1A-12 Preview: St. John Neumann looking for state title in second season
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Last season: St. John Neumann came out firing in its first year as a program and won the district title by 100 points.
How did Kabra do?: We correctly saw the Celtics rise to power in the district.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Lincoln Sledzianowski (St. John Neumann), Jonathan Moder (St. John Neumann), Jacob Bacon (Aubrey Rogers), Benito Barnhart (St. John Neumann), Erik Perez (St. John Neumann), Lukah Zherka (Aubrey Rogers), Jalal Naghib (St. John Neumann), Richmerlins Celiferme (St. John Neumann), Bennett Sweitzer (Bishop Verot), Hudson Sweitzer (Bishop Verot), Bekim Zherka (Aubrey Rogers), Leland Flaherty (Fort Myers Evangelical), Landon Lewis (St. John Neumann), Everett Stephens (Aubrey Rogers), Damien Zherka (Aubrey Rogers), Eduardo Rey (Aubrey Rogers), William McGowan (St. John Neumann), Arthur Pimenta (Aubrey Rogers), Lennox Washington (Fort Myers Evangelical).
The favorite: St. John Neumann. The Celtics are a state title contender in their second season.
Team to watch: Aubrey Rogers. This is probably the best team the young program has had.
District duals: Thursday, January 8 at Aubrey Rogers, 1 p.m.
District IBT: Thursday, February 19 at Canterbury, 11 a.m.
St. John Neumann Celtics (#3 IBT, #4 Duals)
Coach: Blaine Ison (11th as head coach, 16th overall)
Assistant coaches: Chase Singletary, Justin Rodriguez, Kain Mills, Ryan Tutt
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 20-4
Recent district results: 2025:1
Last state champion: Lincoln Sledzianowski, 2025 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Xavier Barnhart, 49-3, 3rd, RC, DC; Jordan Peralez, 36-10, RQ, D3; Carson Floyd, 11-10, RQ, D5; Jordan Blomberg, Jr., 34-15, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer to Palmetto Ridge).
Notable returning wrestlers: Lincoln Sledzianowski, Sr., 48-3, SC, RC, DC; Benito Barnhart, So., 35-9, 2nd, RC, DC; Richmerlins Celiferme, Jr., 37-17, SQ, R4, D2; Landon Lewis, So., 37-16, SQ, R4, D3; Erik Perez, Sr., 42-9, 7th, R3, D2; William McGowan, Sr., 33-9, 8th, R2, D2; Braeden Mills, So., 28-18, RQ, D4; Hunter Born, So.
New wrestlers: Jonathan Moder, Sr., 39-7, 2nd, RC, DC (Transfer from First Baptist-Naples); William Buckley (Transfer); Greyson McDonald, Fr.; James Sanders, Fr.; Jalal Naghib, Fr.; Gabe Harris, So. (Transfer from First Baptist-Naples); Reyvis Soto, Fr.
What they are saying: “This is a very special group that, if we can stay healthy and click at the right moment, we could do something very special.”
On chasing the state title: “We want to win a state title and that's the goal I have for every single team. I mean going into last year we knew Mater Lakes had a really good team and there would have to be a lot of things to go wrong for them and a lot of great things to go right for us to even have a shot at that. I truly do feel like this year we have a legitimate shot of making a run for a title this year and we have a group of young guys that are coming in and they gotten feet wet a little bit. Most importantly, we have a really good group of senior class that have been there, have done it, and they're excited to leave their legacy.”
On expectations of wrestlers: “No matter what happens, I can care less about a win or a loss or what the score is. I care about the way that you act on the mat. Whenever you wrestle someone, I want them to know when they see a kid that's from St. John Newman, they know that they're in for a tough match. I don't care if you're wrestling the best kid in the country or the best kid in the state, you go out there and you let them know who you are and you do it respectfully and with honor. That's what just try to preach to the kids. Go out there and score points and leave it all on the map.”
Outlook: St. John Neumann is one of the teams to beat in Class 1A and they’re excited to have their shot at it. This is a veteran group that has added big talent to become an even more complete team in Ison’s second season here.
The Florida High School Wrestling 2025-2026 Season District Previews
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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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Aubrey Rogers Patriots (#6, #6)
Coach: Cory Kness (2nd season at school/30th total)
Assistant coaches: Caleb Poche, Travis Martinez
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 9-3
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Bryan Osorio, 19-18, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lukah Zherka, Jr., 31-7, 4th, RC, DC; Bekim Zherka, Jr., 37-4, 5th, RC, DC; Damien Zherka, Jr., 38-8, SQ, R3, DC; Eduardo Rey, Sr., 25-22, SQ, R4, D3; Arthur Pimenta, Sr., 32-9, RQ-BR, D2; Mathew Elyash, Sr., 21-11, RQ, D4; Aldo Agollari, Jr.
New wrestlers: Everett Stephens, Jr., 33-14, 6th, R2, D3 (Transfer from First Baptist-Naples); Jacob Bacon, Sr. (Transfer from Wyoming Seminary)
What they are saying: “This is the most experienced group we’ve had so far.”
Outlook: Two talented transfers join the Zherka brothers and a collection of experienced wrestlers.
Bishop Verot Vikings (#15, #13)
Coach: Gerry Braun (4th at school/21st overall)
Assistant coaches: Zeke DiRenzo, Pat Missaoui, Brett Sweitzer, Jacob Swanson, Jay Lopez, Mike Vasquez, Lacie Braun
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 17-5
Recent district results: 2025:5; 2024:4; 2023:4; 2022:5.
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ethan Swanson, 38-13, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Hudson Sweitzer, Jr., 41-15, 6th, R2, D2; Bennett Sweitzer, Sr., 51-9, 7th, R2, D2; Quinn Enguita, Sr., 43-11, RQ-BR, D2; Lorenzo Vasquez, Sr., 27-13, RQ-BR, D3; Tiago Passos, Jr., 35-17, RQ-BR, D4; Sean Cameron, Jr., 19-18, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Sammuel Abdelmalak, Fr.
What they are saying: “I feel like this is the first time the program really feels like an experienced veteran team in all aspects. I feel like we've had some experience before in years past with kids who have wrestled before but now we have got real experience in every aspect. That's going to help the growth of the next wave of young kids. I’m just really excited for what this season's going to look like now that the team is starting to look like some experienced teams I have had before in the past.”
On bouncing back from disappointing blood round: “The biggest thing from last year to this year that I've been thinking about is we had a lot of kids experience those moments last year. We had eight kids in the blood round, boys and girls, last year and only three won. That is the worst performance in the blood round that I've been ever experienced as a coach and it really stuck with me. In those five losses, I think they were all winnable matches. I'm hoping it's a big turning point for our program because the adversity that the team went through in that experience. It was so awesome on one hand to have eight kids in the blood round already in such a young program, really building from scratch, but they hadn't really experienced a lot of that and I hope that that experience and adversity fueled us in the offseason.”
On four guys (Sweitzer, Sweitzer, Enguita, Passos) being invited to Escape the Rock: “I'm excited to see and they're ready to take on the challenge and go out of the state and see big competition and bring back what they learned.”
Outlook: This season appears to be the next step in this program’s growth. The team is led by a mixture of juniors and seniors who could put their stamp on Bishop Verot wrestling this season.
Oasis Sharks
Coach: Jason Bowman (8th at school-two stints, 16 total)
Assistant coaches: Rob Luzarraga, Mike Anderson
Recent district results: 2025:2; 2024:3; 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:5; 2019:3; 2018:5; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:8; 2014:7; 2013:3-1A11; 2012:6-1A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Frederick Harley, 31-7, 7th, RC, DC; Colin Anderson, 18-12, SQ, R2, D2; Ethan Bissler, 26-9, RQ, D3; Kyle Chitu, 12-23, RQ, D4; Camden Phillips, 16-18, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Kelvis Gonzalez, Jr., 21-16, RQ-BR, D4; Andrew Upp, Sr., 14-6, RQ, D2; Ben Cerny, Sr., 23-12, RQ, D3; Chase Williams, Sr., 10-12, RQ, D4.
What they’re saying: “As a team it's just about development and reaching the highest potential. Two state qualifiers would be an overachievement but that's what we are shooting for.”
Outlook: With just four wrestlers with at least two years of experience, the Sharks are still a developing team.
Fort Myers Evangelical Sentinels
Coach: Derek Washington
Recent district results: 2025:6; 2024:8; 2023:6; 2022:9; 2020:8; 2018:9; 2017:9; 2016:10; 2015:5; 2014:10; 2013:6; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Derek Washington Jr., 48-4, 4th, RC, DC; Joseph Conrad, 39-11, 8th, R2, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Leland Flaherty, Jr., 43-12, 4th, R3, D3; Lennox Washington, Jr., 31-14, SQ, R4, DC; Kaden Behrman, Jr., 25-15, RQ, D4; Wyatt Behrmann, 8th, 17-16, RQ, D4.
LaBelle Cowboys
Coach: Matt Miller (11th season)
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 3-4
Recent district results: 2025:9; 2024:4; 2023:3; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:2; 2019:5; 2018:8; 2017:7; 2016:8; 2015:9; 2014:8; 2013:2; 2012:2
Last state champion: Matt Miller, 2004 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Clinton Williams, 26-9, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Randy Wallace, So., 16-6, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: “We will have an athletically young team. The numbers have been growing and competition is building.”
Outlook: With seven of nine starters back and some more in the room, this team should see an improvement this season.
Canterbury Cougars
Coach: Tariq Humes (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Anna Brooks, Aaron Jackson , Erik Manning
24-25 dual record: 4-8
Recent district results: 2025:7; 2024:11; 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Banner Brockington, So., 20-8, RQ-BR, DC; Joaquin Paz, Jr., 11-10, RQ, D3; Pierce Farhat, Sr., 10-10, RQ, D4; Atreyu Bott, Sr., 15-7, D6; Stone Creighton.
SW Florida Christian Academy Kings
Coach: Unknown at time of publication
Recent district results: 2025:8; 2024:10; 2023:9; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:9; 2018:10; 2017:10; 2016:9; 2015:7; 2014:9; 2013:3; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Connor Watermeier, Sr., 25-8, RQ-BR, D3; Jack Wooley, 8th, 14-12, RQ, D5.
Gateway Charter Griffins
Coach: Cheryl Gershman
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:10; 2024:7; 2023:8; 2022:8; 2021:7; 2020:7; 2019:10; 2018:6-1A7; 2014:11; 2013:6-1A11; 2012:4-1A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Logan Panega, Sr., 11-6, RQ-BR, D4.
First Baptist-Naples Lions
Coach: Shane Hillis
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:3; 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:3; 2021:3;
Last state champion: Andres DiGrigoli, 2025 (157)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christanley Joseph, 16-12, SQ, R3, D3; Myles White, 12-8, RQ, D3; Michael Kersey, 29-5; Andres DiGrigoli, Sr., 38-4, SC, RC, DC (Transfer to Naples); Jonathan Moder, Sr., 39-7, 2nd, RC, DC (Transfer to St. John Neumann); Everett Stephens, Jr., 33-14, 6th, R2, D3 (Transfer to Aubrey Rogers); Asher Bacon, Fr., 27-3, 2nd, RC, DC (Transfer to Faith Christian, PA)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Logan Brown, Fr., 7-7, RQ, D3; Colton Kersey, 7th, 10-8, RQ, D4; Zane Walker, Fr., 16-8.
