1A-2 Preview: Three teams chasing a district crown in tough team battle
BY BRANT PARSONS —Last year’s district tournament had one of the best finishes in the state with it coming down to seven total head-to-head matchups in the finals.
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Last season: Suwannee went 4-3 in straight up finals with Florida High and edged them by 4.5 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Jasper Croom (Florida High), Xander Hawkes (Florida High), Topher Pearson (Suwannee), Jay Brown (Liberty County), Austin McKinney (Suwannee), Eli Jolicoeur (Suwannee), Collin Bishop (Florida High), Justin Contreras (Suwannee), Sterling Hollinsworth (Florida High), Kohl Pippin (Wakulla), David Culley (Wakulla), Anthony Fondo (Wakulla), Nate Jacobs (Wakulla), Jordan Haigler (Florida High), Brady Jackson (Wakulla), Marshall White (Suwannee), Keaton Ellis (Liberty County), Scout Harr (Liberty County)
The favorite: Suwannee. It all came together for the Bulldogs last year and while they have to replace four state tournament participants, they have depth to do it.
Team to watch: Florida High. The Seminoles chances for a district crown took a hit when defending district champion Nias Dorsey was lost for the season with an injury during football, but they have the hammers to battle for the top spot.
District duals: Jan. 5 at Mosley
District IBT: Feb. 15 at Florida High
Kabra Says: Florida High has been chasing that district title for so long and they could have the group this year to finish on top.
Florida High Seminoles (#6 IBT | #5 Dual)
Coach: Clay Allen (14th season)
22-23 dual record: 21-7
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:3; 2013:3; 2012:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Hunter Stanley, 30-21, SQ, R4, D2; Dean Wright, 35-10, RQ-BR, D2; Nias Dorsey, Jr., 15-12, RQ, DC (Injured)
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-175 Xander Hawkes, Sr., 51-7, 5th, R4, DC; #3-120 Jasper Croom, Fr., 45-4, 5th, RC, DC; #3-215 Collin Bishop, Sr., 35-9, 6th, R3, DC; #4-132 Sterling Hollinsworth, So.; #7-190 Jordan Haigler, So., 36-18, SQ, R3, D2; #11-138 Troy Carroll, Jr., 30-17, RQ-BR, DC; #13-106 DJ Richardson, Sr., 35-19, SQ, R4, D3; #15-165 Nicholas Roeder, Sr., 49-10, RQ-BR, D2; Reis Suskey, Jr., 18-14, RQ, D4; Terence Hinson, So., 21-19, RQ, D3; Anthony Bedoya, Sr., 16-15, RQ, D4; Christian Ajose-Adeogun, So., 15-15, RQ-BR, D3.
What they are saying: “We are a very experienced group with a lot of talent.”
Outlook: The Seminoles have been chasing glory for so long now and they’re standing on the cusp of achieving it this season. Losing Dorsey to an injury during football season will hurt the depth but the team still has the horses to compete.
Suwannee Bulldogs (#9 | #7)
Coach: John Wainwright (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Joey Phillips
22-23 dual record: 51-7
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:4; 2020:2; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:3; 2016:3; 2015:3; 2014:2; 2013:2; 2012:2
Last state champion: Shawn Brown, 2014 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brody Boehm, 59-8, 5th, RC, DC; Ayden Kirby, 33-21, SQ, R4, D2; Austin Howard, 57-9, 5th, R3, DC; Dustin Wood, 46-15, SQ, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-150 Austin McKinney, Sr., 68-5, 5th, RC, DC; #4-106 Eli Jolicoeur, Jr., 44-15, SQ, R3, D2; #4-120 Topher Pearson, Sr., 51-14, 3rd, R2, D2; #5-126 Justin Contreras, Jr., 50-8, 8th, R2, DC; #9-157 Marshall White, Jr., 41-12, SQ, R3, D2; #15-175 Benjamin Lewis, Sr., 40-23, RQ, D2; #19-215 Sam Ballard, Sr., 28-34, RQ, D3; #20-165 Torynn Johns, Jr., 23-22, RQ, D2; Christian Harrell, Jr.; Clay Starling, Jr.; Holden Corbin, So., 12-18.
