1A-16 Preview: Key West looks to continue dominance in district

BY BRANT PARSONS

Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.

Last season: Key West earned its 15th consecutive district title, finishing 94 points ahead of Westminster Christian. The Warriors edged Florida Christian by two points for second.

How did Kabra do?: The top pick was easy to make but we didn’t see the performance of Westminster Christian coming.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Gavin Matheis (Coral Shores), Andrew Lopez (Westminster Christian), Abram Canet (Key West), Dylan Gonzalez (Florida Christian)

The favorite: Key West. The Conchs are looking for district title No. 16 in-a-row.

Team to watch: Miami Westminster. Last year’s district runners-up could have a huge group of returners back to challenge for the top spot.

District duals: Thursday, January 9 at Key West

District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Coral Shores

Key West Conchs

Coach: Chaz Jimenez (16th season)

Assistant coaches: Saint Pierre Anilus, Angelo Guieb

23-24 dual record: 14-7

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: Maximo Llama, 2012 (145)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jason Flynn, 16-6, RQ-BR, DC; Ralph Riche, 41-6, 5th, R2, DC; Dostmukham Bakhtiyorov, 43-14, SQ, R4, DC; Tristan Yokoyama, 29-14, RQ, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Abram Canet, Sr., 44-22, SQ, R4, DC; Alfredo Corrales, Sr., 54-8, RQ-BR, DC; James Searcy, Sr., 34-12, RQ-BR, DC; Elvis Garcia, Jr., 17-25, RQ, D3; Jacob Ferguson, Jr., 6-24, RQ, D4; Michael Guzman, Jr., 14-24, RQ, D2; Allen Alexandre, So.

What they are saying: “We have a strong group of veterans with young guys mixed in that are very hungry for success.”

On Alfredo Corrales: “Alfredo has the potential to be one of the best guys to come out of our program. He fell short in regionals last year, which has only motivated him more be on top of the podium this year.”

On Abram Canet: “Abram has put the work in this offseason and we are expecting to see him on the podium this year.”

Outlook: The Conchs return a solid group with the goal of winning another district title. Key West is also hoping to reach the state duals this year in Kissimmee.

The Florida High School Wrestling Season 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

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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Rankings: Class 3A | Class 2A | Class 1A | Girls | Team

Miami Westminster Warriors

Coach: Michael Fernandez

Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Christian Carlos Garcia, 21-13, RQ-BR, DC.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Andrew Lopez, Jr., 23-19, SQ, R4, DC; RJ Linares, Jr., 35-11, SQ, R4, DC; Landyn Munz, Jr., 16-7, RQ, D3; Adrian Gutierrez, Sr., 10-8, RQ, D2; Brycen Munz, 7th, 6-6, RQ, D5; Dylan Munz, Fr., 15-10, RQ, D3; Andres Linares, Fr., 11-18, RQ, D4; Nick Bracci, Sr., 3-8, RQ, D4; Ryan Castaneda, So., 6-27, RQ, D5.

Coral Shores Hurricanes

Coach: Dante Jiovenetta (3rd season)

Assistant coaches: Zach Sherman, Bläh Danweih, Chris Ramos

Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): James Stough, 5-18, RQ, D5.

Notable returning wrestlers: Sebastian McCoy, Jr., 22-18, RQ-BR, D2; David Beltran, So., 25-18, RQ, D3; Sterling Keefe, So., 14-21, RQ, D5; Jace Jackson, Jr., 7-26, RQ, D4; Kevin Perez, Sr., 8-28, RQ, D3; Jeremiah Ortiz, So.; Finn McDonough.

New wrestlers: Costa Tuttle; Gavin Matheis; Ethan Struhs

What they are saying: “This is one of the most promising group of kids in schools wrestling history.”

Outlook: This is the third year of the rebuilding under Jiovenetta and this should be the best year yet under for the two-time state champion and Fargo national champion. The team had just four wrestlers when he started and now boasts young talent and depth.

Florida Christian Patriots

Coach: Larry Trejos (2nd season)

Assistant coach: Jose Martinez

Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:2; 2022:3; 2013:6; 2012:4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jose Martinez, 3-1, D5; Tim Gallardo, 10-7, RQ, D2; David Rodriguez, 14-19, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Dylan Gonzalez, Sr., 24-9, SQ, R4, D2; Leonardo Trejos, Jr., 22-6, RQ-BR, D2; Lorenzo Valeriano, 8th, 7-15, RQ, D6; Christian Pruna, So., 16-15, RQ, D5; Aiden Gonzalez, Jr., 7-12, RQ, D4; Braeden Silva, Fr., 16-10, RQ, D2; Brendan Betancourt, Jr., 6-8, RQ, D4; Ricky Hospedales, Fr., 8-6, RQ, D2; Ethan Dellano, So., 6-9, RQ, D2.

New wrestler: Roman Saballos, Sr., 10-13, RQ, DC (Transfer from Key West)

What they’re saying: “We're a very young team this year. However we have some tough kids in the room, and they're ready to get after it.”

Keys Gate Charter Knights

Coach: Christopher Perez

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:5; 2017:3-1A16; 2016:2-1A16; 2015:2-1A16; 2014:2-1A16

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mihalov Bellevue, 15-9, RQ, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Matthew Davila, Sr., 32-7, RQ-BR, DC; Romello Aldridge, Sr.; Carlos Araque, 8th, 7-15, RQ, D4; Sandro Pena, Fr., 12-9, RQ, D2; Jayden Giscomb, Fr., 6-8, RQ, D4; Erick Santa Cruz, Jr., 12-14, RQ, D2; Andy Leiva, Sr., 8-14, RQ, D4; Isaiah Dos Santos, Jr., 16-12, RQ, D3.

Miami Sunset Knights

Coach: Gabriel Malcer

Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Nathan McMorris, RQ, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Oscar Aguilera, Sr., RQ, D3; Alexander Alaniz, Sr., RQ, D5.