1A-12 Preview: St. John Neumann looking to be second straight first-year program to win
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: In its first-ever season, Aubrey Rogers won a district title, edging First Baptist-Naples by 11 1/2 points.
How did Kabra do?: Even if we had gotten information on Aubrey Rogers before the season, I doubt we would have been able to see this performance coming.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Lincoln Sledzianowski (St. John Neumann), Michael Kersey (First Baptist-Naples), Asher Bacon (First Baptist-Naples), Bennett Sweitzer (Bishop Verot), Erik Perez (St. John Neumann), Jonathan Moder (First Baptist-Naples), Derek Washington Jr. (Fort Myers Evangelical), William McGowan (St. John Neumann), Andres DiGrigoli (First Baptist-Naples), Benito Barnhart (St. John Neumann), Everett Stephens (First Baptist-Naples), Hudson Sweitzer (Bishop Verot), Lukah Zherka (Aubrey Rogers), Xavier Barnhart (St. John Neumann), Jordan Peralez (St. John Neumann), Jonathon Espinoza (LaBelle), Leland Flaherty (Fort Myers Evangelical), Bekim Zherka (Aubrey Rogers), Jordan Blomberg (St. John Neumann), Joseph Conrad (Fort Myers Evangelical)
The favorite: St. John Neumann. It’s a few year program in name only. This is an experienced group led by an experienced coach.
Team to watch: Aubrey Rogers. They were the first-year team to win a title last year and they have a lot back.
District duals: Thursday, January 9 at First Baptist, 1:30 p.m.
District IBT: Friday, February 21 at Bishop Verot, 2 p.m.
St. John Neumann Celtics (#5/#8)
Coach: Blaine Ison
Recent district results: First season
New wrestlers: Xavier Barnhart, Sr., 37-10, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Palmetto Ridge); Jordan Bloomberg, So., SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Palmetto Ridge); Nash Holdridge, So., 26-22, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Palmetto Ridge); William McGowan, Jr., 39-22, 7th, R2, DC (Transfer from Palmetto Ridge); Jordan Peralez, Sr., 40-20, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Palmetto Ridge); Erik Perez, Jr., 53-9, SQ, RC, DC (Transfer from Palmetto Ridge); Richmerlins Celiferme, So., 48-16, RQ, DC (Transfer from Lely); Lincoln Sledzianowski, Jr., 4th in PA (Transfer from PA)
Outlook: Ison will be coaching a lot of the guys he had at Palmetto Ridge and they get a high-level wrestler in Sledzianowski coming back to Florida.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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Girls: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings
Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules
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Aubrey Rogers Patriots (NR/#23)
Coach: Cory Kness (2nd season at school/25th total)
Assistant coach: Dave Udchik
Recent district results: 2024:1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Darian Alvarez, 34-8, SQ, R3, DC; Travis Treadwell, 20-16, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lukah Zherka, So., 37-11, SQ, R2, D2; Bekim Zherka, So., 34-8, RQ-BR, DC; Damien Zherka, So., 38-7, SQ, R2, DC; Arthur Da Silva Pimenta, Jr., 7-5, RQ, D3; Aldo Agollari, So., 18-14, RQ, D2; Bryan Osorio, Sr., 23-15, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: Eduardo Rey, So., 11-18, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Golden Gate)
What they’re saying: “We are improved and more experienced and looking to repeat.
Outlook: The Patriots scored a district title in their first season and are ready to compete for a second-consecutive crown.
First Baptist-Naples Lions (#4/#13)
Coach: Mike DiGrigoli
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:3; 2021:3;
Last state champion: Christian Moder, 2023 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Timothy Boda, Fr., 40-5, 3rd, RC, DC (Transfer to Merritt Island)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jonathan Moder, Jr., 45-8, 2nd, RC, DC; Asher Bacon, 8th, 18-2, SC, RC, DC; Michael Kersey, Sr., 46-3, SC, RC, DC; Andres DiGrigoli, Jr., 30-5, 4th, RC, DC; Everett Stephens, So., 36-7, 6th, RC, DC; Logan Brown, 8th, 22-14, RQ, D2.
Bishop Verot Vikings (#12/#22)
Coach: Gerry Braun (3rd at school/20th overall)
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:4; 2022:5.
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Edward Nolan, 25-8, SQ, R4, DC; Dashiell Fu, 31-18, RQ, D4; Cael Horton, 19-12, D5.
Notable returning wrestlers: Bennett Sweitzer, Jr., 52-4, 4th, RC, DC; Hudson Sweitzer, So., 45-10, RQ-BR, D2; Ethan Swanson, Sr., 27-15, RQ, D2; Tiago Passos, So., 26-22, RQ, D4; Lorenzo Vasquez, Jr., 26-16, RQ, D4; Sean Cameron, So., 21-19; Jack Benaitis, Sr., 25-8.
