 2nd at 220

  • Jack Pyburn (Bolles) - 3rd at 220

  • Sam Fleming (Hernando) - 3rd at 285

FloridaJason FulmoreComment
State Wrap up: Episode 7: The Ironmen from Alabama and Florida

One of the first things I look at when a state tournament finishes is … who was able to bounce back and fight their way back through to make the podium. If there is one attribute that epitomizes wrestling or wrestlers it is perseverance. And there are few better pieces of evidence than the ability to pick yourself up and fight back to make the podium when your goal was to win it all.

Each of the wrestlers below lost their first match and fought back to find a spot on the podium. Because each bracket is different (especially in Alabama 5A-6A) - being an “Ironman” or “Ironwoman” might be different from bracket to bracket. I like the term Ironman or Ironwoman because I think it captures in a single word what it takes - not only physical ability and determination, but also mental as well as psychological strength to battle back.

In Florida and Alabama 7A and 1A-4A - there were 16-man brackets and each places top 6. So to make the podium after losing your 1st round match you would need to win at least 3 in a row to make the podium (4 in a row to make top 4).

In Alabama 5A-6A - there were 32-man brackets and they placed top 8 … so to make the podium in Alabama 5A-6A you would need to win a minimum of 4 matches in a row to make the podium - 5 matches to make top 6 and 6 matches to make top 4. Just one wrestler lost in the 1st round and made the top 8 … none that lost that early made top 4 or top 6.

Congrats to each of the wrestlers below for finding a way to pick themselves up and fight back through the “backside”.

NOTE: South Carolina had 6-man brackets - too small to recognize an “Ironman” or “Ironwoman”.

Alabama

Andrew Allen (Prattville Christian) - 1A-4A 160 6th

Hayden Bradford (Huntsville) - 7A 285 6th

Zeke Curvin (Pleasant Valley) - 1A-4A 170 3rd

Malachi Goble (Ohatchee) - 1A-4A 138 6th

Baron House (Pleasant Valley) - 1A-4A 106 3rd

Jake Huff (St James) - 1A-4A 138 5th

Trace McCaleb (Benjamin Russell) - 5A-6A 220 8th

Ian McGowan (Cleburne County) - 1A-4A 126 6th

Max Morrow (Huntsville) - 7A 126 6th

Keane Robb (Sparkman) - 7A 170 6th

Joseph Soto (Central Phenix City) - 7A 106 6th

John Turner (Foley) - 7A 220 4th

Anthony Usry (Weaver) - 1A-4A 145 3rd

Billy Vercher (American Christian Academy) - 1A-4A 220 4th

Gavin Wright (Cleburne County) - 1A-4A 182 5th

Florida

Richard Albert (Cape Coral) - 2A 106 6th

Luis Bellon (Mater Lakes) - 1A 132 6th

Jackson Brockett (Boone) - 3A 182 6th

Davis Deal (Winter Springs) - 2A 145 6th

Maks Dimarov (East Lake) - 3A 182 5th

Bryce Dodge (Flagler Palm Coast) - 3A 170 5th

Sam Fleming (Hernando) - 1A 285 5th

Corey Gallivan (Miami Palmetto) - 3A 120 6th

Joe Gallo (Springstead) - 2A 138 5th

Emil Ganim (Florida High) - 1A 138 6th

Connor Hueck (Miami Southridge) - 2A 120 6th

Brayden Johnson (Newsome) - 3A 113 6th

Kobe Litov (East Lake) - 3A 120 5th

Elijah Ortiz (Palm Beach Gardens) - 3A 126 6th

Joe Santana (Jesuit) - 2A 182 6th

Tyler Savastano (Jensen Beach) - 1A 132 5th

Fletcher Small (Harmony) - 2A 138 4th

Seth Suvak (Colonial) - 3A 195 5th

Isaiah Wilson (Wakulla) - 1A 126 6th

Alabama, FloridaJason FulmoreComment