1A-14 Preview: State contender Cardinal Gibbons looks to continue district dominance
BY BRANT PARSONS — Cardinal Gibbons has more in its sights than just another district title, the Chiefs have a team that should be able to compete for the top spot in the state.
“It's about putting the kids in right positions and given opportunities to make the developments and make the jumps,” Cardinal Gibbons head coach Jamel Morris said. “We're training five times a week and we have kids going to multiple practices a day and they're putting the work in, which puts the opportunity in front of them and hoping that they step up to the challenge.”
Coral Springs Charter isn’t ready to concede the district crown and easily and the Panthers believe that they have been putting the pieces together to be more of a challenge to the Chiefs this season.
"They always have a full lineup, so we have to go against them with a full lineup and have the firepower to go after them," Coral Springs Charter coach Eric Perez said. "I think this year it's going to be it's going to be close if we have a full lineup. Of course they still got some hammers in the lineup, but it should be closer than it's been in years past."
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Last season: Cardinal Gibbons had 12 district champions and easily won a district title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Michael Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons), Frankie Florio (Cardinal Gibbons), Dominic Pantuso (Cardinal Gibbons), Jason Simmons (Cardinal Gibbons), Bryan Picallo (Cardinal Gibbons), Nathan Chen (Pine Crest), Nicholas Lopez (Cardinal Gibbons), William Parker (Cardinal Gibbons), David Byelick (Cardinal Gibbons)
The favorite: Cardinal Gibbons. One of the teams that could compete for a state title and have the edge in this four-team district.
Team to watch: Coral Springs Charter. The Panthers might be young, but this team might be better than last year’s.
District duals: Jan. 4 at Cardinal Gibbons
District IBT: Feb. 15 at Cardinal Gibbons
Kabra Says: Cardinal Gibbons could be contending for a state title at the end of the season and while Coral Springs Charter brings its deepest team this year, the Chiefs are still the solid favorites to win here.
Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (#3 IBT | #3 Dual)
Coach: Jamel Morris (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Jamal Morris, Christian Cupas, Armand Algarin, Steve Mocco
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Nicholas Yancey, 2023 (138); Michael Mocco, 2023 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jonathan Hudson, 41-10, 6th, R3, DC; Nicholas Yancey, 46-1, SC, RC, DC; Nicolas Conte, 17-6; Richard Tauriello, 39-8, 5th, R2, DC; Grant Cooper, 30-10, RQ-BR, D2; Christopher Johnson, 24-7.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-215 Michael Mocco, So., 44-1, SC, RC, DC; #2-144 Frankie Florio, Jr., 40-8, 5th, R2, DC; #2-175 Dominic Pantuso, Sr., 38-9, 7th, RC, DC; #4-165 Jason Simmons, Sr., 22-10, SQ, R4, DC; #5-150 Bryan Picallo, Jr., 40-12, 7th, R4, DC; #6-157 Nicholas Lopez, Sr..; #8-120 William Parker, Jr., 32-17, SQ, R3, DC; #13-285 Gavin Hooten, Sr., 17-7, RQ-BR, DC; #14-113 Joseph Michaels, Sr., 26-10, RQ-BR, DC; #20-132 Ryan McWilliams, Sr., 15-8, RQ, D2; Michael Palermo, Sr.; Nicholas Lopez, Sr.;
New wrestlers: #8-138 David Byelick, So., 19-7 (Transfer from First Baptist-Naples); Caden Cagiano; Maverick Peugh; Christopher Warner
What they are saying: "We call it battle-tested. We are going to harder tournaments that are going to push them a little bit. And we're setting up a schedule where they're going to be seeing at least some top level guy each week and it might not be the same guy. They're gonna see guys that they're gonna be wrestling at the end of the year."
On having losses during season: "You're not going to get better just going against easy people, maybe something needs to wait to wake you up a little bit and say, hey, you need to be doing something a little bit more. Show that you definitely need to be pushing stuff a little bit more in practice, need to be doing something that's going to get you better and going against guys that can beat you is going to let you see where you are at right now."
On Michael Mocco: "The sky's the limit for him. I think he can get a lot more better than he is right now. He still has a lot of development to grow and he still has size and muscles to put up. And even though he's like technically sound, there's still other places where we can make some adjustments where you can contain the jumped-up levels."
Outlook: The Chiefs are loaded with a core group of guys that should put them in position to compete for a team state title.
Coral Springs Charter Panthers
Coach: Eric Perez (3rd at school/6th overall)
Assistant coaches: Stefan Silver, Steve Mocco, Tyler Vargas
22-23 dual record: 13-24
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:4; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:4; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Hunter Perez, 40-20, RQ, D2; Keon Taylor, 48-11, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #10-138 Preston Lindsay, Jr., 30-10, RQ-BR, DC; #12-157 Peter Mocco, 8th, 40-19, RQ-BR, D2; #14-126 Jaiden Valentin, So., 27-14; Andrew Ridge, 7th, RQ, D3; Elijah Perez, So., 34-14, RQ, D3; Logan Bosworth, So., 9-27, RQ, D2; Owyn Vargas, Jr., 6-7, RQ, D2; Brandon Hankerson, 7th, 5-18, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Zayne Yawar
What they are saying: "My third year of being in the program and this is definitely the most promising year where everybody is kind of clicking on all levels. Their hard work is paying off and they're improving at a rapid rate. We have no seniors on the team so it should be a very interesting year. Where a couple guys fell short last year, they've been working really hard and I have no doubt that this year is going to be their year to do much better. The goal is always the state championship and it's just getting to the state championships or we're doing well at regionals, and whatever their individual goals are, I think a lot of our guys are going to hit their goals and that's exciting."
On the experience of getting close: "You that maybe it's not for me, maybe it's for those other guys, they have some kind of special quality. But once you break it down, and you realize it's just hard work, dedication, consistency, you know it's possible. It's up to them at that point of the effort that they put in, and I've seen the effort that they put in so they know the formula takes to succeed at that next level. It's gonna be interesting. I can't wait for the season to start."
On the district: "Cardinal Gibbons is always one of the top teams in the state. So if we can hang with them and be close to them, I think then that'll give us like an idea of how well we would do against the rest of the teams in the state.
Outlook: Last year’s team was young with just two seniors. Look for this young group to be better this season.
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St. Andrew's Scots
Coach: Adam Schumer (9th at school/15th overall)
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5; 2020:6; 2019:5; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:6; 2015:4; 2014:5; 2013:2-1A13; 2012:3-1A13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Stefan Lupu, 7-16, RQ, D2; Jake Stevens, 9-6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-190 Benjamin Hirsh, Sr., 14-4, RQ-BR, D2; #15-120 Mathew McGarry, Sr., 16-15, RQ-BR, D2; #18-106 Brody Cox, Fr., 26-10, RQ, D2; Dominick McGarry, So., 13-14, RQ, D3; Miles Deal, 8th, 4-9, RQ, D3; Joseph Bredski, Jr., 4-16, RQ, D3.
Pine Crest Panthers
Coach: Miguel Rodriguez
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #4-215 Nathan Chen, Jr., 29-4, 7th, R2, DC; Ethan Stone, So., 13-7, RQ, D3; John Chen, Jr., 10-10, RQ, D3; Noah Wilson, Jr., 7-10, RQ, D3; Benjamin Levine, Jr., 7-10, RQ, D3.