New wrestlers: Aiden Lopez, Fr. (Transfer from New Jersey); Quinn Enguita, Jr., 38-15, RQ, D3 (Transfer from South Fort Myers)
What they are saying: “This year's team is the most experienced team yet and it is a supportive team. They support each other, they support their coaches, they support wrestlers on other teams, and they know how to have fun while working hard. Its a great group to be around.”
On goals: “It’s same approach we’ve had, just keep taking steps forward and build it as the cliche goes - brick by brick. Our saying is be the first, we’re a young program so there are many firsts you can have. Last year, we had our first state placer and this year there are still lots of firsts to be had.”
On team-first approach: “Even if we’re not going to be the most competitive team, I feel like the team aspect trickles down to make the individuals better. Both in the room and on the mat.”
Outlook: The Vikings continue to develop and grow and have the most experienced group they’ve had in the program’s four seasons.
Oasis Sharks
Coach: Jason Bowman
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:5; 2019:3; 2018:5; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:8; 2014:7; 2013:3-1A11; 2012:6-1A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kealan Clifton, 46-12, SQ, R3, D3; Christopher Conde, 3-2; Andrew Labash, 22-21, RQ, D3; Adrian Cauceglia, 26-18, RQ, D3; Adrian Ross-Benninghoff, 27-8, RQ-BR, D3; Logan Conley, 13-8.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Frederick Harley, Sr., 35-14, SQ, R4, D2; Colin Anderson, Sr., 26-20, SQ, R4, D2; Zachary Fox, Jr., 31-18, RQ, D3; Camden Phillips, Sr., 13-19, RQ, D4; Andrew Upp, Jr., 18-10, RQ, D4.
Fort Myers Evangelical Sentinels (#20/NR)
Coach: Derek Washington
Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:6; 2022:9; 2020:8; 2018:9; 2017:9; 2016:10; 2015:5; 2014:10; 2013:6; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Derek Washington Jr., Sr., 36-8, 6th, R3, DC; Leland Flaherty, So., 32-13, SQ, R4, D3; Kaden Behrman, So., 13-16, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Joseph Conrad, Sr., 31-10, SQ, R4, D2 (Transfer from Fort Myers)
LaBelle Cowboys
Coach: Matt Miller
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:3; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:2; 2019:5; 2018:8; 2017:7; 2016:8; 2015:9; 2014:8; 2013:2; 2012:2
Last state champion: Matt Miller, 2004 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Devon Jackson, 35-6, 7th, R3, D2; Josenrique Lorences, 14-12, RQ, D3; Alvaro Echevarria, 18-7, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jonathon Espinoza, Jr., 29-8, RQ-BR, D3; Brian Ordonez, So., 19-11, RQ-BR, D2; Joseph Albarron, Sr., 11-10, RQ, D3; Kendall Mann, Sr., 17-10, RQ, D2.
Gateway Charter Griffins
Coach: Press Southworth
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:8; 2022:8; 2021:7; 2020:7; 2019:10; 2018:6-1A7; 2014:11; 2013:6-1A11; 2012:4-1A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Andrew Laurent, 10-10, RQ, D2; Logan Miller, Fr., 22-9, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Riverdale)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Logan Panega, Jr., 18-19, RQ, D3; Johandiell Gonzalez, 8th, 22-10, RQ, D4; Wyatt Gershman, Sr., 12-10, D5.
Island Coast Gators
Coach: Michael Polatty (2nd at school/3rd overall)
Assistant coach: Robert Luzzaraga
Recent district results: 2024:9-2A11; 2023:9-2A11; 2022:3-1A11; 2021:4-2A11; 2020:4-2A11; 2019:6-2A11; 2018:4-2A11; 2017:5-2A11; 2016:4-2A11; 2015:4-2A11; 2014:4-2A11; 2013:10-2A11; 2012:9-2A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Christopher Ponce, So., 14-14, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The team is developing under second-year coach Polatty.
SW Florida Christian Academy Kings
Coach: Greg Clement
Recent district results: 2024:10; 2023:9; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:9; 2018:10; 2017:10; 2016:9; 2015:7; 2014:9; 2013:3; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Owen Brown, 21-8, SQ, R4, D2; Dominic Faila, 16-9, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Connor Watermeier, Jr., 22-7, RQ-BR, D4.
What they are saying: “Connor is looking to hit the podium at state this year.”
Canterbury Cougars
Coach: Tariq Humes (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Anna Brooks, Aaron Jackson, Erikk Manning
Recent district results: 2024:11; 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Atreyu Bott, Jr.; Stone Creighton, Jr.; Joaquin Paz, So.; Pierce Farhat, Jr.
New wrestler: Banner Brockington
What they are saying: “They are hungry and wanting to make a name for themselves.”
Outlook: The Cougars should be fun to watch as they gain some more mat experience.