1A-4 Preview: Two decades too long to wait for Baker County encore
BY BRANT PARSONS — Baker County went two decades between district titles, but they likely won’t have to wait that long again.
The Wildcats are positioned to compete again for the top honors in this district with Union County giving chase.
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Last season: Baker County narrowly edged Union County by five points for the school’s first district crown in 20 years after Union County won the district duals title earlier in the season.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Alexander Cortese (Union County), Benny Lewis (Baker County), Jareb Lauramore (Baker County)
The favorite: Baker County. If the Lewis brothers stick around to wrestle after football season, they’ll be the strongest in the district.
Team to watch: Union County. The Tigers were in it last year but said goodbye to six region qualifiers and three district champions from last year.
District duals: Dec. 19 at Palatka
District IBT: Feb. 15 at TBD
Kabra Says: This could come down to bonus points again and we’ll give the slightest of edges to defending champion Baker County.
Baker County Wildcats
Coach: Corey Cantrell (3rd season)
Assistant coach: Richard Crews
22-23 dual record: 20-8
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:3; 2021:3-1A2; 2020:5-1A2; 2019:8-1A3; 2018:4-1A3; 2017:5-1A3; 2016:4-1A3; 2015:3-1A3; 2014:6-1A3; 2013:5-1A2; 2012:5-1A2
Last state champion: Shawn Kinghorn, 1993 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rasean Rayam, 36-9, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-113 Jareb Lauramore, Jr., 37-4, RQ-BR, DC; #11-126 Jonathon Walker, Jr., 33-8, RQ, DC; Taz Kinghorn, So., 32-14, RQ, D2; Keith Ratliff, Jr., 25-9, RQ, DC; Cannon Wimpey, Sr., 20-8, RQ, DC.
New wrestlers: #4-157 Benny Lewis, Sr., 36-13, 8th, R2, DC (Transfer from Ed White); Malakhi Lewis, Sr., 15-13 (Transfer from Stanton Prep)
Outlook: The Wildcats won their first district title in 20 years last year. This is a physically and mentally tough team that has a lot of experience in the lineup.
Union County Tigers
Coach: Edwin Johnson (3rd season as HC, 5th at school)
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kale Waters, 30-13, RQ, D3; Ethan Hancock, 19-4, RQ, DC; Ian Halfacre, 31-6, RQ, DC; Ethan Shea, 22-13, RQ, D3; Colin Hadlock, 34-14, RQ-BR, D3; Danny Thornton, 37-14, SQ, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-175 Alexander Cortese, Sr., 35-12, RQ-BR, D2; #16-144 Rodney Barnett, Sr., 21-13, RQ, D2; Braden Adams, Jr., 20-18, RQ, D4; Elijah Roberts, Jr., 18-13, RQ, D3; Dylan Lane, Sr., 18-16, RQ, D3.
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Palatka Panthers
Coach: Josh White (14th season)
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:2; 2021:1-1A5; 2020:2-1A5; 2019:2-1A5; 2018:2-1A5; 2017:2-1A5; 2016:2-1A5; 2015:3-1A5; 2014:7-1A5; 2013:7-2A4; 2012:7-2A4
Last state champion: Farshaun Pinkston, 2001 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mikade Harvey, 32-3, 2nd, RC, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #12-132 Ishmael Foster, Sr., 21-9, SQ, R3, D2; Evan Williamson, So., 14-17, RQ, D2; Ben Clark, Jr., 9-8, RQ, D2.
FSDB Dragons
Coach: Dayton Newman (3rd season)
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:10; 2020:5-1A5; 2019:7; 2018:7; 2017:8; 2016:8; 2015:4; 2014:5; 2013:9; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Khayree Lofton, So., 17-14, RQ, D3; Ajania Zahira, Sr., 23-11, RQ, D2; Antawn Wanliss, Jr., 4-11, RQ, D4.
Bishop John Snyder Cardinals
Coach: Nathaniel Cleland
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:5; 2019:5-1A3; 2018:6-1A3; 2017:6-1A3; 2016:7-1A3; 2015:6-1A3; 2014:1-1A3; 2013:2; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Amari Akel, Jr., 17-14, RQ, D3; Daniel Brandenburg, Sr., 13-19, RQ, D5; Ethan Fathat; Joe Morales, Jr.; Braden Lamonica.
New wrestlers: Ezra Rosario Hamblin, Nick Adam Jones, PJ Canales, Nabil Halabi, Micah Brien, Juan Diego Cruz, Daniel Ortiz, Nick Pereira, Brayden Stephens, Rodney Bruny, Jair Ortega
What they’re saying: “Our goals for this year as a team is to build a new team culture. To be scrappy, and competitive. We are a team of mostly new faces on the mat except our returners. We will score well in dual meets and lay a foundation for success for years to come. Bishop Snyder Wrestling is doing something different this year, and all of our competition is going to wonder if there's something in the water off Samaritan Way. That in a nutshell is our goals as a team this year. I hope this helps.”
Outlook: Cleland is taking over the program and looking to change the culture while improving as the season goes on.
Keystone Heights Indians
Coach: Shaun Goetzman
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:6; 2021:4-1A5; 2020:4-1A5; 2019:3-1A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Steven Raab, 23-9, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Autrey Contes, 8th, 2-8, RQ, D5; Riley McGorty, Fr., 5-16, RQ, D4; Alyx Nichols, Jr., RQ, D4.
Baldwin Indians
Coach: Michael Echevarria
Recent district results: 2023:10; 2021:8; 2020:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Taylor Davenport, So., 23-11, RQ-BR, D2.
St. Johns Country Day
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Matthew Braddock, Fr., 24-7, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Fleming Island)
Notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestler: Colton Hill
Outlook: It’s the second year for the program and Hill is looking to build.