A Fan's Guide to the Florida 1A State Tournament
Sponsored by: Rankwrestlers.com
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the Florida 1A State Tournament
So what is a Fan’s Guide?
The Fan’s Guide is a look at the tournament as a whole and each individual weight class … from a fan’s perspective. But it is not a prediction of who will win or who will make the podium. In fact, a Fan’s Guide is a little different. It is a look at a few individual pieces from each bracket … they include:
Favorite: the wrestler that enters the tournament as a region champ and has the best shot to claim the top step.
Contenders: a wrestler that finishes 1st or 2nd at regions has a decent chance to make the podium.
Darkhorse: a wrestler that might be off the radar, but could make a run for the top step.
Bracketbuster: a wrestler that finished 3rd or 4th in their section, but could make a run for a spot high on the podium.
Isn’t that kind of a prediction?
Yes and no. I do identify the favorite, but beyond that I have no idea of who will march through the bracket and claim a title (don’t get me wrong - I’ve watched a lot of wrestling this season so I have an idea of what will happen). I could give you an educated guess about a possible finals match and who will make the podium, but in the world of high school wrestling that is dangerous territory. Few wrestlers (if any) are unbeatable … but we do have past results and past accomplishments on which to make a guess or two. In reality, I am as much of a fan as any of you and like to talk wrestling. I hope each athlete goes out and performs to her ability and we, as fans, get an opportunity to watch some great wrestling.
Remember the sole purpose of the website, twitter, instagram, fan’s guides, pictures, etc. is to promote the sport in the Southeast. Have a great time this weekend, enjoy the wrestling, and best of luck to everyone competing.
Brant Parsons at Kabrawrestling follows the action all season and any reference to rankings below are to those that he has published.
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS ASSUMING THAT THE INFORMATION INPUTTED INTO TRACKWRESTLING EITHER BY THE EVENT DIRECTOR OR THE COACHES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON IS CORRECT.
A Look Back to 2023
Team Race:
We will delve into some detail here that you may (or may not) find interesting. As a former coach, this is where I liked to understand our path to a title and what we needed from each qualifier. If you are a parent and are solely focused on your son or daughter’s individual success then this part might not be interesting. If you are interested in the path to a team title then you may find the way we break it down to be interesting. Getting the most from each of your qualifiers is huge and can be the difference between a title an finishing 2nd, 3rd, etc.
I’m not going to spend much time recounting Jensen Beach’s run to the title. It is fairly clear that having more champs or placers equals more points. It doesn’t always work out that way as you can see above with Somerset and Mater Lakes both having the same # of placers (8) and still finishing 50 points behind (where on the podium matters). But the formula is pretty simple … Qualifiers means opportunity. Placers and Champs means points. Bonus points matter, but only is close races and not nearly as important at the traditional state tournament compared to the duals. Keep all of this in mind as we evaluate which teams have the best shot of claiming the title heading into this weekend. And keep reading because we get into the weeds about how two teams can have the same number of placers yet finish with significantly difference points.
Region Success Predicts State Success
Nothing is given, everything is earned … but there is a strong correlation between how well someone does at their regional tournament and their success in Kissimmee. Ultimately team (and individual) success begins at regions (and honestly long before that). There is a direct relationship between being a Region Champ and eventually making the state podium. Keep that in mind when looking at our favorites, contenders, etc. further down the Guide.
Twelve of the 14 champs were Region Champs the weekend before. 22 of the 28 finalists were region champs … and 48 of the 56 region champs made the podium. Jewell Williams was the bracketbuster after taking 3rd in Region 4 and coming all the way through to claim the 145 lb. State Title and Gavin Nolan was the darkhorse - taking 2nd in the Region 3 tournament, but coming through to win a title. Winning a region title is a huge advantage in making a run to a title, but you may notice that there is little difference in whether someone takes 2nd or 3rd at regions and their eventual place at the state tournament. The primary reason for this is … Florida doesn’t seed the region or state tournaments. As a result there are plenty of wrestlers that lose in the region semis that come through and ended up in the state finals (it isn’t a regular occurrence, but it does happen).
Path to a team title - Winning the battle of relative value
The simplest way to look at it is this … we already know that winning a region title puts you in the best position to win a state title (as evidenced by the table above). But not all State Champs earn the same number of points and certainly not all Region Champs earn the same number of points at the state tournament … so we make a comparison of the typical region champ and the average number of points they score and compare it to the actual number of points scored by individuals on the top teams. Being above the average gives you an advantage - being below the average means you are not getting the number of points you would expect to get based on your region place.
The first thing we look at is … what is the average number of points scored by a Region Champ in 1A (we could break this down into the average number of points by the 106 lb. Region Champs, etc. but let’s stick with the macro picture for this explanation). Whatever the value is - that is what we refer to as the expected value … we would like to exceed that number.
As you can see, a Region Champ scored (on average) 16.22 points at last year’s state tournament in 1A (this is taking the average number of points scored by every region champ regardless of weight class, but within 1A). And because there is a correlation between region place and state place (and points) then the values decrease as we move from 1st to 2nd, etc. The thing that stands out is the minimal difference between 2nd and 3rd place. And there are two reasons for this … 1) there is clearly a difference in the strength of different regions, and 2) the FHSAA doesn’t seed the region or state tournaments … as a result we sometimes get the best matchup in the semis and that means some #3’s are amongst the best in the state and score a lot of points. A closer look at the top 10 teams in 1A gives us a glimpse into the teams that exceeded the expectation for their team or not. Black blocks within the table are for cells from weights at particular schools where there was no state qualifier.
NOTE: The color corresponds to their region place and the relative position points are already calculated based on the above expected points.
NOTE: The last column entitled “value” is the value per qualifier … the higher the number the more the team as a whole outperformed their expected points.
So what does it mean? Jensen Beach came in with the same number of qualifiers as Somerset and one fewer than Mater Lakes. The pack behind them all had 9 qualifiers … so, in terms of qualifiers, there wasn’t a huge difference in the top teams. Now we’ve already shown that region placement matters, but again Jensen Beach and Somerset each had 3 region champs, Mater Lakes had 2 and First Baptist had an impressive 7. This is where relative value matters. First Baptist got above the average with 5 of their 7 champs and one, Asher Bacon, that was very close to the average. When trailing teams in terms of qualifiers … they couldn’t afford to get just 3 points at 132. That combined with zero at 152 eliminated them from the chance for the title. If you look at the average relative value in the right hand column you see that Jensen Beach that the highest amongst the contending teams … ultimately it was Somerset’s inability to get the average points (for their region runner-up spot) at 182 and 195 and Mater Lakes having the same problem at 113, 138, and 160 with their region runners-up. Again we can see this as it is happening, but sometimes it is hard to know if that loss or that win will be the deciding factor in the moment. It is only when we go back and take a closer look that we can get a real sense of the impact of some of those outcomes.
Team Notes
The table below is a list of every qualifier by school, along with their place. So we could talk about a number of different teams, but in reality there are just a handful that have enough to really make a run for a team title. They are discussed below the table.
Somerset comes in with 13 qualifiers and 8 that took either 1st or 2nd in a very tough Region 4. They are the favorites and it really isn’t all that close. Zephyrhills Christian comes in with 11 with Mater Lakes and Jensen Beach with 9 each. If Somerset underperforms, and there is not reason to think that they will, then they should cruise to the team title. But the battle for 2nd (as well as a top 5 finish) should be intense. As many as 7 teams have a legit shot at a top 3 finish with one team - First Baptist - in a unique position. They bring the fewest of the contending teams with just 6 qualifiers, but all 6 were Region Champs last week. If they can put 4 or 5 of those 6 in the finals then they could push the top teams that brought more qualifiers. Somerset is the favorite - it will be interesting to see how everything plays out this weekend.
Schedule
106 lbs.
The Field:
Eli Jolicoeur (Suwannee) - Region 1 Champ
Anthony Acquafredda (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 Champ
Everett Stephens (First Baptist (Naples)) - Region 3 Champ
Jovanni Tovar (Miami Christian School) - Region 4 Champ
Kevin McLean (St. Johns Country Day) - Region 1 2nd
Joseph Handley (Lake Region) - Region 2 2nd
Broc Dahlin (Bayshore) - Region 3 2nd
Cano Austin (Somerset) - Region 4 2nd
Dylan Malott (Rutherford) - Region 1 3rd
Nick Guy (Weeki Wachee) - Region 2 3rd
RJ Phelan (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 3rd
Andres Garcia (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 3rd
Jacob Justice (Freeport) - Region 1 4th
Aaron Spratt (The Villages) - Region 2 4th
Bryce Stone (Bell Creek) - Region 3 4th
Trey Viens (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Jovanni Tovar (Miami Christian School)
Contenders:
Eli Jolicoeur (Suwannee)
Everett Stephens (First Baptist (Naples))
Anthony Acquafredda (Cocoa Beach)
Broc Dahlin (Bayshore)
Darkhorse: Kevin McLean (St. Johns Country Day)
Bracketbuster: RJ Phelan (Zephyrhills Christian)
Things to know:
Tons of young talent in the bracket … many of these middle school-aged wrestlers have been on big stages before. We will see how they handle Silver Spurs and the rest of the state is watching.
Top of the bracket:
One wrestler that is familiar with the big stage is Region 1 Champ Eli Jolicoeur who is one of the few returning State Qualifiers in the field. He has been outstanding in Florida and has beaten and wrestled some top competition. He shares the top side with Anthony Acquafredda of Cocoa Beach. Acquafredda is ranked #7 by Kabra, beat Guy 6-1 in the semis and pinned Handley in the finals to win Region 2. Nick Guy is another wrestler with state tournament and was 8th a year ago.
RJ Phlean vs. Cano Austin is the 1st round match to watch up top. When Zephyrhills Christian and Somerset met at state duals it was Carlos Sainz who beat RJ Phelan.
Bottom of the bracket:
Jovanni Tovar and Everett Stephens are your region champs. Stephens is a returning State Qualifier and beat a solid Broc Dahlin 4-1 to win the Region 3 title last weekend. Tovar is a beast. We watched him at 14U’s this past summer in both freestyle and greco and the future is certainly bright. We haven’t seen him compete in folkstyle, but based on his hammering of Austin and Viens in Region 4 it doesn’t seem like a tough transition.
Nick Guy vs. Kevin McLean is the first round matchup on the bottom side to watch. McLean is an 8th grade hammer, Guy is a returning State Placer at this weight.
113 lbs.
The Field:
Preston Neufeld (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 Champ
Cole Webb (Cocoa) - Region 2 Champ
Timmy Boda (First Baptist (Naples)) - Region 3 Champ
Jake Austin (Somerset) - Region 4 Champ
Topher Pearson (Suwannee) - Region 1 2nd
Ashton Swanson (Space Coast) - Region 2 2nd
Lukah Zherka (Aubrey Rogers) - Region 3 2nd
Kellen Mesina (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 2nd
Howard Hill (St. Johns Country Day) - Region 1 3rd
Ethan Reilly (The First Academy) - Region 2 3rd
Izak Rodriguez (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 3rd
Jason Ramirez (SLAM Academy) - Region 4 3rd
Matthew Thaxton (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 4th
Nadir Shalaby (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 4th
Leland Flaherty (Evangelical Christian School) - Region 3 4th
Jaxon Walker (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Jake Austin (Somerset)
Contenders:
Kellen Mesina (Mater Lakes Academy)
Preston Neufeld (North Bay Haven)
Timmy Boda (First Baptist (Naples))
Cole Webb (Cocoa)
Darkhorse: Topher Pearson (Suwannee)
Bracketbuster: Jason Ramirez (SLAM Academy)
Things to know:
Top of the bracket:
Preston Neufeld and Jake Austin are the region champs. Neufeld beat Thaxton and Pearson to claim the claim the Region 1 title. He is ranked #3 by Kabra and is certainly one to watch up top. Austin is the returning 106 lb. State Runner-up as a 7th grader. He is 51-4 and beat Mesina 11-2 to win Region 4. He is the favorite to claim a title in 2024.
The 2’s and 3’s in the middle up top have experience, but none have been on the big stage at Silver Spurs. Zherka and Reilly are a 9 vs. 10 matchup but it would be a surprise to see see anyone other than Neufeld and Austin in the semis.
Bottom side of the bracket:
Boda and Webb are the two region champs. Boda is ranked #4 by Kabra, Webb is #8. Webb pulls the winner of Topher Pearson and Jason Ramirez in the quarters. Pearson was 3rd at 120 last year, but lost to Neufeld in the Region 1 finals and as a result gets returning SQ Jason Ramirez.
Boda might get the toughest #2 in the bracket in his quarter in returning SQ Kellen Mesina. Mesina gets Howard Hill first and the winner will likely get the Region 3 Champ in Timmy Boda.
No matter who makes the quarters on the bottom side … these should be the matches to watch.
120 lbs.
The Field:
Derrick Williams (Deane Bozeman School) - Region 1 Champ
Adrian Day (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 Champ
Samir Redden (Booker H.S.) - Region 3 Champ
Gian Ortiz (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 Champ
James Oliver (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 2nd
Riley Taylor (Space Coast) - Region 2 2nd
Uy'Kwon Zion Wimberly (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 2nd
Matteo Gonzalez (Somerset) - Region 4 2nd
Justin Contreras (Suwannee) - Region 1 3rd
Dylan Dangle (Mulberry) - Region 2 3rd
Logan Kelly (Lemon Bay) - Region 3 3rd
Christopher Greene (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 3rd
Leonardo Sanchez (Bay) - Region 1 4th
Jonathan Overstreet (The Villages) - Region 2 4th
Jordan Anderson (Hudson) - Region 3 4th
Gumaro Martinez III (Clewiston) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Derrick Williams (Deane Bozeman School)
Contenders:
Gian Ortiz (Jensen Beach)
Samir Redden (Booker H.S.)
Adrian Day (Cocoa Beach)
Matteo Gonzalez (Somerset)
Darkhorse: Uy'Kwon Zion Wimberly (Zephyrhills Christian)
Bracketbuster: Justin Contreras (Suwannee)
Things to know:
Will we get a pair of seniors battling it out on Saturday evening for a title? Both Williams and Ortiz have been on the podium previously … will we see that matchup or will someone else knock them off and make a run for the title?
Top side of the bracket:
Derrick Williams has been 5th and 2nd thus far and will look to take home a title in 2024. He pinned James Oliver to claim the Region 1 title and put himself in position to make a run to another finals appearance. He shares the top side with Adrian Day who qualified a year ago as a 7th grader. Day beat Riley Taylor 5-2 to claim the Region 2 title.
The 2 vs. 3 matchups up top are something to watch. Wimberly lost in the Region 3 finals, but was 6th last year at 106. He takes on freshman Christopher Greene of Mater Lakes. The other 2 vs. 3 matchup features 120 lb. State Placer Logan Kelly of Lemon Bay and Somerset hammer (and ranked #3 by Kabra) Matteo Gonzalez.
Bottom side of the bracket:
Sami Redden and Gian Ortiz are the Region Champs. Both are seniors and will look to make a run for the title in their last appearance in Silver Spurs. Gian Ortiz has been on the podium twice before (3rd last year and 5th in 2022). Ortiz won Region 4 with a 6-1 decision of Matteo Gonzalez and is ranked #2 by Kabra. Redden is ranked #4 and won Region 3 with a fall of Wimberly. Redden dominated Region 3 and comes in looking to make a run.
Keep an eye on Justin Contreras of Suwannee. He lost 10-5 to Williams in the Region 1 semis, is ranked #7 by Kabra and was 8th a year ago at 113.
126 lbs.
The Field:
Troy Thaxton (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 Champ
Raymen Jackson (Palm Bay) - Region 2 Champ
Jack Oliver (Lemon Bay) - Region 3 Champ
Sebastian Degennaro (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 Champ
Keaton Ellis (Liberty County) - Region 1 2nd
Michael Bonanno (Avon Park) - Region 2 2nd
Damien Zherka (Aubrey Rogers) - Region 3 2nd
Ethan Tran (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 2nd
Jareb Lauramore (Baker County) - Region 1 3rd
Kyle Pearson (Hernando) - Region 2 3rd
Jason Schiavello (Clearwater Cen Catholic) - Region 3 3rd
Dylan Fernandez (Somerset) - Region 4 3rd
Ethan Warchol (Bishop Kenny) - Region 1 4th
Benjamin Goyeneche (Natures Coast Tech) - Region 2 4th
Nevin Hayes (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 4th
RJ Linares (Westminster Christian School) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Sebastian Degennaro (Jensen Beach)
Contenders:
Jack Oliver (Lemon Bay)
Troy Thaxton (Wakulla Hs)
Raymen Jackson (Palm Bay)
Ethan Tran (Mater Lakes Academy)
Darkhorse: Keaton Ellis (Liberty County)
Bracketbuster: Dylan Fernandez (Somerset)
Things to know:
This would be a competitive weight … if Degennaro wasn’t at the weight.
Top of the Bracket:
Thaxton and Oliver are the Region Champs up top. Oliver is a returning SQ and beat Zherka for the Region 3 title last weekend. Thaxton is ranked #5 by Kabra and won Region 1 with a 3-0 decision of Keaton Ellis.
Ethan Tran is the highest returning placer in the bracket (except for Degennaro). He was 3rd last year at this weight and he pulls returning SQ Kyle Pearson in the opening round.
Bottom of the Bracket:
Few better in the state of the Florida than Sebastian Degennaro. Degennaro is a 2x State Champion is amongst the best 120-126’s in the country. He shares the bottom side with Raymen Jackson who was a SQ in 2023 at 120. Jackson beat Bonnano to take Region 2.
The 2’s vs. 3’s should be competitive with #7 Zherka vs. #9 Lauramore and #8 Ellis vs. #12 Schiavello, but it would be a shock to see anyone other than Degannaro in the finals once again.
132 lbs.
The Field:
David Drake (Bay) - Region 1 Champ
Dominic Buckwalter (Natures Coast Tech) - Region 2 Champ
Jonathan Moder (First Baptist (Naples)) - Region 3 Champ
Jovani Solis (Somerset) - Region 4 Champ
Sterling Hollingsworth (Florida) - Region 1 2nd
Wyatt Crouser (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 2nd
Dominic Hernandez (Robinson) - Region 3 2nd
Anthony O`Dell (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 2nd
Jay Brown (Liberty County) - Region 1 3rd
Presten Pineiro (Astronaut) - Region 2 3rd
Kyle Gallo (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 3rd
Ben Norris (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 3rd
Logan Pugh (Yulee) - Region 1 4th
Cael Phillips (Hernando) - Region 2 4th
Derrique Mytial (Gateway (Fort Myers)) - Region 3 4th
Abram Canet (Key West) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Jovani Solis (Somerset)
Contenders:
Jonathan Moder (First Baptist (Naples))
Anthony O`Dell (Mater Lakes Academy)
David Drake (Bay)
Dominic Buckwalter (Natures Coast Tech)
Darkhorse: Sterling Hollingsworth (Florida)
Bracketbuster: Kyle Gallo (Zephyrhills Christian)
Things to know:
Few can hang with the returning State champ Jovani Solis. Solis won a state tile as an 8th grader and is on pace to be the first 6x State Champ in Florida … will anyone stop him this weekend?
Top of the bracket:
David Drake and Solis are the region champs. Solids beat returning 106 lb. State Champ Anthony O’Dell by tech fall last weekend to win the Region 4 title. He is not just one of the best 132’s in 1A or in Florida but amongst the best nationally. David Drake was a SQ a year ago at 120 and won region 1 with a 9-5 decision of Hollingsworth.
The 2’s and 3’s are good matchups, but the path to the finals goes through Solis.
Bottom of the bracket:
Jonathan Moder has been 2nd twice and is still just a sophomore .. he won Region 3 with a fall of Hernandez. Buckwalter claimed the Region 2 title with a tough 14-10 decision of Crouser.
The 2’s vs. 3’s should be some of the best first round matchups in 1A. O’Dell was 2nd to Solis In Region 4 and won a title last year at 106. He will face returning 120 lb. State Placer Jay Brown (5th) in the opening round with the winner likely getting Moder in the quarters. Ben Norris is a dangerous #3 from region 4 .. he was pinned by Solis in the semis, but is a returning 106 lb. State Placer (4th).
138 lbs.
The Field:
Cael Kubatzke (Fernandina Beach) - Region 1 Champ
William Day (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 Champ
Asher Bacon (First Baptist (Naples)) - Region 3 Champ
Mikel Pierce-Walker (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 Champ
Brady Jackson (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 2nd
Eric Williams (Titusville) - Region 2 2nd
Dominic Fouche` (Clearwater Cen Catholic) - Region 3 2nd
Malikai Badillo (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 2nd
Hunter Brown (Liberty County) - Region 1 3rd
Jacob Reber (Mckeel Academy) - Region 2 3rd
Marco Gandy (Jefferson Sr) - Region 3 3rd
Darion Shannon (Somerset) - Region 4 3rd
Jack Mulnix (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 4th
Drayton Gamradt (Space Coast) - Region 2 4th
Daniel Ellis (Robinson) - Region 3 4th
Ryan Winters (The King`s Academy) - Region 4 4th
Favorite:
Contenders:
Darkhorse:
Bracketbuster:
Things to know:
Asher Bacon is legit. I was most impressed with him in a loss to 3x Georgia State Champ Drew Gorman at the Knockout. He ended up losing 17-4, but fought the entire time and showed a ton of grit in that loss.
