1A-3 Preview: Five schools to battle for top spot in one of most competitive districts
BY BRANT PARSONS — (The lead here will come from speaking to a few coaches about their teams)
Trinity Christian, Fernandina Beach, Baker County, Baldwin, West Nassau
Stanton Prep is coming off its best district finish since 2013, but the Blue Devils likely return just 35% of their postseason points from a year ago.
Paxon and Raines continue to sit in the bottom half of the standings but could have some optimism this year and each team could return its entire postseason lineup from a season ago.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Baker County won its third district title in four seasons, outscoring Yulee 214-203 in the IBT. The Wildcats also made their second trip to the region final in the state duals series.
How did Kabra do?: Kabra was proved wrong both times by Baker County as we had the 1-2 spots switched in each of the two competitions. We did get third and fourth place correct in our predictions, but that’s not enough to make a career on.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite: Trinity Christian. The Conquerors come to their new district after taking a massive leap in just their second season a year ago. They have the most potentially coming back and are a school that is invested in developing a top-performing program.
Team to watch: Fernandina Beach. There are two teams that could return 10 wrestlers from a year ago and the Pirates are the other one. There is a history of recent success here and this could be the year they jump to the top.
Trinity Christian Conquerors
Coach: Matthew Page (3rd season/6th total)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:3-1A4; 2025:6-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexander McKay, 26-14, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Nicco Musso, Sr., 32-9, SQ, R3, DC; Malachi Proctor, 8th, 17-15, RQ, D2; Jacob Landerth, Jr., 16-19, RQ, D3; Nathaniel Bennett, Sr., 15-10, RQ, D3; Matthew Greer, Jr., 22-19, RQ, D4; El'Mandelah Elbon, So., 13-14, D5; Ryan Plummer, Fr.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
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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Baker County Wildcats
Coach: Richard Crews (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Josh Trippett, Juliana Cubias
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 15-5
Recent district results: 2026:1; 2025:2; 2024:1-1A4; 2023:1-1A4; 2022:3-1A4; 2021:3-1A2; 2020:5-1A2; 2019:8; 2018:4; 2017:5; 2016:4; 2015:3; 2014:6; 2013:5-1A2; 2012:5-1A2
Last state champion: Shawn Kinghorn, 1993 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Taz Kinghorn, 37-11, SQ, R2, DC; Nathan Roll, 27-12, RQ-BR, DC; Sebastian Overland, 24-13, RQ-BR, DC; Anthony Williams, 20-13, RQ, D2; Kristian Chancey, 26-14, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jordan Perez, Sr., 17-8, SQ, R4, D3; Connor Alexander, So., 20-15, RQ, D2; Robby Driggers, Jr., 22-14, RQ, D2; Eli Leggett, Jr., 18-13, RQ, D2; Cooper Richardson, So., 16-15, RQ, D3; Ayden Prehaska, Jr., 12-13, RQ, D4; Kenneth Watson; Robby Driggers; Layndyn Larive; Collin Daniel.
New wrestlers: Kaelyx Hybki (Transfer from Kansas); Torin Brady.
What they’re saying: “We have a good core group of guys who have bought into our system and expectations here.”
Outlook:
Baker County won their third district title in four years last season.
Fernandina Beach Pirates
Coach: Eric Kubatzke (9th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4; 2025:3; 2024:4; 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:6; 2019:4; 2018:8; 2017:8; 2016:8; 2015:5; 2014:3; 2013:5; 2012:8
Last state champion: Enzo Gamba, 2024 (157)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Crew Richter, 40-17, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tristan Holmes, So., 29-17, RQ-BR, DC; Colt Richter, Jr., 38-17, RQ-BR, DC; Jayden Holmes, Jr., 34-11, RQ-BR, D2; Ethan Shiver, Sr., 24-14, RQ, D2; Adam Wilson, So., 14-16, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Lucas Flannery, Sr., 18-8 (Transfer from Yulee)
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Baldwin Indians
Coach: Michael Echevarria
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:5; 2025:9; 2024:6-1A4; 2023:10-1A4; 2021:8-1A4; 2020:7-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Taylor Davenport, 24-5, S3, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Antonio Walker, Jr., 24-13, RQ-BR, DC; Dominic Canchola, Jr., 17-15, RQ, D3; Bartek Machnikowski, Jr., 13-20, RQ, D3; Bentley Howard, 8th, 5-23, RQ, D4; Caleb Ingham, Sr., 14-20, RQ, D4; Liam Pellicer, Jr., 5-15, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
West Nassau Warriors
Coach: Jackson Rowell (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Bobby Evans
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 7-14
Recent district results: 2026:6; 2025:7; 2024:9; 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:6; 2020:4; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:3; 2015:4; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Bryce Mangum, 38-10, SQ, R4, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Teague Tomberlin, So., 21-21, RQ, D2; Kolbie Costello, So., 10-20, RQ, D3; Jake Terry, So., 4-13, RQ, D4; Emmanuel Davis, Sr., 14-11, RQ, D4; Drake Cole, Sr., 21-11, RQ, D4; Chris Messer, Sr., 24-10; Ian Blanton, Sr., 13-10.
What they’re saying: “A little older, and a little wiser. Last year, the majority of our starting lineup were either juniors or freshman. At one point in the season, we had seven freshmen starting. Now, we've got a great group of seniors, and a rapidly improving group of underclassmen.”
Fun stat: In 2024, West Nassau did not win a single dual, last year, the Warriors won seven.
Outlook:
Stanton Prep Blue Devils
Coach: John Dunn
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:3; 2025:4; 2024:5; 2023:6; 2022:7-2A3; 2021:8-2A3; 2020:7-2A3; 2019:6-2A3; 2018:7-2A3; 2017:6-2A3; 2016:7-2A3; 2015:9-2A3; 2014:8-2A3; 2013:2-2A2; 2012:3-2A2
Last state champion: Robert Drummond, 1998 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Leonardo Torres, 33-5, S6, R2, DC; Diego Torres, 38-7, SQ, R3, DC; James Leiby, 31-14, RQ, DC; Saud Alburaih, 28-16, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Adrian Deleston, Sr., 17-6, RQ-BR, DC; Brannon Spurlin, Sr., 16-9, RQ-BR, D4; Josecarlos Martinez, Sr., 21-14, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Paxon Golden Eagles
Coach: Michael Dramis
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:8; 2025:10; 2024:7; 2023:9; 2022:6; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2018:7-2A4; 2017:7-2A4; 2016:7-2A4; 2015:9; 2014:9; 2013:7-2A2; 2012:6-2A2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Breaden McBeath, So., 15-11, RQ-BR, D5; Raymond Lako, So., 4-10, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Raines Vikings
Coach: Aaron Mason
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:9; 2025:8; 2024:11; 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:3; 2019:7; 2018:7; 2017:7; 2016:5; 2015:7; 2014:7; 2013:8; 2012:5
Last state champion: Danny Jackson, 2010 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jamaal Jones, Sr., 18-25, RQ, D4; Robert Francis, Sr., 9-15, RQ, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Andrew Jackson Tigers
Coach: Emarlos Leroy
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:10; 2025:5; 2024:10; 2015:8; 2014:8; 2013:7; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Elijah Sanon, 6-7, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ezekiel Rackley, So., 6-3, RQ, D2.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook: