G1A-1 Preview: Wide open team race punctuates district with star power
BY BRANT PARSONS — Niceville has won the past two district titles and could compete for a third one this season with North Bay Haven and Bay putting forth a challenge for the top spot.
Along with an exciting team title race, this district loaded up the top of the state podium a year ago.
In March, the district accounted for three state champions with Wakulla’s Kendal Haynie returning this season. Gulf Breeze’s Camdyn Elliott and Pace’s Kiiaana Gavere each wrapped their high school career with titles.
Also returning this year with eyes on the top spot is North Bay Haven’s Nova Estrada (2nd last year), Destin’s Veronica Madrid (5th), Bay’s Sarah Branch (8th), and Mosley’s Tor'rina Rushing (8th).
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Niceville used a deep squad to win its second straight district team title.
How did Kabra do?: In a district with a bunch of contending teams, we were able to pick the top two spots correctly.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch:
The favorite: Niceville. With two straight district titles and eight postseason wrestlers possibly coming back, the Eagles are poised for the three-peat.
Team to watch: North Bay Haven. The Buccaneers are looking at quality over quantity. NBH may return the most points from last year’s district tournament with all five set to be back in the room. Will that be enough or will the increase the numbers?
North Bay Haven Charter Buccaneers
Coach: Jeffery Estrada (2nd year)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:3; 2025:3; 2024:1; 2023:3; 2022:16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Nova Estrada, Fr., 45-10, S2, R3, DC; Addison Neufeld, Fr., 35-13, SQ, R2, D3; Sophia Florentino, So., 21-16, RQ-BR, D3; Kylah Armstrong, Sr., 27-11, RQ-BR, D3; Caroline Anderson, Jr., 18-15, D5.
New wrestlers:
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The Florida High School Wrestling 2026-2027 Season District Previews
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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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Niceville Eagles
Coach: Adam Harder/Gryffin Broyles
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:1; 2025:1; 2024:3; 2023:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brooke Arbic, 27-9, S4, R4, D2; Camila Robles, 14-3, RQ, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Adeleigh Hannigan, Jr., 25-20, RQ-BR, D3; Gianna Muscarella, Sr., 21-11, RQ, D2; Mora Penberthy, Sr., 29-8, RQ, D3; Cadence Schmidt, Jr., 23-13, RQ, D4; Julia Rosado, So., 12-27, D6; Vionna Haertelt, Sr., 17-9, D6.
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Bay Tornadoes
Coach: Anna Branch
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:8; 2025:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gracelynn Janssen, 13-6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Sarah Branch, Sr., 27-12, S8, R4, D2; Payton Cook, So., 4-17, RQ, D2; Anita Smith, Jr., 25-15, RQ, D3; Avery Hill, So., 18-18, RQ, D4; Tamya Leveret, Jr., 13-18, D6.
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Choctawhatchee Indians
Coach: Rodrigo Damore (6th season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:5; 2025:8; 2024:9; 2023:5; 2022:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mary McKinney, 39-8, S7, R2, D2; Juliana Daquep, 17-19, D6; Layla Schlemmer, 7-8, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Sophia Tran, Sr., 33-11, SQ, R4, D2; Isabella Tran, Sr., 35-11, RQ-BR, D2; Jayla Rhodes, So., 5-7, RQ, DC; Victoria Byrd, Sr.
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Florida High Seminoles
Coach: Anderson Stennett (3rd season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:9; 2025:9; 2024:6; 2023:11; 2022:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Petra Croom.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kiara Nesmith, Jr., 20-10, RQ-BR, D3; Torreya Croom, Fr., 24-24, RQ, D2; Claire Ajose-Adeogun, Sr., 23-17, RQ, D4; Lillie Pepper, Fr., 11-16, D5.
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Wakulla War Eagles
Coach: Shannon Smith
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:10; 2025:13; 2024:11; 2023:16
Last state champion: Kendal Haynie, 2026 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kendal Haynie, Jr., 24-0, SC, RC, DC; Julia Baggett, Sr., 36-21, RQ, D3; Kameron Easter, Sr., 30-23, RQ, D4.
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Outlook: Haynie returns after an undefeated season where she won the school’s first-ever girls wrestling state title.
Gulf Breeze Dolphins
Coach: Austin Elliott
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:4; 2025:6; 2024:5; 2023:7; 2022:13
Last state champion: Camdyn Elliott, 2026 (110)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Camdyn Elliott, 38-0, SC, RC, DC; Sophie Collazo, 27-11, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Adalyne Fowls, Jr., 35-11, SQ, R2, D2; Madison Carroll, Sr., 26-9, SQ, R3, D2; Sky Huber, Jr., 11-8, RQ, D4.
