1A-14 Preview: Mater Lakes and Cardinal Gibbons to intensify rivalry
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: 13 Cardinal Gibbons won district titles and the other champion is a Chief this season.
How did Kabra do?: In a four-team district, it was pretty easy to go 1-4 in our picks.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Keagan Mesina (Mater Lakes Academy), Kellen Mesina (Mater Lakes Academy), Kalias Nazario (Mater Lakes Academy), Peter Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons), Michael Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons), Bryan Picallo (Cardinal Gibbons), Frankie Florio (Cardinal Gibbons), Nathan Chen (Pine Crest), Ethan Tran (Mater Lakes Academy), Bruce Li (Mater Lakes Academy), Mason O'Dell (Mater Lakes Academy), Damian Soto (Mater Lakes Academy), Anthony O'Dell (Mater Lakes Academy), Chris Greene (Mater Lakes Academy), Andrew Isek (Cardinal Gibbons), Isaac Fayer (Cardinal Gibbons), Nicholas Winter (Cardinal Gibbons), Kenny Alvarado (Mater Lakes Academy), Ethan Stone (Pine Crest)
The favorite: Mater Lakes. Is this the season where the Bears finally get their state champion bling?
Team to watch: Cardinal Gibbons. The Chiefs are loaded with state champion talent, if the whole lineup comes together, they could be the team to beat.
District duals: Friday, January 10 at Mater Lakes
District IBT: Unknown at press time
Mater Lakes Academy Bears (#1/#1)
Coach: Brandon Neifeld (12th season)
Assistant coach: JD Ramsey
23-24 dual record: 8-2
Recent district results: 2024:2-1A15; 2023:2-1A15; 2022:1-1A15; 2021:2-1A15; 2020:2-1A15; 2019:2-1A15; 2018:2-1A15; 2017:3-1A15; 2016:3-1A15; 2015:3-1A15; 2014:6-1A15; 2013:7-1A15
Last state champion: Mason O’Dell, 2023 (106)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Myles Sadeek, 36-9, 2nd, RC, DC; Malikai Badillo, 16-6, 4th, R2, DC; Kevin Breton, 17-7.
Notable returning wrestlers: Keagan Messina, Fr., 24-1; Kalias Nazario, Jr., 32-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Anthony O'Dell, Sr., 27-7, 3rd, R2, D2; Damian Soto, Sr., 20-2, 2nd, R3, DC; Kellen Mesina, Jr., 27-9, 4th, R2, DC; Bruce Li, Fr., 24-3; Ethan Tran, So., 25-5, 3rd, R2, DC; Kenny Alvarado, Sr., 35-16, 6th, R3, D2; Chris Greene, So., 17-6, 7th, R3, D2; Emiliano Solache, Sr., 22-17, RQ, D4; Maximilian Garzano, So., 4-7, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Mason O'Dell, Fr.
What they are saying: “We’ve definitely been building over the last few years with this group of guys. At this point everything we’ve done the last couple years together, it’s just a matter of time before we explode. This season is going to be the first big year for that to happen. I don’t think there’s much that can stop us.”
On the lineup: “We’re not going to really have any holes and it’s all just the same kids we’ve had the last few years. I feel like this year we have the space where everybody’s going to get into the lineup, which is great.”
On chasing two state titles: “The good thing about how it works is that you have the dual and the chance to be a team dual champion and then you have the IBT at the end. We’ve talked to our guys early on and told them that the duals are a team effort and they may need to go where it’s best for them to go for the team.”
Outlook: This team is built for success this season - and next - and the Bears will be one of the teams with a legit shot at winning both the Class 1A state duals title and state IBT title.
Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (#3/#5)
Coach: Jamel Morris (Fourth season as HC/Fifth season overall)
Assistant coaches: Jamal Morris, Armand Algerian, Christian Cupas, and Steve Mocco
23-24 dual record: 15-2
Recent district results: 2024:1; 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): Jason Simmons, 30-5, 2nd, R2, DC; Nicholas Lopez, 30-6, 8th, R3, DC; Dominic Pantuso, 34-10, SQ, R3, DC; Gavin Hooten, 13-8, RQ, DC; Michael Palermo, 29-6, RQ-BR, DC; Ryan McWilliams, 15-10, RQ-BR, DC; Joseph Michaels.
Notable returning wrestlers: Michael Mocco, Jr., 41-2, SC, RC, DC; Bryan Picallo, Sr., 18-2, 3rd, R2, DC; Frankie Florio, Sr., 24-1, 3rd, RC, DC; Nicholas Winter, Jr., 23-15, SQ, R4, D2; William Parker, Sr., 25-11, RQ-BR, DC; Andres Garcia, So., 29-14, SQ, R3, DC; Caden Cagiano, So., 22-16, RQ, DC; Christopher Warner, So., 19-16, RQ, DC.
New wrestlers: Isaac Fayer, Jr., 48-5, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer from American Heritage); Peter Mocco, Fr., 17-0, SC, RC, DC (Transfer from Coral Springs Charter); Andrew Isek, Sr. (Transfer from Colorado)
What they are saying: “The team chemistry is great this year. Everyone are on the same page in wanting to compete for a state title as a team. We think we have a good chance of winning states.”
On Michael Mocco: “It's crazy because when he, when I think when he was in seventh grade, he was wrestling one of my, I want to say (2:43) juniors or seniors, and he got beat up and beat and stuff like that. And some people were like, well, he's not that good. Yada, yada, yada. Then when he got to Gibbons, I can see his work ethic. He went to our practices. He had club practice right after that. Whenever it was like a tournament, a JV tournament, he would be in the room with the other coach Morris training, working on different techniques and different situations. He's always developing and perfecting his craft and always pushing himself. He's the hardest working kid I've ever seen. He just keeps making jumps and jumps and jumps. I always tell him the sky's the limit for him. Just go out there and try to dominate every match.”
Outlook: This team is loaded and will be competing for a state title in the new look Class 1A. World champion Michael Mocco already looks ready to stamp his spot as one of the best to ever wrestle in Florida high school history. The Super 32 runner-up will be joined by younger brother Peter Mocco, who comes over from Coral Springs Charter after winning a state title last season.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
Click on link to see preview
Class 3A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 2A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
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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Pine Crest Panthers (#18/#21)
Coach: Miguel Rodriguez
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:4; 2022:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Nathan Chen, Sr., 16-4, 3rd, R2, D2; Ethan Stone, Jr., 21-12, RQ-BR, D2; Parker Dettor, Sr., 23-8, RQ-BR, D2; Andrew Chen, So., 14-10, RQ, D2; John Chen, Sr., 6-5, RQ, D3; Jacob Lobis, Jr., 21-14, RQ-BR, D2; John Promnitz, So., 6-23, RQ, D3; Benjamin Levine, Sr., 6-16, RQ, D2.
Miami Monsignor Pace Spartans
Coach: Lazaro Reinoso
Recent district results: 2024:6-1A15; 2023:5-1A15; 2022:2-1A15; 2021:6-1A15; 2020:3-1A15; 2019:3-1A15; 2018:3-1A15; 2017:?-1A-15; 2016:5-1A15; 2015:4-1A15; 2014:2-1A15; 2013:1-1A15; 2012:1-1A15
Last state champion: Alex Perez, 2016 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kenneth Matos, 11-8, RQ, D2; Atticus Dye, Jr., 8-6, D6 (Transfer to Archbishop McCarthy)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Raphy Riefkohl, Sr., 10-6, RQ, D5; Lexington Robinson-Allen, Sr., 5-14, D5.
Miami Carol City Chiefs
Coach: Jeremiah Howard (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Michael Horn, Marlon
Recent district results: 2019:11-2A16; 2018:11-2A16; 2017:11-2A16; 2016:6-2A16; 2015:6-2A16; 2014:8-2A16; 2013:6-2A16; 2012:6-2A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Jaidyn Lewis; Lonnie Clanton
What they are saying: “Our wrestling program has been completely rebuilt after being off the scene for several years.”
On being a young team: “Our young athletes are beginners in the challenging world of wrestling.”
Outlook: Carol City disappeared from the sport after three consecutive 11th place district finishes. Howard has taken charge to try and build it back up as his team learns the sport from scratch.
Pompano Beach Golden Tornadoes
Coach:
Recent district results:
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Stranahan Mighty Dragons
Coach: Jared Villalobos (First season)
Assistant coaches: Jaden Villalobos, Terry Chiappelli
Recent district results: 2022:9-2A15; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:5-2A15; 2018:6-2A15; 2017:4-2A15; 2016:4-2A15; 2015:4-2A15; 2014:3-2A15; 2013:3-2A15; 2012:4-2A15
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
What they’re saying: “The program has a rich history and we are re-establishing the program after a 3 year hiatus.”
On having a first-year team: “These are all student-athletes that are trying the sport for the first time.”
Outlook: After barely registering in the 2021-2022 season with just three wrestlers in the postseason, the Mighty Dragons disappeared from the sport the past two years. They’re back this year with a staff that intends to rebuild a once solid program.