1A-7 Preview: Lake Region resurgence continues with district favorite group
BY BRANT PARSONS —Six years ago, Lake Region had just six wrestlers in the room.
This year, the Thunder are looking to restore some old glory with a district title.
“Every year, we want to exceed what we did the year before,” Lake Region head coach Shane Davis said. “Obviously we would like to take the whole team to regionals this year and I think realistically we've got 3-4 wrestlers who can make the state tournament.”
They’ll need to get past four-time district champion McKeel Academy, who could have as many nine region qualifiers coming back.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: The top four teams were separated by just 62 points, with McKeel taking home the top honors.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Alexander Roman (Avon Park), Jonathan Espinosa (Mulberry), Jean Benavidez (McKeel Academy), Bradley Torres (McKeel Academy), Javarious Johnson (Lake Region), Tallon Widrick (Davenport)
The favorite: McKeel Academy. The Wildcats have found themselves at the top of their district in each of the last four seasons.
Team to watch: Davenport. This is a group that is excited to get to compete at the FHSAA level this season and show what they can do.
District duals: Jan. 5 at Mulberry
District IBT: Feb. 15 at Mulberry
Kabra Says: I anticipate this being a fun district race with the top two teams each returning up to nine region qualifiers from last year, and call it a knowledge bias since Lake Region gave me their info, but they seem really hungry to get back to the top.
Lake Region Thunder (NR IBT | #19 Dual)
Coach: Shane Davis (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Dawson Davis, Alex Handley
22-23 dual record: 15-6
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:4-1A11; 2020:6-1A11; 2019:9-2A7; 2018:10-2A7; 2017:11-2A7; 2016:9-2A7; 2015:8-2A7; 2014:7-2A7; 2013:6-2A6; 2012:6-2A6
Last state champion: Cleveland Berto, 2001 (135)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Makhia Davis, 17-22, RQ-BR, D4; Joseph Irving, 23-11, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #8-165 Javarious Johnson, Sr., 33-8, RQ-BR, DC; #10-190 Omarion James, Sr., 32-10, RQ-BR, D2; #13-175 Shairon Green, Jr., 19-17, RQ, D3; #20-150 Jaiden Fields, Jr., 25-13, RQ, D3; #20-157 Antonio Christian, Jr., 24-15, RQ-BR, D2; Joseph Handley, So., 14-16, RQ, D3; Javon Keys, Jr., 27-14, RQ, D2; Samuel Deliz, Jr., 19-22, RQ, D4; Nicholas Taylor, Jr., 12-15, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Jakari Johnson, Fr.; Collin Makkay (Transfer from Discovery); Israel Bernardo (Transfer from Bartow)
What they are saying: "The goals are every year, we want to exceed what we did the year before. If we fill every weight class, we obviously want to take the whole team to regions this year. Realistically, we feel like we've got three or four, three or four that possibly could be at state this year, which will be huge for us because we've only had one in 11 years. But the big thing is we had six guys make a blood around last year and five of them came back this year."
On wrestlers breaking through to state: "It is 100% on them as far as their confidence. I know they have the ability, they know that the ability, they just have a tendency to put too much pressure on themselves. They're just going out and doing what they know they can do and wrestle but they overthink it. They've got to take it one match at a time. If they can keep it mentally, the sky's the limit for the kids."
Outlook: Only two seniors graduated from last year’s team that improved from four duals wins to 15 last season, the most in over 20 years at the school.
McKeel Academy Wildcats
Coach: Frank Olinger
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1-1A11; 2020:1-1A11; 2019:2-1A9; 2018:2-1A9; 2017:5-1A9; 2016:2-1A9; 2015:3-1A9; 2014:2-1A9; 2013:3; 2012:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): John Beke, 18-9; Owen McNabb, 51-6, 6th, RC, DC; Ben Lietz, 42-13, SQ, R4, D2; Logan Peterson, 21-16, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #6-138 Jean Benavidez, Sr., 41-12, 8th, R2, DC; #7-150 Bradley Torres, Jr., 36-12, SQ, R2, DC; #13-144 Cade Beke, Jr., 31-11, RQ-BR, DC; #17-132 Jacob Reber, So., 27-16, RQ, D2; Austin Frauenfeld, 8th, 22-22, RQ, DC; Rylan Clayton, Fr., 16-19, RQ, D3; Gavin Shelley, Jr., 19-7, RQ, D2; Brandon Sadler, So., 12-18, RQ, D4; Deacon Warren, Jr., 12-8, RQ, D2.
