1A-15 Preview: Top teams in the state will battle for district, region, and state honors
BY BRANT PARSONS — Arguably the top two teams in the state - #1 Somerset and #2 Mater Lakes - will renew their rivalry this season with both having eyes on district, region, and state titles.
And this season, both teams return a large part of their line-up from a season ago.
"Before the season starts we highlight those dates,” Mater Lakes coach Brandon Neifeld said. “Obviously you want to perform at every tournament, don't get me wrong, but I think most of the guys on our team feel better under pressure, which is kind of rare."
"It's a super tough region - and that's what makes it so much fun - competing like that," Neifeld said.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Somerset won both district titles, but in the duals competition, Mater Lakes won the rematch to head to Kissimmee and the region final before Somerset won the loaded 1A-R4 title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Keagan Messina (Mater Lakes Academy), Jovani Solis (Somerset), Tristan Sainz (Somerset), Kalias Nazario (Mater Lakes Academy), Kendrick Hodge (Somerset), Jake Austin (Somerset), Ethan Tran (Mater Lakes Academy), Michael Sainz (Somerset), Eric Hodge (Somerset), Damian Soto (Mater Lakes Academy), Kellen Mesina (Mater Lakes Academy), Malikai Badillo (Mater Lakes Academy), Luis Bellon (Somerset), Noah Perez (Somerset), Jason Ramirez (SLAM Academy), Anthony O'Dell (Mater Lakes Academy), Chris Greene (Mater Lakes Academy), Rafael Lopez (Somerset), Darion Shannon (Somerset), Darren Georges (SLAM Academy), Dylan Fernandez (Somerset), Kevin Breton (Mater Lakes Academy), Carlos Sainz (Somerset)
The favorite: Pick ‘em. The slightest edge in the state rankings has gone to Somerset so far, but the duals race likely comes down to a coin flip and the IBT tournaments will be won on bonus points.
Team to watch: SLAM Academy. All eyes will be on the top two teams in this district but the Titans could up to nine region qualifiers from last season.
District duals: Jan. 4 at Somerset
District IBT: Feb. 17 at Somerset
Kabra Says: With a surge of movement at the end of the summer, Somerset comes into the season a bigger favorite and they could get the double here with the top two ranked teams in the state here. Of course, we’ve been wrong before, and could be wrong again on both.
Somerset Academy Panthers (#1 IBT | #1 Dual)
Coach: Joe Blasucci (13th season)
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2-1A14; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:2-1A14; 2012:2-1A14
Last state champion: Jovani Solis, 2023 (113); Kendrick Hodge, 2023 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Matthew Velasco, 47-7, 2nd, R3, DC; Kevin Concepcion, 36-17, 5th, R4, D2; Jonathan Moreno, Fr., 16-4, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer to South Dade)
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-113 Jake Austin, 8th, 29-11, 2nd, R2, D2; #1-132 Jovani Solis, 8th, 46-3, SC, RC, DC; #1-138 Tristan Sainz, So., 43-5, 2nd, RC, DC; #1-165 Kendrick Hodge, Sr., 55-6, SC, RC, DC; #2-157 Michael Sainz, Jr., 40-7, 3rd, RC, DC; #4-150 Luis Bellon, Jr., 27-11, 6th, R3, D2; #5-175 Noah Perez, Sr., 34-14, RQ, D3; #6-190 Rafael Lopez, Sr., 21-12, SQ, R2, DC; #10-106 Carlos Sainz, 7th, 17-7; #11-113 Gavin Calcines, So.; #11-120 Dylan Fernandez, Fr., 27-15, SQ, R4, D2; #17-285 Abdur Bey, Jr., 26-17, RQ, D2; #18-165 Michel Fernandez, Jr., 9-12, RQ, D3; Brandon Delgado, Jr., 12-11; Adrian Tejada, Sr., 23-17, RQ, D2.
New wrestler: #2-165 Eric Hodge, Jr., 33-12, 7th, R2, DC (Transfer from Mater Lakes); Matteo Gonzalez, 7th (Transfer from Mater Lakes)
Outlook: A pick-up from district rival Mater Lakes could end up being the different maker in this district race.
