1A-8 Preview: Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach to battle for district supremacy
BY BRANT PARSONS — Don’t look now, but Brevard County wrestling is getting even better.
“Our county is kind of crazy how good it's gotten,” Cocoa Beach head coach Chris Kelly said.
“It's definitely fun from my end, too,” Kelly said. “Obviously there are rivalries and every coach wants to win, but at the same time, I think it's really good for our program and good for the other programs that there are so many good ones in your backyard. You have to always stay on top of your game and I think that's has been a big part of why we have been able to get to where we have is because everybody else around us is, kind of getting to that same level, too.”
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Last season: Merritt Island won both district titles and scored one of the biggest dual wins of the season when they knocked off then-No. 2 Zephyrhills Christian 31-30 in the region finals. The Mustangs were tied for third in the Class 1A IBT while Cocoa Beach also was in the top ten, finishing sixth.
How did Kabra do?: We picked one and two and predicted that Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach would be teams to watch in the Florida Class 1A discussion too.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite:
Team to watch:
Merritt Island Mustangs
Coach: Graham Smith (16th season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:1; 2024:1-2A13; 2023:1-2A13; 2022:1-2A13; 2021:2; 2020:4; 2019:1-2A13; 2018:2-2A13; 2017:2-2A13; 2016:2-2A13; 2015:2-2A13; 2014:4-2A13; 2013:5-2A13; 2012:7-2A13
Last state champion: Timmy Boda, 2025 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alex Giglietti, 48-4, 2nd, RC, DC; Judge DeYoung, 51-7, 3rd, R2, DC; Kaden Barrial, 35-15, SQ, R2, D2; Courtland Campbell, 34-7, SQ, R3, DC; Dominick Smith, 40-15, SQ, R4, D2; Nathan Greenfield, 48-16, SQ, R4, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Timothy Boda, So., 58-5, SC, R2, D2; Landon Quiroga, Sr., 47-7, 4th, RC, DC; Titus DeYoung, Sr., 51-13, 4th, R4, DC; Tre Driggett, Sr., 52-7, 5th, R3, DC; Nolan West, Sr., 43-12, SQ, R4, D2; David Serrano, Sr., 36-16, RQ-BR, D2; Justus Giglietti, Jr., 35-13, RQ-BR, D3.
New wrestlers: Cameron Gil, Sr., 19-8, RQ, DC (Transfer from Sebastian River); Makana Tieri, Sr., 44-16, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from Viera); Nate Webster, Fr., 44-15, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Space Coast)
What they are saying:
Outlook:
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District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings
Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules
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Cocoa Beach Minutemen
Coach: Chris Kelly (5th season/18th overall)
Assistant coaches: Tony Acquafredda, Lucas Haase, Andrew Pinzone
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 19-5
Recent district results: 2025:2; 2024:2; 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:4; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:5; 2015:7; 2014:3; 2013:4-1A6; 2012:3-1A6
Last state champion: Jesse Robbins, 2003 (125)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Madden Fredenburg, Jr., 45-8, 3rd, R2, D2 (Moved to Georgia)
Notable returning wrestlers: Wyatt Crouser, Sr., 48-11, 2nd, R3, DC; Adrian Day, So., 51-13, 3rd, R3, D2; Anthony Acquafredda, Jr., 37-7, 5th, RC, DC; Kealan Sieni, Sr., 46-11, SQ, R3, DC; Jett Johnson, 8th, 43-9, 7th, R3, DC; Nathan Pond, Jr., 43-12, 8th, RC, DC; Micah Wittenberg, Sr., 27-7, RQ-BR, D2; Duane Malloy, So., 29-14, RQ, D3; Landon Fischer, Jr., 16-16, RQ, D3; Shane Mallory, Fr., 11-9, RQ, D4; Dorian Nicholson, Sr., 16-18, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Aaron Horr, Jr., 34-9, D5 (Transfer from Cocoa); Cole Webb, Jr., 41-7, 8th, R3, D2 (Transfer from Cocoa); Brayden Acquafredda, 7th; Ivan Eder, 7th; Asher Cabral, 7th; Christian Day, 7th; Raider Dais, 8th.
What they are saying: “I think we have a lot of guys that could not only qualify for state, but look to place and place high. We have guys that placed high last year and then with guys that didn't place but beat state finalists and others, that I still think can have a better tournament this year so I'm really excited to see what they can do when we get to that IBT time.”
On this team’s depth: “We'll have 25 guys in the offseason still working to try and get better and try and improve. I think that the big thing too is that, with so many guys that are capable of doing well, it makes the room really competitive. In years past, I know last year we kind of came on pretty good at the end, but all the years before that, we only had a few good guys. So, they don't really have as many partners they can grab and continue to get different looks. Whereas now a kid can, grab five, six, seven different guys that they can roll with that are all talented and good wrestlers.”
On Kealan Sieni: “He's our team leader and captain. I know he had a rough state tournament last year but he beat four or so of the guys that placed in his bracket including the guy that won his bracket at state. He beat him in the district finals, so I know what he's capable of and so I'm really excited for him this year. I think he's really motivated. I think the heartbreak probably helped him. He's ready to go.
Outlook: The expectations and opportunities just continue to grow for the Minutemen as they enter the season as one of the top teams in Class 1A. The key for Cocoa Beach may be finding the right spot for their plethora of tough wrestlers.
Palm Bay Pirates
Coach: Sean Ballard
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:3; 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:2-2A13; 2018:1-2A13; 2017:1-2A13; 2016:1-2A13; 2015:3-2A13; 2014:1-2A13; 2013:1-2A13; 2012:1-2A13
Last state champion: Leonard Christian, 2025 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Leonard Christian, 50-0, SC, RC, DC; Christopher Brunson, 50-8, 6th, R2, DC; Warren Davis, 21-18, RQ, D2; Robert Hunt, 37-17, RQ-BR, D3; Dominick Maldonado, 41-16, RQ-BR, D3; Leonardo Murray, 21-8.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kevion Williams, Jr., 43-14, SQ, R4, D2; Vinn Daryus White, So., 25-15, RQ, D3; Alexander Vicente, Sr., 15-13, RQ, D3; Bobby Shivers, Sr., 7-4, RQ, D3; Anthony Hughes, Sr., 8-11, RQ, D4; Raine Lowry, Sr., RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Space Coast Vipers
Coach: Tony McCormick (20th at school/21st overall)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:3; 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:6; 2020:2; 2019:2; 2018:1; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:7; 2013:5-1A6; 2012:2-1A6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Chris McDonnel, 30-15, RQ, D4; Case Mangini, Fr., 20-12 (Transfer to Titusville); Nate Webster, Fr., 44-15, RQ, D3 (Transfer to Merritt Island)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ashton Swanson, Jr., 49-11, SQ, R4, DC; Angel Jones, Jr., 40-15, SQ, R4, D3; Zakary Cordova, Fr., 28-16, RQ, D2; Jerrell Dossous, Jr., 35-17, RQ, D2; Dominic Berger, Jr., 31-22, RQ, D3; Joseph Mitchner, 8th, RQ, D4; Drayton Gamradt, Sr., 34-13, RQ, D4; Jaden Pyatt, Sr., 20-27, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Cocoa Tigers
Coach:
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:7; 2024:6; 2023:4; 2022:5; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:6; 2014:6; 2013:6-1A6; 2012:5-1A6
Last state champion: Jonathan Cornman, 2003 (112)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexis Escobar, 25-7, RQ, D2; Chavez Thompson, 17-4, D6; ; Bryce Culp, Jr., 15-10 (Moved to Oklahoma); Aaron Horr, Jr., 34-9, D5 (Transfer to Cocoa Beach); Cole Webb, Jr., 41-7, 8th, R3, D2 (Transfer to Cocoa Beach)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ivan Townsend, Fr., 21-11, RQ, D4; Julian Bates, Fr., 17-10.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Astronaut War Eagles
Coach: Muhammed DeReese
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:5; 2024:5; 2023:6; 2022:8; 2021:9; 2020:8; 2019:7; 2018:4; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:2; 2013:1-1A6; 2012:1-1A6
Last state champion: Joe Hennis, 2001 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christian Guerroro, 15-25, D6; Levi Anderson, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Elijah Cardwell, Sr., 27-13, RQ, D3; Logan Futch, Jr., 21-17, RQ, D4; Anthony Gisondi, Jr., 17-20, RQ, D4; Macih Simmons, Jr., 16-7, RQ, D4; Anthony Rice, Sr.; Drake Small, Sr., 12-15.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Titusville Terriers
Coach: Victor “Yadi” Rosario (2nd season)
Assistant coach: Victor “Manny” Rosado
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:6; 2024:4; 2023:5; 2022:7; 2021:7; 2020:9; 2019:6; 2018:7; 2017:7; 2016:6; 2015:4; 2014:5; 2013:3-1A6; 2012:6-1A6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Carson Bryant, Jr., 27-14, RQ, D3; Cooper Mangini, Sr.; Eric Williams, Sr., 20-15, D5.
New wrestlers: Case Mangini, Fr., 20-12 (Transfer from Space Coast)
What they are saying: “We have some strong key athletes, and are growing some fresh faces into top prospects.”
Outlook:
Port Orange Atlantic Sharks
Coach: Jeremy Blackwell
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:8; 2023:7; 2022:8-1A6; 2021:3-1A6; 2020:1-1A6; 2019:4-1A7; 2018:4-1A7; 2017:3-1A7; 2016:3-1A7; 2015:2-1A7; 2014:3-1A7; 2013:4-1A5; 2012:5-1A5
Last state champion: Charles Simmons, 2005 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Peyton Miller, Jr., RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Merritt Island Christian
Coach: Erik Shea
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook: The Cougars wrestled a JV schedule in the first season of the program last season.