Class 3A state wrestling preview and predictions

NOTE: Due to timing, we are making these live and will continue to fill in “Kabra Says”

BY BRANT PARSONS —Welcome to our 2026 state tournament preview and predictions.

This is yearly tradition that is meant to be both a viewing guide and fun way to look ahead to the best three days of the season.

We’ve changed it up a bit this year and given you an inside peek into how the picks are made.

In the past, we’d print out the brackets and make notes on it, use the Kabra Wrestling rankings, and then make a pick for each match. Then a summary would be written for each weight class.

Those note-stained pages are now graphics you will see at the top of every weight class in the preview.

This preview is a snapshot in time on what I felt would happen in this tournament when I wrote the preview. If I was to go through and write it again, I’m sure there are some that would be different. There does tend to be a good deal of scratching out on my brackets when I do this.

As always, there is no bias that goes into these picks and they are meant for entertainment purposes only. I don’t cheer for my bracket to be right, in fact, the most memorable moments related to these previews are the kids that proved me wrong and then told me that they did.

In fact, when I’m covering the state tournament, I often don’t even remember the picks that I made. I’m too excited just watching the great action.

Best of luck to each of the state qualifiers that will compete this weekend. Just reaching the state tournament is such a tremendous accomplishment and no matter what you do this weekend at Silver Spurs Arena, you are a success that has accomplished great things through this powerful sport.

And if you prove Kabra wrong, please let me know, we have a sticker for you.

The Picks

Team Race

Final standings

1. South Dade

2. Miami Southridge

3. Hagerty

4. Southwest Miami

5. Miami Palmetto

Predicted total state champions

5 - South Dade

2 - Lake Mary, Miami Southridge

1 - Buchholz, George Jenkins, Hagerty, Steinbrenner, SW Miami

Predicted state placers

9 - Hagerty

8 - South Dade

6 - Miami Southridge

5 - SW Miami

4 - Flagler Palm Coast, Harmony, Miami Palmetto, Orlando Freedom, Palm Harbor University, Wellington

3 - Buchholz, Columbus, George Jenkins, Olympic Heights, South Plantation, Tocoi Creek

2 - Creekside, Doral Academy, Lake Mary, Oakleaf, Ocoee, Riverview, Steinbrenner, Venice, Winter Haven

1 - Bartram Trail, Bloomingdale, Boca Raton, Braddock, Colonial, Davenport, DeLand, East Lake, Fletcher, Fort Myers Gateway, Fort Pierce Central, John I. Leonard, Land O'Lakes, Miami Beach, Monarch, Palmetto, Plant City, Sandalwood, Sarasota, South Broward, Spanish River, St. Cloud, Sunlake, West Boca