1A-4 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: Episcopal. Seven seniors lead a team that is ready to make huge noise this season.

Team to watch: Bishop Kenny. One of two district runner-ups from a year ago now in this district.

District duals:

District IBT:

Episcopal of Jacksonville Eagles

Coach: Darren Glenn (3rd season)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:3-1A3; 2023:2-1A3; 2022:4-1A3; 2021:3-1A3; 2020:5-1A3; 2019:4; 2018:5; 2017:7; 2016:4; 2015:6; 2014:8; 2013:6-1A3; 2012:4-1A3

Last state champion: Billy Kartsonis, 2009 (189)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ben Blatt, 32-23, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: Christian McGarity, Sr., 51-11, 8th, R2, DC; Turner Glenn, Sr., 43-13, SQ, R2, DC; Maddox Davidson, Sr., 37-13, SQ, R3, DC; Lawson Perry, Sr., 32-8; Mikah Ikeda, So., 44-15, RQ-BR, DC; Worth Athey, So., 12-11, RQ, D4; Shay Eberle, Jr., 15-28, RQ, D4; Mark Rinaman, Sr., 16-11; Levi Ritter, Fr., 18-25; Logan Henson, Jr., 6-8; Will Adams, Fr., 6-8; Thomas Coppedge, Fr., 13-19; Jude Thomas, Sr., 10-20; Mattia Ponzoni, Jr., 6-10; Milo Phillips, So., 5-7; Jake Davis, Sr., 6-14.

New wrestlers: Liam Gonzalez; Mac Athey; Erza Thomas; Jack Margolin

What they are saying: “We will be a small school with so many returning wrestlers coming back this year with a lot of experience under their belt. I’m excited for what the season has to come.”

On Christian McGarity: “I think the big step for Christian is to be top four. He’s placed eight twice. I really want to see the progression of his offense. He’s a great defensive wrestler and is very hard to score on but he’s going to move up the ladder he’s going to have to be better on offense and that’s what we’ve worked on.”

On team goals: “For our program, winning districts on both sides, getting to the dual state tournament again and qualifying six, maybe seven to the state tournament would be a great season for us.”

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

Bishop Kenny Crusaders

Coach: Paul Schloth (16th at school/18th overall)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:2-1A3; 2023:4-1A3; 2022:2-1A3; 2021:4-1A3; 2020:2-1A3; 2019:2; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:2-1A3; 2012:3-1A3

Last state champion: Josiah McCallum, 2018 (285)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christopher Hampton, 41-13, SQ, R4, D2; John Slade, 26-8, RQ-BR, D2; Jacob Harless, 18-5; Gabe Loomis, 18-8, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: Ethan Warchol, Sr., 48-17, SQ, R4, D2; Dylan Lunsford, Jr., 40-10, RQ-BR, DC; Jordan Hampton, Sr., 22-19, RQ, D3; Zach Sellers, Sr., 38-16, RQ, D4; Soren Bakkar, So., 19-20, RQ, D2; Liam Bradley, Sr., 20-16, RQ, D4; Oliver Wilkins, Sr.; George Bahri; Mario Tegue, Jr.

What they are saying: “This year’s team is a growing team in experience. We are still a young team but from top to bottom, we will have a kid that has at least one year experience. This should make us a little more competitive in dual meets and the dual series. In strong IBT events we may struggle a bit but we will have a couple stars who will compete even in those events.”

Outlook: The Crusaders will move into the brand-new, state-of-the-art wrestling room in mid-January in the school’s new $10 million athletic complex. They’ll do it with a team that should continue to develop as it gets more matches.

Union County Tigers

Coach: Edwin Johnson

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:2

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexander Cortese, 38-5, RQ, DC; Rodney Barnett, 22-8, SQ, R2, DC; Dylan Lane, 26-13, RQ-BR, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Elijah Roberts, Sr., 10-8, RQ, D2; Jameson Lang, Sr., 18-14, RQ, D2; Gavin Sparkman, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D2; Maddox Wheeler, Sr., 18-13, RQ, D3; Ashton Newsom, Sr., 11-12.