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Pace Patriots
Coach: Reggie Allen
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:6; 2025:2; 2024:8; 2023:12; 2022:8
Last state champion: Kiiaana Gavere, 2026 (140)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kiiaana Gavere, 32-1, SC, RC, DC; Jayda Berry, 29-9, SQ, R4, D4; Hailey Bondi, 18-8.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Catalina Lowery, Sr., 25-10, RQ, D3; Taylor Fay Molstrom, So., 24-12, RQ, D4; Talin Strott, Jr., 19-12, RQ, D4; Eva Lee, Sr.; Britheny Yacinthe, Jr.
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Outlook: Gavere made school history with a state title back in March.
Lincoln Trojans
Coach: Mike Crowder (32nd season)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:2; 2025:4; 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:4
Last state champion: Sayuri Caceres, 2025 (100)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sayuri Caceres, 37-4, S3, RC, DC; Amelia McKnight, 38-8, SQ, R2, DC; Amelia Pena, 25-14, RQ, D2; Karina Martinez, 12-16, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kylie Fukushima, Jr., 15-10, RQ, D2; Julia Pena, So., 24-14, RQ, D4; Emma Whittaker, So., 16-16, D5; Abigail Neel, Jr.
New wrestlers: Jahzara Lightfoot, Jr., 15-8, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Riverside)
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Crestview Bulldogs
Coach: Robbie Gaines
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:13; 2025:5; 2024:7; 2023:2; 2022:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Payton Gaines, Jr., 17-7, SQ, R4, D2; Victoria Smith, Sr., 9-4, RQ, D3; Riley Henderson, So., 2-6, D5.
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Mosley Dolphins
Coach: Jeremiah LaFountain
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:7; 2025:10; 2024:10; 2023:8; 2022:2
Last state champions: Valarie Solorio, 2022 (100); Henlee Haynes, 2022 (170)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Emily Myers, 38-9, RQ, DC; Trinity Brannon, 7-23, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tor'rina Rushing, Sr., 45-4, S8, R2, DC; Julietta Pearson, Jr., 31-21, SQ, R4, D3; Valentina Peralta, Sr., 19-29, D6.
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Milton Panthers
Coach: Unknown
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:14; 2025:18; 2024:12; 2023:4; 2022:10
Last state champion: Aireaana Gavere, 2023 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Emily Davenport, Jr., 21-13, RQ-BR, DC; Alayla Atkinson, So., D5; Layla Hicks, So., 13-11, D5.
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Chiles Timberwolves
Coach: James Marschka (22nd as head coach, 24th at school)
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:11; 2025:7; 2024:4; 2023:10; 2022:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jordan Herron, 32-5, S4, RC, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kelsey Marschka, Sr., 24-9, SQ, R2, D2; Sofia Marsala, So., 1-13, D6; Yashvi Patel, Jr., 9-16, D6.
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Wewahitchka Gators
Coach: Tracy Malcolm
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:21; 2025:15; 2024:14; 2023:9; 2022:1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Avery Forehand, 14-16.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
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Bozeman Bucks
Coach: Robert Dobbs
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:18; 2025:17; 2024:13; 2023:17; 2022:9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Abigail Tavernier, Sr., 24-14, RQ, D4.
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Freeport Bulldogs
Coach: Carey Nick (5th at school/20th overall)
Assistant coaches: JR Grant, Rich Harsin, David Nunes
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:16; 2025:14; 2024:17
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Allie Barker, 35-7, RQ-BR, D4; Kyra Garcia, 22-13, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kinsley Goodson, Sr., 16-9.
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Fort Walton Beach Vikings
Coach: Tobi Marez (23rd year)
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:12; 2025:16; 2024:15; 2023:14; 2022:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ava Atkins, 21-7, D5; Kira Mabry, 9-4, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Cherry Lewis, Jr., 24-5, RQ-BR, DC.
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Arnold Marlins
Coach: Michael Lapadat (6th season/16th overall)
Assistant coach: Scott Korol
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:15; 2024:16; 2022:17
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aaliyah Palmer, Jr., 21-10, RQ, D3; Leah Tierese, Sr., 14-10, D5.
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South Walton Seahawks
Coach: Kevin Beavers
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:19; 2025:12; 2022:14
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Allie Begin, Sr., 8-12, D5.
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Destin Sharks
Coach: Unknown
Click here for 26-27 schedule
Recent district results: 2026:17
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Veronica Madrid, Sr., 23-3, S5, RC, DC.
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