1A-5 Preview: Competitive district awaits Crystal River’s repeat attempt
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Crystal River won a tightly-contested district, edging Pedro Menendez by just seven points for the title. This district saw seven different schools have individual district champions.
How did Kabra do?: We went with Crystal River in what we promised would be a close district race, and we were correct.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Isaac Reynolds (Citrus), Austin Cole (Crystal River), Scott Knight (Crystal River), Jackson Bennett (Citrus).
The favorite: Crystal River. The team bring back most of its wrestlers from a year ago.
Team to watch: Pedro Menendez. There’s a new coach in the corner, but a lot of familiar faces back.
District duals: Thursday, January 8 at Interlachen
District IBT: Saturday, February 21 at Citrus, 10:30 a.m.
Crystal River Pirates (NR IBT, #17 Duals)
Coach: Guy Touchton
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:1; 2024:3; 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:5-1A7; 2020:8-1A7; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:2-1A8; 2012:3-1A8
Last state champion: Tim Gray, 2024 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Benjamin Williams, 27-14, SQ, R4, D2; Carter Hogan, 20-18, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Austin Cole, Jr., 40-15, 6th, R2, DC; Scott Knight, Sr., 39-12, SQ, R2, DC; James Copeland, Jr., 33-16, RQ-BR, D3; Luke Snyder, Sr., 42-10, RQ, D2; Lane Stringer, Sr., 13-30, RQ, D2; Zaid Moore, Jr., 6-5, RQ, D2; Konnor Tech, So., 14-28, RQ, D3; Mark Miranda, So., 20-24, RQ, D3; Owen Reed, So., 23-26, RQ, D3; Maddex Meade, Jr., 18-29, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The defending district champions graduated just two wrestlers from their starting lineup last season.
The Florida High School Wrestling 2025-2026 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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Pedro Menendez Falcons (NR, #18)
Coach: Richard Valkanet
Recent district results: 2025:2; 2024:2-2A4; 2023:4-2A4; 2022:6-2A4; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:3-1A4; 2018:2-1A4; 2017:5-1A4; 2016:3-1A4; 2015:3-1A4; 2014:6-1A4; 2013:5-1A4; 2012:6-1A4
Last state champion: Morgan Dufresne, 2004 (135)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joseph Soto, 21-10, RQ, D3; Phillip McLaughlin, 23-13, RQ, D4; Liam Molloy, 26-11, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Desmond Valdes, Sr., 28-13, RQ-BR, DC; Mark Denmon, Sr., 24-11, RQ-BR, D2; Nikolas Thorn, Sr., 26-11, RQ, DC; Maddoxx Lehman, Sr., 34-9, RQ, DC; Austin Henderson, Jr., 17-15, RQ, D2; Matthew Thorn, Sr., 31-13, RQ, D2; Evan Chatterton, Jr., 22-16, RQ, D3; Ransom Rhodes, Sr., 28-11, RQ, D3.
Outlook: There’s a new coach in town with a lot of wrestlers back from last season’s team that finished second in its first year back in Class 1A since 2017.
FSDB Dragons
Coach: Dayton Newman (5th season)
Recent district results: 2025:3; 2024:4-1A4; 2023:7-1A4; 2022:10-1A4; 2020:5; 2019:7-1A4; 2018:7-1A4; 2017:8-1A4; 2016:8-1A4; 2015:4-1A4; 2014:5-1A4; 2013:9-1A4; 2012:7-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joshua Newman, 29-8, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Daniel Healy, Sr., 28-10, RQ, DC; Dino Jeudy, So., 20-6, RQ, D2; Robert McCullough, Sr., 29-9, RQ, D2; Khayree Lofton, Sr., 16-7, RQ, D3; Tyler Wittman, Jr., 11-5, RQ, D4; Ivan McAlpin, Jr., 27-9, RQ, D4; Antonio Riggins, Sr., 17-9, RQ, D4; Anthony Rush, Jr.
Outlook: With 11 of 13 starters back, the Dragons should be in the mix again.
Citrus Hurricanes
Coach: Unknown at the time of publication
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:2-2A5; 2023:5-2A5; 2022:2-2A5; 2021:1-1A7; 2020:4-1A7; 2019:5-2A5; 2018:2-2A5; 2017:3-2A5; 2016:3-2A5; 2015:3-2A5; 2014:2-2A5; 2013:4-2A7; 2012:2-2A7
Last state champion: Taylor Jackson, 2012 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Isaac Reynolds, Jr., 46-11, RQ-BR, DC; Jackson Bennett, Sr., 48-15, RQ-BR, DC; Logan Pericht, Jr., 19-8, RQ, DC; Carter Reinfrank, Sr., 20-22, RQ, D2; Jimmikal Jackson, Jr., 32-21, RQ, D3; Wyatt Sumlin, Jr., 29-20, RQ, D4.
Palatka Panthers
Coach: Kraig McLane
Assistant coach: Joshua White
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:5; 2024:5-1A4; 2023:5-1A4; 2022:2-1A4; 2021:1; 2020:2; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:3; 2014:7; 2013:7-2A4; 2012:7-2A4
Last state champion: Farshaun Pinkston, 2001 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Logan Cumbo, 14-12, RQ, D3; Curtis Clark, 15-19, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Blake Young, Sr., 13-12, RQ, DC; Dallas Brown, So., 7-12, RQ, D2; Dalvin Dallas, Jr., 20-13, RQ, D3; Eli Campbell, Jr., 15-14, RQ, D4; Curtis Wright, Sr., 18-14, D5; Dreyton Reid, Jr., 15-13, D5.
Outlook: The Panthers bring back a solid core of wrestlers.
Lake Weir Hurricanes
Coach: Matthew Brobst (4thseason)
Assistant coach: Chad Grooms
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:6; 2024:6-1A6; 2023:6-1A6; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:6; 2019:7-2A5; 2018:7-2A5; 2017:7-2A5; 2016:6-2A5; 2015:4-2A5; 2014:5-2A5; 2013:5-2A4; 2012:3-2A4
Last state champion: Nate McCullough, 2001 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joel Smith, 41-8, SQ, R3, D2; Mason Pieron, 27-13, RQ, D3; Blake Napper, 20-20, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Louden Grooms, Sr., 40-8, SQ, R3, DC; Gregory Niehaus, Jr., 11-19, RQ, D4; Benjamin Morales, Sr., 25-16, RQ, D4; Trevor Inbody; Chris Brobst.
What they are saying: “We are determined, hardworking, hungry, and excited. A team built around family that helps each other to achieve their own goals and never gives up.”
Outlook: Louden Grooms is back for his senior season after reaching the state tournament a year ago. He’ll shoot for the podium in Kissimmee this year.
Dunnellon Tigers
Coach: Chance Luckey (3rd season)
Assistant coach: William Richardson
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:7; 2024:5; 2023:5; 2022:8; 2017:6; 2016:4; 2015:9; 2014:4; 2013:6-1A8; 2012:5-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lucas Mattassini, 27-9, RQ, D2; William Richardson, 39-6, RQ-BR, DC; Samuel Whitten, Sr., 33-11, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Mason Lane, Sr., 19-15, RQ, D3; Michael Lewis; Tucker Gomes.
What they are saying: “Hopefully we have the younger kids continue to develop throughout the year and hopefully surprise some people during the post-season.”
Outlook: The Tigers are young across the board with just three returners back from a year ago - and those wrestlers being second-year wrestlers. But this group is not afraid of hard work and have a positive attitude.
Interlachen Rams
Coach: Christopher Wimmer (2nd season)
Assistant coach: Regi Allen
24-25 dual record: 12-6
Recent district results: 2025:9; 2023:6; 2019:6-1A5; 2018:4-1A5; 2017:7-1A5; 2016:5-1A5; 2015:8-1A5; 2014:8-1A5; 2013:6; 2012:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gary Keene.
Notable returning wrestlers: Keegan Brown, Fr., 6-16, RQ, D4; Allen Charron, 8th; Jaden Perry, Fr.; Neil Staszczuk, Fr.; Camden Jackson, Sr.; Ayden Green, Fr.
What they are saying: “They are young and hungry after setting a bar of 12-6 with our school record being 13 wins. We’re looking for a 20-win season for the first time in school history. We also want to improve on the amount of regional qualifiers we have.”
On the ‘War on 100’: The newspaper here started a new thing called the ‘War on 100’ and they got us a big four-foot trophy. So starting this year we're going to start the season every year hosting Palatka and Keystone Heights since they're our rivals and the winner is going to take the trophy home for the year.”
On Keegan Brown: “He's our only regional qualifier from last year. He's the most naturally talented kid that I've got on the team when it comes to wrestling. He picked it up immediately. He's also one of the hardest workers out there. Last year, when I took them out on their first day, we ran stadiums and I ran them for 25 straight minutes this kid did not stop sprinting for 25 minutes while he was lapping everybody. I knew from day one he was going to be special.”
Fun fact: According to Coach Wimmer, last year’s 42-40 dual meet win over Palatka was the first in school history against their rivals.
Outlook: Last year’s team was filled with first-year wrestlers as the Rams competed in only their second postseason since 2019. Most of that group is back and they’ve been training year-round with the new club Swamp Reapers WC. Look for improvement on the mat and in the scoresheets this season.
Keystone Heights Indians
Coach: Jon Rechtorovic
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:8; 2024:5-1A4; 2023:8-1A4; 2022:6-1A4; 2021:4; 2020:4; 2019:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Atreyu Contes, So., 19-7, RQ-BR, D2; Mikey McCall, Fr., 13-12, RQ, D4; Jared Goetzman, Sr., 18-12, D5.
1A-5 Season Schedules
Florida Deaf and Blind
Dec. 5: Friday Knight Lights at Oakleaf
Dec. 11: vs. Interlachen, Palatka, 5:30
Dec. 13: Yulee Duals at Yulee
Dec. 16: vs. Keystone Heights, Mainland, 5:30
Jan. 7: Vikings Pentagon I at Raines
Jan. 20: vs. Pedro Menendez, St. Augustine, 5:30
Jan. 23: Marty Willigan Tournament at Indianapolis, IN
Jan. 28: vs. Episcopal, Union County, 5:30
Feb. 3: at St. Augustine
Feb. 5: vs. Mandarin, Wolfson, 5:30
Interlachen
Dec. 2: vs. Palatka, Keystone Heights, West Nassau, 5:30 (War on 100 Belt)
Dec. 6: TD Talbott at The Villages
Dec. 11: at FSDB (w/Palatka)
Dec. 20-21: Clash at the Creek Duals at Coachulla Creek (GA)
Jan. 10: Dual at the Dunes at Fernandina Beach
Jan. 23: vs. Atlantic Coast, Gainesville, West Nassau, 6:30
Feb. 6: vs. Baldwin, Bradford, The First Academy, 5:30
Feb. 14: Rams of War
Menendez
Boys
Dec. 5-6: Arlington Optimist at Sandalwood
Dec. 13: Ancient City Duals at St. Augustine
Dec. 20: Hammer Invitational at Oakleaf
Jan. 2-3: Clay Rotary at Clay
Jan. 17: Wolfpack Challenge at Wolfson
Jan. 24: St. Johns County Championship at Nease
Jan. 30-31: Flagler Rotary at Flagler Palm Coast
Feb. 4: vs. Matanzas, 6:30 (Senior Night)
Girls
Nov. 25: Flagler Rotary Girls at Flagler Palm Coast
Dec. 5: Creekside Callout at Creekside
Dec. 12: Lady Jacket Invitational at St. Augustine
Jan. 2-3: Clay Rotary at Clay
Jan. 23: St. Johns County Championship at Nease