1A-14 Preview:

BY BRANT PARSONS

Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.

Last season:

How did Kabra do?:

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch:

The favorite: Mater Lakes. Is this the season where the Bears finally get their state champion bling?

Team to watch: Cardinal Gibbons. The Chiefs are loaded with state champion talent, if the whole lineup comes together, they could be the team to beat.

District duals:

District IBT:

Mater Lakes Academy Bears

Coach: Brandon Neifeld (13th season)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:2-1A15; 2023:2-1A15; 2022:1-1A15; 2021:2-1A15; 2020:2-1A15; 2019:2-1A15; 2018:2-1A15; 2017:3-1A15; 2016:3-1A15; 2015:3-1A15; 2014:6-1A15; 2013:7-1A15

Last state champion: Mason O’Dell, 2023 (106)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Myles Sadeek, 36-9, 2nd, RC, DC; Malikai Badillo, 16-6, 4th, R2, DC; Kevin Breton, 17-7.

Notable returning wrestlers: Keagan Messina, Fr., 24-1; Kalias Nazario, Jr., 32-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Anthony O'Dell, Sr., 27-7, 3rd, R2, D2; Damian Soto, Sr., 20-2, 2nd, R3, DC; Kellen Mesina, Jr., 27-9, 4th, R2, DC; Bruce Li, Fr., 24-3; Ethan Tran, So., 25-5, 3rd, R2, DC; Kenny Alvarado, Sr., 35-16, 6th, R3, D2; Chris Greene, So., 17-6, 7th, R3, D2; Emiliano Solache, Sr., 22-17, RQ, D4; Maximilian Garzano, So., 4-7, RQ, D4.

New wrestler: Mason O'Dell, Fr.

What they are saying: “We’ve definitely been building over the last few years with this group of guys. At this point everything we’ve done the last couple years together, it’s just a matter of time before we explode. This season is going to be the first big year for that to happen. I don’t think there’s much that can stop us.”

On the lineup: “We’re not going to really have any holes and it’s all just the same kids we’ve had the last few years. I feel like this year we have the space where everybody’s going to get into the lineup, which is great.”

On chasing two state titles: “The good thing about how it works is that you have the dual and the chance to be a team dual champion and then you have the IBT at the end. We’ve talked to our guys early on and told them that the duals are a team effort and they may need to go where it’s best for them to go for the team.”

Outlook: This team is built for success this season - and next - and the Bears will be one of the teams with a legit shot at winning both the Class 1A state duals title and state IBT title.

Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs

Coach: Jamel Morris (5th season as HC/6th season overall)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:1

Last state champion: Nicholas Yancey, 2023 (138); Michael Mocco, 2023 (195)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jason Simmons, 30-5, 2nd, R2, DC; Nicholas Lopez, 30-6, 8th, R3, DC; Dominic Pantuso, 34-10, SQ, R3, DC; Gavin Hooten, 13-8, RQ, DC; Michael Palermo, 29-6, RQ-BR, DC; Ryan McWilliams, 15-10, RQ-BR, DC; Joseph Michaels.

Notable returning wrestlers: Michael Mocco, Jr., 41-2, SC, RC, DC; Bryan Picallo, Sr., 18-2, 3rd, R2, DC; Frankie Florio, Sr., 24-1, 3rd, RC, DC; Nicholas Winter, Jr., 23-15, SQ, R4, D2; William Parker, Sr., 25-11, RQ-BR, DC; Andres Garcia, So., 29-14, SQ, R3, DC; Caden Cagiano, So., 22-16, RQ, DC; Christopher Warner, So., 19-16, RQ, DC.

New wrestlers: Isaac Fayer, Jr., 48-5, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer from American Heritage); Peter Mocco, Fr., 17-0, SC, RC, DC (Transfer from Coral Springs Charter); Andrew Isek, Sr. (Transfer from Colorado)

What they are saying: “The team chemistry is great this year. Everyone are on the same page in wanting to compete for a state title as a team. We think we have a good chance of winning states.”

On Michael Mocco: “It's crazy because when he, when I think when he was in seventh grade, he was wrestling one of my, I want to say (2:43) juniors or seniors, and he got beat up and beat and stuff like that. And some people were like, well, he's not that good. Yada, yada, yada. Then when he got to Gibbons, I can see his work ethic. He went to our practices. He had club practice right after that. Whenever it was like a tournament, a JV tournament, he would be in the room with the other coach Morris training, working on different techniques and different situations. He's always developing and perfecting his craft and always pushing himself. He's the hardest working kid I've ever seen. He just keeps making jumps and jumps and jumps. I always tell him the sky's the limit for him. Just go out there and try to dominate every match.”

The Florida High School Wrestling 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

District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings

Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules

For Kabra+ members (Join here)

Rankings: Class 3A | Class 2A | Class 1A | Girls | Team

Pine Crest Panthers

Coach: Miguel Rodriguez

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:4; 2022:6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Nathan Chen, Sr., 16-4, 3rd, R2, D2; Ethan Stone, Jr., 21-12, RQ-BR, D2; Parker Dettor, Sr., 23-8, RQ-BR, D2; Andrew Chen, So., 14-10, RQ, D2; John Chen, Sr., 6-5, RQ, D3; Jacob Lobis, Jr., 21-14, RQ-BR, D2; John Promnitz, So., 6-23, RQ, D3; Benjamin Levine, Sr., 6-16, RQ, D2.

Miami Monsignor Pace Spartans

Coach: Lazaro Reinoso

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:6-1A15; 2023:5-1A15; 2022:2-1A15; 2021:6-1A15; 2020:3-1A15; 2019:3-1A15; 2018:3-1A15; 2017:?-1A-15; 2016:5-1A15; 2015:4-1A15; 2014:2-1A15; 2013:1-1A15; 2012:1-1A15

Last state champion: Alex Perez, 2016 (138)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kenneth Matos, 11-8, RQ, D2; Atticus Dye, Jr., 8-6, D6 (Transfer to Archbishop McCarthy)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Raphy Riefkohl, Sr., 10-6, RQ, D5; Lexington Robinson-Allen, Sr., 5-14, D5.

Miami Carol City Chiefs

Coach: Jeremiah Howard (4th season)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2019:11-2A16; 2018:11-2A16; 2017:11-2A16; 2016:6-2A16; 2015:6-2A16; 2014:8-2A16; 2013:6-2A16; 2012:6-2A16

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Jaidyn Lewis; Lonnie Clanton

What they are saying: “Our wrestling program has been completely rebuilt after being off the scene for several years.”

On being a young team: “Our young athletes are beginners in the challenging world of wrestling.”

Outlook: Carol City disappeared from the sport after three consecutive 11th place district finishes. Howard has taken charge to try and build it back up as his team learns the sport from scratch.

Stranahan Mighty Dragons

Coach: Jared Villalobos (2nd season)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2022:9-2A15; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:5-2A15; 2018:6-2A15; 2017:4-2A15; 2016:4-2A15; 2015:4-2A15; 2014:3-2A15; 2013:3-2A15; 2012:4-2A15

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

What they’re saying: “The program has a rich history and we are re-establishing the program after a 3 year hiatus.”

On having a first-year team: “These are all student-athletes that are trying the sport for the first time.”

Outlook: After barely registering in the 2021-2022 season with just three wrestlers in the postseason, the Mighty Dragons disappeared from the sport the past two years. They’re back this year with a staff that intends to rebuild a once solid program.