1A-5 Preview: Exciting season could end with wide-open district race

BY BRANT PARSONS

"We need to keep that momentum from last year and our young guys need to step up. The young guys know they started to win big matches last year. They know what it's going to take. They know that we have one team ahead of us that's standing in our way in Pedro. We all know who the team is in our district that we've got to beat. They're focused. They know what we're doing."

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

Last season: Crystal River rolled to a district title with nine individual champions.

How did Kabra do?: We nailed the top spots in both district competitions with Citrus jumping a spot to prove us wrong at third.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch:

The favorite: Interlachen. With 10 wrestlers possibly returning, the Rams look ready to make a huge jump in Coach Wimmer’s third season.

Team to watch: Pedro Menendez. The runners-up from a year ago graduated more than half of their line-up and may need a few months to get rolling. New coach John Wainwright knows how to do that and the Falcons should still be in the running.

District duals:

District IBT:

Interlachen Rams

Coach: Christopher Wimmer (3rd season)

Click here for 26-27 schedule

25-26 dual record: 20-12

Recent district results: 2026:5; 2025:9; 2023:6-1A4; 2019:6; 2018:4; 2017:7; 2016:5; 2015:8; 2014:8; 2013:6-1A4; 2012:8-1A4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Nicholas Loranger, 32-11, RQ, D4; Camden Jackson.

Notable returning wrestlers: Benjamin Gwara, Jr., 12-9, RQ, D2; Isaac Lebaron, So., 19-16, RQ, D4; Logan Juraszek, Jr., 20-13, RQ, D4; Ayden Green, So., 21-18, RQ, D4; Jason Rodenweldt, So.; Jaden Perry, So., David Lebaron, Sr.

New wrestlers: Jaiden Esau, So., 12-12, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Palatka); Traevion Saint-Pierre, So., 3-19, RQ, D5 (Transfer from Palatka); Bentley Graham, So., (Transfer from Palatka)

What they’re saying: “Our biggest strengths are our work ethic, culture, and depth. We’ve built a team that genuinely enjoys competing together and embraces tough competition. We wrestle an aggressive style, stay in great condition, and have improved our depth across nearly every weight class. Our offseason has been outstanding with high attendance, nationally-recognized clinicians, and our wrestlers competing year-round through Swamp Reapers Wrestling Club and AAU events.”

On this year: "These guys are so ready for this season. They're ready to prove. We've lost a couple guys, but we've gained some kids and our kids are hungry. Our district realignment, everybody's loving that. We're excited. We've had a good off season. We have got a lot of kids out to football right now so a few of them have been in and out, but other than that, we've had a couple of them going year round."

On continued growth: "In the community, the support has stepped up so much from the first year to the second year with sponsorships alone. I was able to get a second mat in the second season. The plan is to get a third mat by the end of this third season. I want to have four mats because I want to host a tournament before Christmas, IBT, and I want to keep hosting our tournament at the end of the year."

Fun fact: The team has won 11 of its last 12 rivalry matches over the past two seasons, including four straight victories over Palatka after the program’s first win over them in 57 years.

Outlook: The Rams are building something special and should see a big jump this season as they look to win a district title.

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

For Kabra+ members (Join here)

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

Pedro Menendez Falcons

Coach: John Wainwright

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: 2026:2; 2025:2; 2024:4-2A4; 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): Desmond Valdes, 22-8, SQ, R3, DC; Matthew Thorn, 24-13, SQ, R3, D2; Nikolas Thorn, 26-12, RQ-BR, D2; Mark Denman, 12-10, RQ, D3; Maddoxx Lehman, 22-9, RQ, D3; Talan Yarbough, 5-12, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Mason Valdes, So., 14-14, RQ, DC; Austin Denman, Jr., 16-9, RQ, D2; Austin Henderson, Sr., 23-11, RQ, D2; Evan Chatterton, Sr., 25-9, RQ, D2.

New wrestlers: 

What they’re saying: 

Outlook: 

FSDB Dragons

Coach: Dayton Newman (6th season)

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: 2026:4; 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): Khayree Lofton, 21-10, RQ-BR, D4; Muntaser Wadi, 17-11, RQ, D3; Robert McCullough, 26-9, RQ, D4; Antonio Riggins, 13-7, D5.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Dino Jeudy, Jr., 18-6, RQ, D2; Isaiah Jeudy, 8th, 6-6, RQ, D3; Gabe Mitchell, Sr., 24-11, RQ, D3; Ivan McAlpin, Sr., 24-8, RQ, D3; Michael Gross, Sr., 7-10, RQ, D4.

New wrestlers: 

What they’re saying: 

Outlook: 

Palatka Panthers

Coach: Kraig McLane

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: 2026:6; 2025:5; 2024:3-1A4; 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): Curtis Wright, 30-8, RQ, D3; Blake Young, 11-13, RQ, D3; Jaiden Esau, So., 12-12, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Interlachen); Traevion Saint-Pierre, So., 3-19, RQ, D5 (Transfer to Interlachen).

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Dalvin Dallas, Sr., 22-8, RQ, D2; Dreyton Reid, Sr., 20-10, RQ, D4; Noah Harvey, Jr., 7-12, RQ, D4; Dallas Brown, Jr., 15-10; Eli Campbell, Sr., 14-5.

New wrestlers:

What they’re saying:

Outlook:

Bradford Tornadoes

Coach: Charles Gerber (3rd at school/18th overall)

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: 2026:7-1A4; 2025:8-1A4; 2022:9-1A4; 2021:9-1A4; 2020:8-1A4; 2019:6-1A4; 2018:4-1A4; 2017:3-1A4; 2016:6-1A4; 2015:10-1A4; 2014:4-1A4; 2013:4-1A4; 2012:3-1A4

Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Benjamin Bryzinski, 18-10, RQ, D3; Wyatt Acevedo, 14-10, D5.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Julius Givings, So., 13-8, RQ, D2; Tremeze White, Jr., 17-9, RQ, D3; Jonathan Armstrong, Jr., 10-14.

New wrestlers: 

What they’re saying: 

Outlook: 

Keystone Heights Indians

Coach: Jon Rechtorovic

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: 2026:8; 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, Jr., 25-7, RQ, D2; Arthur Durning, Sr., 15-12, RQ, D2; Mikey McCall, So., 17-11, RQ, D4.

New wrestlers: 

What they’re saying: 

Outlook: 

Union County Tigers

Coach: Edwin Johnson

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: 2026:9-1A4; 2025:5-1A4; 2024:2-1A4; 2023:2-1A4; 2022:4-1A4; 2021:2-1A4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Hancock, 38-9, SQ, R3, D2; Clifton Ivey, 22-9, RQ, DC; Wyatt Elixson, 24-11, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Carsen Thomas, Sr., 24-8, RQ, D4; Edward Durant, Sr., 20-8, RQ, D4.

New wrestlers: 

What they’re saying: 

Outlook: 

Santa Fe Raiders

Coach: Unknown

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: None

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Bell Bulldogs

Coach: Fran Keeley

Click here for 26-27 schedule

Recent district results: None

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

New wrestlers: 

What they’re saying: 

Outlook: 

1A-5 Season Schedules

Bell

Bradford

Florida Deaf and Blind

Interlachen

Dec. 2: vs. Ed White, FSDB, Keystone Heights

Dec. 4-5: Colloseum Classic IBT at St. Johns Country Day

Dec. 11-12: Bobcat Round Robin at Alachua County Sports & Event Center

Dec. 19: Hammer Invitational at Oakleaf

Jan. 5: vs. Lake Weir

Jan. 9: Dual at the Dunes at Fernandina Beach

Jan. 12: at Union County (w/ FSDB)

TBD: Senior Night

Feb. 5: at Palatka (w/ Keystone Heights) - War on 100

Feb. 13: Rams of War Duals

Keystone Heights

Menendez

Palatka

Santa Fe

Union County