1A-1 Preview: South Walton and North Bay Haven set to battle for supremacy again
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: South Walton and North Bay Haven each won a district crown with the Seahawks winning the IBT by eight points and North Bay Haven earning the district duals title.
How did Kabra do?: We didn’t switch champions on our picks, so we were correct on the duals side but missed South Walton’s incredible district tournament.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite: South Walton. The defending champions could have 179.5 district points back in the lineup this season.
Team to watch: North Bay Haven. The Buccaneers also return a ton with 11 postseason wrestlers possibly being back in the room.
South Walton Seahawks
Coach: Travis Laxton (10th at school/11th overall)
Assistant coaches: Dean Salvaggio, Shane Lane, Serghei Lisii
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:1; 2025:2; 2024:5; 2023:4; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:2; 2019:4; 2018:2; 2017:7; 2016:7; 2015:3; 2014:5; 2013:4; 2012:4
Last state champion: Max Brewster, 2022 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sam Madden, 37-16, S4, RC, DC; Cody Johnson, 20-14, SQ, R3, DC; Noah Withers, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Heiu Roberts, Sr., 30-15, SQ, R3, D2; Cam Langston, So., 22-17, SQ, R4, D3; Jose Mirafuentes, Jr., 22-20, RQ-BR, D2; Ben Sundstrom, Sr., 25-7, RQ, DC; Ethan Burgess, Jr., 21-24, RQ, D2; Iyashanti Perry, Jr., 20-18, RQ, D3; Decker Krise, So., 30-17, RQ, D3; Keane Nelson, Sr., 20-21, RQ, D3; John Gibbs, Jr., 16-12, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Ben Johnson (Transfer from Colorado)
What they’re saying: “With our program continuing to grow the team has depth in several weight classes. Underclassmen could very well beat out some of the varsity wrestlers from last year.”
Outlook:
The Florida High School Wrestling 2026-2027 Season District Previews
Click on link to see preview
Class 3A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 2A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Girls: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Independent: Ind
District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings
Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules
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North Bay Haven Buccaneers
Coach: Zane Turnipseed (8th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:2; 2025:3; 2024:1; 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:6; 2020:7; 2019:8; 2018:9; 2017:9; 2016:9; 2015:6
Last state champion: David Mercado, 2023 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Koa DeLoach, 61-4, S2, RC, DC; Bear Siegal, 61-10, S8, R2, DC; Will Lundgren, 24-9, RQ, D2; Zander Stillgess.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: William McKenzie, Jr., 39-19, S6, R4, DC; Jack Mulnix, Sr., 49-4, SQ, R2, DC; Anthony Ramey, Sr., 42-23, SQ, R4, D2; Alex Vasquez-Young, Sr., 50-12, RQ-BR, DC; Brady McAlister, So., 41-13, RQ-BR, DC; Jackson Clark, Jr., 18-22, RQ, D2; Peyton Saluto Jr., Sr., 27-27, RQ, D4; Kaden Davis, Sr., 23-14, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Freeport Bulldogs
Coach: Carey Nick (5th at school/20th overall)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4; 2025:6; 2024:7; 2023:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Chase Justice, 40-14, SQ, R3, D2; Cutter Chancey, 16-10, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Justice, Sr., 50-12, SQ, R2, DC; Max Broginez, Jr., 57-19, SQ, R4, D2; Coen Dykes, Jr., 41-20, RQ-BR, DC; Keegan Hoover, Sr., 18-21, RQ, D3; Coley Layle, Jr., 9-23, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Bay Tornadoes
Coach: Mark Deaton (18th at school/21st overall)
Assistant coaches: Mark Mulligan, Cliff Gore, Anna Branch, Noah Perdue, Jimmy Branch, Jaylen Bennett
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:3; 2025:1; 2024:3; 2023:1; 2022:5; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:6; 2018:1; 2017:4; 2016:6; 2015:7; 2014:3; 2013:7; 2012:7
Last state champion: Earl Crawford, 1999 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jaylen Bennett, 36-13, RQ-BR, DC; Devin Vasquez, 26-18, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Aiden Davis, Sr., 23-21, RQ, D3; Cameron Eldridge, Jr., 25-27, RQ, D3; Keymari Lewis, Jr., 30-14, RQ, D3; Assad Diallo, Sr., 10-26, RQ, D4; Ian Lopez, Sr., 7-27, RQ, D4; Corbin Segrest, Sr., 26-19, RQ, D5.
New wrestlers: Brayden Turano, Sr. (Transfer from Kitsap, WA); Casey Miskell, Jr., RQ, D4 (Transfer from Rutherford).
What they’re saying: “Both our boys and girls teams have a stacked line up of returners who are driven and goal-oriented.”
Rocky Bayou Christian Knights
Coach: Chris Herron (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Tim Anderson, Kevin Walsh
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 12-10
Recent district results: 2026:6; 2025:4; 2024:4; 2023:7; 2022:2; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:9; 2018:10; 2017:10; 2015:9; 2014:7; 2013:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Thomas Pluhar; Tyson Nekomoto, Jr., 6-12, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Niceville).
Notable returning wrestlers: Miles Rinkus, Fr., 37-26, RQ-BR, D3; Jeremiah Herron, Jr., 43-9, RQ, D2; Tristan Berry, Jr., 39-15, RQ, D2; Michael Davis, Jr., 21-31, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Isaiah Latham, 6th
What they’re saying: “We will probably be a very small team but our returners are looking forward to leading this team and making this year something extra special. We should do pretty well in duals this year but we are looking at the good chance for three people to have a shot of going to state this year and representing the Panhandle.”
On season goals: “My goals for our team is that we lead the younger wrestlers on our team like a family. I had one wrestler who just missed breaking the school record for wins in a season last year and should be able to tie or break that record this year with how our schedule is setting up I am most excited to see those notable returners this year go deep into the post season and have an amazing year.”
On being a small school: “Our team strength is resilience in the face of adversity. We are the smallest school in the panhandle and some coaches think we are below them in this sport. I love when we show up and our team beats people that they think we should lose too. They forget we put the work in and train harder than most teams.”
Outlook:
Rutherford Rams
Coach: Joshua Richardson (2nd season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:7; 2025:8; 2024:8; 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:4; 2019:5; 2018:4; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:5; 2014:4; 2013:3; 2012:6
Last state champion: Gerald Bradley, 1983 (UNL)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jeremy Diaz, RQ, D4; Casey Miskell, Jr., RQ, D4 (Transfer to Bay).
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aleckson Sims, Jr., RQ, D3; Gabriel Breen, Sr., RQ, D4; James Hewett, Sr., D5.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Destin Sharks
Coach: Unknown at time of publication
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Justin Kelly, 13-9, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Hipp, Jr., 32-13, RQ, D3; Roy Caudell-Tuel IV, So., 20-24, RQ, D4; Court Harned, Sr., 12-12, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Marianna Bulldogs
Coach: Richard Davis (4th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4-1A2; 2025:4-1A2; 2024:5-1A2; 2023:6-1A2; 2022:4-1A2; 2021:5-1A2; 2020:4-1A2; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:5; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:2; 2012:1
Last state champion: Bill Sedgewick, 1994 (189), Reggie Toombs, 1994 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Roy Hughes, 39-13, SQ, R3, D2; Khylan Spires, RQ, D2; Hezekiah Jones, RQ, D4; Jaden Cody, 22-16, RQ-BR, D2; Nicholas Heineman.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Walt Maddox, So., 40-17, SQ, R4, D2; Jacob Rogers, So., RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Bozeman Bucks
Coach: Jennifer Kern (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Marcus Roberts, Chad Magalianes
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 2-17-1
Recent district results: 2026:9; 2025:7; 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:10; 2018:6; 2017:2; 2016:4; 2015:8; 2014:6; 2013:6; 2012:2
Last state champion: Derrick Williams, 2024 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kale Mills, 37-18, RQ, D3; Daniel Pierce, 26-12, D6.
Notable returning wrestlers: Pedro Garcia, So., 14-15, RQ, D4; Landen Jamison, Jr., 28-9.
What they’re saying: “We have a few wrestlers who have their eye on state. Our goal as coaches is to give them all of the tools necessary to reach their goals. We have a lot of new wrestlers as well. So while we support our veterans and strive to grow them we are also building new athletes and working toward a bigger vision for our school's team.”
On taking over the program: “Our school's personal motto is ‘Do more with less’. We always are working with less resources but strive to be just as good or better. I am new to this team but I want to make this the best wrestling program this school has seen.”
Outlook: