3A-16 Preview: Is state’s toughest district up for grabs this season?
BY BRANT PARSONS — Could this be the year that the hardest, toughest, and deepest district in Florida wrestling has a new team champion?
We shall see.
Longtime district leader South Dade enters the season with a new head coach in Humberto Reyna, who is hardly a stranger to the team having been the assistant coach there during the latest successful run.
Chasing the Bucs will be rising power Miami Southridge and district nemesis Southwest Miami.
Southridge looks to be a team that could reach the top but they’ll be short of a state champion from a year ago. Last year’s 285-pound winner Ryan Miret is off to Ole Miss to play football and will be graduating this winter.
“I think it's a great decision on his part and I wholeheartedly support it and my best interest is always for the kids,” Southridge coach Albert Pardo said. “I would never try to convince them to stay or otherwise. I think he's making the right decision.”
The Spartans do have two-time state champion Jovanni Tovar back.
“He does stuff that is just something that he did in the moment,” Pardo said. “And that's hard to explain and it's even harder to teach but he's a natural when it comes to that. I think he's just been around it so long and that he's just naturally, very adept at wrestling.”
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: South Dade won state title #xx and #xx as the Buccaneers took home both the dual and IBT crowns.
How did Kabra do?: We picked South Dade to win it all and they did, we said to watch for Miami Southridge as a team that could contend for the second spot in the district, but we did not pick them to finish second as they did.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite:
Team to watch:
South Dade Buccaneers
Coach: Humberto Reyna (1st season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:1; 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champions: Guillermo Jaramillo, 2025 (126); Jovani Solis, 2025 (138); Elvis Solis, 2025 (144); Armand Williams, 2025 (150); Tyree Graham, 2025 (157), Willie White, 2025 (165).
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Elvis Solis, 49-0, SC, RC, DC; Willie White, 57-0, SC, RC, DC; Daguy Massillon, 44-13, 2nd, R2, D2; Nathaniel Williams, 47-13, 8th, R3, D2; Prince Perry, 13-11, D5; Matthew Abreu, 15-8; Tyree Graham, Sr., 51-4, SC, RC, DC (Transfer to Miami Southridge)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jovani Solis, So., 49-1, SC, RC, DC; Armand Williams, Jr., 49-7, SC, RC, DC; Guillermo Jaramillo, Sr., 43-4, SC, R2, DC; Kaleb Williams, Sr., 39-12, 2nd, R2, D3; Jonathan Moreno, Jr., 30-7, 2nd, R2, D3; Jamie Freeney, Sr., 33-14, RQ-BR, D4; Jose Callava, So., 29-8, RQ, D3; Brandon Valdes, So., 17-10, RQ, D3; Bryan Morales, Sr., 22-4,; Cameron Haines, So., 24-8; Jordan Fearon, Sr., 9-5; Pablo Sifuentes, Jr., 7-9.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
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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Southwest Miami Eagles
Coach: Mick Arteaga (16th at school)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:3; 2024:2; 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:1-3A15; 2018:1-3A15; 2017:1-3A15; 2016:1-3A15; 2015:1-3A15; 2014:1-3A15; 2013:2-3A15; 2012:2-3A15
Last state champion: Lazaro Soto, 2025 (106); Myron Mendez, 2025 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Myron Mendez, 52-3, SC, RC, DC; Dillon Smith, 34-8, 2nd, R2, D2; Evangelo Mercado, 49-11, 3rd, R3, D2; Oscar Llaguno, 19-13, RQ, D3; Steven Blanco, 25-11, RQ, D4; Gabriel Noguel, 25-14, RQ-BR, D4; Brendan Rodriguez, 13-5.
Notable returning wrestlers: Lazaro Soto, Jr., 44-5, SC, RC, DC; Didier Novoa, Sr., 40-12, 4th, R3, D3; Antonio Morales, Jr., 38-13, 5th, R2, DC; Lucas Milian, Jr., 27-9, D5; Antonio Cordoves, Sr., 34-13, D5; Jonathan Diaz, So., 23-19, D6; Alejandro Ravelo, Sr., 13-7; Sebastian Gonzalez, Jr.; Bryan Garcia, So., 28-20; Nelson Hued, Jr., 21-12; Iam Garcia, Sr.; Guillermo Fleitas, Sr., 20-8.
New wrestler: Anthony Romero, Sr., 15-7 (Transfer from Miami Southridge)
What they are saying:
Outlook: The Eagles struggled with injuries throughout the lineup last season and will be looking to improve from last season. Three top 3 wrestlers have graduated, including state champion Mendez, but Soto leads a deep and dedicated group.
Miami Southridge Spartans
Coach: Albert Pardo (3rd at school, 28th overall)
Assistant coach: Manny Nordelo
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 13-4
Recent district results: 2025:2; 2024:4; 2023:4; 2022:4-2A16; 2021:1-2A16; 2020:1-2A16; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:3; 2012:7
Last state champions: Jovanni Tovar, 2025 (120); Ryan Miret, 2025 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Damel Martinez, 34-13, 4th, RC, D2; Eliel Santos, 30-7, 5th, R3, DC; Leonard Gilley, 44-17, SQ, R3, D3; Anthony Romero, Sr., 15-7 (Transfer to SW Miami); Ryan Miret, Sr., 28-0, SC, RC, DC (Graduating, going to Ole Miss for football)
Notable returning wrestlers: Jovanni Tovar, So., 47-0, SC, RC, DC; Christian Soto, Jr., 36-11, 2nd, R2, D2; Stefano Garcia, So., 27-10, 2nd, R4, D2; Alexander Laguardia, Sr., 35-14, 4th, R3, D2; Andres Rojas, So., 47-10, 5th, R2, D2; Daniel Sanchez, Sr., 36-23, SQ, R4, D4; Alfredo Cheang, Jr., 42-12, 7th, R2, DC; Fernando Sanz, So., 22-18, RQ-BR, D3.
