1A-16 Preview: Key West looks to continue ruling the southernmost district in Florida
BY BRANT PARSONS —Located just 1.6 miles from the Southernmost Point of the Continental United States, Key West consistently puts out the top wrestling team in the southernmost district in Florida.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Key West earned its 14th consecutive district title, finishing 72 points ahead of Florida Christian.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Ralph Riche (Key West), Alexander Marcotte (Key West), Jordan Diaz (Miami Sunset)
The favorite: Key West. The Conchs graduated a state placer and three region qualifiers but the cupboard is not bare with as many as 10 region qualifiers back.
Team to watch: Florida Christian. The Patriots have been getting better each year and will try to add to their individual district title collection this season.
District duals: Dec. 22 at Florida Christian
District IBT: Feb. 15 at Coral Shores
Kabra Says: The Conch train will continue with Key West winning district title No. 15 in a row, but the gap might be closing a little bit as Florida Christian develops.
Key West Conchs (NR IBT | #14 Dual)
Coach: Chaz Jimenez (15th season)
Assistant coaches: Saint Pierre Anilus, Rich Fox, Leslie Saballos
22-23 dual record: 17-5
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: Maximo Llama, 2012 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Morgan Sukion, 29-18, RQ, D4; Elijah Miranda, 32-16, RQ, DC; Weston Andrews, 29-20, RQ-BR, DC; Andre Otto, 23-3, 3rd, RC, DC; Alexander Marcotte, Jr., 26-13, RQ, DC (Moved).
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-285 Ralph Riche, Sr., 47-13, 5th, R3, DC; #11-144 Dostmukham Bakhtiyorov, Sr., 47-12, RQ-BR, DC; #13-132 Abram Canet, Jr., 32-20, SQ, R4, DC; #13-138 James Searcy, Jr., 24-20, RQ-BR, DC; #14-150 Jason Flynn, Sr., 27-6; #16-157 Justin Tran, Sr., 33-21, RQ, D3; #16-165 Alfredo Corrales, Jr., 37-15, RQ-BR, DC; Skylar Fosshage, So., 19-29, RQ, D4; Prometheus Delaclercla, So., 16-29, RQ, D5; Lazaro Diaz, Jr., 26-24, RQ, D2; Roman Saballos, Jr.; Jaden Fox, Jr.
What they are saying: “Our best characteristic as a team is the family culture of our program and this group of wrestlers. They push each other to get better everyday.”
Outlook: The Conchs will be looking for their 15th straight district title.
Florida Christian Patriots
Coach: Jason Harrison (3rd season/16th overall)
Assistant coach: Nick Alvarez
22-23 dual record: 12-8
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:3; 2013:6; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lucas Gasco-Guterro, 11-11, RQ, D4; Daniel Mainade, 9-8, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #14-165 Dylan Gonzalez, Jr., 20-9, RQ-BR, D2; #17-120 Leonardo Trejos, So., 25-5, RQ-BR, DC; #17-150 Jose Martinez, Sr., 17-11, RQ-BR, D3; #17-157 Mason Harrison, Jr., 21-10, RQ, D2; #17-190 Tim Gallardo, Sr., 14-6, RQ, D2; Christopher Blanco, So., 10-10, RQ, D3; Bryson Harrison, Fr., 8-17, RQ, D4; Austin Rodriguez, Sr., 4-3, RQ, D2; Alexei Ramirez, Sr., 10-9, RQ, D2.
What they are saying: “We are solid and ready to go.”
Outlook: Trejos won the school’s first district title since they restarted the program.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Keys Gate Charter Knights
Coach: Christopher Perez (5th at school/ 20th total)
Assistant coach: Timothy Worthen
22-23 dual record: 3-3
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2017:3-1A16; 2016:2-1A16; 2015:2-1A16; 2014:2-1A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #18-157 Romello Aldridge, Jr., 14-11, RQ, D2; Isaiah Cueller, 7th, 6-16, RQ, D6; Jose Flores, Jr., 11-14, RQ, D5; Matthew Davila, Jr., 22-9, RQ, D3; Mihalov Bellevue, Sr., 12-11, RQ, D4; Carlos Aroque, 7th; Sandro Pena, 8th; Erick Santacruz, So.; Isaiah Dos Santos, So.; Andy Leiva, Jr.
What they’re saying: “We are young and hungry.”
Outlook: This is the second year of a rebirth for the program after it was cut 6-7 years ago.
Miami Westminster Warriors
Coach: Michael Fernandez (1st season)
Assistant coach: Nick Rios
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5; 2021:4; 2020:4; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:6; 2015:3; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:2
Last state champion: Jason Goff, 1999 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ryan Sezumaga, 43-10, RQ-BR, DC; Julian Valdes, 31-17, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #17-126 RJ Linares, So., 26-17, RQ, DC; Adrian Gutierrez, Jr., 8-7, RQ, D3; Andrew Lopez, So.
Outlook: Fernandez takes over the program with district champion Linares back looking to go deeper into the postseason.
Coral Shores Hurricanes
Coach: Dante Jiovenetta (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Zachary Sherman, Jarron Koretz, Chris Ramos
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:3; 2018:4; 2017:4; 2016:3; 2015:5; 2014:3; 2013:2; 2012:5
Last state champion: Dante Jiovenetta, 2016 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None.
Notable returning wrestlers: #20-113 Sebastian McCoy, So., 16-16, RQ, D3; Devin Smith, So., 15-23, RQ, D4; Jayden Angel, So., RQ, D4; Jack Hill, So., 13-20, RQ, D4.
Outlook: Jiovenetta’s second season should be marked by improvement across the board with this group.
Miami Killian Cougars
Coach:
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:2; 2021:2-2A16; 2020:6-2A16; 2019:6-3A16; 2018:5-3A16; 2017:3-3A16; 2016:4-3A16; 2015:5-3A16; 2014:6-3A16; 2013:8-3A16; 2012:6-3A16
Last state champion: Moses McCraney, 1997 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joshua Sanchez, Sr., 44-9, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer to Felix Varela); Dylan Sweeney, Sr., 32-8, RQ, DC (Transfer to Felix Varela); Terrell Jones, Soph. (Transfer to Felix Varela); Jair Quintero, Jr. (Transfer to Felix Varela); Daniel Caballero, Sr. (Transfer to Felix Varela)
Notable returning wrestlers: #13-113 Fredvon Mitchum, So., 21-7, RQ, D2; Brandon Rodriguez, So., 9-20, RQ, D4; Michael Stevens, Soph.; Albert Sevilla, Jr.; Dueron Thomas, Sr., 25-16, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Jordan Pineda, Jr.; Kayron Bryant, Fr.; Matheo Jean Pierre, Jr.
Outlook: The Cougars hit the postseason last year beat-up as seven wrestlers were sick or injured ahead of districts. Coach Eric Hughes left after five seasons at the school to take over at Felix Varela and some of his Cougar wrestlers followed.
Miami Sunset Knights
Coach: Gabriel Malcer (2nd season)
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:4; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:6-2A16; 2018:4-2A16; 2017:4-2A16; 2016:3-2A16; 2015:7-3A16; 2014:8-3A16; 2013:7-3A16; 2012:8-3A16
Last state champion: Michael Chinchilla, 2008 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #10-285 Jordan Diaz, Jr., 24-14, SQ, R4, D2; Kevin Faife, Sr., 17-15, RQ, D3; Nathan McMorris, Sr., 7-17, RQ, D5; Alexander Alaniz, Jr., 12-11, RQ, D3.
Outlook: Diaz returns after reaching the state tournament last year and he’ll be looking for a podium spot this year.
South Miami Cobras
Coach:
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:8-2A16; 2019:8-3A15; 2018:5-3A15; 2017:8-3A15; 2016:8-3A15; 2015:5-3A15; 2014:4-3A15; 2013:4-3A15; 2012:6-3A15
Last state champion: Javier Estopinan, 2004 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rohan Rosado, 16-8, RQ, D3; Derek Regalado, 8-8, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Riviera Prep Bulldogs
Coach: Hector Jimenez
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:7; 2020:8; 2019:4; 2015:7; 2014:
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Vincent Cortina, Jr., 6-8, RQ, D3.