1A-7 Preview: State title contender Zephyrhills Christian looks to lead the way
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: It was district title five-in-a-row for McKeel Academy.
How did Kabra do?: Maybe we need to stop picking against our favorites. We identified McKeel Academy as the team to beat and then picked runner-up Lake Region because they’re the only one of the two schools to send us preseason info last year.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Bryce Stone (Bell Creek), Talon Maple (Zephyrhills Christian), Kyle Gallo (Zephyrhills Christian), Alexander Roman (Avon Park), Landen Holley (Zephyrhills Christian), Nevin Hayes (Zephyrhills Christian), Aiden Hutchins (Zephyrhills Christian), Dylan Dangle (Mulberry), Yianni Marinis (Zephyrhills Christian), Zion Wimberly (Zephyrhills Christian), Javier Lopez (Zephyrhills Christian), Deacon Warren (McKeel Academy), Izak Rodriguez (Zephyrhills Christian), Curtis Tyler (Zephyrhills Christian), Jacob Reber (McKeel Academy), Cade Beke (McKeel Academy), Bradley Torres (McKeel Academy), Caleb Causey (McKeel Academy)
The favorite: Zephyrhills Christian. The Warriors will challenge for a Class 1A state title this year with a line-up that doesn’t have many holes.
Team to watch: McKeel Academy. The five-time defending district champions have numbers back.
District duals: Thursday, January 9 at Zephyrhills Christian, 4 p.m.
District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Avon Park, 3:30 p.m.
Zephyrhills Christian Warriors (#2/#2)
Coach: Tim Maple
Recent district results: 2024:1-1A10; 2023:1-1A10; 2022:2-1A10; 2021:4-1A6; 2020:3-1A6; 2019:3-1A10; 2018:1-1A10; 2017:1-1A10; 2016:3-1A10;
Last state champion: Malik Jones, 2020 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Elijah Austin, 57-18, 8th, R2, DC; Noah Leota, Fr., 37-20, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Hernando); RJ Phelan, Fr., 42-11, 5th, R3, DC (Transfer to Lake Gibson); Jeremiah Chavis, Fr., 63-7, 2nd, RC, DC (Transfer to Hernando)
Notable returning wrestlers: Talon Maple, Sr., 63-5, 2nd, R2, DC; Javier Lopez, Sr., 63-14, 6th, R3, DC; Kyle Gallo, So., 70-13, 4th, R3, DC; Nevin Hayes, So., 59-21, 4th, R4, DC; Aiden Hutchins, Sr., 67-12, 5th, R2, DC; Uy'Kwon Zion Wimberly, Jr., 57-15, 6th, R2, DC; Curtis Tyler, Sr., 41-17, SQ, RC, DC; Izak Rodriguez, So., 57-17, SQ, R3, DC; Xavier Pena, So., 22-29, RQ-BR, D3.
New wrestlers: Yianni Marinis, Sr., 37-3, 4th, R2, DC (Transfer from River Ridge); Ethan Kent, Sr., 21-8, RQ, DC (Transfer from River Ridge); Kaleb Johns, Jr., 32-11, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from Springstead); Landen Holley, So., 40-4, SQ, R3, D2 (Transfer from Wesley Chapel); Nadir Shalaby, 8th, 20-12, SQ, R4, D3 (Transfer from Cocoa Beach)
What they are saying: “I have super high expectations for this team. This is what we’ve been trying to build for. I think we have a great shot at winning the state championship this year.”
On this year: “I'm looking forward to a nice little season. These guys hit their goals. Everybody wants to go to state, but you got to put in the work.”
On coaching his son: “It can be a very difficult situation. You’ve got to push him just like a coach, but then you have to also take him home as a dad. Luckily, I've had two other kids that wrestled at the college level. The first one I coached, my son TJ, was a very good wrestler. He was a state placer for me, but we clashed heads a lot. Where Talon's my third one, so I have a little bit more insight on how to control it. We've been doing it so long.I've coached him since he was four years old. It's been a blessing for us. I'm going to hate it when it goes.”
Outlook: This is year for since Maple took over the program and this team has been built to compete for state titles and that journey starts this year. The Warriors are loaded up and down the lineup and one of the teams to beat in Class 1A.
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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McKeel Academy Wildcats (#17/#10)
Coach: Frank Olinger
Recent district results: 2024:1; 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): Jean Benavidez, 45-10, 7th, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Reber, Jr., 42-9, SQ, R3, DC; Deacon Warren, Sr., 44-13, SQ, R2, D3; Bradley Torres, Sr.; Cade Beke, Sr., 39-11, SQ, R3, D2; Caleb Causey, Jr., 32-15, SQ, R4, D3; Andrew Sapp, So., 15-9, RQ-BR, D2; Austin Frauenfeld, Fr., 33-14, RQ-BR, D2; Jordan Gerzenshtein, Jr., 25-20, RQ, D2; Brayden Doster, So., 11-14, RQ, D3; Ethan Theismann, So., 21-23, RQ, D3; Brandon Sadler, Jr., 14-20, RQ, D3.