Wolfson Wolfpack

Coach: Dwight Spence (3rd at school/3rd overall)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:6-1A3; 2023:5-1A3; 2022:9; 2021:5; 2020:4; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:4; 2016:7; 2015:5; 2014:10; 2013:9-2A2; 2012:7-2A2

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Bryce Frye, 17-11, RQ, D4; Keith Forbes, 30-5, SQ, R2, D2;

Notable returning wrestlers: Tristan Martinez, Sr., 23-4, RQ, D3; Taylor Martinez, Jr., 25-5, RQ, D2; Kai Molla, Jr., 6-21, RQ, D4; Kyler Hicks, Jr., 9-4; Cooper Mans, Jr.; Cleveland Ferguson, So., 9-3.

What they are saying: “The team has steadily improved in the district and regional levels over the past four years. Wolfson is seeking to again get a state quailifier, after only have one in the past six seasons.”

On first year as head coach: “ I have a whole newfound respect for all my friends that have that have been coaching 5, 10, 15, 20-plus years. It is tough. It's tough physically on a coach, and it's also a lot of planning, a lot of admin work. When I wrestled, we didn't have to worry about hotels and this and that. And when you're the head coach, you see how that stuff gets done. And yeah, it was a lot of learning experiences, a lot of dealing with it.”

On goals: “Our expectations are not big. I don't put a lot of expectations on but the idea is to just watch them grow and progress towards the end of the year. Last year, we got one one kid to state. I tell them, I'll book six hotel rooms for regionals and four hotel rooms for states. And your guys’ job is to fill them up.”

Providence Stallions

Coach: Jordan Chambers (4th at school/9th overall)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2015:9; 2014:9; 2013:8; 2012:5

Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Garvey, 9-6, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: Camden Garcia, Jr., 19-10, RQ, D2; Albie Macdonald, Jr., 8-19, RQ, D4; Cutter Hughers, Jr., 4-22, RQ, D4; Easton Tapley, 8th, 16-9.

Outlook: The third-year program is young but looking to gain experience.

Bishop John Snyder Cardinals

Coach: Nathaniel Cleland

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:9; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:5; 2019:5-1A3; 2018:6-1A3; 2017:6-1A3; 2016:7-1A3; 2015:6-1A3; 2014:1-1A3; 2013:2; 2012:4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Amari Akel, Sr., 16-6, RQ, DC; Ethan Preston, Sr., 12-8, RQ, D3; Nicholas Pereira, Sr., 3-10, RQ, D4.

Bolles Bulldogs

Coach: David Trigg

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:8-1A3; 2023:10-1A3; 2022:8; 2021:4; 2020:2; 2019:1; 2018:3; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:3; 2012:2

Last state champion: Max Tejada, 2012 (HWT)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brooks Baker, 31-12, SQ, R4, D2; Akshay Ketty, 36-12, RQ, D3; Thomas Holt, 32-13, RQ-BR, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Grant Silverfield, Fr., 34-11, RQ, D3.

St. Johns Country Day

Coach: Hunter Hill

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kevin McLean, Fr., 38-5, 3rd, R2, DC (Transfer to Flagler Palm Coast)

Notable returning wrestlers: Howard Hill, 8th, 44-14, 6th, R3, DC.

Outlook: The program is in its third year and looking to keep building.

Bradford Tornadoes

Coach: Charles Gerber (2nd at school/13th overall)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2022:9; 2021:9; 2020:8; 2019:6; 2018:4; 2017:3; 2016:6; 2015:10; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:3

Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: None

What they’re saying: “First year the county has had a team in multiple years”

Outlook: The will be the first Tornadoes wrestling team since the 2021-22 season. Bradford struggled in the last three iterations, but was a solid program not that long ago, with Josh Fox winning a state title in 2012.

University Christian Fightin’ Christians

Coach:

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Recent district results: 2024:12-1A3; 2023:11-1A3; 2022:8-1A3; 2021:5; 2020:6; 2017:6; 2016:5; 2015:8; 2014:3; 2013:1-1A3; 2012:1-1A3

Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Trinity Christian Conquerors

Coach: Matthew Page (2nd season)

Assistant coach:

Click here for 25-26 schedule

24-25 dual record:

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: None

What they’re saying: “We've had 10 students participate in the summer and many more showing interest. We are coming in hot.”

Outlook: Trinity Christian is a brand-new program. Coach Page was an instructor of hand-to-hand combat to thousands of soldiers, airmen, and Marines during his time in the Army. The program will start the season with up to 28 wrestlers in the room.