1A-9 Preview: Returning champion hopes to continue winning with new coach
BY BRANT PARSONS — Chandler Pope is no stranger to Anclote wrestlers.
The former Dunedin wrestler has been in the room the past two years working with the team under the watch of now retired Hall-of-Fame coach Russ Schenk.
“He laid all the groundwork to put Anclote on the map in the area,” Pope said of Schenk. “I think that's great and I'm excited to kind of take it from there and see how it goes. I learned a lot from him. So it'll be fun this year.”
After wrestling at Dunedin, Pope wrestled at Mount Union College in Ohio and then after settling in and getting established as a firefighter paramedic after school, he got the itch to start getting involved in the sport again.
He helped out for two seasons at Dunedin and then moved to Palm Harbor where a chance meeting at a gym led him to being introduced to Schenk, who welcomed him in to help with the program.
“He offered me the assistant job and I said, ‘If you'll work with my schedule, then I'd be happy to,’” Pope said. “He was gracious enough to bring me in and kind of gave me a lot of leeway as an assistant coach and I did a lot of wrestling with the kids and getting in there and working with them.”
His knowledge of the group should help as the Sharks return state-placer Elijah Willis and five seniors who reached the region tournament a year ago in Thomas Kupsch, Adin DeAndrade, Joel Vences, Thomas Mendez, and Tyler Kupsch.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Anclote made school history last season, winning the double in district competition and reaching the region duals final for the first time.
How did Kabra do?: We picked the champions correctly but we were one spot off in picking the runner-up spot won by Dunedin.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite: Anclote. There’s a new coach in town but lots of senior leadership in the room.
Team to watch: Dunedin. Another team with a new coach and maybe a touch more of experience in the room with up to eight region qualifiers possibly returning.
Anclote Sharks
Coach: Chandler Pope (1st season)
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 24-4
Recent district results: 2025:1; 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:4; 2020:8; 2019:7-1A6; 2018:6-1A6; 2017:6-1A6; 2016:6-1A6; 2015:5-1A6; 2014:4-1A6; 2013:4-1A8; 2012:4-1A8
Anclote won it’s second district title in three seasons and reached the state duals last year.
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Julian Bell, 34-9, 7th, R3, DC; Jose Cruz, 22-10, RQ, D3; Carlos Zurita, 29-15, RQ, D3; Izaiah Charland, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Elijah Willis, Sr., 29-11, SQ, R4, DC; Thomas Kupsch, Sr., 29-13, RQ-BR, D2; Adin DeAndrade, Sr., 25-13, RQ, DC; Joel Vences, Sr., 16-15, RQ, DC; Thomas Mendez, Sr., 17-16, RQ, D2; Tyler Kupsch, Sr., 20-12, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: “I think it's going to be a very successful year and I think people are going to have a rude awakening if they think they're just going to come and walk all over Anclote kids.
On taking over the program: “I'm excited, but there are big shoes to fill. So, there's definitely some pressure there but I was the assistant the last two years and I think I have an advantage in the fact that I already have a good relationship with the kids and the parents and the coaches around the area have a decent idea of who I am. So, it's not like I'm having to reestablish myself as a brand new coach in the area.”
On Elijah Willis: “Building off of last year, I mean, he had a little bit of a rough start to the year and then something just clicked for him where he just found a bit of his niche and he went with it and it worked for him and started to believe in himself. I'm very excited for him this year because he's been traveling all over, going to big tournaments, and getting very good exposure. He went to the young guns camp in Pennsylvania, so he was up in Pennsylvania for a month with some of the best people in the country. And I think the most important thing is he's confident now and he's starting to believe in himself. Once you start to believe in yourself, a whole different world opens up.”
Outlook: Chandler Pope takes over the program from retired Hall-of-Fame coach Russ Schenck. He will look to build on a growing tradition at Anclote as the Sharks have won the district title two of the past three seasons and reached the region duals final last year.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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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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Dunedin Falcons
Coach: Kyle Goodnow
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:2; 2024:3; 2023:3; 2022:5; 2021:3; 2020:6; 2019:3-2A9; 2018:1-2A9; 2017:2-2A9; 2016:3-2A9; 2015:1-1A11; 2014:1-1A11; 2013:2-2A8; 2012:1-2A8
Last state champion: Clarence Arrington, 2013 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Seth Colton, 50-9, RQ, D2; Andrew Gearhart, 29-11, RQ, D2; Darren Cerda, 25-20, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Giovanni Perez, Jr., 49-16, SQ, R2, DC; Michael Rodriguez, Jr., 17-8, SQ, R4, DC; Garry Woessner, Sr., 38-10, RQ-BR, D2; Jeffery Croft, Jr., 24-13, RQ, D2; Donavan Abeyta, Sr., 47-12, RQ, D2; Yves Jean-Baptiste, So., 5-8, RQ, D3; Kalani Griffin, Jr., 14-19, RQ, D4; Wade Robertson, So., 14-10, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Hudson Cobras
Coach:
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:3; 2024:1; 2023:2; 2022:1; 2021:2-1A6; 2020:6-1A6; 2019:5-1A6; 2018:5-1A6; 2017:5-1A6; 2016:5-1A6; 2015:7-1A6; 2014:9-1A6; 2013:9-1A8; 2012:9-1A8
Last state champions: Robb Phillipus, 2000 (215), Pat Reili, 2000 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jordan Anderson, 37-8, 6th, R4, DC; Riley Gonzalez, 24-12, SQ, R3, D2; Chase O'Brien, 13-4, RQ, D3; Christian Shirley, 11-24, RQ, D4; Jacob Cornelius, 23-8, RQ, DC; Gabriel Carpio, 23-8, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Domenic Carpio, Jr., 22-6, RQ, DC; Jason Peterson, So., 19-15, RQ, D2.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Tarpon Springs Spongers
Coach: John Zsido
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:5; 2024:5; 2023:4; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:3; 2019:10-1A11; 2018:9-1A11; 2017:12-1A11; 2016:11-1A11; 2015:10-2A9; 2014:9-2A9; 2013:6-2A8; 2012:6-2A8
Last state champion: Steven Leight, 1983 (185)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Nicholas Pawlak, 50-8, 7th, RC, D2; Gabriel Dejesus, 38-14, SQ, R3, D2; Marios Efthymiou, 28-19, RQ, D3; Jacob Dodgin, 30-9, RQ, D3; Kodiak Archibeque, 8-29, RQ, D4; Daniel Suarez, 24-10, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Victor Santos, Sr., 12-16, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Admiral Farragut Blue Jackets
Coach: Tony LoRusso (6th season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:8; 2023:7; 2022:10; 2021:1-1A10; 2020:2-1A10; 2019:2-1A11; 2018:2-1A11; 2017:4-1A11; 2016:3-1A11; 2015:6-1A11; 2014:7-1A11; 2013:2-1A10; 2012:4-1A10
Last state champion: Caleb Lemmons, 2019 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Davyd Kolesnykov, 39-13, SQ, R3, DC; David Mrzena, 12-12, RQ, D3; Elijah Brooks, 30-20, RQ, D3; Alexander Walter, 9-16, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Thiago Vianna, Jr., 43-12, 6th, R3, DC; Anh Ho, So., 17-26, RQ, D2; Lucas Campbell, So., 12-13, RQ, D3; Borys Frenkel, Sr., 21-15, RQ, D3; Zachary Rodgers, Fr., 18-34, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Northside Christian Mustangs
Coach: Jeremy Salyers (3rd season)
Assistant coach: Cassie Salyers
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 2-10
Recent district results: 2025:8; 2024:9; 2023:9; 2022:11; 2021:9-1A10; 2020:9-1A10; 2019:12-1A11; 2018:12-1A11; 2017:6-1A11; 2016:6-1A11; 2015:7-1A11; 2014:8-1A11; 2013:5-1A10; 2012:6-1A10
Last state champion: Kamen Wilmington, 2017 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jason Baker Jr, 13-28, RQ, D4; Jacob Ornelas, 24-23, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Brady Salyers, Fr., 24-21; Luke Gilroy, So., 8-20, RQ, D4.
What they are saying: “Our two key returning wrestlers put in a lot of work in the off-season. They were involved in clubs in the spring/summer and competed in many free-style and Greco tournaments. We expect to see great improvement.”
Outlook: The small and young team will be focused on some individual gains coming into the season.
St. Petersburg Catholic Barons
Coach: Bobby Damon
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:7; 2024:7; 2023:8; 2022:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jude Hill, So., 9-14, RQ, D3; Braiden Martin, Sr., 27-8, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
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Seminole Warhawks
Coach:
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:6; 2024:8-2A10; 2023:8-2A10; 2022:7-2A10; 2021:8-2A9; 2020:8-2A9; 2019:10-3A8; 2018:9-3A8; 2017:8-3A8; 2016:10-3A8; 2015:7-3A7; 2014:8-3A7; 2013:9-3A7; 2012:6-3A7
Last state champion: Mike Surette, 1985 (155)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Andres Barba, 10-20, RQ, D4; Jordan Dasilva, 33-13, RQ-BR, D2; Lucas Selko, 40-10, RQ-BR, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lukas Rinaldo, Sr., 21-17, RQ, D4; John Saleh, Jr., 1-9, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook: