A Fan's Guide to the Florida Girls State Tournament
Sponsored by Rankwrestlers.com
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the Florida Girls 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.
In reality this was always going to be a two team race for the title. No other teams qualified near the numbers to challenge Matanzas and Freedom (Orlando). Osceola had 6, Apopka and South Dade each had 5, and there were a number of teams with 4, but giving up more than a couple of weights puts the teams chasing in a very tough position. Truthfully the only way someone was going to catch the top two teams was if they had several wrestlers not win a match and then things would be back to being even. The takeaway is that although team titles can’t be won a regions, they can certainly be lost. Qualifiers mean opportunities … now those teams still had work to do, but they had the numbers to really make it a battle between the top 2.
Both teams had a champ and 6 other placers … so how did Matanzas end up 17 points ahead on their way to claiming a team title? Let’s begin by taking a look at where each team had their placers on the podium:
As you can see, Matanzas put for in the finals (3 vs 2) which gave them a few more points, but what ended up being huge was Freedom wrestlers losing in their placement matches. Below is a breakdown of both teams in terms of points by place (at each weight):
Remember Freedom lost by 17 … but as you can see from the Matanzas breakdown they had three wrestlers not score a single point (meaning instead of having a three wrestler advantage by having 10 qualifiers - they actually were down one because every wrestler that Freedom brought scored points). That made it close - so where did Freedom lose those 17 points (or maybe the way to say it is … where did Matanzas outscore Freedom by 17 to win)? The typical 3rd place wrestler scored on average 21 points and the typical 4th place wrestler scored on average 15 points. Both Freedom 4th place finishers were above the average, but by just a point. The Matanzas 3rd place finisher was actually below the average by 2 points. Still those points proved huge … if Freedom wins and scores the average for a 3rd place finisher then they add 10 points (5 for each) to their total. That makes the difference just 7 points. The difference between 5th and 6th was on average 3 points … and we could go on. The point is - every match matters in a close team race. Matanzas 235 Ani Brown came up huge for her team … scoring 12 despite taking 6th (bonus points also play a huge role in close team races). Keep all of this in mind as we look to this year’s team race.
In case you are curious the table below shows the average number of points the wrestlers scored by their state place. The bottom row is the average of all weight together.
Does Region Placement Correlate with State Success?
Nothing is given, everything is earned … but there is a strong correlation between how well someone does at sectionals 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 fourteen State Champs claimed a Region title the weekend before. Kinea Moore was the ultimate bracketbuster - coming from the 4th spot in Region 3 to claim the 235 lb. State Title. We also several #3’s make a run to the finals (Emiliana Martinez of Gateway at 155, Salexa Lontoc Ortiz of Freedom at 170, and Shannon Briggs of Key West at 190). But the vast majority of finalists had placed either 1st or 2nd at their region tournaments. 43 of the 56 region champs made the podium as compared to just 9 of those that finished 4th at regions … so yes - where you finish at region has an impact on if you make the podium or not. But region placement is far from a guarantee of anything - there will be 3’s and 4’s that march through the bracket and make a name for themselves.
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.
Hernando had a great run two weekends ago and have put themselves in the best position to claim a team title this weekend. With 7 region finalists (3 champs and 4 runners-up) they already have more than the teams chasing them. But like last year and Matanzas - if their 3rd and 4th place finisher at regions go 0-2 then the race become much closer … especially since Matanzas has 6 qualifiers and each was either 1st or 2nd in Region 1. Freedom and South Dade both have 6 qualifiers as well, but they are going to need help from everyone in their lineup in order to stay with Hernando and Matanzas. Mater Lakes, Riverdale, and others will be in the hunt, but are likely starting with too few to make a real run to the top (I mean if Mater Lakes puts all 5 of their qualifiers on the top step then perhaps they have a shot, but that’s going to be tough).
Hernando has to be considered the favorite with Matanzas, Freedom, and South Dade in the pack of contenders. Riverdale has 4 Region Champs and Skyler Randoplh, Jazlyn Diaz, Blanca Cespedes, and Noelia Varela can each make a run to the top step then the Raiders have a chance - they are our darkhorse.
Schedule
100 lbs.
The Field:
Camdyn Elliott (Gulf Breeze) - Region 1 Champ
Aniyah Whayne (Osceola (Kissimmee)) - Region 2 Champ
Kiera Partello (Barron Collier) - Region 3 Champ
Paola Perez (Doral Academy) - Region 4 Champ
Joslyn Johnson (Flagler Palm Coast) - Region 1 2nd
Hananeel Gregoire (Apopka) - Region 2 2nd
Mia Parker (First Baptist) - Region 3 2nd
Alyssa Garcia (Wellington) - Region 4 2nd
Sayuri Caceres (Lincoln) - Region 1 3rd
Miabella Lopez (Freedom (Orlando)) - Region 2 3rd
Sophie Booe (Palm Harbor University) - Region 3 3rd
Sheyla Figueira (Key West) - Region 4 3rd
Alexandra Estrada Morales (Lake Mary) - Region 1 4th
Alea Morales (Celebration) - Region 2 4th
Grace Jawulski (Newsome) - Region 3 4th
Mia Comesana (Mater Lakes) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Camdyn Elliott (Gulf Breeze)
Contenders:
Joslyn Johnson (Flagler Palm Coast)
Kiera Partello (Barron Collier)
Paola Perez (Doral Academy)
Aniyah Whayne (Osceola (Kissimmee))
Darkhorse: Mia Parker (First Baptist)
Bracketbuster: Sayuri Caceres (Lincoln)
Things to know:
Elliot comes in unbeaten on the season and downed #2 Johnson in the Region 1 finals 7-3. She won Knockout over 2x South Carolina State Champ Analise Maralit in one of her closest matches this season. Elliot also knows how to win on the big stage - taking 2nd last year to Kealonie Vega.
Johnson is ranked top 5 by both Kabra and Rankwrestlers and leads the pack that is trying to chase down Elliot.
Kiera Partello, Hananeel Gregoire, Miabella Lopez, Sophie Booe, and Sayuri Caceres are all returning state placers at the weight and will look to climb higher on the podium in 2024.
Aniyah Whayne downed Gregorie 10-9 to win Region 2. Miabella Lopez was 3rd in the region and is one to watch.
Two middle schoolers to keep an eye are Region 4 Champ Paola Perez (7th grader) and Mia Parker (8th grader).
105 lbs.
The Field:
Skyla Fisher (Middleburg) - Region 1 Champ
Gabriele Tedesco (Lake Gibson) - Region 2 Champ
Skyler Randolph (Riverdale) - Region 3 Champ
Abigail Gonzalez (Mater Lakes) - Region 4 Champ
Jazlynn Golder (Matanzas) - Region 1 2nd
Maite Coutinho (Freedom (Orlando)) - Region 2 2nd
Hayle Peck (Palmetto Ridge) - Region 3 2nd
Mackenzie Allcroft (Fort Pierce Central) - Region 4 2nd
Madison Carroll (Gulf Breeze) - Region 1 3rd
Gianella Walczak (Springstead) - Region 2 3rd
Miranda Moes (Palm Harbor University) - Region 3 3rd
Gabi Kerber (Cypress Bay) - Region 4 3rd
Isabella Limonio (DeLand) - Region 1 4th
Miayalee Ortiz Martinez (George Jenkins) - Region 2 4th
Emily Doolittle (North Fort Myers) - Region 3 4th
Rosie Kleine (Monarch) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Gabriele Tedesco (Lake Gibson)
Contenders:
Abigail Gonzalez (Mater Lakes)
Maite Coutinho (Freedom (Orlando))
Skyler Randolph (Riverdale)
Skyla Fisher (Middleburg)
Darkhorse: Mackenzie Allcroft (Fort Pierce Central)
Bracketbuster: Miranda Moes (Palm Harbor University)
Things to know:
Tedesco is nationally-ranked and probably the best wrestler in the tournament. She won a state title last year in addition to a Fargo title over the summer.
That said - the next hammer sits in the bracket and that is Abigail Gonzalez of Mater Lakes. People will be talking about Gonzalez for years to come … can she fight her way through the bracket and make it to a final that everyone is talking about on Saturday night? She is a beast and beat returning State Qualifier Allcroft (ranked #4) 14-4 in the Region 4 finals.
The bracket also features a ton of experience including returning State Placer Maite Coutinho, returning SQ’s Skyla Fisher (also Region 1 Champ), Miranda Moes, Hayle Peck, Gianella Walczak as well as Region 3 Champ Skyler Randolph who is ranked #5 by Kabra.
110 lbs.
The Field:
Mariah Mills (Matanzas) - Region 1 Champ
Keanna Bush (Hudson) - Region 2 Champ
Jazlyn Diaz (Riverdale) - Region 3 Champ
Sofia Ferran (Mater Lakes) - Region 4 Champ
Erin Rizzuto (Ponte Vedra) - Region 1 2nd
Julia Brocato (Cypress Creek (Wesley Chapel)) - Region 2 2nd
Reagan Thomas (Naples) - Region 3 2nd
Zoe Delgado (Florida Christian School) - Region 4 2nd
Sigrun Metzger (Crestview) - Region 1 3rd
Shelby Sherman (Apopka) - Region 2 3rd
Courtney Hodges (George Steinbrenner) - Region 3 3rd
Catalina Kenney (Viera) - Region 4 3rd
Gracelynn Janssen (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 4th
CAMERON LORD (Sunlake) - Region 2 4th
Zoey McDonald (Palmetto Ridge) - Region 3 4th
Rebekkah Kinkade (South Dade) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Mariah Mills (Matanzas)
Contenders:
Sofia Ferran (Mater Lakes)
Keanna Bush (Hudson)
Jazlyn Diaz (Riverdale)
Erin Rizzuto (Ponte Vedra)
Darkhorse: Reagan Thomas (Naples)
Bracketbuster: Courtney Hodges (George Steinbrenner)
Things to know:
Perhaps the best weight in the tournament. Loaded with talent. To give you an idea of how good this weight is … Shelby Sherman was 4th last year at this weight and finished 3rd in Region 2.
Diaz is the runner-up at the weight and beat Reagan Thomas to win the Region 3 title.
Mills was 3rd a year ago, won Knockout and comes in ranked #1 by Kabra after beating Metzger (7th last year) and Rizzuto (3rd at 115) to win Region 1.
Bush, 5th last year at the weight, is ranked #3 by Kabra and pinned Brocato to claim the Region 2 title.
Ferran was 6th last year and is currently ranked #2 by Kabra an beat Zoe Delgado 11-5 to win Region 4.
This weight should be great from the opening whistle.
115 lbs.
The Field:
Natalia Choquegonza (Ponte Vedra) - Region 1 Champ
Emma Bauknight (Hernando) - Region 2 Champ
Iyonna Church-Ross (Charlotte) - Region 3 Champ
Aurora Guadiana (Wellington) - Region 4 Champ
Grace Lashinsky (DeLand) - Region 1 2nd
Paola Ramirez (Osceola (Kissimmee)) - Region 2 2nd
Mackenzie Thompson (Evangelical Christian) - Region 3 2nd
Kamora Willis (Coral Gables) - Region 4 2nd
Lily Powell (Gulf Breeze) - Region 1 3rd
Isabel Duarte (Freedom (Orlando)) - Region 2 3rd
Vanessa Whitelock (Admiral Farragut) - Region 3 3rd
Brooke VanEtten (Jensen Beach) - Region 4 3rd
Memphis Moses (Middleburg) - Region 1 4th
Saniya Gordon (East River) - Region 2 4th
Shaniah Martinez (East Bay) - Region 3 4th
Arianna Garcia (South Dade) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Iyonna Church-Ross (Charlotte)
Contenders:
Aurora Guadiana (Wellington)
Emma Bauknight (Hernando)
Paola Ramirez (Osceola (Kissimmee))
Natalia Choquegonza (Ponte Vedra)
Darkhorse: Grace Lashinsky (DeLand)
Bracketbuster: Lily Powell (Gulf Breeze)
Things to know:
Iyonna Church-Ross is the top returning placer at the weight in this field after taking 4th in 2023. She is unbeaten this season and won the Knockout in December. But this weight is also deep and Church-Ross will have to be at her best to claim the title.
Aurora Guadiana comes in with just one loss and ranked #2 by Kabra. She was 5th at 130 in 2023 and is part of the pack looking to claim a title of their own.
Joining the pack are the two other region champs, returning State Placer Emma Bauknight who was 7th last year and Region 1 Champ (and returning SQ) Natalie Choquegonza. Both have sought out the best competition around and have all the tools to make a run to the top step as well.
Paola Ramirez is a returning SQ and was 2nd to Bauknight in Region 2 (7-5 decision). She lost to Church-Ross in the finals of the Knockout 7-4 and beat Choquegonza 5-1 in the Knockout semis.
120 lbs.
The Field:
Kierston Flanagan (Winter Springs) - Region 1 Champ
Delialah Betances (Liberty) - Region 2 Champ
Milana Borrelli (Venice) - Region 3 Champ
Isis Severe (North Miami) - Region 4 Champ
Autumn Jarvis (Matanzas) - Region 1 2nd
Sydney Bridenstine (Hernando) - Region 2 2nd
Abby DiCenzo (Bell Creek) - Region 3 2nd
Iliana Gracey (Western) - Region 4 2nd
Alexea Lawson (Choctawhatchee) - Region 1 3rd
Yairiliz Albert-Tejas (East River) - Region 2 3rd
Hailee Moder (First Baptist) - Region 3 3rd
Lana Loucks (Wellington) - Region 4 3rd
Sarah Walsh (Middleburg) - Region 1 4th
Lilyana Rodriguez (Crystal River) - Region 2 4th
Naomie Sylvestre (Immokalee) - Region 3 4th
Willow White (SLAM Miami) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Milana Borrelli (Venice)
Contenders:
Delialah Betances (Liberty)
Abby DiCenzo (Bell Creek)
Isis Severe (North Miami)
Kierston Flanagan (Winter Springs)
Darkhorse: Sydney Bridenstine (Hernando)
Bracketbuster: Willow White (SLAM Miami)
Things to know:
Another fantastic weight. Will Borrelli repeat? Will a former Georgia Champ come to Florida and take the title? Or will we someone else in this super deep weight claim the title?
Milana Borrelli is the defending State Champ at the weight and is unbeaten this season. But she was pushed in the Region 3 finals by a tough Abby DiCenzo (6th in 2023 at this weight) - who is ranked #2 by Kabra.
Delialah Betances won a Georgia State title last year and beat a tough Sydney Bridenstine in the Region 2 finals (4-2 decision). Hard to imagine Bridentsine, who won Knockout 1-0 over Betances, is our Darkhorse … that’s how deep the weight is.
Region Champs Isis Severe and Kierston Flanagan are both returning State Qualifiers and look to take the 120 title as well. Willow medically forfeited to 4th and will be a tough opening round match for anyone.
125 lbs.
The Field:
Christina Borgmann (Flagler Palm Coast) - Region 1 Champ
Daniela Espinal (Hernando) - Region 2 Champ
Blanca Cespedes (Riverdale) - Region 3 Champ
Vivianna Caullet (Wellington) - Region 4 Champ
Jordan Herron (Chiles) - Region 1 2nd
Jasmine Serrano (Springstead) - Region 2 2nd
Gabriella Sergi (North Fort Myers) - Region 3 2nd
Arianna Ruiz (Mater Lakes) - Region 4 2nd
Lahela Turquist (Pace) - Region 1 3rd
Gabrielle Asabi (Wesley Chapel) - Region 2 3rd
Delenis Rogert (Palmetto Ridge) - Region 3 3rd
Kaitelynn Oliver (South Dade) - Region 4 3rd
MaryEllen Wingate (University (Orange City)) - Region 1 4th
Alissa Brown Washington (Freedom (Orlando)) - Region 2 4th
Sophia Locastro (Lemon Bay) - Region 3 4th
Chloe Parets (Florida Christian School) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Christina Borgmann (Flagler Palm Coast)
Contenders:
Vivianna Caullet (Wellington)
Arianna Ruiz (Mater Lakes)
Daniela Espinal (Hernando)
Blanca Cespedes (Riverdale)
Darkhorse: Jasmine Serrano (Springstead)
Bracketbuster: Kaitelynn Oliver (South Dade)
Things to know:
Borgmann was 2nd a year ago to Borelli at 120 and is unbeaten this season. She pinned Turquist in the semis and downed Herron 12-1 in the Region 1 finals two weeks ago.
She looks like the favorite, but the pack chasing is full of returning State Placers.
Turquest was 7th at 120
Ruiz was 3rd at 120
Serrano was 5th at 120
Brown Washington was 7th at 125
Parets was 6th at 125
Region Champs Daniela Espinal, Blanca Cespedes, and Vivianna Caullet are come in ranked in the top 8 by Kabra. Caullett beat Ruiz and Kaitelynn Oliver on her way to the Region 4 title. Espinal downed Serrano in overtime to claim Region 2 and Cespedes downed Sergi 2-0 to win the Region 3 title.
130 lbs.
The Field:
Ana Vilar (Flagler Palm Coast) - Region 1 Champ
Callie Alfieri (Gulf) - Region 2 Champ
Julianna Caisse (Palm Harbor University) - Region 3 Champ
Gabriela Caro (Douglas) - Region 4 Champ
Bry Kaminsky (University (Orange City)) - Region 1 2nd
Julia Salgado Campos (Hernando) - Region 2 2nd
Taylor Miranda (Cape Coral) - Region 3 2nd
Rachel Silva (Florida Christian School) - Region 4 2nd
Ashley Shaw (Chiles) - Region 1 3rd
Nehemie Gregoire (Apopka) - Region 2 3rd
Solana McCaughen (North Port) - Region 3 3rd
Geraldine Honore (South Dade) - Region 4 3rd
Julia Falgout (North Bay Haven) - Region 1 4th
Angelyn Glazier (Lake Region) - Region 2 4th
Caitlynn Llanos (Tampa Bay Tech) - Region 3 4th
Alexa Paz (SLAM Miami) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Gabriela Caro (Douglas)
Contenders:
Ana Vilar (Flagler Palm Coast)
Bry Kaminsky (University (Orange City))
Callie Alfieri (Gulf)
Julianna Caisse (Palm Harbor University)
Darkhorse: Rachel Silva (Florida Christian School)
Bracketbuster: Ashley Shaw (Chiles)
Things to know:
Caro is the returning 125 lb. State Champion. She won Region 4 with 4 falls including one of Silva in the finals. She is the favorite to claim another title.
Like 125 - 130 is deep with talent and plenty of state tournament experience.
Ana Vilar was 6th at this weight in 2023 and beat Bry Kaminsky 9-6 to win Region 1. Kaminsky won the Knockout at 135 - beating Alfieri 5-4 in the semis.
Julianna Caisse, also 6th (at 125), won Region 3 with 4 falls as well - she was 2nd at the Knockout - beating Vilar 6-2 in the semis before losing to Georgia State Champ Lau.
Alfieri was 3rd at this weight a year ago. She beat Gregorie (5th at 135) 6-4 in the Region 2 semis before pinning Salgado Campos in the finals.
Silva and Shaw are easy picks are the darkhorse and bracketbuster. Silva is a returning SQ and has wins over several in the field. Shaw was 3rd at 125 and lost to Kaminsky in the Region 1 semis (she is a dangerous #3 coming in - as is Gregorie). Geraldine Honore was 3rd in Region 4 and was 8th at this weight in 2023 as well (so 3 #3’s were on the podium last year).
135 lbs.
The Field:
Kailani Barrientos (Oakleaf) - Region 1 Champ
Jayla Sanders (Bartow) - Region 2 Champ
Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay) - Region 3 Champ
Emma Hoppe (Viera) - Region 4 Champ
Sara Goodman (Sandalwood) - Region 1 2nd
Sky Athey (Freedom (Orlando)) - Region 2 2nd
Melanie Lamb (North Fort Myers) - Region 3 2nd
Lesane Heid (North Miami) - Region 4 2nd
Alexis Krumnow (Niceville) - Region 1 3rd
Nathalia Espinal (Hernando) - Region 2 3rd
Ariel Goble (Strawberry Crest) - Region 3 3rd
Eysis Brinson (Miami Palmetto) - Region 4 3rd
Finn Arthur (Fletcher) - Region 1 4th
Kiley Vinson (Harmony) - Region 2 4th
Jada Williams (Bell Creek) - Region 3 4th
Maia Ortega (Suncoast) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay)
Contenders:
Kailani Barrientos (Oakleaf)
Emma Hoppe (Viera)
Jayla Sanders (Bartow)
Melanie Lamb (North Fort Myers)
Darkhorse: Lesane Heid (North Miami)
Bracketbuster: Eysis Brinson (Miami Palmetto)
Things to know:
Briggs, Barrientos, and Hoppe all come in with one loss on the season. Briggs was a State Runner-up at 140 last year to Sofia Delgado, Hoppe was 5th in that same bracket. Barrientos didn’t wrestle in the post-season last year, but went onto place in Fargo and has been unstoppable this season - except for an overtime loss to Briggs.
Hoppe’s loss came to Tianna Fries in early January (I don’t know who Briggs lost to, but she is still #1 by Kabra).
Jayla Sanders dominated Region 2 - pinning Athey in the 1st period of their finals match. Melanie Lamb is one to watch from the #2 spot … she lost 6-0 to Briggs in the Region 3 final and is a returning SQ.
140 lbs.
The Field:
Tiana Fries (Matanzas) - Region 1 Champ
Kristy More (Sunlake) - Region 2 Champ
Oluwafikayomi Aroyewun (Bell Creek) - Region 3 Champ
Sofia Delgado (Coral Park) - Region 4 Champ
Jasmine Gore (Riverside) - Region 1 2nd
Isabella Tolentino (East River) - Region 2 2nd
Jasmine Toomer (Palmetto Ridge) - Region 3 2nd
Kylie Mangum (Space Coast) - Region 4 2nd
Kiiaana Gavere (Pace) - Region 1 3rd
Hayden Proulx (Timber Creek) - Region 2 3rd
Genesis Turrubiartez (Immokalee) - Region 3 3rd
Ta`Jah Broadnex (South Dade) - Region 4 3rd
Delaney Graves (Oviedo) - Region 1 4th
Ericka Hernandez (Osceola (Kissimmee)) - Region 2 4th
Aniya Coffil (North Fort Myers) - Region 3 4th
Jordyn Schmeichel (Bayside) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Sofia Delgado (Coral Park)
Contenders:
Tiana Fries (Matanzas)
Kristy More (Sunlake)
Kylie Mangum (Space Coast)
Oluwafikayomi Aroyewun (Bell Creek)
Darkhorse: Isabella Tolentino (East River)
Bracketbuster: Hayden Proulx (Timber Creek)
Things to know:
Delgado is the defending State Champ at the weight. She is a perfect 33-0, won Knockout over 2x Georgia State Champ Elle Kaufmann
Both Fries and More returning State Placers and each won their region. Fries was 5th at 125 and pinned Gore for the Region 1 title. More, 6th at 140 in 2023, won a tough Region 2 with falls of both Proulx and Tolentino (6th at 135 in 2023).
Keep an eye on Space Coast’s Kylie Mangum who was a SQ last year as an 8th grader.
Oluwafikayomi Aroyewun is also returning SQ that dominated with 4 falls on her way to the Region 3 title.
145 lbs.
The Field:
Katherine Stewart (Bartram Trail) - Region 1 Champ
Kaylie Collado (Poinciana) - Region 2 Champ
Noelia Varela (Riverdale) - Region 3 Champ
Emily Jaspe (Mater Academy Hialeah Gardens) - Region 4 Champ
Kendall Bibla (Matanzas) - Region 1 2nd
Makenzie Eltzroth (Hernando) - Region 2 2nd
Arianna Antinou (East Lake) - Region 3 2nd
Anisah Paz (South Dade) - Region 4 2nd
Joselyn Delgado (Milton) - Region 1 3rd
Alexia Davis (McKeel) - Region 2 3rd
Mya Bolden (Port Charlotte) - Region 3 3rd
Viktoriya Devochkina (South Broward) - Region 4 3rd
Siniayra Thomas (Riverside) - Region 1 4th
Miya`nlah Carter (Anclote) - Region 2 4th
Lily Nolan (Sumner Hs) - Region 3 4th
Ciara Cortez (Sebastian River) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Katherine Stewart (Bartram Trail)
Contenders:
Emily Jaspe (Mater Academy Hialeah Gardens)
Kendall Bibla (Matanzas)
Noelia Varela (Riverdale)
Kaylie Collado (Poinciana)
Darkhorse: Anisah Paz (South Dade)
Bracketbuster: Alexia Davis (McKeel)
Things to know:
Katherine Stewart has been dominant all season. She was 2nd to Bibla a year ago in the 145 State Final, but has beaten Bibla at least three times this season (including a fall to win the Region 1 title).
Bibla is the defending State Champ has had a great season with the exception of a few losses to Stewart. She will need to navigate the other side of the bracket to get another shot at Stewart this weekend.
Emily Jaspe will look to disrupt that potential rematch. Jaspe was 4th in 2023 at 140 and comes in 27-1 with her only loss coming to Sofia Delgado in early December.
Noelia Varela won Region 3 with 4 falls, she is ranked #8 by Kabra and is 24-6 on the season (with losses to Jaspe, Elody Rodriguez and others)
Kaylie Collado downed returning State Placer Alexia Davis 7-6 in the Region 2 semis and then pinned returning SQ to claim the Region 2 title.
155 lbs.
The Field:
Karla Ortiz (Westside) - Region 1 Champ
Chloe Shull (Timber Creek) - Region 2 Champ
Riley Lancaster (Admiral Farragut) - Region 3 Champ
Mya Bethel (North Miami) - Region 4 Champ
Ava Burre (Bartram Trail) - Region 1 2nd
Mariah Earl (Hernando) - Region 2 2nd
Alayjah Campbell (Robinson) - Region 3 2nd
Kha`Liyah Delva (Fort Pierce Central) - Region 4 2nd
Alexis Orcutt (Niceville) - Region 1 3rd
Akemi Cunha (Winter Haven) - Region 2 3rd
Yadira Rivas (Plant City) - Region 3 3rd
Alena Rik (Mater Lakes) - Region 4 3rd
Aryan Benson (Tocoi Creek) - Region 1 4th
Sariana Jones (Auburndale) - Region 2 4th
Natalye Avila (Bayshore) - Region 3 4th
Valentina Mora (Miami Beach) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Mya Bethel (North Miami)
Contenders:
Chloe Shull (Timber Creek)
Karla Ortiz (Westside)
Kha`Liyah Delva (Fort Pierce Central)
Riley Lancaster (Admiral Farragut)
Darkhorse: Mariah Earl (Hernando)
Bracketbuster: Alena Rik (Mater Lakes)
Things to know:
Few in the state have been wrestled as well or been as dominant at Mya Bethel. Bethel is the returning State Champ and has hammered the competition this season including 12-1 major decision over Georgia State Champ and World team member May Prado in the Knockout finals.
The pack chasing her is talented, but no one is close to Bethel at the moment … someone will need an exceptional weekend to knock off the defending champ.
Karla Ortiz, 5th at 155 in 2023, downed fellow State Placer Ava Burre, 3rd at 155, by fall to claim the Region 1 title.
Mater Lakes’s Alena Rik made the podium last year as a freshman, 6th at 145, and will be one to watch after losing to Bethel in the Region 4 semis and taking 3rd.
Chloe Shull beat Mariah Earl 2-0 to claim the Region 2 title and Riley Lancaster pinned Campbell to claim the Region 3 title.
170 lbs.
The Field:
Alexa Calidonio (Flagler Palm Coast) - Region 1 Champ
Grace Leota (Hernando) - Region 2 Champ
Lana Clayton (Newsome) - Region 3 Champ
Madelyn Driggett (Merritt Island) - Region 4 Champ
Shyann Tate (Hagerty) - Region 1 2nd
Megan Preston (Wiregrass Ranch) - Region 2 2nd
Isabella McFarlen (King) - Region 3 2nd
Mia Johnson (Fort Pierce Central) - Region 4 2nd
Cadee Lyons (Chiles) - Region 1 3rd
Lily Tucker (Osceola (Kissimmee)) - Region 2 3rd
Jamiyah Wade (Boca Ciega) - Region 3 3rd
Chrystal Desir (Forest Hill) - Region 4 3rd
Dagmarelin Soriano-Vasquez (Lake Brantley) - Region 1 4th
Jikayla Hutto (Jones) - Region 2 4th
Jayla Teague (Fort Myers) - Region 3 4th
Tala Salao (Archbishop McCarthy) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Grace Leota (Hernando)
Contenders:
Megan Preston (Wiregrass Ranch)
Lana Clayton (Newsome)
Madelyn Driggett (Merritt Island)
Alexa Calidonio (Flagler Palm Coast)
Darkhorse: Mia Johnson (Fort Pierce Central)
Bracketbuster: Cadee Lyons (Chiles)
Things to know:
Another instance of a defending State Champ that is going to be tough to beat this weekend.
Grace Leota comes in 27-2 on the season, but (I believe) her two losses came to out of state competition and she is unbeaten in the sunshine state - she beat Kabra #2 Megan Preston 8-3 to win Region 2.
Lana Clayton comes in with just one loss, but that was to Preston in last January. She pinned McFarlen to win Region 3.
Madelyn Driggett is 27-3 (ranked #4 by Kabra) and was 4th last year at this weight and is certainly someone that could make a run after claiming the Region 4 title.
Alexa Calidonio beat Lyons 13-4 and pinned Tate to claim the Region 1 title.
190 lbs.
The Field:
Cheyenne Cruce (Middleburg) - Region 1 Champ
Jada Jones (Apopka) - Region 2 Champ
Brianice Silguero (Immokalee) - Region 3 Champ
Quisiera Wilson (Lincoln Park Academy) - Region 4 Champ
Ani Brown (Matanzas) - Region 1 2nd
Emari Brown (Harmony) - Region 2 2nd
Daphney Pierre (Fort Myers) - Region 3 2nd
Tessa Diaz (Doral Academy) - Region 4 2nd
Chaunti Clark (Seminole (Sanford)) - Region 1 3rd
Jade Noble (Horizon) - Region 2 3rd
Janhiya Jackson (Boca Ciega) - Region 3 3rd
Latoya Sylvestre (South Broward) - Region 4 3rd
Destiny Bass-Boston (Hagerty) - Region 1 4th
Chloe Stinnett (Hernando) - Region 2 4th
Aliyah Hodge (Northeast (St. Petersburg)) - Region 3 4th
Orlisia Sands (Deerfield Beach) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Cheyenne Cruce (Middleburg)
Contenders:
Jada Jones (Apopka)
Emari Brown (Harmony)
Quisiera Wilson (Lincoln Park Academy)
Brianice Silguero (Immokalee)
Darkhorse: Ani Brown (Matanzas)
Bracketbuster: Latoya Sylvestre (South Broward)
Things to know:
Should we continue the theme? Another weight and another returning State Champ. Cheyenne Cruce, like Leota, Bethel, Delgado, and others has been outstanding this season. She is 28-0 rolled to the 190 Region 1 title last weekend. Like the others - it will take a monumental effort from someone in the pack to knock her off.
That said - this is a deep weight with of wrestlers with state tournament experience.
Jada Jones is 21-1 on the season, was 3rd at this weight a year ago and has only lost to Emari Brown this season (back in early January).
Quisiera Wilson won Region 4 with 4 falls, was 5th last year at this weight as an 8th grader, and is currently 38-0 on the season.
Emari Brown lost to Jones in the Region 2 final, is 28-3 on the season, and won the Knockout … Brown’s losses have come to Jones and Cruce (losing to Cruce in ultiamte tiebreaker).
Brianice Silguero was 8th last year at this weight and dominated on her way to the Region 3 title
This weight also features Daphney Pierre, Ani Brown, Latoya Sylvestre, and others
Cruce is the defending champ, but the pack looks ready … this is a good weight to watch.
235 lbs.
The Field:
Josie Raulerson (Columbia) - Region 1 Champ
Rotchiva Clermont (Freedom (Orlando)) - Region 2 Champ
Kinea Moore (Boca Ciega) - Region 3 Champ
Day`Jah Clarke (Miami Norland) - Region 4 Champ
Cheyenne Wigley (Mainland) - Region 1 2nd
Judlie Laplante (Oak Ridge) - Region 2 2nd
Grace Vernine (Admiral Farragut) - Region 3 2nd
Beatrice Williams (Sebastian River) - Region 4 2nd
Hailey Payne (Florida High) - Region 1 3rd
Mia Jones (Mulberry) - Region 2 3rd
Cerenity Whiting (Countryside) - Region 3 3rd
Naveah Robinson (Okeechobee) - Region 4 3rd
Trayce Goodman (Westside) - Region 1 4th
Yamii Herring (Ocoee) - Region 2 4th
Aniya Herbin (Jefferson) - Region 3 4th
Claudia Barillas (Rockledge) - Region 4 4th
Favorite: Kinea Moore (Boca Ciega)
Contenders:
Day`Jah Clarke (Miami Norland)
Rotchiva Clermont (Freedom (Orlando))
Grace Vernine (Admiral Farragut)
Josie Raulerson (Columbia)
Darkhorse: Cerenity Whiting (Countryside)
Bracketbuster: Aniya Herbin (Jefferson)
Things to know:
Moore had a most unlikely run from the #4 spot in the Region to a state title in 2023. Not that Moore wasn’t capable of doing it (obviously she was) … it just doesn’t happen very often. She is 29-2 this season with an overtime losses to Cerenity Whiting in early January. Moore didn’t face Whiting last weekend with Grace Vernine downing Whiting in tiebreakers in the Region 3 semis (Moore bet Vernine 7-4 in the finals).
That should give you an idea of how close this weight is … there are a number of wrestlers that could make a run to the top step, but Moore is the favorite until she knocks her off.
Aniya Herbin has to be the bracketbuster after taking 3rd a year ago … the highest returning placer in the field besides Moore. She duplicate Moore’s run from a year ago?
Day`Jah Clarke was 4th at 190 in 2023 and comes in 25-3 after claiming the Region 4 title with a fall Williams
Rotchiva Clermont is 28-3, a returning SQ, and won the Knockout over Ani Brown in December
Josie Raulerson hammered everyone on her way to the Region 1 title - she has some solid wins, but also a loss to Clermont and others. Talented freshman - it will be interesting to see how she does on the big stage. She pinned returning State Placer Wigley to win Region 1.