New wrestlers: Rylan Milan, Fr.; Brenton Middleton, Fr.; Nasir Singh, Fr.
What they’re saying: “These kids really work hard together and are one of the tighter teams I have coached. They really want each other to succeed. Lightweights and middleweights should do very well, the light heavyweight and heavyweights will have to step up this year for this team to reach their potential.”
Fast fact: Austin McKinney will break Brody Boehm’s all-time wins record at Suwannee and should surpass 200 career wins for Suwannee.
Outlook: The rebirth of Suwannee under Wainwright continues with Phillips joining the staff after coaching at Fort Myers. McKinney is a three-time state placer who is looking to finish his career on top of the podium.
The Florida High School Wrestling 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
Class G-1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Wakulla War Eagles (#15 | #11)
Coach: William Pafford
Recent district results: 2023:3; 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: Jacob Marin, 2017 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Connor Brown, 52-10, 7th, R2, D3; Caleb Orr, 35-12, SQ, R4, D2; Jae Thaxton, 60-3, 7th, RC, DC; Zabdiel Garcia-Esquilin, 31-21, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #5-215 Kohl Pippin, Sr., 36-11, 8th, R2, D2; #7-126 David Culley, Sr., 35-13, SQ, R2, D3; #8-113 Anthony Fondo, Jr., 38-12, SQ, R3, D2; #8-150 Nate Jacobs, Jr., 47-14, SQ, R2, D3; #9-150 Brady Jackson, So., 46-11, SQ, R3, DC; #19-285 Adleigh Caquimbo, Sr., 24-4, RQ-BR, DC; #20-190 Blake Barodte, So., 21-19, RQ, D4; Troy Thaxton, So., 40-17, RQ, D3; Bricyn Kennedy, Sr., 25-13; Wyatt Brown, So., 24-19, RQ, D3; Noah Vernon, So., 8-8, RQ, D3.
Liberty County Bulldogs (#18 | NR)
Coach: Jason Brown (3rd season)
Assistant coach: Brock Richardson
22-23 dual record: 1-10
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mason Geiger, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-132 Jay Brown, Jr., 48-13, 5th, RC, DC; #10-126 Keaton Ellis, Jr., RQ, D3; #11-285 Scout Harr, Sr., SQ, R4, D2; #18-138 Hunter Brown, Sr., 37-18, RQ, D4; Thiago Finuff, So., RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Josh Mercer
What they are saying: “We are still building the sport here , but it is gaining traction in our small community, we have some experience on the team this year that will pay off this season. The atmosphere has definitely changed for the better parents are seeing the benefits and buying in.”
On getting numbers up: "Definitely growing and learning that you've got to be in there recruiting still. I think we have 375 kids in the school and there's still kids in that don't know we even have a wrestling team. And promoting that has been a challenge, trying to get it out there to other students. It's not as mainstream as football or baseball or any of those but we are getting there. We're getting this love."
On Jay: "Offseason wrestling has been tremendous and he has looked a lot better and has learned a lot. You can definitely tell that he's maturing and you can see the difference and the maturity level. I think it's really going to be a good season for him and I expect him in the finals, or at least top three. We've been working a lot on the mental game of this. I think you can definitely see a different kid this year."
Outlook: The Bulldogs are in their third season as a program and have seen the numbers go up in the room. Jay Brown is looking to move up the podium this season and his brother Hunter and Scout Harr would like to join him there.
Marianna Bulldogs
Coach: Richard Davis
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:4; 2021:5; 2020:4; 2019:3-1A1; 2018:3-1A1; 2017:5-1A1; 2016:2-1A1; 2015:2-1A1; 2014:2-1A1; 2013:2-1A1; 2012:1-1A1
Last state champion: Bill Sedgewick, 1994 (189), Reggie Toombs, 1994 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Marquis Rhodes-Patterson, 25-13, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Trace Smith, So., 14-23, RQ, D4; Josh Mercer, Jr., 23-23, RQ, D3.
Godby Cougars
Coach: Jeremy Clark
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:6; 2020:6; 2019:4; 2018:4; 2017:4; 2016:5; 2015:4; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tony Howie, 7-11, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Mason Pittman, Sr., 11-10, RQ, D4; Raheem Barge, Jr., 4-11, RQ, D4.