1A-4 Preview: Senior-led Episcopal ready to make some noise on big stage
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Along with winning another district title, Baker County reached the region finals in the state duals competition too, a first for the now member of 1A-3.
How did Kabra do?: We guessed that Baker County would win it’s second district IBT and they came through, edging our team to watch for the top spot.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Christian McGarity (Episcopal of Jacksonville), Howard Hill (St. John Country Day), Turner Glenn (Episcopal of Jacksonville), Maddox Davidson (Episcopal of Jacksonville), Mikah Ikeda (Episcopal of Jacksonville), Lawson Perry (Episcopal of Jacksonville)
The favorite: Episcopal. Seven seniors lead a team that is ready to make huge noise this season.
Team to watch: Bishop Kenny. One of two district runner-ups from a year ago now in this district.
District duals: Wednesday, December 11 at Bishop Kenny
District IBT: Wednesday, February 19 at Episcopal
Episcopal of Jacksonville Eagles (#15/#16)
Coach: Darren Glenn (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Bill Adams, Conor Chepenik, Daniel Porter, Marcus Elias
23-24 dual record: 16-7
Recent district results: 2024:3-1A3; 2023:2-1A3; 2022:4-1A3; 2021:3-1A3; 2020:5-1A3; 2019:4; 2018:5; 2017:7; 2016:4; 2015:6; 2014:8; 2013:6-1A3; 2012:4-1A3
Last state champion: Billy Kartsonis, 2009 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ben Blatt, 32-23, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Christian McGarity, Sr., 51-11, 8th, R2, DC; Turner Glenn, Sr., 43-13, SQ, R2, DC; Maddox Davidson, Sr., 37-13, SQ, R3, DC; Lawson Perry, Sr., 32-8; Mikah Ikeda, So., 44-15, RQ-BR, DC; Worth Athey, So., 12-11, RQ, D4; Shay Eberle, Jr., 15-28, RQ, D4; Mark Rinaman, Sr., 16-11; Levi Ritter, Fr., 18-25; Logan Henson, Jr., 6-8; Will Adams, Fr., 6-8; Thomas Coppedge, Fr., 13-19; Jude Thomas, Sr., 10-20; Mattia Ponzoni, Jr., 6-10; Milo Phillips, So., 5-7; Jake Davis, Sr., 6-14.
New wrestlers: Liam Gonzalez; Mac Athey; Erza Thomas; Jack Margolin
What they are saying: “We will be a small school with so many returning wrestlers coming back this year with a lot of experience under their belt. I’m excited for what the season has to come.”
On Christian McGarity: “I think the big step for Christian is to be top four. He’s placed eight twice. I really want to see the progression of his offense. He’s a great defensive wrestler and is very hard to score on but he’s going to move up the ladder he’s going to have to be better on offense and that’s what we’ve worked on.”
On team goals: “For our program, winning districts on both sides, getting to the dual state tournament again and qualifying six, maybe seven to the state tournament would be a great season for us.”
Outlook: The Eagles are led by seven seniors with a combined 456 career varsity wins. This team is built to perform well this season and is on the rise. Expect to see big things from the Eagles.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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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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Bishop Kenny Crusaders
Coach: Paul Schloth (15th at school/17th overall)
Assistant coach: Ross Tegue
23-24 dual record: 20-9
Recent district results: 2024:2-1A3; 2023:4-1A3; 2022:2-1A3; 2021:4-1A3; 2020:2-1A3; 2019:2; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:2-1A3; 2012:3-1A3
Last state champion: Josiah McCallum, 2018 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christopher Hampton, 41-13, SQ, R4, D2; John Slade, 26-8, RQ-BR, D2; Jacob Harless, 18-5; Gabe Loomis, 18-8, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Ethan Warchol, Sr., 48-17, SQ, R4, D2; Dylan Lunsford, Jr., 40-10, RQ-BR, DC; Jordan Hampton, Sr., 22-19, RQ, D3; Zach Sellers, Sr., 38-16, RQ, D4; Soren Bakkar, So., 19-20, RQ, D2; Liam Bradley, Sr., 20-16, RQ, D4; Oliver Wilkins, Sr.; George Bahri; Mario Tegue, Jr.
What they are saying: “This year’s team is a growing team in experience. We are still a young team but from top to bottom, we will have a kid that has at least one year experience. This should make us a little more competitive in dual meets and the dual series. In strong IBT events we may struggle a bit but we will have a couple stars who will compete even in those events.”
Outlook: The Crusaders will move into the brand-new, state-of-the-art wrestling room in mid-January in the school’s new $10 million athletic complex. They’ll do it with a team that should continue to develop as it gets more matches.
Union County Tigers
Coach: Edwin Johnson
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexander Cortese, 38-5, RQ, DC; Rodney Barnett, 22-8, SQ, R2, DC; Dylan Lane, 26-13, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Elijah Roberts, Sr., 10-8, RQ, D2; Jameson Lang, Sr., 18-14, RQ, D2; Gavin Sparkman, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D2; Maddox Wheeler, Sr., 18-13, RQ, D3; Ashton Newsom, Sr., 11-12.
Wolfson Wolfpack
Coach: Dwight Spence (2nd at school/2nd overall)
Assistant coach: Roosevelt Williams
23-24 dual record: 6-12
Recent district results: 2024:6-1A3; 2023:5-1A3; 2022:9; 2021:5; 2020:4; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:4; 2016:7; 2015:5; 2014:10; 2013:9-2A2; 2012:7-2A2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Bryce Frye, 17-11, RQ, D4; Keith Forbes, 30-5, SQ, R2, D2;
Notable returning wrestlers: Tristan Martinez, Sr., 23-4, RQ, D3; Taylor Martinez, Jr., 25-5, RQ, D2; Kai Molla, Jr., 6-21, RQ, D4; Kyler Hicks, Jr., 9-4; Cooper Mans, Jr.; Cleveland Ferguson, So., 9-3.
What they are saying: “The team has steadily improved in the district and regional levels over the past four years. Wolfson is seeking to again get a state quailifier, after only have one in the past six seasons.”
On first year as head coach: “ I have a whole newfound respect for all my friends that have that have been coaching 5, 10, 15, 20-plus years. It is tough. It's tough physically on a coach, and it's also a lot of planning, a lot of admin work. When I wrestled, we didn't have to worry about hotels and this and that. And when you're the head coach, you see how that stuff gets done. And yeah, it was a lot of learning experiences, a lot of dealing with it.”
On goals: “Our expectations are not big. I don't put a lot of expectations on but the idea is to just watch them grow and progress towards the end of the year. Last year, we got one one kid to state. I tell them, I'll book six hotel rooms for regionals and four hotel rooms for states. And your guys’ job is to fill them up.”
Outlook: State qualifier Forbes is graduating in December for football reasons, but the Wolfpack still have as many as four wrestlers with state tournament abilities in the room. Also to note, all the upper classmen in the room are AP scholars or International Baccalaureate candidates.
Providence Stallions
Coach: Jordan Chambers (3rd at school/8th overall)
Assistant coach: Trevor Hughes
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2015:9; 2014:9; 2013:8; 2012:5
Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Garvey, 9-6, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Camden Garcia, Jr., 19-10, RQ, D2; Albie Macdonald, Jr., 8-19, RQ, D4; Cutter Hughers, Jr., 4-22, RQ, D4; Easton Tapley, 8th, 16-9.
Outlook: The third-year program is young but looking to gain experience.
Bishop John Snyder Cardinals
Coach: Nathaniel Cleland
Recent district results: 2024:8; 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
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Amari Akel, Sr., 16-6, RQ, DC; Ethan Preston, Sr., 12-8, RQ, D3; Nicholas Pereira, Sr., 3-10, RQ, D4.
Bolles Bulldogs
Coach: David Trigg
Recent district results: 2024:8-1A3; 2023:10-1A3; 2022:8; 2021:4; 2020:2; 2019:1; 2018:3; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:3; 2012:2
Last state champion: Max Tejada, 2012 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brooks Baker, 31-12, SQ, R4, D2; Akshay Ketty, 36-12, RQ, D3; Thomas Holt, 32-13, RQ-BR, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Grant Silverfield, Fr., 34-11, RQ, D3.
St. Johns Country Day
Coach: Hunter Hill
Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kevin McLean, Fr., 38-5, 3rd, R2, DC (Transfer to Flagler Palm Coast)
Notable returning wrestlers: Howard Hill, 8th, 44-14, 6th, R3, DC.
Outlook: The program is in its third year and looking to keep building.
Bradford Tornadoes
Coach: Charles Gerber (1st at school/12th overall)
Assistant coach: Logan Montemurro
Recent district results: 2022:9; 2021:9; 2020:8; 2019:6; 2018:4; 2017:3; 2016:6; 2015:10; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:3
Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: None
What they’re saying: “First year the county has had a team in multiple years”
Outlook: The will be the first Tornadoes wrestling team since the 2021-22 season. Bradford struggled in the last three iterations, but was a solid program not that long ago, with Josh Fox winning a state title in 2012.
University Christian Fightin’ Christians
Coach:
Recent district results: 2024:12-1A3; 2023:11-1A3; 2022:8-1A3; 2021:5; 2020:6; 2017:6; 2016:5; 2015:8; 2014:3; 2013:1-1A3; 2012:1-1A3
Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Trinity Christian Conquerors
Coach: Matthew Page (First season)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: None
What they’re saying: “We've had 10 students participate in the summer and many more showing interest. We are coming in hot.”
Outlook: Trinity Christian is a brand-new program. Coach Page was an instructor of hand-to-hand combat to thousands of soldiers, airmen, and Marines during his time in the Army. The program will start the season with up to 28 wrestlers in the room.