Mater Lakes Academy Bears (#2 | #2)
Coach: Brandon Neifeld (11th season)
Assistant coach: Jonathan Ramsey
22-23 dual record: 6-1
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:1; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:3; 2016:3; 2015:3; 2014:6; 2013:7;
Last state champion: Mason O’Dell, 2023 (106)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Emmanuel Celestin, 38-12, SQ, R4, D2; Emmanuel Nazco, 28-14, SQ, R2, D2; Calogero Mazzrillo, 37-14, 7th, R3, D2; Branden Marrero, 8-2; Eric Hodge, Jr., 33-12, 7th, R2, DC (Transfer to Somerset)
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-106 Keagan Messina, 8th, 7-3; #1-157 Kalias Nazario, So., 38-9, 2nd, R2, DC; #2-126 Ethan Tran, Fr., 40-13, 3rd, R2, D2; #3-190 Damian Soto, Jr., 38-6, 2nd, RC, DC; #4-113 Kellen Mesina, So., 33-16, SQ, R2, D2; #4-138 Malikai Badillo, Sr., 33-13, 5th, R4, D2; #7-113 Chris Greene, Fr.; #7-132 Anthony O'Dell, Jr., 31-13, 8th, R2, DC; #8-215 Kevin Breton, Sr., 23-17, SQ, R4, D4; #14-120 Bruce Li, 8th, 28-8; Jacob Victorero, Jr., 10-12, RQ, D4; Emiliano Solache, Jr., 15-19, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: #6-165 Myles Sadeek, Sr., 32-8, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from Miami Edison)
What they are saying: "We've been working hard this offseason. We honestly haven't stopped. And all those guys that are returning, even the finalists, they were all underclassmen so I feel like their time is definitely coming. It's just been a matter of time before we got older and more mature. It's been the same group of kids for the past three years. So I think all of them are going to just continue to place higher and get better through natural maturity."
On the team being close: "We have good camaraderie and practice. They're all pushing each other and we got some new leaders stepping up and taking charge, which is something that we've been waiting for. It all seems to be coming together organically."
On the region: "Even a fourth place finish from our region can beat a regional champ from another region. Obviously we want to perform better at regionals. The good thing is that a lot of guys that we have battles with at states will probably be on the opposite side of the bracket because we are in the same region."
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.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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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
Class G-1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
SLAM Academy Titans
Coach: Manuel Sevilla
Assistant coach: Joseph Plair
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:3-1A16; 2020:2-1A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joshua Brown, 17-12, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #6-113 Jason Ramirez, So., 27-7, SQ, R3, D3; #9-285 Darren Georges, Sr., 23-7, SQ, R3, DC; Tristan Eril-Coto, 7th, 9-20, RQ, D4; Jayden Howard, So., 14-15, RQ, D3; Anthony Meza, Jr., 6-12, RQ, D5; Bryan Lecahdo, Jr., 15-13, RQ, D4; Freddie Medina, Jr., RQ, D4; Diego Barahona, Jr., 9-10, RQ, D5.
New wrestler: Miguel Ramirez, 8th.
Outlook: Two state qualifiers lead a group of eight returning region qualifiers and they’ll be joined by Jason Ramirez’ little brother Miguel.
Miami Central Rockets
Coach: Javon Drayton
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:5-2A16; 2019:8-2A16; 2018:10-2A16; 2017:9-2A16; 2016:10-2A16; 2015:9-2A16; 2014:3-2A16; 2013:4-2A16; 2012:2-2A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jayden Brown, 10-8, RQ, D3; Elyze Rinville, 18-5, RQ-BR, D3; D'warren Gordan, 6-3, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-175 Bluny Pavilma, Jr., 20-5, RQ-BR, D3; Fabian Appling, So., 6-8, RQ, D4; Samuel Saint-Cyr, Jr., 14-7, RQ, D3; Walex Desmangles, Sr., RQ, D4; Jamarion Evaniste, Sr., 12-6, RQ, D3.
Miami Edison Red Raiders
Coach: Myles Sadeek
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:3; 2021:4; 2020:6; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:?-1A-15; 2016:8; 2015:9; 2014:9; 2013:6; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): #6-165 Myles Sadeek, Sr., 32-8, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer to Mater Lakes)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-157 James Ceyan, Jr., 20-13, RQ, D3; Salovens Dimanche, Sr., 11-9, RQ, D3; Marquies Hayes, Sr., 12-7, RQ, D3; Wilky Jean-Baptiste, So., 6-13, RQ, D5.
Miami Jackson Generals
Coach: David Francis
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:4; 2018:4; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:4; 2013:3; 2012:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kevin North, So., 3-12, RQ, D5; Joshua Moss, So., 8-9, RQ, D4; George Terzardo, ?, 17-10, RQ, D5; Joniel Riveravega, Jr., 13-14, RQ, D4; Sergio Urraca, Jr., 9-12, RQ, D4; Pharell Ruffin, So., 13-13, RQ, D3.
Miami Monsignor Pace Spartans
Coach: Lazaro Reinoso
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:2; 2021:6; 2020:3; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:?-1A-15; 2016:5; 2015:4; 2014:2; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Alex Perez, 2016 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Roberto Gilbert, 20-6, RQ-BR, D3; Peyton Joseph, 15-7, RQ, D5; Michael Ferguson, 15-8, SQ, R4, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lexington Robinson-Allen, Jr., 3-10, RQ, D4; Atticus Dye, So., 4-12, RQ, D5; Dylan Castro, Sr., 3-8, RQ, D4.