Lincoln (FL)

Head Coach: Mike Crowder (entering 28th season)

Staff: Jake Burch, Reggie Toombs, Jacob Loveland, Norman Norton

Coach Crowder has another solid group in the room and should be a force in 2A Region 1 in 2022. State Placers Elijah Hendley and Wyatt Yown have graduated, but the Trojans return nearly every other starter on a team that finished in the top 15 in 2A in 2021. State Placer Cayden Bevis returns after taking 3rd and should lead the way in 21-22.

Nine returning Trojans won a match at the 2A Region 1 Tournament in 2021 and each should be looking to punch their ticket to Kissimmee in 2022. That group is led by Omarion LaRoach, Connor Edwards, and Vaniel Caceres. This team has the ability to push for the top spot in 2A Region 1, but will need JaShawn Washington, Zaire Fernanders-Jackson, Mason Crowder, and Nic Weaver to make an impact. Keep an eye on Vincent Crump and Joe Tucker - they are two that could help push the Trojans toward the top.

“Numbers are high and competition in the room is great we are excited for the challenges in front of us and the chance to show what we can accomplish.”

— Coach Crowder

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. ”

— Coach Degginger

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.”

— Coach Balmeceda