Top of the bracket:
Cael Kubatzke and William Day are your region champs up top. Kubatzke, a returning State Placer, pinned his way to the Region 1 title last weekend and comes in ranked #5 by Kabra. Day, ranked #6, was dominant on his way to the Region 2 title.
Both may have to contend with returning State Placer Malikai Badillo of Mater Lakes. Badillo was 5th last year at 132 and he sits in the 2nd quarter of the bracket with Gandy, Day and Mulnix. The other name to watch up top is Dominic Fouche of CCC. Fouche, a returning State Qualifier, is ranked #3 by Kabra and lost to Bacon in the Region 3 finals.
Bottom side of the bracket:
Bacon and Pierce-Walker are the region champs and ranked #1 and #2 by Kabra. Bacon’s only losses came to Georgia State Champs at the Knockout in Gorman and J’Veion Redmon of Ola. He was 4th as a 6th grader last year at 126 and looks to be the favorite this weekend. Mikel Pierce-Walker is a returning State Qualifier who beat Badillo 11-4 to claim the Region 4 title.
The 2’s and 3’s are talented, but this looks like a collision between the top 138’s in 1A.
144 lbs.
The Field:
Cole Misciagna (Fernandina Beach) - Region 1 Champ
Ricky Bowermaster (Weeki Wachee) - Region 2 Champ
Michael Kersey (First Baptist (Naples)) - Region 3 Champ
Frankie Florio (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 Champ
Rodney Barnett (Union County) - Region 1 2nd
Zackery Wells (Avon Park) - Region 2 2nd
Talon Maple (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 2nd
Preston Lindsay (Coral Springs Charter School) - Region 4 2nd
Zander Stillgess (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 3rd
Cade Beke (Mckeel Academy) - Region 2 3rd
Devon Jackson (La Belle) - Region 3 3rd
Eric Hodge (Somerset) - Region 4 3rd
Aaron Robinson (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 4th
Kealan Sieni (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 4th
Conner Murphy (Lemon Bay) - Region 3 4th
Dostmukhammad Bakhtiyorov (Key West) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Michael Kersey (First Baptist (Naples))
Contenders:
Frankie Florio (Cardinal Gibbons)
Cole Misciagna (Fernandina Beach)
Talon Maple (Zephyrhills Christian)
Ricky Bowermaster (Weeki Wachee)
Darkhorse: Preston Lindsay (Coral Springs Charter School)
Bracketbuster: Eric Hodge (Somerset)
Things to know:
Who’s ready for some fireworks? 144 should give us at least one outstanding matchup in each round.
Top of the bracket:
Kersey and Misciagna are your region champs. Misciagna was a state qualifier last year at 145 and won Region 1 with ease. Kersey is the returning State Runner-up at 145 and had a battle with Maple in the Region 3 finals - winning 4-3.
Both Lindsay and Hodge are dangerous coming out of Region 4. Hodge, 7th last year at 138, lost to Florio 1-0 in the Region 4 semis and has the ability to win it all. He pulls returning SQ Zackery Wells in the opening round. Lindsay was on the other side of the Region 4 bracket and lost to Florio by fall .. he gets Beke in the opening round. Hodge vs. Kersey quarters is a potential state final matchup.
Bottom of the bracket:
Florio, State Champ 2 years ago and 5th last year at 145, won a tough Region 4 and is joined on the bottom side by Ricky Bowermaster who is a returning SQ.
Talon Maple, 3rd last year at 132, is one of the best 144’s in the state and lost to Kersey 4-3 last weekend … he gets Zander Stillgess in the opening round. A #2 vs. #3 final is certainly possible with Maple and Hodge, but so is a #1 vs. #1 in Kersey vs. Florio. This bracket should be fun to watch.
150 lbs.
The Field:
Austin McKinney (Suwannee) - Region 1 Champ
Jean Benavidez (Mckeel Academy) - Region 2 Champ
Gavin Nolan (Clearwater Cen Catholic) - Region 3 Champ
Luis Bellon (Somerset) - Region 4 Champ
Turner Glenn (Episcopal) - Region 1 2nd
Kaden Etheridge (Natures Coast Tech) - Region 2 2nd
Aiden Hutchins (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 2nd
Bryan Picallo (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 2nd
Nate Jacobs (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 3rd
Mason Cosgrove (Crystal River) - Region 2 3rd
Kealan Clifton (Oasis) - Region 3 3rd
Kenny Alvarado (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 3rd
Christopher Hampton (Bishop Kenny) - Region 1 4th
Nicholas Bittner (The First Academy) - Region 2 4th
Leo Tiannoi (Boca Ciega School) - Region 3 4th
Bradyn Peters (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Gavin Nolan (Clearwater Cen Catholic)
Contenders:
Austin McKinney (Suwannee)
Luis Bellon (Somerset)
Aiden Hutchins (Zephyrhills Christian)
Jean Benavidez (Mckeel Academy)
Darkhorse: Bryan Picallo (Cardinal Gibbons)
Bracketbuster: Kenny Alvarado (Mater Lakes Academy)
Things to know:
Top side of the bracket:
Features Luis Bellon and Austin McKinney as your region champs. Bellon has been 6th twice and won region 4 with a 3-2 decision of Picallo. McKinney is a 3x State Placer - most recently taking 5th at 152 in 2023. He pinned his way to the Region 1 title and comes in ranked #2 by Kabra.
The 2’s and 3’s should be competitive, but keep an eye on Aiden Hutchins of Zephyrhills Christian who lost to Nolan 6-1 in the Region 3 finals. Hutchins beat Bellon in sudden victory at the state duals and that is potential quarterfinal matchup (FYI … McKinney beat Hodge - Bellon was up at 157 for their dual in the state finals)
Bottom side of the bracket:
Gavin Nolan is a 2x State Champion and will look to make it 3 in a row in 2024. He beat Hutchins to win Region 3 last weekend and is ranked #1 by Kabra. He is joined on the bottom side by Jean Benavidez who won a close one (10-8) over Kaden Ethridge to win the Region 2 title.
Bryan Picallo was 7th last year at 152 and he gets returning SQ Nate Jacobs of Wakulla … the winner will likely pull Nolan in the quarters.
157 lbs.
The Field:
Enzo Gamba (Fernandina Beach) - Region 1 Champ
Shaw Garrett (Hernando) - Region 2 Champ
Andres DiGrigoli (First Baptist (Naples)) - Region 3 Champ
Kalias Nazario (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 Champ
Marshall White (Suwannee) - Region 1 2nd
Zach Emery-Foster (Palm Bay) - Region 2 2nd
Madiyan Abumunshar (Sarasota Military Academy) - Region 3 2nd
Brayden Hogg (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 2nd
Clay Nelson (Rocky Bayou Christian School) - Region 1 3rd
Angel Prieto (Bishop Moore School) - Region 2 3rd
Nicholas Pawlak (Tarpon Springs) - Region 3 3rd
Nicholas Lopez (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 3rd
Austin Ryals (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 4th
Caleb Causey (Mckeel Academy) - Region 2 4th
Owen Brown (Southwest Florida Christian Academy) - Region 3 4th
Dylan Gonzalez (Florida Christian School) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Enzo Gamba (Fernandina Beach)
Contenders:
Kalias Nazario (Mater Lakes Academy)
Andres DiGrigoli (First Baptist (Naples))
Shaw Garrett (Hernando)
Marshall White (Suwannee)
Darkhorse: Brayden Hogg (Jensen Beach)
Bracketbuster: Nicholas Lopez (Cardinal Gibbons)
Things to know:
An excellent weight that features a senior in Gamba looking to claim the top step along with a trio of sophomores looking to stake their claim to the title.
Top side of the Bracket:
Gamba and Garrett are your region champs up top. Gamba has been 7th and 3rd and will look to take that final step to the top this weekend. He comes in #1 according to Kabra and is an impressive 50-0 this season. He beat a solid Marshall White 8-1 to claim the Region 1 title last weekend. Shaw Garrett was a SQ as a freshman a year ago and nearly made the podium. He won region 2 with a decision (4-2) of Zachery Emery-Foster.
The 2’s and 3’s should be competitive, but it would be a surprise to not see Gamba vs. Garrett in the semis.
Bottom side of the Bracket:
DiGrigoli and Nazario are the region champs and both dominated on their way to the region title. Nazario won by forfeit over Hogg for the Region 4 title, but he is the returning State Runner-up at 152 and comes in #2 by Kabra. DiGrigoli was 2nd as an 8th grader in 2022. He comes in ranked #3 and was simply dominant in Region 3 last weekend.
Prieto and White is a first round matchup of returning State Qualifiers with the winner likely getting DiGrigoli in the quarters. Emery-Foster vs. Nelson is a #7 vs. #10 matchup according to Kabra with Emery-Foster being a returning SQ as well.
165 lbs.
The Field:
Benny Lewis (Baker County) - Region 1 Champ
Alexander Roman (Avon Park) - Region 2 Champ
Curtis Tyler (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 Champ
Kendrick Hodge (Somerset) - Region 4 Champ
Benjamin Lewis (Suwannee) - Region 1 2nd
Deacon Warren (Mckeel Academy) - Region 2 2nd
Justin Tudor (Robinson) - Region 3 2nd
Bluny Davilma (Miami Central) - Region 4 2nd
Gibson Moore (South Walton Hs) - Region 1 3rd
Christopher Bryant (Titusville) - Region 2 3rd
Anthony Farnot (Gateway (Fort Myers)) - Region 3 3rd
Jason Simmons (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 3rd
Michael McNair (Yulee) - Region 1 4th
Colton Fickett (Mount Dora) - Region 2 4th
Colin Anderson (Oasis) - Region 3 4th
Trenton Hogan (Lincoln Park Academy) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Kendrick Hodge (Somerset)
Contenders:
Benny Lewis (Baker County)
Alexander Roman (Avon Park)
Benjamin Lewis (Suwannee)
Curtis Tyler (Zephyrhills Christian)
Darkhorse: Gibson Moore (South Walton Hs)
Bracketbuster: Jason Simmons (Cardinal Gibbons)
Things to know:
Very good weight that is headlined by 2x State Champion Kendrick Hodge.
Top of the bracket:
This is a solid weight, but is headlined by one of the biggest favorites in 1A in nationally-ranked Kendrick Hodge of Somerset. Hodge is joined up top by a very good Benny Lewis of Baker County who won region 1 and comes in ranked #2 by Kabra.
Warren, Farnot, Bryant, and Tudor are all solid, but this looks like a Lewis vs. Hodge semi.
Bottom of the bracket:
Roman and Tyler are the region champs, but both will need to grind out some tough wins to make it through the bottom side. Roman won Region 2 with an 8-4 decision of Warren and Tyler won by forfeit over Tudor in Region 3.
