1A-1 Preview: North Bay Haven looking for the back-to-back in tight team race
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: North Bay Haven broke through for the school’s first district title, outscoring Wewahitchka by 101.5 points. Eight Buccaneer wrestlers won district titles.
How did Kabra do?: We correctly picked the district champ and our team to watch was the runner-up saying that North Bay Haven was “ready to take the top spot.”
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Preston Neufeld (North Bay Haven), Gibson Moore (South Walton), Jacob Justice (Freeport), David Drake (Bay), Koa DeLoach (North Bay Haven)
The favorite: North Bay Haven. The champions have some holes to fill, but so do many of the contending teams in this district.
Team to watch: Wewahitchka. The second place finish might be a little tougher to achieve this season, but if the parts fill in and they peak again, anything is possible.
District duals: Thursday, January 9 at Freeport
District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Wewahitchka, 3:30 p.m.
North Bay Haven Buccaneers (#21/#11)
Coach: Zane Turnipseed
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:6; 2020:7; 2019:8; 2018:9; 2017:9; 2016:9; 2015:6
Last state champion: David Mercado, 2023 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): David Mercado, 51-2, 5th, RC, DC; Brayden Harper, 23-17, RQ, D2; Brody Bousa, 23-11, RQ, D3; Tripp Rogers, So., 18-10, RQ, DC (Transfer to Mosley); James Oliver, Jr., 54-10, 8th, R2, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Preston Neufeld, Sr., 62-4, 5th, RC, DC; Jack Mulinex, So., 24-5, SQ, R4, DC; Zander Stillgess, Jr., 56-9, SQ, R3, DC; Will Lundgren, Jr., 43-15, RQ, DC; Bear Siegal, Jr., 33-7, RQ, DC; Nathan Mercado, Jr., 51-11, RQ, DC; Beau Rogers, Fr., 16-10, RQ, D3; Julian Hernandez, Sr.
New wrestler: Koa DeLoach, Jr. (Guam)
The Florida High School Wrestling Season 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
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
For Kabra+ members (Join here)
Wewahitchka Gators
Coach: Tracy Malcolm (17th season)
23-24 dual record: 16-12
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2019:7; 2018:8; 2017:3; 2016:5; 2015:4; 2014:8; 2013:5; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sam Hunter, 14-28, RQ, D2; Jarrett Spencer, 35-32, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Calvin Ross, So., 49-9, RQ-BR, DC; Jake Parker, Sr., 52-14, RQ-BR, D2; James Hardy, Jr., 36-23, RQ, D2; Christian Johnson, Jr., 24-34, RQ, D2; Luke Bryan, So., 21-39, RQ, D3; Tyler Johnson, Jr., 49-18, RQ, D2.
What they are saying: “We were shut out of states last year. Our goal is to make it back as a team and just one individual. I think I have three solid shots at making it all the way there and maybe even some podium finishes. I have a group about 5-6 wrestlers who are well versed and my end goal is that I want them to pay it forward to the younger kids and teach them the sport.”
On Calvin Ross: “He’s a pure athlete. Just the pure determination in him gives me excitement for the year because he’s hungry, he’s young, and he wants it. I think he has a skillset and mindset to get that done.”
On peaking: “This little squad always seems to peak at the right time and I wish I knew what I was doing right or what I was doing wrong. We bust our chops early and often with the hardest tournaments I can get them into.”
Outlook: Last year’s best finish in the district in over a decade was tampered by a region tournament where everyone’s season ended. This year, the Gators look to continue with another strong district showing and sending a group of wrestlers to Kissimmee.
Bay Tornadoes
Coach: Mark Deaton
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:1; 2022:5; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:6; 2018:1; 2017:4; 2016:6; 2015:7; 2014:3; 2013:7; 2012:7
Last state champion: Earl Crawford, 1999 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Leonardo Sanchez, 46-24, SQ, R4, D3; Shaun Sandidge, 48-22, SQ, R4, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: David Drake, Sr., 54-16, SQ, RC, DC; Christen Patterson, Sr., 29-21, RQ, D2; Deven Bradshaw, Sr., 36-24; Ethan Needham, Sr., 23-22, RQ, D3; Caleb Spikes, Jr., 5-31, RQ, D4; Jaylen Bennett, Sr., 20-23, RQ, D2; Deidrick Wright, Sr., 8-18, RQ, D4; Tanner Collins, Sr.; James Branch, Sr., 15-36, RQ, D3.
South Walton Seahawks
Coach: Travis Laxton (8th at school/9th overall)
Assistant coaches: K.J. Beavers, T.J Lambiotte, Dean Salvaggio
23-24 dual record: 10-10
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:4; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:2; 2019:4; 2018:2; 2017:7; 2016:7; 2015:3; 2014:5; 2013:4; 2012:4
Last state champion: Max Brewster, 2022 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Gibson Moore, Sr., 49-9, 4th, R3, DC; Kaden Shaw, Sr., 34-22, RQ, D3; Noah Withers, Jr., 12-19, RQ, D4; Sam Fanton, So., 16-24, RQ, D4; Heiu Roberts, So., 3-16, RQ, D4.
Outlook: State placer Moore leads the team.
Rocky Bayou Christian Knights
Coach: Kevin Walsh (8th at school/15th total)
Assistant coaches: Chris Herron, Tim Andersen
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:7; 2022:2; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:9; 2018:10; 2017:10; 2015:9; 2014:7; 2013:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Owen Parry, 23-18, RQ, D3; Parker Sage, 18-11, RQ, D3; Clay Nelson, So., 49-7, 7th, R3, D2; Ethan Heathershaw, Sr., 16-11, D6; Wyatt Moore, So., 19-9; Spartan Koslov, Fr., 18-18, RQ, D3
Notable returning wrestlers: Thomas Pluhar, Jr., 34-15, RQ-BR, D3; Parker Lippy, 8th, 14-16, RQ, D4; Jeremiah Herron, Fr., 27-19, RQ, D3; Tristan Berry, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have three of our most decorated wrestlers that have decided to not come back.”
Outlook: An exodus of solid wrestlers will leave Rocky Bayou a little lighter in depth but the ones who are back are hungry. The lightweight classes for the Knights are extremely strong.
Freeport Bulldogs
Coach: Carey Nick
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): James Little
Notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Justice, So., 38-18, SQ, R4, D2; Zoltin Wilson, Sr., 41-22, RQ, D4; Chase Justice, Jr., 31-12, RQ, D2; Jaxen Justice, Sr., 17-20, RQ, D4; Kynlee Cuchens, So., 9-23, RQ, D4; Col
New wrestler: Austen Barker
What they are saying: “We are young and still learning.”
Outlook: It’s year three for the small school but having five returning region qualifiers has those in the room hungry for more.
Bozeman Bucks
Coach: Robert Dobbs
Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:10; 2018:6; 2017:2; 2016:4; 2015:8; 2014:6; 2013:6; 2012:2
Last state champion: Derrick Williams, 2024 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Derrick Williams, 39-1, SC, RC, DC; Jeremy Tavernier, 8-18, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Asher Burris, Jr., 33-8, RQ, DC; Daniel Pierce, Jr., 34-15, RQ, D3; Landen Jamison, Fr., 8-16, RQ, D4.
Rutherford Rams
Coach: Zach Edmonds
Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:4; 2019:5; 2018:4; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:5; 2014:4; 2013:3; 2012:6
Last state champion: Gerald Bradley, 1983 (UNL)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dylan Malott, 7th, R3, DC; Lurvey Augustine, RQ-BR, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alex Solorio, Sr., RQ, D4.