1A-13 Preview: Jensen Beach still a power after legendary senior classes
BY BRANT PARSONS —Jensen Beach has said goodbye to two of the best senior classes in the state the past two seasons and while that leaves the Falcons not as deep, they still have some big-time hammers on the team.
Two-time state champion Sebastian Degennaro will be looking to make it three individual titles with Ben Norris, Gian Ortiz, and Mikel Pierce-Walker all having a chance to join him on top of the podium.
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Last season: State champion Jensen Beach scored 300.5 points to win the district.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Sebastian Degennaro (Jensen Beach), Gian Ortiz (Jensen Beach), Ben Norris (Jensen Beach), Mikel Pierce-Walker (Jensen Beach), Trenton Hogan (Lincoln Park), Dartavius Saintelus (King's Academy), Toby Rooney (Jensen Beach)
The favorite: Jensen Beach. The Falcons have said goodbye to two legendary senior classes, but they’re still loaded and should see the success continue.
Team to watch: Benjamin. The Benjamin School edged Lincoln Park by 2.5 points last year for second and could return all but one wrestler from that group.
District duals: Dec. 13 at Jensen Beach
District IBT: Feb. 16 at Jensen Beach
Kabra Says: Jensen Beach is still one of the premier teams in Class 1A and even in a reloading year, they’re the class of this district right now.
Jensen Beach Falcons (#5 IBT | #6 Dual)
Coach: Tom McMath (18th at school/19th overall)
Assistant coaches: Chris Smith, Denzel Rego, Baily Lasiter, Anthony Calzadilla, Kyle Kirkham, Chirs Favoroso, Blake Wiswell
22-23 dual record: 26-2
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1-2A14; 2018:1-2A14; 2017:1-2A14; 2016:1-2A14; 2015:1-2A14; 2014:?-2A14; 2013:1-2A14; 2012:2-2A14
Last state champions: Sebastian Degennaro, 2023 (120); Ryan Mooney, 2023 (126); Jewell Williams, 2023 (145); Dylan Fox, 2023 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ryan Mooney, 58-3, SC, RC, DC; Charlie Armstrong, 13-6, 8th, R2, DC; Jewell Williams, 61-5, SC, R3, DC; Dylan Fox, 51-9, SC, RC, DC; Ashton Roeder, 7-2, RQ, DC; Colten Byrd, 36-19, RQ-BR, D2; Malachi Harriel, 43-14, 8th, R3, DC; Nate Sopotnick, 62-9, 3rd, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-126 Sebastian Degennaro, Jr., 57-2, SC, RC, DC; #2-120 Gian Ortiz, Sr., 26-10, 3rd, R4, DC; #2-132 Ben Norris, Jr., 40-10, 4th, R3, DC; #3-138 Mikel Pierce-Walker, Sr., 44-15, SQ, R3, DC; #8-190 Toby Rooney, Sr., 39-19, SQ, R4, DC; #15-215 Teagen Nelson, Jr.; Blake Elder, So., 4-13, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: #12-175 Brayden Hogg, Jr., 27-11, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from South Fork); Jyce Auzenne.
What they are saying: "We still have some guys that got to be part of those teams with those senior classes and we expect them to lead the way this year, but we will have some guys having to step up quickly and our schedule is not going to change, so they'll be tested right away. That's what it's all about and that's what we've been trying to do here with that culture."
On the last two senior classes: "I get emotional just thinking about them. We were blessed to have two great senior classes in a row and it won't be easy to replace them. The first IBT state title we sort of ran away with but last year's title - you could make a movie about it. It was special and it was because everybody on the team did what they needed to do."
On Sebastian: "He's one of the best in the country. He's been lucky to have been able to wrestle with two great senior classes and do his thing and now he'll get to build his leadership skills."
Outlook: The two-time defending state champion Falcons have graduated a lot the past two years and that leaves a lot to replace in the Falcons room - but there are still some hammers there to deal with. Led by nationally-ranked Degennaro, Jensen Beach will have wrestlers competing for the top of the podium and if they see some guys step into their new roles well, they’ll be competing at the top of Class 1A again.
The Benjamin School Buccaneers
Coach: Frederick German
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:5; 2020:7; 2019:5; 2017:6; 2016:6; 2015:6; 2014:6; 2013:6; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kevin Rolle, 12-8, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Nicholas German, 8th, 25-13, RQ, D3; Jacob Heilpern, Sr., 14-14, RQ, D2; David Frear, Jr., 6-11, RQ, D3; Micah Griffith, Sr., 16-15, RQ, D4; Braham Rittiger, Sr., 11-13, RQ, D4; Charlie Noble, Sr., 15-21, RQ, D2; Sawyer Leferve, Jr., 7-15, RQ, D4; Jacob Bounds, Sr., 15-18, RQ, D4.
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Clewiston Tigers
Coach: Renaldy Tapia (13th at school)
Assistant coaches: Tomas Pacheco, Anthony Coppler, Ashley Vary
22-23 dual record: 7-18
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:3; 2021:4; 2020:3; 2019:8-1A12; 2018:7-1A12; 2017:8-1A12; 2016:6-1A12; 2015:4-1A12; 2014:6-1A12; 2013:4-1A12; 2012:5-1A12
Last state champion: Bryan Parris, 1999 (119)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gabriel Holligan, 17-17, RQ, D3; Jaiden Jim-Washington, 23-16, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #12-113 William Bussott, So., 39-11, RQ-BR, D2; #18-126 #19-120 Gumaro Martinez III, Sr., 30-11; Ronald Loreto, Sr., 23-14, RQ-BR, D2; Rian King, Jr., 7-22, RQ, D3; Justice Morris, Jr., 4-31, RQ, D5; Elias Almanza-Garcia, Jr., 8-31, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: Byron Taylor
What they’re saying: “We are a very young team with two veteran seniors and a good group of returning second-year wrestlers.”
Fast fact: Bussot was the first freshman in school history to win 39 matches in one season.
Outlook: The Tigers program has been consistently putting together solid teams over the past four seasons and that should continue again this season.
Lincoln Park Greyhounds
Coach: Jacob Pryor (6th season)
Assistant coaches: Jamie Labbe, Tim Leonard
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:2; 2021:3; 2020:4; 2019:3
Last state champion: Kyle Grey, 2023 (170)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kyle Grey, 47-2, SC, RC, DC; Tyrell Haggins, 29-14, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-165 Trenton Hogan, Jr., 49-20, 7th, R3, D2; #17-175 Joseph Richardson, Jr.; #19-144 Jeremiah Hill, So., 14-10, RQ, D2; Sadman Chowdhury, So., 9-13, RQ, D3; David Tobias, Fr., 4-6, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Jaden Mackey
What they are saying: "We are starting over really with the exception of a few. Trenton is our new team leader. Time will tell but we have high hopes."
Outlook: State placer Hogan is back to lead the Greyhounds, who will be looking at a youth movement to fill in some holes.
Jupiter Christian Eagles
Coach: Jonathan Warren (2nd season)
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:7; 2020:6; 2019:6; 2018:3; 2017:3; 2016:5; 2015:2; 2014:3; 2013:3; 2012:2
Last state champions: Mike Kestner, 2012 (160), Jessie Stephanos, 2012 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Vaughn Villaverde, Sr., RQ, D4; Christian Escalante, 8th, RQ, D3; Aaron Carter, Jr., RQ, D4; Logan Fisher, Jr., RQ, D4; Duke Rimes, Fr., RQ, D3; Aidan Hood, Jr.; Caden Fletcher, Jr.; Joseph Janssen, Jr.; Mike Flora, Jr.; Anthony Sisca, Fr.
What they are saying: “All of our returning wrestlers will be much tougher this season, with a handful of them likely to turn some heads. We are still rebuilding a team that started back up two years ago with just five new guys.”
On the future: “We should do some damage this season, but I think next season will put Jupiter Christian back on the map. Much of the team will be seniors by next season and with a few years of wrestling under their belt.”
On this year: “We have doubled our team again. Since the rebirth of the program a couple years ago, twice as many guys are joining each year. This season I believe many of our returning wrestlers will finish with a record around 500 or a winning record, which would be a big step-up from last year.”
Outlook: Last year’s team was full of first-year wrestlers and they will look to continue to improve this year.
Cardinal Newman Crusaders
Coach: Jeff Austin
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:6-1A14; 2020:5-1A13; 2019:2-1A13; 2018:2-1A13; 2017:2-1A13; 2016:1-1A13; 2015:3-1A13; 2014:4-1A13; 2013:5-1A13; 2012:5-1A13
Last state champion: Christian Fleming, 1995 (125)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Conner Regis, 16-12, RQ, D2; Josue Martinez, 19-8, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Caden Kimbrell, So., 11-14, RQ, D2; Quinn Lundgren, Jr., 12-11, RQ, D2; Brayden Chisholm, Sr., 9-9, RQ, D3.
King's Academy Lions
Coach: Dale Porcher
Recent district results: 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ryan Winters, So., 5-10, RQ, D4; Tyce Porcher, So., 12-10, RQ-BR, D3; Ryo Ushikubo, Jr., 9-12, RQ, D3; Ridge Martin, So., RQ, D4; Dartavius Saintelus, Sr., 22-6, SQ, R2, D2.