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
Mulberry Panthers
Coach: Chris Dangle
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:2; 2021:3-1A11; 2020:3-1A11; 2019:3-1A9; 2018:3-1A9; 2017:4-1A9; 2016:7-1A9; 2015:8-1A9; 2014:7-1A9; 2013:5; 2012:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Noah Bailey, 39-12, SQ, R4, D3; Caleb Nation, 20-16, RQ, D3; Carlos Nolasco, RQ, D3; Bruce Smith, 38-8, SQ, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #9-165 Jonathan Espinosa, Sr., 2-1; #16-120 Dylan Dangle, So., 25-10, SQ, R2, DC; Jayden Cadiz, So., 32-9, RQ, D2; Jacob Abbott, So., 16-13, RQ, D4; Bryson Melvin, So., 14-15, RQ, D3; Coen Strickland, Jr., RQ, D2; Luke Beaudreault, Sr., 22-19, RQ, D4; Yandel Goyco, So., 15-20, RQ, D4.
Avon Park Red Devils
Coach: James Bland (8th season/12th overall)
Assistant coaches: Timothy Ferreira, Michael Blare
22-23 dual record: 22-7
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:4-1A13; 2021:6-1A11; 2020:4-1A11; 2019:4-1A9; 2018:5-1A9; 2017:2-1A9; 2016:1-1A9; 2015:1-1A9; 2014:1-1A9; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: James Bland, 2009 (160), Christian Grimmett, 2009 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kolby Alsenady, 24-12, RQ, D2; Jerclarion Hilton, 34-11, RQ-BR, D2; Carmine Santiago, 28-11, SQ, R4, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-165 Alexander Roman, Jr., 41-8, 8th, RC, DC; #8-144 Zackery Wells, Sr., 35-11, SQ, R3, DC; Michael Bonanno, Jr., 33-11, RQ, DC; Kahle Bruce, So., 9-12, RQ, D3.
What they’re saying: “We only have four returning wrestlers, we lost three to season-ending injuries in football and one moved out of state. Nevertheless, Avon Park will be young again but ready to compete.”
Outlook: Returning Disney All-American Zack Wells and state placer Alexander Roman lead the team that added new assistant coach Timothy Ferreira, who was a 2-time SQ and ex-Marine.
Davenport Broncos
Coach: Jamar Brown (2nd season)
Assistant coach: Dave Dobin
Recent district results: 2023:Independent
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gabriel Pujadas; Hector Roman.
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-126 Tallon Widrick, Jr., 30-10; Jacob Rosa, Jr., 22-13; Jaden Carmona-Delgado, So., 10-30.
New wrestlers: Ruddi Acosta-Santelises; Justo Medina; Angel Flores Rodriguez.
What they are saying: “We were definitely disappointed last year, especially because we actually had a couple of seniors that were on the team and they wanted the opportunity, but for this year, these guys are very excited to see how far they go in the state series.”
On practice: "You have to practice like you play. At the end of the day, we try to break down practice to where we teach a couple things at a time. We want them to master that one move before we move on to the next. As they learn, you start off by teaching, you start off by drilling, and then you have to start bringing up the intensity, so that they can be ready for when that match come, that the match is easy, but practice is hard."
On what makes Tallon Widrick special: "It is his level of dedication. He really wants to go to West Point. He wants to win a state title. During the summer, he came to practice every day. He will seek out other schools, he's a member of a gym, and he you know he wants it so bad that he will constantly wrestle and constantly seek out competition and go to every tournament that's available. Because he wants to continue to learn and a lot of people don't have that thirst for learning like he does."
Outlook: The Broncos move up to Class 1A after spending last season as an independent. Widrick returns as a wrestler who is already ready to compete on the highest levels.
Tenoroc Titans
Coach:
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:3; 2021:2-1A11; 2020:2-1A11; 2019:1-1A9; 2018:4-1A9; 2017:7-1A9; 2016:6-1A9; 2015:4-1A9; 2014:5-1A9; 2013:7; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kris Hunter, 30-15, SQ, R3, DC; DJ Gillins, 57-3, SQ, RC, DC; Steven Booker, 32-16, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Asher Nestor, Jr., 24-20, RQ-BR, D3; Nehimiah Hooper, Jr., 19-17, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The Titans see the graduation of Gillins and Hunter and the departure of head coach Anthony Cerullo, who led Tenoroc to 130 duals meet wins with 27 state qualifiers in six years.
Lake Placid Dragons
Coach: Zac Williamson
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:8-1A13; 2021:5-1A11; 2020:5-1A11; 2019:6-1A9; 2018:7-1A9; 2017:6-1A9; 2016:3-1A9; 2015:5-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Juan Robiero Flores, 22-12, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #12-165 Christian Bobo, Sr., 13-11, RQ-BR, D4; Joshua Ortega, So., 2-12, RQ, D5.