Avon Park Red Devils (NR/#25)
Coach: James Bland (8th at school/14th total)
Assistant coaches: Timothy Ferreira, Michael Blare
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Zackery Wells, 45-6, SQ, R2, DC; Tuff Galimba, 18-29, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Alexander Roman, Sr., 46-6, 6th, RC, DC; Michael Bonanno, Sr., 42-8, SQ, R2, DC; Jamal Hicks, Jr., 32-19, RQ, D3; Christopher Nieves, Jr., 25-12, RQ, D2; Messiah Washington, So., 34-13, RQ, D2; John Jones, Jr., 28-22, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Liam McGann
What they are saying: “We are a growing team that is getting over the hump of being a young team and having more experienced wrestlers.”
Outlook: State placer Roman and state qualifier Bonanno lead a team that keeps improving from one season to the next.
Mulberry Panthers
Coach: Chris Dangle
Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Dylan Dangle, Jr., 33-9, SQ, R3, DC; Connor Treadway, Sr., 25-20, RQ, D4; Yandel Goyco, Jr., 13-8, RQ, D2; Printis Johnson, Sr., 25-25, RQ, D4; Jayden Cadiz, Jr., 7-14, D6; Diego Isardo, So., RQ, D3.
Tenoroc Titans
Coach: Patrick Cannon (2nd season)
Assistant coach: Kenny Nester
Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Tayvon Norton, So., RQ-BR, DC; Collin Guadalupe, So., RQ, D4; Asher Nestor, Sr., RQ, D2; Hawken Crawford, So., RQ, D4; Kaden Cavendar, Jr., RQ, D4; Jaidan Dunn, So., RQ, D4; Jonathan Bennett, So., RQ, D2.
What they’re saying: “The ones that get involved in sports, in general, stay out of trouble. That's really kind of the program that I'm trying to set up is, I don't care who you are., you want to come wrestle, we'll get you on the mat. Whether you're on varsity or not, that's not the point, it's about self progression.”
On Asher and Tayvon: “Asher is going to be one of those kids to look out for. He’s got a good chip on his shoulder to make it to state this year. Tayvon would be the second one to really keep an eye out on, he won districts as a freshman and reached the semifinals in regions before losing in the blood round.”
On the youth of the team: “I’ve only got two seniors this year and I had zero last year and the rest were almost all freshman.”
Outlook: The Titans are slowly building the program back up again. This year’s team will still be young, but there is some youthful experience back in the room and they should take the next step this year.
Bell Creek Panthers (#25/NR)
Coach: Willie Murphy (5th at school, 10th overall)
Assistant coaches: Justin Addison, Melissa DiCenzo, Rafael Penso, Cameron Patisaul, Marvin Johnson
23-24 dual record: 2-7
Recent district results: 2024:4-1A10; 2023:6-1A10; 2022:5-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Juvandy Robinson, Jr., 31-18, RQ, DC (Transfer to Riverview)
Notable returning wrestlers: Bryce Stone, 7th, 30-13, SQ, R4, D2; Santiago Velasco, Sr., 32-18, RQ, D2; Mark Villanueva, Sr., 26-19, RQ-BR, D4.
New wrestler: Gavin Najera, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have to build it here. Our administration is very by the book and if you want to come to school here, you have to apply and then be selected for a lottery. If you don’t get picked then, you go on a waiting list. So these kids are starting with us and they’re going with us and the success they have is from learning here.”
On Bryce Stone: “I’ve met people who God placed on this earth to wrestle, Abby (Dicenzo) being one of them and Bryce is another one. He’s a great student with a 4.0. He’s in our advanced classes and he loves wrestling. He just wants to win and compete. He told me recently when we were talking about goals this season, high school, and beyond that he wants to be recruited and looked at like Bo Bassett some day. He wants to have interest from the best schools and he does everything to get there.”
On motivation from girls team: “They’re not jealous of the girls success, they’re super happy for them. They just look at that and want it too. They want to be district champs and go wrestle the best.”
Outlook: The Panthers last year had a goal of getting their first state qualifier and they achieved it with Stone. Now they want Stone on the podium and some teammates to join him in Kissimmee.
Foundation Christian Academy Panthers
Coach: John Sawicky
Recent district results: 2024:7-1A10; 2023:8-1A10; 2022:7-1A10; 2021:8-1A9; 2020:7-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jonathan Sawicky, Jr., 18-10, RQ-BR, D2; Jacob Young, So., 6-18, RQ, D4.
Lake Placid Dragons
Coach: Will Taylor
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Christian Bobo, RQ-BR, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Remington Laursen, Jr., RQ, D4.
Angeline Academy Archers
Coach: Nick Curley
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer):
Potential notable returning wrestlers: