Florida Girls State Tournament Fan's Guide
Never read one of our Fan’s Guides before? Here is what to know …
Favorite - that is the wrestler that I consider to be the favorite to win (it is my opinion … for everyone not on the favorite line - please go prove me wrong).
Contenders - are those wrestlers that could easily win the whole thing.
Darkhorse - A wrestler that finished 3rd or 4th in regionals/sectionals, but has demonstrated that they have the ability (and might have the best path) to make a run for spot high on the podium.
Best 1st round matchup - a match I would be watching.
NOTE: This is a Fan’s Guide … remember the purpose is to give the average person an idea of the upcoming state tournament. It is not a prediction, but I do attempt to give you my thoughts regarding how it might play out. Past is prologue … meaning that past results do inform, but only in a simple way in my opinion. Meaning if a wrestler placed a year ago that demonstrates to me that they were 1) competitive at the state tournament and 2) found a way to win a few matches. It doesn’t predict future success. Please keep that in mind as you read the Guide. I hope you enjoy.
I refer to last year’s results occasionally … this is the first “official” FHSAA State Tournament, but girls in Florida have been wrestling in their own “unofficial” state tournament for more than 25 years. An end of the year tournament featuring the best girls from around the state is far from a new phenomenon. Still it is nice that the FHSAA has now officially recognized the girls. To give you an idea … 40% of the girls in this year’s tournament wrestled a year ago in the last “unofficial” state tournament.
Freedom comes in as the favorite in the team race with 10 qualifiers. South Dade has 8, Matanzas and North Miami each have 6, and Dr. Phillips and Ft. Myers each have 5. Those should be the teams with the best shot at the team title.
Some #’s:
65 Seniors
59 Juniors
55 Sophomores
39 Freshmen
0 8th graders
4 7th graders
1 6th grader
122 different schools are represented
Schedule:
Favorite: Valarie Solorio (Mosley)
Contenders:
Gabriele Tedesco (Lake Gibson)
Hope Eastes (North Port)
Rebekkah Kinkade (South Dade)
Kohana Martinez (Zephyrhills)
Darkhorse: Abby Couillard (Mainland)
Best 1st Round Match: Maite Coutinho vs. Emma Bauknight
What to Expect: Really good weight that is headlined by 2021 Fargo National Champ Valarie Solorio. Solorio spent a bit of time at Wyoming Seminary this year, but is now back in Florida and looking to claim a title after taking 4th a year ago. Solorio who is ranked #12 nationally comes in as the favorite after dominating Region 1 with falls of 15, 34, and 21 seconds. That said, Tedesco, Eastes, Kinkade, and Martinez have had superb seasons and will look to knock off Solorio on her way to the top step.
Favorite: Clare Booe (Palm Harbor)
Contenders:
Lilliana Ferns (Park Vista)
Reagan Thomas (Naples)
Aliyah Gonzalez (Winter Park)
Sigrun Metzger (Crestview)
Darkhorse: Hailee Moder (First Baptist)
Best 1st Round Match: Stacy Pule vs. Hailee Moder
What to Expect: If Rees isn’t the largest favorite in the tournament, then that designation would go to Clare Booe of Palm Harbor. The 105 lb. weight is superb, but is headlined by an absolute hammer in Booe. Booe won the 100 lb. title a year ago, was a Fargo All American this summer, is ranked #14 nationally, won the Knockout at 110, and dominated the Region 3 bracket last weekend with 4 first period falls. Region Champs Aliyah Gonzalez, Lilianna Ferns, and Sigrun Metzger will look to knock Booe off and claim the top step themselves. Whoever draws a Region 3 wrestler (Smallwood, Moder, or Thomas) could have their hands full.
Favorite: Sofia Ferran (Mater Lakes)
Contenders:
Tianna Fries (Matanzas)
Arden Swindle (Strawberry Crest)
Cynthia Kowitski (Ponte Vedra)
Darkhorse: Gracie Bradshaw (Middleburg)
Best 1st Round Match: Rachel Silva vs. Shelby Sherman
What to Expect: Wide open weight class and I think you could argue any of the Region Champs being the favorite. Ferran was 2nd at the Knockout to Clare Booe and pinned her way to the Region 4 title. Vukajlovic had 2 falls and a 11-0 decision in taking the Region 2 title, Swindle won in overtime over Bonilla to take the Region 3 title, and Fries had 3 falls and a 20-7 major to take the Region 1 title. Look for some close matches (or a lot of falls).
Favorite: Cameron Galvin (Freedom)
Contenders:
Lourdes Macias (Western)
Erin Rizzuto (Ponte Vedra)
Aryana Leverock (Pinellas Park)
Margo Menge (McKeel)
Darkhorse: Katy Roche (University - Orange City)
Best 1st Round Match: Isis Severe vs. Lahela Grady
What to Expect: Another very good weight. Freedom’s Cameron Galvin comes in after taking 3rd a year ago at 117 and is currently ranked #8 nationally at 117. Lourdes Macias of Western was 5th at 112 last year and pinned her way to the Region 4 title. That looks like the finals, but Rizzuto, Leverock, and others will have something to say about that. Leverock, the Region 3 Champ, will likely have to deal with returning placer Katy Roche in the quarters. Roche lost early a week ago and had to battle back to take 3rd … Roche vs. Vincens is a first round match to watch. Rizzuto dominated Region 1 and will be tough to beat on the top side.
Favorite: Juliana Diaz (Dr Phillips)
Contenders:
Brielle Bibla (Tocci Creek)
Sophia Lahik (Windermere)
Christina Turner (Sarasota Military)
Analy Banuelos (Braddock)
Darkhorse: Brianna Pena (Sanford Seminole)
Best 1st Round Match: Claire Betz vs. Taylor Thomas
What to Expect: Outstanding weight class … perhaps the best in the tournament. The bracket is headlined by nationally-ranked hammers Juliana Diaz (#6 at 117) and Brielle Bibla (#15 at 122) as well as returning placers Brianna Pena and Sophia Lahik and Region Champs Christina Turner and Analy Banuelos. Diaz is a returning champ at 117 and was a Fargo All American this past summer and as a result in the favorite. We didn’t get a Diaz vs. Bibla matchup at the Knockout with the two being at different weights (Diaz won 115 and Bibla won 120). There are plenty of contenders that will make this weight exciting, but in the end we expect to see a Diaz vs. Bibla final.
Favorite: Kailey Rees (Freedom)
Contenders:
Aubrianna Apple (Clay)
Emma Gagnon (Riverview)
Gabriela Caro (Stoneman Douglas)
Page Baker (North Port)
Darkhorse: Megan Kaplan (Hagerty)
Best 1st Round Match: Megan Kaplan vs. Jameson Hannigan
What to Expect: Kailey Rees is a machine and comes in as one of the biggest favorites in the tournament. She pinned her way to the Knockout 125 lb. title in December, pinned her way to the Region 2 title a week ago, is a returning champ at 122 and is currently ranked 10th nationally at 127. Aubrianna Apple, Emma Gagnon, and Gabriela Caro will try to slow down the Rees train this weekend … not that they cannot, but the task will be tough. Gagnon could get Rees in the bottom semi, but needs to focus on the winner of Kaplan vs. Hannigan in what could be a very good opening round match.
Favorite: Madisyn Blackburn (Clay)
Contenders:
Kaylee Easter (Wewahitchka)
Bailey Waltz (Timber Creek)
Rachel Ferreter (Freedom)
Callie Alfieri (Gulf)
Arianna Ruiz (Mater Lakes)
Darkhorse: Julia Ferreira (Dr Phillips)
Best 1st Round Match: Geraldine Honore vs. Bryanne Kaminsky
What to Expect: Rarely do you see a #2 from a Region still come in as the favorite … but that is the case here at 130. Blackburn is the returning 128 lb. champ and injury defaulted her final to Easter in Region 1 last weekend. Now obviously if Blackburn is injured and cannot compete then this weight becomes a barnburner - especially with 3 other placers from a year ago plus Region Champs Callie Alfieri and Arianna Ruiz. Ruiz is our lone 6th grader in the tournament (there are a few 7th graders) … keep an eye on her. As a result of Blackburn’s injury default (and this doesn’t take anything away from Easter who is also a returning placer from last year) … we could get a star-studded quarter with Blackburn and Waltz.
Favorite: Gabriella Perez (Treasure Coast)
Contenders:
Isabella Tietje (Matanzas)
Keyla DeLeon (Freedom)
Emma Jefferies (Largo)
Jaidyn Vinson (Clay)
Darkhorse: Tydasia Mack (North Miami)
Best 1st Round Match: Tydasia Mack vs. Madison Waltz
What to Expect: Two returning placers - Gabriella Perez and Isabella Tietje - fortunately both are on opposite side the bracket. Perez comes in unbeaten and looked superb on her way to the Region 4 title as well as the Knockout title earlier this season. We didn’t get to see the two returners cross paths at the Knockout, but did see Perez beat DeLeon 7-0 in the finals (in what could be the bottom semi). Perez beat a very good Tydasia Mack 7-5 in the Region 4 semis last weekend and as a result the 2nd quarter of the bracket is stacked. Madison Waltz is tough as well (winning the Knockout up at 140) and finishing 2nd to DeLeon last weekend. Largo’s Emma Jefferies should get the winner of that match.
