American Heritage Plantation (FL)

Head Coach: David Wisdom (entering 6th season)

Staff: Matthew Burnett - Co-Head coach, Andrew Wisdom - Assistant coach, Miles Harrison - Assistant coach

Jaeden Kinlock and Stephen Levine have graduated, but AHP might be better this season than they were a year ago. The Patriots return 7 wrestlers that won matches in Region 4 a season ago and welcome in Taravella transfer Victor King (who lost in the bloodround at regions a year ago for Taravella). The Patriots will be particularly tough from 132-182 with the return of Ernest Padron Jr., Alexander Wisdom, Isaac Jacobs, Armando Wisdom, Israel Cuba, Christopher Levine, and the return of Korie Demascola who missed last season with an injury. Padron, Jacobs, as well as both Wisdom’s all make a run at regions last year and each should expect to punch their ticket this year.

Keep an eye on Diego Miranda who won multiple matches at region last year as a 6th grader at 106 … he will certainly be looking to punch his ticket as well. The Patriots have the luxury of having two solid heavyweights in Freddie and Victor King as well. The Patriots only qualified Kinlock a year ago … look for that to change in 2023 - it wouldn’t be a surprise to see 6 or 7 Patriots on the mats in March in Kissimmee.

“The 22-23 team is more experienced and ready, we are looking to be the team to beat for the 2A -5 district and 2A-4 regional duals. Many improved individual team members looking to break out of region 2A-4”

— Coach Wisdom

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Auburndale (FL)

Head Coach: Antonio Thomas (entering 3rd season)

Staff: Matt Jones, Grant Smith, George Sabillion

Auburndale continues to climb in a tough 2A … after taking 37th a year ago - they return all of their hammers this season including 2022 State Placer Nate Gabriel. Gabriel was 6th at 285 and should be in the hunt for the top step in 2023. Whether Auburndale climbs into the top 20 in 2A will likely come down to the continued development of the rest of the crew. Blake Selwitschka, Amir Coston, and Adrian Castillo all won matches in a tough regional tournament a year ago and each will look to punch their ticket to Kissimmee this year.

Look for the return of Colby McColley … he, along with Gavin Harris, Antonio Christian, Steven Williams, and Ian Tacus will look to lockdown the middle of the Auburndale lineup. The strength of Auburndale is up top with Castillo, Coston, Raymond Shaw, Antonio Martinez, Israel Thornton, and Gabriel. Keep an eye on Sebastian Lindsey, Jonathan Orr, Levi People, and Joseph Tencredi … each will look to make their mark this year as well.

“Looking forward to Great season with the Coaches and athletes we have at Auburndale. we bring back a ton of experience to the room which is going to be helpful Led by Colby McColley 138, Nate Gabriel HWT Returning State Placer, Amir Coston. This offseason the guys stayed in the room working even our dual sport athletes have been putting in the time. Looking for it to all pay off. -GO Hounds!”

— Coach Thomas

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Heritage (FL)

Head Coach: Jeff Degginger (entering 8th season)

Staff: Tom Gregg (AHC/JV) Tori Degginger (Asst) Cody Barton (Hvy Coach/JV)

Heritage returns an outstanding team that nearly broke into the top 10 at the 2A traditional tournament in 2022. Unfortunately for the Panthers they graduated State Placer Williams Clement, State Qualifiers Vicente Angel Ramirez-Ellis, and Trace Liberatore as well as lost State Placer Roman Maldonado as a transfer to Palm Bay. That is tough and will impact the Panthers ability to make a run back to the top 10.

Now just because the Panthers will be impacted - doesn’t mean they won’t make it happen. This team will be much younger, but Coach Degginger has a solid foundation to build on. State Placer Gabriel Ferreira returns and should be hunting the top step at 138 or 145. The Panthers also return State Qualifiers Kaleb Gabrielson and Aiden Baker … both of whom have the ability to make the podium in 2023. But ultimately the rise (or fall) of Heritage will likely come down to how well Nicholas Deboer, Keith Cole, and Jason Martin wrestle this season. All three have the ability to punch their ticket to Kissimmee - the question is - will they? Keep an eye on Solomon Peterson, Gustavo Ferrerira, Noah Seehaus, Stephon Barry, Jaden Saglembeni, Tyquez Smith, Daunte Daube, Devon McDonald, and Harper Noel. Trust me … at least one of those names will surprise some people and have an outstanding season.

“We’ll be significantly younger than last year. We’re returning 3 SQ’s and 1 placer with a very talented core. Our Captain, Gabriel Ferreira will be in the title hunt with Aiden Baker and Kaleb Gabrielson looking to reach the podium. Every year we challenge these kids to get better and they’ve never let us down. However, if we’re going to repeat, it’ll depend on how quickly our younger kids step up.”

— Coach Degginger

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.