The 2 vs. 3 matchups on the bottom are excellent. Simmons vs. Lewis might be one of the best 1st round matchups in 1A with the winner likely getting Roman in the quarters. Gibson Moore is a returning SQ and he pulls Davilma from Region 4 … winner could get Tyler, but don’t sleep on Fickett who was a SQ at 220 a year ago.
175 lbs.
The Field:
Nolan McKelvy (Fernandina Beach) - Region 1 Champ
Anthony Dawson (Mount Dora) - Region 2 Champ
Bennett Sweitzer (Bishop Verot) - Region 3 Champ
Myles Sadeek (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 Champ
Xander Hawkes (Florida) - Region 1 2nd
Javarious Johnson (Lake Region) - Region 2 2nd
John Kelly (Boca Ciega School) - Region 3 2nd
Noah Perez (Somerset) - Region 4 2nd
Christopher Aud (Yulee) - Region 1 3rd
Morgan Johnston (Hernando) - Region 2 3rd
Javier Lopez (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 3rd
Dominic Pantuso (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 3rd
Shaun Sandidge (Bay) - Region 1 4th
Jordan Jandro (Weeki Wachee) - Region 2 4th
Kaleb Mathis (Lakewood) - Region 3 4th
Andrew Lopez (Westminster Christian School) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Nolan McKelvy (Fernandina Beach)
Contenders:
Xander Hawkes (Florida)
Bennett Sweitzer (Bishop Verot)
Myles Sadeek (Mater Lakes Academy)
Anthony Dawson (Mount Dora)
Darkhorse: John Kelly (Boca Ciega School)
Bracketbuster: Javier Lopez (Zephyrhills Christian)
Things to know:
Excellent weight that could go a ton of different directions.
Top side of the Bracket:
Nolan McKelvy won Region 1 and was 4th last year at 182 for West Nassau. McKelvy won Region 1 handily in a fall of Xander Hawkes in the finals. McKelvy is joined up top by Region 4 Champ Myles Sadeek of Mater Lakes. Sadeek was a SQ at 170 last year and pinned his way to the Region 4 title.
Keep an eye on Javier Lopez of Zephyrhills Christian who is our bracketbuster. He gets Hernando’s Morgan Johnston in the opening round (a very good 1st round match) and if he wins that match could get Sadeek. Lopez lost to Sweitzer 3-1 in the Region 3 semis last weekend and he is a returning SQ.
Bottom side of the Bracket:
Sweitzer and Dawson are the two region champs, but watch for the 2 vs. 3 matchups in opening round. Sweitzer won Region 3 and is a returning SQ. Dawson is also a returning SQ and won Region 2 with a fall of Johnson.
Pantuso vs. Hawkes is a first round matchup of returning State Placers. Hawkes was 5th, Pantuso 7th at 182 last year. Perez vs. Aud will also be a good one (and is a Kabra matchup of #6 vs. #9).
190 lbs.
The Field:
David Mercado (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 Champ
Octavion Osby (Palm Bay) - Region 2 Champ
Jeremiah Chavis (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 Champ
Peter Mocco (Coral Springs Charter School) - Region 4 Champ
Christian McGarity (Episcopal) - Region 1 2nd
Mason Alsobrook (Space Coast) - Region 2 2nd
Tyron Huffman (Bayshore) - Region 3 2nd
Rafael Lopez (Somerset) - Region 4 2nd
Clay Starling (Suwannee) - Region 1 3rd
Aiden Morillo (Mount Dora) - Region 2 3rd
Derek Washington Jr. (Evangelical Christian School) - Region 3 3rd
Tobby Rooney (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 3rd
Brooks Baker (Bolles) - Region 1 4th
Nicholas Caudill (The Villages) - Region 2 4th
Frederick Harley Jr. (Oasis) - Region 3 4th
Nicholas Winter (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: David Mercado (North Bay Haven)
Contenders:
Jeremiah Chavis (Zephyrhills Christian)
Octavion Osby (Palm Bay)
Peter Mocco (Coral Springs Charter School)
Christian McGarity (Episcopal)
Darkhorse: Rafael Lopez (Somerset)
Bracketbuster: Tobby Rooney (Jensen Beach)
Things to know:
Very good weight that is headlined by returning 220 lb. State Champion David Mercado
Top side of the Bracket:
Kabra’s #1 and #2 are your region champs up top. Mercado comes in unbeaten and is the returning 220 lb. State Champion. He could get Region 3 Champ Jeremiah Chavis in the semis, but there is work to do for both of them before that. Chavis was a State Qualifier last year as a 7th grader at 170. He has only gotten better this season and dominated his way to a Region 3 title last weekend.
They share the top side with a quartet of tough #2’s and #3’s from Region’s 2 and 4. Rafael Lopez was impressive at State Duals and was 2nd to Mocco in Region 4 by a 2-0 decision. He pulls Aiden Morillo of Mt Dora. The other 2 vs. 3 is a matchup of returning SQ in Rooney and Alsobrook - the winner likely gets Chavis in the quarters.
Bottom side of the Bracket:
Octavion Osby is a 2x State Placer and will look to climb to the top step this weekend after dominating the Region 2 bracket last weekend. Peter Mocco is the other Region Champ on that side of the bracket. Mocco, younger brother of Michael, has gotten better and better from a year ago and won Region 4 with a 2-0 decision of Lopez. He comes in unbeaten at 13-0.
McGarity vs. Washington is a matchup of returning State Placer (McGarity - 8th at 195) vs. returning State Qualifier … they sit in the quarter with Mocco. Starling vs. Huffman is the other 1st round matchup of 2’s and 3’s on this side of the bracket.