Favorite: Jada Llamido (Hagerty)
Contenders:
Zoe Williamson (South Lake)
Karla Roman (East Lee)
Sofia Delgado (Miami Coral Park)
Olivia Carr (Nease)
Darkhorse: Olivia Richie (Ponte Vedra)
Best 1st Round Match: Nehemie Gregorie vs. Kristy More
What to Expect: Jada Llamido is the returning 134 lb. champ and is ranked #5 nationally. She beat Ritchie and Carr to win Region 1 and is the favorite entering this weekend. Richie pulled an unfortunate draw in region 1 - getting Llamido in the semis. Richie was a runner-up a year ago is a tough #3 in the bracket above. She has a potential quarter with Karla Roman of East Lee who dominated on her way to the Region 3 title. Delgado and Williamson are the other two region champs and are both unbeaten this season.
Favorite: Jennah Mustafa (Lake Wales)
Contenders:
Anisah Paz (South Dade)
Teigan Slauson (Palm Harbor)
Taesha Inelus (North Miami)
Tasha Matkovich (Anclote)
Katherine Stewart (Bartram Trail)
Darkhorse: Lilly Luttrell (Tampa Freedom)
Best 1st Round Match: Lilly Luttrell vs. Kaylie Collado
What to Expect: Good weight that is headlined by returning runner-up Jennah Mustafa of Lake Wales. Mustafa’s only loss came at the Knockout in December to Alabama State Champ Yasmine Oliveira in the semis. Mustafa beat Paz 6-0 for 3rd in that bracket. Returning runner-up Teigan Slauson was 2nd to Oliveira at the Knockout and was 2nd last weekend in the Region 3 Tournament to Tasha Matkovich of Anclote. Slauson was leading 4-1 at the end of the first when she injury defaulted … so she is going to be a tough #2 to deal with for Paz (assuming they are both in the quarters). Another name to keep an eye on is Taesha Inelus who could make things interesting for Mustafa on the bottom side.
Favorite: Mya Bethel (North Miami)
Contenders:
Chloe Shull (Timber Creek)
Jah’Mya Hill (Mainland)
Gabby Tutera (Palmetto)
Darkhorse: Jasmine Hecht (Orange Park)
Best 1st Round Match: Gabriela Segre vs. Karla Ortiz
What to Expect: Another good weight - but this time because there are a bunch of new faces ready to make a splash. Jasmine Hecht is the only returning placer after taking 4th at 154 in 2021 … but she took 4th in region 1 and draws a tough Mya Bethel (the Region 4 Champ) right off the scale. This weight has the fewest number of returning wrestlers (just 5 competed in last year’s tournament). The Region Champs have proven they are contenders … be sure to keep an eye on Bethel, Jah’Mya Hill, Gabby Tutera, and Chloe Shull, but don’t be surprised if we see some chaos in the bracket.
Favorite: Henlee Haynes (Mosley)
Contenders:
Jazzmine Moore (Oakleaf)
Ferny Hernandez (South Dade)
Hayeni Costa (Celebration)
Chella Antoine (Ft Myers)
Lilly Yambor (Gateway)
Darkhorse: Hannah Matalobos (Bartram Trail)
Best 1st Round Match: Anastasia White vs. Hannah Matalobos
What to Expect: Very good weight. Henlee Haynes is ranked #7 nationally at 180 and with her win at Region 1 over Jazzmine Moore and is a returning runner-up … so you expect her to be the favorite. That said - the field is far from easy. South Dade’s Ferny Hernandez won Region 4 and hammered the field at the Knockout in December … that could be a fantastic semi. Hayeni Costa vs. Jazzmine Moore in a possible quarter is one to watch with Chella Antoine of Ft Myers sharing the bottom side as well.
Favorite: Alyssa Favara (Palmetto Ridge)
Contenders:
Maggie Moss (Lincoln)
Emiliana Martinez (Gateway)
Salexa Lontoc-Ortiz (Freedom)
Day’Jah Clark (Miami Norland)
Darkhorse: Cheyenne Cruce (Middleburg)
Best 1st Round Match: Cheyenne Cruce vs. Megan Preston
What to Expect: Favara, a Fargo All American, comes in as the favorite after claiming the Region 3 title and winning the Knockout in December. She pinned Lontoc-Ortiz and Moss at the Knockout … and both figure to be her main competition on the top side. Emiliana Martinez and Day’Jah Clark are the Region Champs on the bottom … keep an eye on Cheyenne Cruce who pushed Favara to a 10-8 decision at the Knockout.
Favorite: Andrea Smith (Orange Park)
Contenders:
Kiara Brin (Freedom)
Shanakay Chambers (Miami Norland)
Jada Arnold (Raines)
Aniya Herbin (Jefferson)
Darkhorse: Cheyenne Wigley (Mainland)
Best 1st Round Match: Fedeline Joseph vs. Daphney Pierre
What to Expect: We have an opportunity to have a national ranked matchup in the finals here. Smith, who won this tournament a year ago, is currently ranked #6 nationally, and Kiara Brin, who was 3rd at 222 in 2021, is ranked #18. Both have wrestled for some time and should handle their sides of the bracket. That said, Brin certainly draws the tougher side with returning placers Arnold and Wigley sharing the side (and Arnold is a potential quarter). Keep an eye on Smith vs. Chambers in the top semi.