Oakleaf (Florida)

Head Coach: Rory Roderick (1st season as head coach; 3rd season on staff)

Staff: John Powers-Young

Oakleaf enters the 2021-2022 season with a lot of expectations. Marcus McGee and Isaiah Shevchook each qualified for the 3A State Tournament a year ago and both are back to lead the team in 21-22. The Knights also return several wrestlers that just missed on a trip to Kissimmee a year ago and will look to punch their ticket in 2022. Roman Polinsky and Jordan Mitchell both finished just short a year ago and could make it at least 4 Knights in Kissimmee in 2022. Keep an eye on Braden Cole and Ben Gaddis as well as Adrianna Barrientos, Angel Rodriguez, Ion Hortinela, Ghais Cooper, Keon Barrientos, and Onjel Caraballo. Each will look to make a difference this coming season.

“We are projected to have one of the most, if not the most talented teams in Oakleaf wrestling history. We have returning wrestlers that have been seasoned and are ready to let loose. With Fleming no longer in our district, that opens up 1 more spot to qualify for regionals, and 1 more spot to qualify for state.

The expectation for this season is district dual champs, district IBT champs, at least 6 state qualifiers and at least 2 state placers. We also expect to have the best dual record in Oakleaf wrestling history, and to finish higher than we did previously at Flagler Rotary and Green Cove Rotary.

We have returning wrestlers that did not make it to state and are hungry. Ben Gaddis, Roman Polinsky, and Jordan Mitchell all lost in the blood round to make it to state and are determined to change the outcome this year. Onjel Caraballo was out last season due to a shoulder injury but is now back to 100% and hungry to make it to state. We also have a few freshmen who have been wrestling all summer and are ready to make a name for themselves.”

— Coach Roderick

George Jenkins (FL)

Head Coach: Gavin Osborn (entering 3rd season)

Staff: Alex Ebisawa, Jaylon Andrews, Bob Harley

George Jenkins graduated a few Seniors, but the 2021-2022 should be a better version of the 2020-2021 version. State Qualifier Nathan Peoples returns after taking 2nd in 3A Region 2 and winning two matches in Kissimmee. He will hunting for a spot on the podium in his senior season. The key for Jenkins is getting those returners to win matches at region and punch their ticket to Kissimmee in 2022. Landon Walters, Raquan Green, and Gavin Keim each won a region match a year ago and look like the Eagles best shot to have someone join Nathan in Kissimmee in 2022.

Keep an eye on Roderick Brown and Timothy Peoples - each has had a taste of the region tournament and will look to make an impact in 2022. Keep an eye on Reece Shim and Brock Barr … they will look to break into the lineup and make a difference in 21-22 as well.

“We are returning a solid group from last season. A young roster with only two seniors, we have a great group of guys who have gotten a lot of valuable mat time over the offseason. We are optimistic and are looking to continue getting better day after day.”

— Coach Osborn

Hernando (FL)

Head Coach: David Pritz (entering 10th season)

Staff: Kenneth Day, Chance Phillips, Dominic Nardini

Coach Pritz and the Hernando Leopards graduated a ton in 2021 and enter this season with a bunch of new faces. State Placers Sam Fleming, Chris Spellman, Billy Gould, as well as SQ’s Jason Perez, Billy Fetzner, and Johnathan Ahne have all graduated. The Leopards return 2 State Qualifiers in TJ Rodier and Diego Mojica, but for the most part the Leopards will be looking for some new faces to step up and fill the void left by the departing hammers.

Keep an eye on Cael Phillips, James Gadson, Jayshawn Nantce, and Nate Greene. Each returns and will be counted on to make an impact in 2022. The Leopards also have Kyle Pearson, Jordyn Valle, Xavier Mejia, and Colton Ashworth that will look to step in make a difference this season. It will be exciting to see how Rodier and Mojica work to lead this new group.

“This will be one of the younger teams I have had in the last few years but our expectations remain the same. These kids have been working hard all off season and we expect them to rise to the challenge. ”

— Coach Pritz