1A-12 Preview: State title is the quest for St. John Neumann in Year 3
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: St. John Neumann outpointed runner-up Bishop Verot by 107.5 points to win the district IBT title on its way to a runner-up finish to Mater Lakes in the state Class 1A race. Verot made history with Bennett Sweitzer winning the school’s first title.
How did Kabra do?: We correctly predicted a second-consecutive district title for St. John Neumann and we also picked the district dual teams right, but Verot showed we were a bit wrong by having them finish third.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite: St. John Neumann. The goal this year isn’t just the district title, the Celtics are one of the teams to be again for the Class 1A team state title.
Team to watch: Evangelical. The Sentinels return 100% of their postseason lineup from a year ago and will press for the No. 2 spot in the district.
St. John Neumann Celtics
Coach: Blaine Ison (12th as head coach, 17th overall)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:1; 2025:1
Last state champion: Benito Barnhart, 2026 (120); Lincoln Sledzianowski, 2026 (144)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lincoln Sledzianowski, 33-0, SC, RC, DC; Erik Perez, 44-4, S3, RC, DC; Jonathan Moder, 32-8, S7, R3, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Benito Barnhart, Jr., 26-1, SC, RC, D2; William Buckley, Jr., 42-7, S2, RC, DC; Jalal Naghib, So., 43-9, S4, R2, D3; Greyson McDonald, So., 41-10, S4, RC, DC; James Sanders, So., 38-9, S4, RC, DC; Braeden Mills, Jr., 35-11, S7, R3, DC; Russ Haas, So., UNK, S8, R4, D2; Richmerlins Celiferme, Sr., 19-8, SQ, R4, DC; Reyvis Soto, So., 24-13, RQ-BR, D2; Hunter Born, Jr., 22-17, RQ-BR, D2; Gabe Harris, Jr., 26-15, RQ-BR, D2; Miles Merves, So.; Nash Holdridge, Sr.
New wrestlers: Liam Parker, Jr. (Transfer from Tampa Jesuit)
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
The Florida High School Wrestling 2026-2027 Season District Previews
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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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Bishop Verot Vikings
Coach: Gerry Braun (5th at school/22nd overall)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:2; 2025:5; 2024:4; 2023:4; 2022:5
Last state champion: Bennett Sweitzer, 2026 (175)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Bennett Sweitzer, 41-3, SC, RC, D2; Quinn Enguita, 36-14, SQ, R3, DC; Lorenzo Vasquez, 25-9, RQ-BR, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Hudson Sweitzer, Sr., 36-12, S5, R3, D3; Tiago Passos, Sr., 32-16, SQ, R4, D4; Crew Stambaugh, So., 14-11, RQ, D2; Kellan Hall, Jr., 27-14, RQ, D3; Sean Cameron, Sr., 24-14, RQ, D3; Bobby Nolan, Jr., 15-14, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook: Sweitzer made school history with a state title at 175 pounds back in March.
Fort Myers Evangelical Sentinels
Coach: Derek Washington
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4; 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): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lennox Washington, Sr., 36-9, S6, R2, DC; Leland Flaherty, Sr., 37-14, S6, R3, D2; Ice McCormick, So., 28-15, SQ, R4, D2; Dominic Capuano, Sr., 27-12, SQ, R4, D2; Zeke Washington, So., 29-13, RQ, D3; Wyatt Behrmann, Fr., 19-21, RQ, D4; Caleb Hilla, Fr., 19-16, RQ, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
SW Florida Christian Academy Kings
Coach: Erin Wooley
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:7; 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): Connor Watermeier, 12-8, RQ, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jack Wooley, Fr., 30-24, RQ, D4; Gianni Monteiro, Jr., 29-19, RQ, D4; Max Losapio, Sr., 31-19, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
First Baptist-Naples Lions
Coach: Shane Hillis
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:9; 2025:3; 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:3; 2021:3
Last state champion: Andres DiGrigoli, 2025 (157)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Colton Kersey, 8th, 22-9, RQ, D3; Kael Hillis, 8th, 22-11, RQ, D4; Deklan Koopman, Fr., 26-10, RQ, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
LaBelle Cowboys
Coach: Matt Miller (12th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:10; 2025:9; 2024:5; 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): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Randy Wallace, Jr., 23-9, SQ, RC, D2.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Lely Trojans
Coach: Tige Thompson
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:9-2A12; 2025:7-2A12; 2024:6-2A12; 2023:9-2A12; 2022:8-2A12; 2021:7-2A12; 2020:6-2A12; 2019:7; 2018:3; 2017:2; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:4-2A12; 2012:?-2A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jose Raga, 39-13, RQ-BR, DC; Roberto Hidalgo, 17-18, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Peter Espinosa, Sr., 23-22, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Canterbury Cougars
Coach: Erik Manning (1st season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:5; 2025:7; 2024:11; 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Stone Creighton, 12-16, RQ, D3; Atreyu Bott, 22-12, RQ-BR, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Chuck Haas, 8th, 17-14, RQ-BR, D4; Banner Brockington, Jr., 27-9, RQ, DC; Joaquin Paz, Sr., 13-11, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Oasis Sharks
Coach: Unknown
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:6; 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): Chase Williams, 22-16, RQ, D4; Andrew Upp, 31-11, RQ-BR, D3; Ben Cerny, 23-10, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Cameron Papp, So., 35-10, RQ-BR, D2; Kelvis Gonzalez, Sr., 25-12, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Gateway Charter Griffins
Coach: Cheryl Gershman
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:11; 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): Logan Panega, SQ, R4, D4; Max Bonavita, RQ, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Cypress Lake Panthers
Coach: Andrew McCarley
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:10-2A11; 2025:10-2A11; 2024:9-2A12; 2023:7-2A12; 2022:4-2A12; 2021:6-2A11; 2020:3-2A11; 2019:4-2A12; 2018:3-2A12; 2017:3-2A12; 2016:4-2A12; 2015:6-2A12; 2014:5-2A12; 2013:7-2A12; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champion: Corey Kerkesner, 2015 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook: