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3A-9 Preview: George Jenkins looks to keep ramping up success
BY BRANT PARSONS — George Jenkins has won two straight district titles and the Eagles are looking for not just the three-peat, but even better team performances on the big stage.
"There's no days off ever and that's the mentality we want,” George Jenkins coach Anthony Cerullo said. “We want to be working the entire time to get better and make those sacrifices to close the gap on South Dade and Christopher Columbus and Southridge and Southwest Miami, that district down there. We want to close the gap on those.”
With state champion Ray Shaw off at the University of Virginia, the Eagles will look to replace not just his points, but leadership as well.
They’ll look to senior state placer Andrew Taylor and state qualifier Kaleeb Tribbett to fill both spots. They also have a solid influx of new faces led by state placer Bryson Thompson.
“I think that we're probably 5 years away from making that big jump into the category of the taking home state trophies on a regular basis but that doesn't mean we're not going to try our ass off now."
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Orlando Freedom put together one of the best weekends of the season and scored 300.5 points.
How did Kabra do?: We knew Freedom would battle for the crown, but we were a spot off.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Bryson Thompson, Sr. (George Jenkins); Andrew Taylor, Sr. (George Jenkins); Draven Thompson, Jr. (George Jenkins); Kaleeb Tribbett, Sr. (George Jenkins); Tyese Atkins, Sr. (Plant City); Gavin Najera, Jr. (Newsome); Brandon Kitzke, Jr. (Newsome); Noah Brown, Sr. (Davenport); Jordan Lajara, So. (Bartow); Noah Massey, Jr. (George Jenkins); Brody Johnson, Sr. (Plant City); Cole Keller, Jr. (Newsome); Kyle Gay, Jr. (George Jenkins); Kevin Harold, Sr. (Ridge Community); John Renew, Jr. (George Jenkins).
The favorite: George Jenkins. The Eagles are poised to have a big season.
Team to watch: Plant City. Despite graduating half of the postseason points, the Raiders are still loaded.
District duals: Friday, January 15 at TBD
District IBT: Friday, February 19 at George Jenkins
George Jenkins Eagles
Coach: Anthony Cerullo (4th at school/12th overall)
Assistant coaches: Devone Williams, Gabby Reid, Katie Germain, Jason Hinton, Alex Ebizawa, Jaylon Andrews
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 25-9
Recent district results: 2026:1-3A5; 2025:1-3A5; 2024:2-3A5; 2023:2-3A5; 2022:2-3A5; 2021:3-3A5; 2020:4-3A5; 2019:3-3A6; 2018:2-3A6; 2017:3-3A6; 2016:1-3A6; 2015:1-3A6; 2014:2-3A6; 2013:3-3A5; 2012:4-3A5
Last state champion: Raymond Shaw, 2026 (190)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Raymond Shaw, 43-3, SC, RC, DC; Jackson Lietz, 32-11, S7, RC, DC; Aidan Austin, 19-13, RQ-BR, D2; Jett Baker, 13-16, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Andrew Taylor, Sr., 40-16, S6, RC, DC; Kaleeb Tribbett, Sr., 43-18, SQ, R2, D2; Kyle Gay, Jr., 14-12, RQ-BR, D3; Liam Kelley, Jr., 8-7, RQ, DC; Zavious Brown, Sr., 21-10, RQ, D2; Adriel Jaramillo, Sr., 12-18, RQ, D2; Noah Massey, Jr., 14-12, RQ, D3; Brayden Daniel, Jr., RQ, D4; John Renew, Jr., 19-11.
New wrestlers: Bryson Thompson, Sr., 45-6, S5, RC, DC (Transfer from Winter Haven); Draven Thompson, Jr., 31-10, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Winter Haven); Kieran Lowe, Jr., 26-18, RQ, D4 (Transfer from Lakeland)
What they’re saying: “We're going to miss (previous head coach) Gavin (Osborn) being here. He did such a great job and really pushed the program in a direction it hadn't been since our athletic director was in charge. But for us, I think overall, as much as we're going to miss him, nothing really changes for us. Our goals stay the same. Our kids stay the same. What we're willing to do to reach that next level stays the same. Fortunately, I've been here, this is going to my fourth year, and I've been running the practices the entire time. So, as far as that aspect, that doesn't change. Gavin does give it an extra perspective that maybe some people don't see. His brain works differently. We are going to miss that. But I think overall like outside of losing a really good coach, nothing really changes for us."
On Ray Shaw’s legacy: "It's hard losing Ray and not just because of what he did on the mat, but what he was in the wrestling room, what he was in the classroom, in the community. There's only one Raymond Shaw the third it sucks to lose him, but that's the name of this game, right? As a high school wrestling coach, you know that at some point you're going to graduate them out into the the next step, whether it's college, military, the workforce. You know that you're going to graduate them out to the next world and you have to prepare."
On Kaleeb: "He is coming into his own in the room and in practice he's stepped it up being that Ray-type leader where you know he's pushing people to to get better. We feel like he can make a run at winning a state title this year. We know that he has all the physical tools to do it and if he puts it together mentally, there should be no reason why he's not at the top of the podium in March."
Outlook: Cerullo takes over the program from Gavin Osborn and the team will look to not skip a beat. Replacing the leadership and talent of Shaw is never easy, but this group has been together for years and is ready to take the next step.
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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Plant City Raiders
Coach: Blake Olson (4th at school, 9th overall)
Assistant coach: Reese Haley
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 16-9
Recent district results: 2026:1-3A5; 2025:2-3A5; 2024:2-3A7; 2023:6-3A7; 2022:8-3A7; 2021:4-3A5; 2020:3-3A5; 2019:7-3A6; 2018:7-3A6; 2017:8-3A6; 2016:7-3A6; 2015:7-3A6; 2014:6-3A6; 2013:6-3A6; 2012:8-3A6
Last state champion: Cornelius Wiggins, 2002 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Russell Yarbrough, 34-5, SQ, RC, DC; Levi Wentz, 45-10, RQ-BR, DC; Gianni Valeriani, 46-13, RQ, DC; AJ Forcucci, 24-8, RQ, DC; Kaleb Williams, 17-16, RQ, D3; Austin Hunt.
Notable returning wrestlers: Tyese Atkins, Sr., 40-13, RQ-BR, DC; Kelvin Ramirez, Jr., 9-30, RQ, D2; Brody Johnson, Sr., 26-12, RQ, D2; Robert Ziegler, Jr., 28-14, RQ, D3; Jose Cotto, Jr., 4-6, RQ, D4.
What they’re saying: “This team has seen what it takes to succeed at a high level, win district titles, and make deep runs into the post season due to the groundwork laid by last year's graduates. They have a template to follow now and trust in their coaching and training.”
Outlook: District champions from a year ago have some studs to replace but the team shouldn’t slip much, if at all.
Newsome Wolves
Coach: Stephen Gilbert (19th season)
Assistant coaches: Coach Drake, Coach Zalud, Coach Butler, Coach Ettore
Click here for 26-27 schedule
25-26 dual record: 23-10
Recent district results: 2026:3-3A7; 2025:4-3A7; 2024:6-3A7; 2023:5-3A7; 2022:3-3A7; 2021:5-3A6; 2020:2-3A6; 2019:2-3A6; 2018:3-3A6; 2017:2-3A6; 2016:5-3A6; 2015:4-3A8; 2014:5-3A8; 2013:7-3A6; 2012:5-3A6
Last state champion: Kohl Drake, 2020 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Isaac McCay, 34-16, D5; Victor Hulquist (Moved to Alabama); Connor Hulquist (Moved to Alabama)
Notable returning wrestlers: Brandon Kitzke, Jr., 21-11, RQ-BR, D2; Zay Velez, Sr., 34-15, RQ, D3; Mason Zalud, Jr., 29-15, RQ, D4; Cole Keller, Jr., 23-17, RQ, D4; Dillon Schmitz, Sr.
New wrestler: Gavin Najera, Jr., 30-8, S6, R3, DC (Transfer from Bell Creek)
Outlook: An experience group will lead the team as they look to challenge for a district title and send some individual wrestlers to Kissimmee. Zalud will look to return to the state tournament after qualifying as a freshman in 2025.
Ridge Community Lightning
Coach: Nick Balkevicius (1st year at school/3rd overall)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:5-3A5; 2025:6-3A5; 2024:3-3A5; 2023:7-3A5; 2022:5-3A5; 2021:7-3A5; 2020:6-3A5; 2019:8-3A5; 2018:7-3A5; 2017:5-3A5; 2016:7-3A5; 2015:5-3A5; 2014:7-3A5; 2013:7-3A5; 2012:8-3A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Xavier Meggie, 17-8, RQ, D3; Gavin Fisher, 10-4, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Kevin Harold, Sr., 28-7, RQ, DC; Diego Torres, Sr., 14-7, RQ, D2.
What they’re saying: “This is a hungry, hard-nosed group that's going to be defined by its conditioning and its effort. We have a mix of returners and first-year wrestlers, and every spot in our lineup is going to be earned in the practice room. Our identity is simple: we wrestle all six minutes, we hand fight, we don't back up, and we don't quit on bottom. We want to be the best-conditioned team on the mat every time we step out there, and win matches in the third period when other teams are tired. We're building something at Ridge, and this group is going to look very different in February than it does in October.”
More on the program: “Our biggest goal is getting wrestlers to the state tournament in Kissimmee and putting Ridge on the map at the state level. To get there, we want to send a full lineup into the postseason, compete hard at districts, and have as many wrestlers as possible place at regionals. Along the way, we want to build a culture where kids show up every day, outwork everyone, and handle their business in the classroom. Our first-year wrestlers should make big jumps from the start of the season to the end. If we do the small things right every day in the practice room, the results in February will take care of themselves.”
Outlook: Balkevicius takes over a program that has struggled with identity and consistency over its time and he’ll look to change that.
Bartow Yellow Jackets
Coach: Chris Rivera
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:6-3A5; 2025:3-3A5; 2024:7-3A5; 2023:5-3A5; 2022:7-3A5; 2021:6-3A5; 2020:7-3A5; 2019:8-3A6; 2018:8-3A6; 2017:7-3A6; 2016:8-3A6; 2015:5-3A6; 2014:7-3A6; 2013:5-2A6; 2012:7-2A6
Last state champion: Hoss Rhoton, 1993 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Levi Peeples, 19-14, RQ, D2; Jeremiah Alex, 18-23, RQ, D4; Cole Stevens, 29-21, RQ, D4; Hunter Adams, 38-7, D6; Nicholas Billek, 28-16.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Yanziel Pantoja, Jr., 34-17, RQ, D3; Jordan Lajara, So., RQ, D4.
Outlook: Four-time Florida state champion Chris Rivera takes over the boys program.
Davenport Broncos
Coach: Desiree Ross (1st year)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:3-3A5; 2025:7-3A5; 2024:4-1A7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Justo Medina, 59-7, S4, R3, DC; Josh Ebanks, 33-17, SQ, R4, D3; Jayden Rosario Febo, 29-19, RQ, D2; Christopher Francois, 34-20, RQ, D2; Gabriel Cruz, 4-18, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Noah Brown, Sr., 29-14, RQ-BR, D2.
Outlook: New coach Ross takes over a team that is back to rebuilding after seeing off a solid graduating class.
Winter Haven Blue Devils
Coach: Chris Lujan (2nd season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4-3A5; 2025:4-3A5; 2024:5-3A5; 2023:8-3A5; 2022:4-3A5; 2021:5-3A5; 2020:5-3A5; 2019:4-2A7; 2018:5-2A7; 2017:5-2A7; 2016:7-2A7; 2015:5-2A7; 2014:4-2A7; 2013:4-2A6; 2012:2-2A6
Last state champion: Steve Zablocki, 1987 (185)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Gomez, RQ-BR, D3; Aranis Arias, RQ, D3; Elijah Jefferson, RQ, D4; Bryson Thompson, Sr., 45-6, S5, RC, DC (Transfer to George Jenkins); Draven Thompson, Jr., 31-10, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer to George Jenkins); Seth Jones, Sr., SQ, R3, DC (Transfer to Lake Gibson)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Connor Braxton, Sr., RQ, D4.
Haines City Hornets
Coach: Johnny Sacco (5th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:7-3A5; 2025:5-3A5; 2024:4-3A5; 2023:4-3A5; 2019:9-3A5; 2018:8-3A5; 2017:8-3A5; 2016:7-3A5; 2014:6-3A5; 2013:3-3A5; 2012:7-3A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gabriel Sniadecki, 21-11, RQ-BR, D2; Christian Martinez, 20-12, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Durant Cougars
Coach: Phil Robinson
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:8-3A5; 2025:8-3A5; 2024:8-3A7; 2023:8-3A7; 2022:7-3A7; 2021:6-3A6; 2020:6-3A6; 2019:6-3A6; 2018:6-3A6; 2017:6-3A6; 2016:2-3A6; 2015:6-3A8; 2014:4-3A8; 2013:2-3A6; 2012:2-3A6
Last state champion: T.J. Davis, 2010 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jeremy Cannon, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None