Island Coast Gators
Coach: Michael Polatty (3rd at school/4th overall)
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 5-10
Recent district results: 2025:11; 2024:9-2A11; 2023:9-2A11; 2022:3-1A11; 2021:4-2A11; 2020:4-2A11; 2019:6-2A11; 2018:4-2A11; 2017:5-2A11; 2016:4-2A11; 2015:4-2A11; 2014:4-2A11; 2013:10-2A11; 2012:9-2A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: None.
What they are saying: “We have potential for the present and future. We’d like to have a couple kids in the blood round at regionals, a couple kids make states, and have a couple state placers.”
Outlook: All eight wrestlers on the Gators postseason lineup are back this season.
1A-12 Season Schedules
Canterbury
Boys
Dec. 6: 1A Kickoff at St. John Neumann
Dec. 13: Chris Hixon Classic at South Plantation
Dec. 20: City of Palms at Bishop Verot
Jan. 2-3: Braves IBT at Advent Fieldhouse
Jan. 10: Ray Worsham IBT at North Fort Myers
Jan. 15: vs. Evangelical, SW Florida Christian, 7
Jan. 21: vs. Estero, 6:45 (Senior Night)
Jan. 30-31: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Feb. 2: at Island Coast
Feb. 7: SW10 at Bishop Verot
Girls
Dec. 5: Ben Richards at Leto
Dec. 13: Chris Hixon Classic at South Plantation
Dec. 19: Queen of Palms at Bishop Verot
Jan. 2: Braves IBT at Advent Fieldhouse
Jan. 9: John Joyce IBT at North Port
Jan. 17: Lady Indian at Immokalee
Jan. 21: vs. Estero, 6:45 (Senior Night)
Jan. 24: Queen of the Castle at North Fort Myers
Jan. 30: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Evangelical
Boys
Dec. 6: 1A Kickoff at St. John Neumann
Dec. 13: Chris Hixon Classic at South Plantation
Dec. 20: King of the Castle at North Fort Myers
Jan. 2-3: Braves IBT at Advent Fieldhouse
Jan. 13: at Canterbury (with SWFCA)
Jan. 16-17: Jerry Mita at Pinellas Park
Jan. 30-31: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Feb. 7: SWFL Conference at Bishop Verot
Feb. 10: at Oasis
Oasis
Dec. 6: Oasis Duals
Dec. 13: Chris Hixon Classic at South Plantation
Dec. 17: Best of the West at Mariner
Dec. 18: vs. Dunbar, 6
Dec. 20: City of Palms at Bishop Verot
Jan. 10: Ray Worsham IBT at North Fort Myers
Jan. 17: Bull Shark Bash at Bonita Springs
Jan. 28: vs. TBD, 6
Jan. 30-31: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Feb. 7: SW10 at Bishop Verot
SW Florida Christian
Boys
Dec. 6: at Oasis
Dec. 12-13: Gene Gorman at Charlotte
Dec. 19: Bull Shark Duals at Bonita Springs
Dec. 20: City of Palms at Bishop Verot
Jan. 3: Triton Tussle IBT at Mariner
Jan. 13: at Canterbury
Jan. 17: Bulls Shark Bash at Bonita Springs
Jan. 30-31: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Girls
Dec. 2: Girls Rumble at Bonita Springs
Dec. 19: Queen of Palms at Bishop Verot
Jan. 17: Lady Indians IBT at Immokalee
Jan. 20: Girls Rumble at Bonita Springs
Jan. 24: Queen of the Castle at North Fort Myers
Jan. 30-31: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
St. John Neumann
Girls
Nov. 25: Flagler Rotary Girls at Flagler Palm Coast
Dec. 6: Let Freedom Ring at Orlando Freedom
Dec. 9: vs. Archbishop McCarthy
Dec. 19-20: Knockout Christmas Classic at Silver Spurs
Jan. 2: Braves IBT at Advent Fieldhouse
Jan. 10: Rusted Jade at Hernando
Jan. 17: Elite 8 Duals at Orlando Freedom
Jan. 24: Queen of the Castle at North Fort Myers
Jan. 30: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Feb. 7: Lady Eagles IBT at George Jenkins