New wrestlers: Tyree Graham, Sr., 51-4, SC, RC, DC (Transfer from South Dade); Ericson Coney, So., 43-13, 6th, R3, D2 (Transfer from Everglades)
What they are saying: “I think we're ready. But to pick us to win a state tournament right now, we may be the favorites or right up there, but I don't think they're just going to send us the trophy because everybody thinks that way.”
On Jovanni Tovar: “The best way I can explain it to you is of everyone that I've ever coached and almost everyone that I've ever watched, he seems to be that kid that knows what's coming before it is there and what to do before his opponent realizes it. It seems like he always has the right answer to whatever is needed. He seems to hit that move that you're not expecting and defend in a way you didn't expect and take advantage. To me, he's the most natural wrestler I've ever coached.”
Outlook:
Miami Palmetto Panthers
Coach: Anthony Fadelle (9th as head coach/29th season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:3; 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:4; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:3; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:2; 2012:2
Last state champion: Connor Bonney, 2025 (175)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Adonis Ferro, 14-5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Connor Bonney, Sr., 34-0, SC, RC, DC; Drake Bonney, Sr., 40-7, 3rd, R2, D2; Gary Jackson, So., 40-14, 6th, R4, D2; Alexander Urbina, So., 11-10, RQ, D3; Marco Vides-Olivencia, So., 30-16, RQ, D4; Matthew Padgett, Sr., 14-7, RQ, D4; Gregory Jackson, Jr., 27-13, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Miami Braddock Bulldogs
Coach: Sergio Hernandez (5th season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:9; 2024:7; 2023:6; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:6; 2019:6-3A15; 2018:6-3A15; 2017:7-3A15; 2016:4-3A15; 2015:2-3A15; 2014:2-3A15; 2013:3-3A15; 2012:3-3A15
Last state champion: Alex Victor, 2016 (113)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dylan Lopez, 17-5, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Janmichael Broche, Sr., 30-14, SQ, R4, D3; Donte Gaiter, Sr., 12-11, RQ, D5.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Homestead Broncos
Coach: Frank Melo (2nd season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:5; 2024:5-2A16; 2023:6-2A16; 2022:7-2A16; 2021:5-2A16; 2020:4-2A16; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:6; 2016:6; 2015:2-2A16; 2014:2-2A16; 2013:1-2A16; 2012:1-2A16
Last state champion: Earl Hall, 2008 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dionel Ramos, 22-7, RQ, D3; Fabio PerezLeguizamo, 43-9, RQ-BR, D2; Maikel German, 32-8, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Corey Lester, Sr., 28-8, RQ, D2; Misael Guerrero, Jr., 36-13, RQ, D4; Nicholas Tapia, So., 15-14, RQ, D4; Kemauri Middleton, Jr., 26-14, D6; Elias Ramirez, Sr., 20-21; Darien Hernandez, Sr., 9-10.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Coral Gables Cavaliers
Coach: Thomas Hardy (9th season)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:8; 2024:6; 2023:7; 2022:8; 2021:5; 2020:8; 2019:4-3A15; 2018:7-3A15; 2017:3-3A15; 2016:3-3A15; 2015:4-3A15; 2014:5-3A15; 2013:6-3A15; 2012:8-3A15
Last state champion: Marino Eatman, 2004 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Zlad Kamal, RQ, D4; Erniet Perez, 10-10, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Ferguson Falcons
Coach: Luis Cabal
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:7; 2024:6; 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:8; 2020:7; 2019:7-3A15; 2018:4-3A15; 2017:5-3A15; 2016:7-3A15; 2015:6; 2014:5; 2013:6; 2012:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jorge Pacheco, 28-9, RQ, D3; Jake Fernandez, 4-4; Joshua Viera, Jr., 22-11, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Mater Academy); Andres Viera, Sr., 17-11, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Mater Academy).
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Isaias Camacho, Sr., 17-12, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Miami Coral Reef Barracudas
Coach: Miguel Dominguez (13th at school/26th total)
Assistant coach:
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record:
Recent district results: 2025:6; 2024:8; 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:4; 2018:4; 2017:5; 2016:5; 2015:4; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gregory Gonzalez, 37-12, SQ, R4, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alejandro Armas, Jr., 32-16, RQ, D3; Jacob Garcia, Jr., 17-14, RQ, D4; Elijah Almonte, Sr., 14-10, D5; Emmanuel Paguaga, Sr., 7-7, D6.
New wrestlers:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Notes
Rankings listed next to teams are the preseason Kabra rankings in both IBT and Duals. (IBT/Dual)
Rankings listed in front of wrestlers are the official Kabra Wrestling preseason rankings
SC = State Champion last season
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th = State placer
SQ = State qualifier
RC = Region champion
R2, R3, R4 = Region placer
RQ-BR = Region qualifiers who reached the blood round
RQ = Region qualifier
DC = District champions
D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 = District placer