1A-1 Preview: North Bay Haven looking for the back-to-back in tight team race
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: North Bay Haven broke through for the school’s first district title, outscoring Wewahitchka by 101.5 points. Eight Buccaneer wrestlers won district titles.
How did Kabra do?: We correctly picked the district champ and our team to watch was the runner-up saying that North Bay Haven was “ready to take the top spot.”
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Preston Neufeld (North Bay Haven), Gibson Moore (South Walton), Jacob Justice (Freeport), David Drake (Bay), Koa DeLoach (North Bay Haven)
The favorite: North Bay Haven. The champions have some holes to fill, but so do many of the contending teams in this district.
Team to watch: Wewahitchka. The second place finish might be a little tougher to achieve this season, but if the parts fill in and they peak again, anything is possible.
District duals: Thursday, January 9 at Freeport
District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Wewahitchka, 3:30 p.m.
North Bay Haven Buccaneers (#21/#11)
Coach: Zane Turnipseed
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:6; 2020:7; 2019:8; 2018:9; 2017:9; 2016:9; 2015:6
Last state champion: David Mercado, 2023 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): David Mercado, 51-2, 5th, RC, DC; Brayden Harper, 23-17, RQ, D2; Brody Bousa, 23-11, RQ, D3; Tripp Rogers, So., 18-10, RQ, DC (Transfer to Mosley); James Oliver, Jr., 54-10, 8th, R2, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Preston Neufeld, Sr., 62-4, 5th, RC, DC; Jack Mulinex, So., 24-5, SQ, R4, DC; Zander Stillgess, Jr., 56-9, SQ, R3, DC; Will Lundgren, Jr., 43-15, RQ, DC; Bear Siegal, Jr., 33-7, RQ, DC; Nathan Mercado, Jr., 51-11, RQ, DC; Beau Rogers, Fr., 16-10, RQ, D3; Julian Hernandez, Sr.
New wrestler: Koa DeLoach, Jr. (Guam)
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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Wewahitchka Gators
Coach: Tracy Malcolm (17th season)
23-24 dual record: 16-12
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2019:7; 2018:8; 2017:3; 2016:5; 2015:4; 2014:8; 2013:5; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sam Hunter, 14-28, RQ, D2; Jarrett Spencer, 35-32, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Calvin Ross, So., 49-9, RQ-BR, DC; Jake Parker, Sr., 52-14, RQ-BR, D2; James Hardy, Jr., 36-23, RQ, D2; Christian Johnson, Jr., 24-34, RQ, D2; Luke Bryan, So., 21-39, RQ, D3; Tyler Johnson, Jr., 49-18, RQ, D2.
What they are saying: “We were shut out of states last year. Our goal is to make it back as a team and just one individual. I think I have three solid shots at making it all the way there and maybe even some podium finishes. I have a group about 5-6 wrestlers who are well versed and my end goal is that I want them to pay it forward to the younger kids and teach them the sport.”
On Calvin Ross: “He’s a pure athlete. Just the pure determination in him gives me excitement for the year because he’s hungry, he’s young, and he wants it. I think he has a skillset and mindset to get that done.”
On peaking: “This little squad always seems to peak at the right time and I wish I knew what I was doing right or what I was doing wrong. We bust our chops early and often with the hardest tournaments I can get them into.”
Outlook: Last year’s best finish in the district in over a decade was tampered by a region tournament where everyone’s season ended. This year, the Gators look to continue with another strong district showing and sending a group of wrestlers to Kissimmee.
Bay Tornadoes
Coach: Mark Deaton
Assistant coaches: Zach Deaton, Cliff Gore
23-24 dual record: 11-13
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:1; 2022:5; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:6; 2018:1; 2017:4; 2016:6; 2015:7; 2014:3; 2013:7; 2012:7
Last state champion: Earl Crawford, 1999 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Leonardo Sanchez, 46-24, SQ, R4, D3; Shaun Sandidge, 48-22, SQ, R4, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: David Drake, Sr., 54-16, SQ, RC, DC; Christen Patterson, Sr., 29-21, RQ, D2; Deven Bradshaw, Sr., 36-24; Ethan Needham, Sr., 23-22, RQ, D3; Jaylen Bennett, Sr., 20-23, RQ, D2; Deidrick Wright, Sr., 8-18, RQ, D4; James Branch, Sr., 15-36, RQ, D3; Devin Vasquez, Jr.; John Gingrich, Jr.; Aiden Davis, So.; Ceasar Perez, Sr.; Garrett Pelt, Sr.
New wrestlers: Garrett Haskell, So. (Transfer from North Bay Haven); AJ Ramey, So. (Transfer from North Bay Haven)
What they are saying: “We have eight seniors to lead the way. Two who started as freshmen and the other six who started after their freshmen year. So, inexperienced for seniors, but more mature than most teams. They do it right and they are hungry.”
Outlook: There are a lot of new faces in the room and that should mix well with the experience coming back. The Tornadoes should have some good wrestle offs in the room this year.”
South Walton Seahawks
Coach: Travis Laxton (8th at school/9th overall)
Assistant coaches: K.J. Beavers, T.J Lambiotte, Dean Salvaggio
23-24 dual record: 10-10
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:4; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:2; 2019:4; 2018:2; 2017:7; 2016:7; 2015:3; 2014:5; 2013:4; 2012:4
Last state champion: Max Brewster, 2022 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Gibson Moore, Sr., 49-9, 4th, R3, DC; Kaden Shaw, Sr., 34-22, RQ, D3; Noah Withers, Jr., 12-19, RQ, D4; Sam Fanton, So., 16-24, RQ, D4; Heiu Roberts, So., 3-16, RQ, D4.
Outlook: State placer Moore leads the team.
Rocky Bayou Christian Knights
Coach: Kevin Walsh (8th at school/15th total)
Assistant coaches: Chris Herron, Tim Andersen
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:7; 2022:2; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:9; 2018:10; 2017:10; 2015:9; 2014:7; 2013:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Owen Parry, 23-18, RQ, D3; Parker Sage, 18-11, RQ, D3; Clay Nelson, So., 49-7, 7th, R3, D2; Ethan Heathershaw, Sr., 16-11, D6; Wyatt Moore, So., 19-9; Spartan Koslov, Fr., 18-18, RQ, D3
Notable returning wrestlers: Thomas Pluhar, Jr., 34-15, RQ-BR, D3; Parker Lippy, 8th, 14-16, RQ, D4; Jeremiah Herron, Fr., 27-19, RQ, D3; Tristan Berry, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have three of our most decorated wrestlers that have decided to not come back.”
Outlook: An exodus of solid wrestlers will leave Rocky Bayou a little lighter in depth but the ones who are back are hungry. The lightweight classes for the Knights are extremely strong.
Freeport Bulldogs
Coach: Carey Nick
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): James Little
Notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Justice, So., 38-18, SQ, R4, D2; Zoltin Wilson, Sr., 41-22, RQ, D4; Chase Justice, Jr., 31-12, RQ, D2; Jaxen Justice, Sr., 17-20, RQ, D4; Kynlee Cuchens, So., 9-23, RQ, D4; Col
New wrestler: Austen Barker
What they are saying: “We are young and still learning.”
Outlook: It’s year three for the small school but having five returning region qualifiers has those in the room hungry for more.
Bozeman Bucks
Coach: Robert Dobbs
Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:10; 2018:6; 2017:2; 2016:4; 2015:8; 2014:6; 2013:6; 2012:2
Last state champion: Derrick Williams, 2024 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Derrick Williams, 39-1, SC, RC, DC; Jeremy Tavernier, 8-18, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Asher Burris, Jr., 33-8, RQ, DC; Daniel Pierce, Jr., 34-15, RQ, D3; Landen Jamison, Fr., 8-16, RQ, D4.
Rutherford Rams
Coach: Zach Edmonds
Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:4; 2019:5; 2018:4; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:5; 2014:4; 2013:3; 2012:6
Last state champion: Gerald Bradley, 1983 (UNL)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dylan Malott, 7th, R3, DC; Lurvey Augustine, RQ-BR, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alex Solorio, Sr., RQ, D4.