Featured dual: Mater Lakes makes monster statement in dual win over South Dade
January 30, 2026
BY BRANT PARSONS — Mater Lakes wanted a chance to prove themselves against the best. On Thursday, they got it.
Mater Lakes traveled down to South Dade and won a dual between the two state champions 42-25.
“Definitely being underdogs going into their gym with something big to prove was one of the main things that fueled our team,” Mater Lakes head coach Brandon Neifeld said. “We feel like this was a huge opportunity for us to prove to everyone in the state that our program is the real deal, not just in 1A, but in the entire state.”
Fresh off a second-straight Class 1A state duals title, the Bears jumped out in the dual, winning five of the first six matches and building a 24-6 lead.
Jack Cabrera (106) opened the scoring with a pin before South Dade’s Bryan Morales tied the dual up at 113 pounds.
Mater Lakes than scored wins from Jake Margolis (120), Kellen Messina (126), Keagan Messina (132), and Christopher Greene (138).
Kellen’s win by fall came after nearly eight minutes of wrestling, earning six points for Mater Lakes before Keagan won his match 2-1.
The 3A state duals champions then battled back, winning three of the next four.
Jovani Solis (144), Armand Williams (150), and Tyree Graham (165) all picked up bonus wins sandwiched around Cesar Aguilar’s (157) decision win to tighten the dual to 27-22.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and winning this dual the way we did with both teams sending out full starting lineups truly certified us.”
Mater Lakes then finished off the dual, outscoring the Bucs 15-3 the rest of the way and securing a win over the eight-time Class 3A dual state champions.
Kalias Nazario (175), Darian Vargas (190), and Maximilian Garzaro (285) all scored wins for the Bears with Sebastian Morera (215) putting the final points on the board for South Dade.
“I think that not only our wrestlers, but our coaching staff and many others in our program have felt we have somewhat been overlooked for some time now, including 1A as a whole compared to 2A and 3A,” Neifeld said. “This win is for everyone out there who thought we had no chance at beating South Dade, and including those who thought 1A can't stand next to 2A and 3A.”
The dual was a highly-anticipated one between two of the three duals state champions — Lake Gibson won Class 2A — and for Mater Lakes, it was the biggest moment in program history.
“I would say this definitely is bigger than (the three state titles),” Neifeld said. “Winning state titles is one thing, but beating the best team in the entire state that has dominated Florida for the past 20 years or so in their own gym is something that even a state title cannot be compared to. Nobody can discredit us for being in the 1A division anymore. Regardless of school population, we claimed the top spot in Florida with this dual meet win.”
#1-1A Mater Lakes 42, #1-3A South Dade 25
106: Jack Cabrera (MLA) p. Ray Healy (SD) 3:53; 113: Bryan Morales (SD) p. Ronn Stephen Flores (MLA) 4:55; 120: Jake Margolis (MLA) p. Jessie Zapata (SD) 0:34; 126: Kellen Mesina (MLA) p. Jose Callava (SD) 7:57; 132: Keagan Mesina (MLA) dec. Kaleb Williams (SD) 2-1; 138: Christopher Greene (MLA) dec. Guillermo Jaramillo (SD) 11-7; 144: Jovani Solis (SD) maj. Bruce Li (MLA) (MD 16-2; 150: Armand Williams (SD) p. Mason O`Dell (MLA) 5:23; 157: Cesar Aguilar (MLA) dec. Cameron Haines (SD) 15-8; 165: Tyree Graham (SD) p. Christopher Benzan (MLA) 2:25; 175: Kalias Nazario (MLA) p. Jonathan Moreno (SD) 1:04; 190: Darian Vargas (MLA) dec. Pablo Sifuentes (SD) 7-2; 215: Sebastian Morera (SD) dec. Richard Lugo (MLA) 4-1; 285: Maximilian Garzaro (MLA) p. Carido Louissaint (SD) 1:51.
Brant Parsons is the founder and executive editor of Kabra Wrestling. He has been covering high school wrestling in Florida since 2004. He can be reached at brant@kabrawrestling.com.
