1A-9 Preview: Anclote and Hudson look to battle for top spot for third straight year
BY BRANT PARSONS — Everything came together last season for Anclote as the Sharks powered to a district title win.
This year’s race promises to be close again and one of their closest competitors is hoping they can be ready to fully battle.
The injuries piled up on Hudson last year heading into the postseason and the Cobras know if they can come in as a full team, they can compete.
"We just need to keep doing what we've been doing," Hudson coach Matthew Forbes said. "And we need to stay healthy."
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Last season: Anclote had 11 region qualifiers and edged Hudson by 21 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Gavin Nolan (CCC), Gavyn Uribes (Hudson), Dominic Fouché (CCC), Luke Francis (CCC)
The favorite: Anclote. I think this is one of the more open district races, but we’ll give the nod to the defending champion Sharks.
Team to watch: CCC. The Marauders have a two-time state champion and some new faces in the room to improve their depth.
District duals: Jan. 4 at Tarpon Springs
District IBT: Feb. 16 at Clearwater Central Catholic
Kabra Says: Both Anclote and Hudson lost some key wrestlers to graduation so the difference in this year’s team race could come down to who can fill those open spots the best. We’ll go with Hudson having that edge.
Hudson Cobras
Coach: Matthew Forbes
Assistant coach: Ken Simmons
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:1; 2021:2-1A6; 2020:6-1A6; 2019:5-1A6; 2018:5-1A6; 2017:5-1A6; 2016:5-1A6; 2015:7-1A6; 2014:9-1A6; 2013:9-1A8; 2012:9-1A8
Last state champions: Robb Phillipus, 2000 (215), Pat Reili, 2000 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Giovanni Stramiello, 33-11, SQ, R4, D2; Nathaniel Delucco, 42-6, SQ, R3, DC; Robb Philippus, 48-5, SQ, R2, D2; Joshua Jofre, 15-14, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #4-285 Gavyn Uribes, Sr., 39-10, SQ, R3, DC; #17-113 Tyler Parton, Sr., 20-11, RQ, D2; #20-138 Riley Gonzalez, Jr., 11-9, RQ, D3; Gabriel Carpio, Jr., 13-14, RQ, D2.
New wrestler: #14-106 Jordan Anderson, Jr., 30-9, RQ-BR, D4 (Transfer from Plant City)
What they are saying: “The program is growing and gaining much more interest each year. It has a great foundation that was built before I came here and continues to evolve each year.”
On this team: "I have one (state qualifier) returning and I have a couple of really good seniors that were injured at the end of last year that had a shot. We got a good transfer that came in who was ranked in 3A and I think just the culture that has been built, then built upon and I have a lot of really good second year wrestlers that show a lot of potential."
On how close the team is: "One thing I noticed when I got here was very close knit this group was and they always welcome people in. We always tried to stick together, do things together, they eat lunch together, they have a really close knit thing and even when the freshmen come in, they're always willing to help work with one another and pass on fundamentals and the things that we teach and try to work with everybody coming in and showing them how we do things."
Outlook: If the team can enter postseason healthy, they could be the team to beat again in this district after coming up just short a season ago.
Anclote Sharks
Coach: James Paliotti (2nd at school)
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:4; 2020:8; 2019:7-1A6; 2018:6-1A6; 2017:6-1A6; 2016:6-1A6; 2015:5-1A6; 2014:4-1A6; 2013:4-1A8; 2012:4-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Miller, 11-7, RQ, DC; Daniel Garcia, 24-7, RQ-BR, DC; Aaron Hayes, 16-10, RQ, D4; James Tizon, 9-9, RQ, D2; Dylan Deluca, 13-23, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #18-150 Julian Bell, Jr., 25-11, RQ, D3; Bryce Frankenfield, Jr., 10-27, RQ, D3; Jose Cruz, Jr., 4-11, RQ, D4; Tyler Iving, Sr., 10-18, RQ, D3; Chase Davey, Sr., 11-24, RQ, D4; Evan Hummel, Sr., 14-21, RQ, D4; Miguel Medina, Sr., 5-8, RQ, D4.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Class 1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
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Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders (#12 IBT | NR Dual)
Coach: Chris McClure (10th at school/19th overall)
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:3; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:4-1A11; 2018:3-1A11; 2017:5-1A11; 2016:8-1A11; 2015:4-1A10; 2014:4-1A10; 2013:4-1A10; 2012:1-1A10
Last state champion: Gavin Nolan, 2023 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Carson Schiavello, 42-7, 3rd, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #1-150 Gavin Nolan, Jr., 32-3, SC, R2, DC; #7-138 Dominic Fouché, Sr., 35-17, SQ, R4, DC; Ryan Varga, So., 2-13, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Jason Schiavello, Fr.; Zachary Prince, Jr., 24-16 (Transfer from Countryside); #8-157 Luke Francis, Jr., 39-16, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from St. Pete Catholic); Ray Lane, So., 28-9, RQ, D4 (Transfer from Lakewood)
Gulf Buccaneers
Coach: Chris Palasky
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:9; 2021:8-2A8; 2020:9-2A8; 2019:4-1A6; 2018:4-1A6; 2017:3-1A6; 2016:3-1A6; 2015:8-1A6; 2014:7-1A6; 2013:1-1A10; 2012:2-1A10
Last state champions: Anthony Ayers, 2011 (130), Ladarius Jackson, 2011 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Trevis Stacy, 14-10, RQ, D2; Justice Faucher, 14-18, RQ, D2; Jonathan Leon, 30-6, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jayden Collier, Jr., 12-20, RQ, D4; Logan Duncan, So., 24-21, RQ, D4; Cameron Anthony, Jr., 8-31, RQ, D4; Blake Flood, Jr., 21-13, RQ, D4; Brian Toole, Jr., 10-17, RQ, D4; Anthony Rollins, Sr., 21-9, RQ, DC.
Outlook: Chris Palasky takes over the program after previously being at River Ridge for four seasons. During his time there, he took a team to the state duals tournament so expect him to look to try and build this program the same way.
Dunedin Falcons
Coach: Colin Blackmore
Assistant coaches: Sam Haertle, Liam Buffington
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5; 2021:3; 2020:6; 2019:3-2A9; 2018:1-2A9; 2017:2-2A9; 2016:3-2A9; 2015:1-1A11; 2014:1-1A11; 2013:2-2A8; 2012:1-2A8
Last state champion: Clarence Arrington, 2013 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sam Haertle, 37-9, RQ-BR, DC; Uziel Moro, 31-17, RQ, D3; Liam Buffington, 41-10, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #12-215 Saul Martinez, Jr., 31-13, SQ, R4, D3; Fisher Freeland, So., RQ, D2; Bodie Ross, Jr., 11-15, RQ, D3; Seth Colton, Jr., 18-15, RQ, D2; Andrew Gearhart, Jr., 6-17, RQ, D4.
Tarpon Springs Spongers
Coach: John Zsido (7th season)
Assistant coach: Richard Warnke
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:3; 2019:10-1A11; 2018:9-1A11; 2017:12-1A11; 2016:11-1A11; 2015:10-2A9; 2014:9-2A9; 2013:6-2A8; 2012:6-2A8
Last state champion: Steven Leight, 1983 (185)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Max Werder, 23-16, RQ, D2; Antonio Zampino, 28-10, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #13-157 Giulliano Ferro, Sr., 31-11, RQ-BR, DC; Jacob Dodgin, Jr., 19-10, RQ, DC; Gabriel Dejesus, Jr., 25-9, RQ, DC.
New wrestler: #7-120 Juniper Severin, Sr., 22-6, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from Palm Harbor University)
What they are saying: “We have a solid core of returning wrestlers including three district champions and a few runners-up. Our team should have fairly good numbers and be competitive in Class 1A duals.”
Outlook: Three district champions are back for the Spongers who should have some good numbers in the room and should be competitive in Class 1A Duals.
Admiral Farragut Blue Jackets
Coach: Tony LoRusso (6th season)
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:10; 2021:1-1A10; 2020:2-1A10; 2019:2-1A11; 2018:2-1A11; 2017:4-1A11; 2016:3-1A11; 2015:6-1A11; 2014:7-1A11; 2013:2-1A10; 2012:4-1A10
Last state champion: Caleb Lemmons, 2019 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Timur Sedykh, 13-15, RQ, D3; Thomas Chomat, 8-14, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #12-150 Liam Brown, Sr., 28-12, RQ-BR, D3; Jacob Cuesta, 7th, 8-14, RQ, D4.
Northside Christian Mustangs
Coach: Jeremy Salyers (1st season)
Assistant coach: Kyle Glunt
22-23 dual record: 0-3
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:11; 2021:9-1A10; 2020:9-1A10; 2019:12-1A11; 2018:12-1A11; 2017:6-1A11; 2016:6-1A11; 2015:7-1A11; 2014:8-1A11; 2013:5-1A10; 2012:6-1A10
Last state champion: Kamen Wilmington, 2017 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Phoenix Legg, So., RQ, D2; Nolan Workman, Jr.; Michael Harris, Sr.; Brady Salyers, 7th.
What they are saying: “They are hard workers and good listeners. They made a lot of growth last year and expect more this year.”
On building the sport: "I want them to fall in love with the sport, because it's just a very hard sport. A lot of people, the first couple of days or maybe first couple of weeks, they realize how hard it is. They start thinking that this isn't for me. So we want them to experience some success right away, but not lie to them and let them know this is going to be hard. But let them know that there will be success. And if you stick through it, you're going to fall in love with the sport, you're really going to be happy that you did because it is a beautiful sport."
On taking over as HC: "This is all kind of kind of new to me, but I saw that you were reaching out, I didn't want to not do something I was supposed to do as far as kind of promoting the program and getting connected. There's a lot of a lot of inexperience so there's not a lot to talk about yet. We don't know for sure who we're gonna have. We haven't had a real official practice yet. But down the road after a couple more years, we'll have some kids make it to state and make some noise."
Outlook: The program is still a work in progress with a youth movement slowly picking up with middle school wrestlers. Salyers takes over with extensive wrestling experience, competing in high school and college in Ohio and assisting at a couple different programs.
St. Petersburg Catholic Barons
Coach: Chris Wilmington
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jakob Francis, 45-16, RQ-BR, D2; Luke Francis, Jr., 39-16, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer to CCC)
Potential notable returning wrestler: Braiden Martin, So., 15-20, RQ, D3.