215 lbs.
The Field:
Collin Bishop (Florida) - Region 1 Champ
Chris Brunson (Palm Bay) - Region 2 Champ
Saul Martinez (Dunedin) - Region 3 Champ
Michael Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons) - Region 4 Champ
Kohl Pippin (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 2nd
Omarion James (Lake Region) - Region 2 2nd
Marcos Silos-Sanchez (Bayshore) - Region 3 2nd
Nathan Chen (Pine Crest) - Region 4 2nd
Maddox Davidson (Episcopal) - Region 1 3rd
Russell Fickett (Mount Dora) - Region 2 3rd
Darian Alvarez-Garcia (Aubrey Rogers) - Region 3 3rd
Damian Soto (Mater Lakes Academy) - Region 4 3rd
Pheonix Barbour-Yerka (Yulee) - Region 1 4th
Kian Blyss (Hernando) - Region 2 4th
Lexander Coleman (Lakewood) - Region 3 4th
Adrian Tejada (Somerset) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Michael Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons)
Contenders:
Chris Brunson (Palm Bay)
Damian Soto (Mater Lakes Academy)
Collin Bishop (Florida)
Saul Martinez (Dunedin)
Darkhorse: Nathan Chen (Pine Crest)
Bracketbuster: Adrian Tejada (Somerset)
Things to know:
There are few better in the country than Michael Mocco. He is the biggest favorite in 1A.
Top side of the bracket:
Very good side with Region Champs Brunson and Bishop. Bishop was 6th last year at 220 and won Region 1 last weekend with a fall of Pippin (although he has pushed in the semis by Davdison - definitely a #3 to watch). Brunson is a returning State Qualifier who claimed the Region 2 title with a 12-6 decision of James.
What makes the top side so good is that the 2’s and 3’s from Region 4 join the Region 1 and Region 2 Champs … Damian Soto, 3rd in Region 4, is a returning State Runner-up at 220. His only loss last weekend was in the semis to Mocco. He gets Silos-Sanchez in the opening round … Silos-Sanchez lost a lose 3-2 decision in the region finals. Nathan Chen is a returning State Placer (7th at 220 in 2023) and was 2nd to Mocco in Region 4. He pulls Darian Alvarez-Garcia. Keep an eye on the quarters on this side of the bracket.
Bottom side of the bracket:
Mocco has continued to get better and now is amongst the top 215’s in the country after earning OW in Fargo. He shares the bottom side with Region 3 Champ Saul Martinez who is a returning SQ. Martinez vs. Tejeda could be a good opening round match on the bottom side.
Another first round match to watch is returning SQ Russell Fickett and returning State Placer (8th) Kohl Pippin of Wakulla.
285 lbs.
The Field:
Braylen Ricks (Yulee) - Region 1 Champ
Tim Gray (Crystal River) - Region 2 Champ
Gavyn Uribes (Hudson) - Region 3 Champ
Darren Georges (SLAM Academy) - Region 4 Champ
Keith Forbes (Wolfson) - Region 1 2nd
Leonard Christian (Palm Bay) - Region 2 2nd
Elijah Austin (Zephyrhills Christian) - Region 3 2nd
Ralph Riche (Key West) - Region 4 2nd
Adleigh Caquimbo (Wakulla Hs) - Region 1 3rd
Madden Fredenburg (Cocoa Beach) - Region 2 3rd
Miquel Diaz (Lemon Bay) - Region 3 3rd
Dartavius Saintelus (The King`s Academy) - Region 4 3rd
Holden Corbin (Suwannee) - Region 1 4th
William Richardson (Dunnellon) - Region 2 4th
Edward Nolan (Bishop Verot) - Region 3 4th
Abdur Bey (Somerset) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Tim Gray (Crystal River)
Contenders:
Braylen Ricks (Yulee)
Gavyn Uribes (Hudson)
Leonard Christian (Palm Bay)
Darren Georges (SLAM Academy)
Darkhorse: Elijah Austin (Zephyrhills Christian)
Bracketbuster: Madden Fredenburg (Cocoa Beach)
Things to know:
285 could be chaos.
Top side of the bracket:
Braylen Ricks and Gavyn Uribes are the region champs in a top side that should be fun to watch. Ricks dominated his way to the Region 1 title and was 4th at 285 in 2023. Uribes was a SQ at 220 a year ago and nearly made the podium. He pinned Elijah Austin to claim the Region 3 title.
But both Ricks and Uribes have a tough path because the 2’s and 3’s are talented. The best first round matchup is Fredenburg vs. Riche. Riche was 5th last year at 220 and Fredenburg is a talented freshman. The winner likely gets Ricks in the quarters. The other 2 vs 3 matchup is also a good one in returning SQ Dartavius Saintelus vs. returning State Placer Leonard Christian of Palm Bay. Christian was 5th last year at 285 and lost to Gray in the Region 2 finals last weekend.
Bottom side of the bracket:
Tim Gray has been a force all season - he is ranked #1 by Kabra and is 51-1 - suffering his only loss in overtime to Kaden Darwin in the Knockout finals. Gray was 3rd last year at 220 and pinned Christian in the finals in Region 2. He shares the bottom with Region 4 Champ Darren Georges of Slam Academy. Georges beat Riche last weekend un ultimate tiebreaker and as a result sits in the bottom quarter of the bracket.
Corbin and Austin didn’t cross paths at State duals, but both wrestled well there and that should be a good first round match to watch.
