2A-16 Preview: Mater Academy looking to build off historic season
BY BRANT PARSONS — Mater Academy hadn’t won an individual wrestling state title in its history and then on the final night of the season back in March, Lions wrestlers made history twice.
Gary Mendez was the first state title winner when he earned the top spot on the podium at 113-pounds and then a few weight classes later, Lucas Barrios won the second at 132. Mendez has graduated but Barrios is back to try and lead a side that could return the most points in the district.
Miami Beach joins the fun this season, moving down from 3A-15. The Hi-Tides could return 70% of their postseason roster led by two-time state placer Imran Dzhabrailov.
Miami Northwestern is back in Class 2A after two seasons in 1A. All seven of the Bulls postseason wrestlers were underclass last season. They’ll likely face a battle with Belen Jesuit and Felix Varela to get into the top three here.
The Wolverines could return the most wrestlers in the district from a year and Varela continues to improve entering their fourth season under Hall-of-Fame coach Eric Hughes.
Coral Park graduated their two biggest scorers from a year ago but could have six starters back.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Somerset reached the state duals finals and won the school’s fourth straight district title.
How did Kabra do?: We nailed the first two spots with Somerset and Mater Academy going 1-2 but Felix Varela surprised us, finishing third after we picked the Vipers to finish sixth.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite: Mater Academy. The stage is set for the Lions to win their second district title since 2017.
Team to watch: Miami Beach. The Hi-Tides moved to Class 2A and will look for their youngsters to step up.
Mater Academy Lions
Coach: Eduardo Lamazares
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:2; 2025:4; 2024:1; 2023:2; 2022:3; 2021:6; 2020:3; 2019:4-3A14; 2018:2-3A14; 2017:1-3A14; 2016:3-3A14; 2015:10; 2014:1; 2013:3; 2012:5
Last state champion: Gary Mendez, 2026 (113); Lucas Barrios, 2026 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gary Mendez, 33-8, SC, RC, DC; Andres Viera, 32-11, S7, R3, DC; Guiyen Noel, SQ, R4, DC; Daniel Medina, 32-13, RQ-BR, D3; Michael Maisonet, 14-7, RQ, D2; Adrian Jimenez; Rudy Valdes.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lucas Barrios, So., 27-2, SC, RC, DC; Berry Nasir Stvil, So., 29-12, SQ, R3, DC; Berri Ari Stvil, 8th, 20-11, SQ, R4, D2; Joshua Viera, Sr., 10-4, RQ-BR, D2; Matteo Gonzalez, So., 17-2, RQ-BR, D2; Brody Leal, Fr., 18-13, RQ-BR, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook: Mendez and Barrios made school history last season by winning the school’s first-ever wrestling state titles.
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
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Miami Beach Hi-Tides
Coach: Fred Robby (18th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:5-3A15; 2025:3-3A15; 2024:2-3A15; 2023:3-3A15; 2022:1-3A15; 2021:4-3A15; 2020:2-3A15; 2019:3-3A14; 2018:4-3A14; 2017:3-3A14; 2016:1-3A14; 2015:2-3A14; 2014:3-3A14; 2013:7-3A15; 2012:7-3A15
Last state champion: Steve Carry, 1994 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Adlan Dzhabrailov, 38-8, RQ-BR, D2; Leonardo Rodriguez, 32-13, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Imran Dzhabrailov, Jr., 34-8, S4, R2, D2; Lajuan Ingraham, Sr., 31-6, RQ, DC; Sandro Baca, So., 24-16, RQ, D2; Javauris Ross, So., 12-11, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Miami Northwestern Bulls
Coach: Verne Louis
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:5-1A16; 2025:3-1A16; 2024:7; 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:3-1A16; 2020:4-1A16; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:2; 2016:6; 2015:11; 2014:7; 2013:7; 2012:7
Last state champion: Joseph Ruffin, 1975 (119)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Keondre Berry, Sr., RQ, D2; Isaiah McKenzie, So., RQ, D2; Duron Blash, Sr., 4-9, RQ, D3; Cordell Millet, So., 3-9, RQ, D3; Reginald Jones, Sr., 9-6, RQ, D4; Orrie Fenn, So., 5-9, RQ, D4; Aaron Duffie, So., 2-12, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Belen Jesuit Wolverines
Coach: Francis Aguilar (6th season/9th overall)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4; 2025:8; 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:4; 2020:5; 2019:7; 2018:5; 2017:7; 2016:9; 2015:7; 2014:6; 2013:5; 2012:3
Last state champion: Esteban Gomez-Rivera, 2012 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rafael Scott, 43-15, RQ-BR, D2; Cesar Aguado, 35-14, RQ, D3; Rolando Benitez, 21-18, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Caleb Boigris, 8th, 21-12, RQ-BR, D3; Daniel Vargas, 8th, 25-15, RQ, D4; Gustavo Padron, So., 14-8, D5; Samuel Mazman, So., 38-13, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Felix Varela Vipers
Coach: Eric Hughes (4th year at school/47.5th overall)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:3; 2025:5; 2024:4; 2015:8-3A16; 2014:7-3A16; 2013:5-3A16; 2012:4-3A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rubier Oliva, 44-7, SQ, R3, D2; Terrell Jones, 29-9, RQ, D2; Joshua Lescano, 30-11, RQ, D4; Chris Chambers, 16-14, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Keen Davis, Sr., 33-12, RQ-BR, D4; Christopher Vasquez, So., 15-8, RQ, D2; Luis Osario, Jr., 14-13, RQ, D3; Mark Sweeney, Jr., 15-7, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
North Miami Pioneers
Coach: John Severe
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:6; 2025:3; 2024:3; 2023:3; 2022:2; 2021:3-3A15; 2020:4-3A15; 2019:1-3A14; 2018:1-3A14; 2017:2-3A14; 2016:2-3A14; 2015:1-3A14; 2014:1-3A14; 2013:2-3A14; 2012:7-3A14
Last state champion: Daniel Leon, 2014 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Charly Sainteus, 32-5, S4, R2, D3; Athlens Henri, 22-14, RQ-BR, D3; Ferlens Frederic, 17-13, RQ, D3; Adrian Palafox, 29-16, RQ, D3; Dabenx Sejour, 14-18, RQ, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Sandley Dorvilus, Sr., 9-4, RQ-BR, D3; Jeffte Georges, Jr., 20-10, RQ, D4; Rod-Christ Minault, Sr.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Miami Coral Park Rams
Coach: Angel Vazquez
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:7-3A15; 2025:7-3A15; 2024:7-3A15; 2023:5-3A15; 2022:9-3A16; 2021:6-3A15; 2020:5-3A15; 2019:3-3A15; 2018:3-3A15; 2017:4-3A15; 2016:5-3A15; 2015:7-3A15; 2014:6-3A15; 2013:5-3A15; 2012:5-3A15
Last state champion: Brian Mashburn, 2000 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Leandro Padua, 15-13, RQ, D2; Lucas Nunez, 6-7, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ronald Prieto, Jr., D6.
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
South Miami Cobras
Coach: Joseph Dominguez
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:9; 2025:10; 2024:9-1A16; 2023:8-1A16; 2022:8; 2019:8-3A15; 2018:5-3A15; 2017:8-3A15; 2016:8-3A15; 2015:5-3A15; 2014:4-3A15; 2013:4-3A15; 2012:6-3A15
Last state champion: Javier Estopinan, 2004 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestlers:
What they’re saying:
Outlook:
Hialeah Thoroughbreds
Coach: Unknown
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: None
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None.