2A-1 Preview: Thrilling district finish could be repeated again this year
BY BRANT PARSONS — One of the best district tournaments from a season ago promises to be exciting again this year.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Gulf Breeze edged Fort Walton Beach by a single point after winning the 285-pound weight class by fall, and were just six points ahead of third place Pace.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Coby Shields (Gulf Breeze), Garrett Ferguson (Gulf Breeze), Isaac Waters (Pace), Maeson Otwell (Pace), Matthew Sinclair (Fort Walton Beach), Michael Mancuso (Gulf Breeze)
The favorite: Gulf Breeze. Four district champions might be returning and the depth could again be the narrow difference.
Team to watch: Pace. There could be as many as nine region qualifiers returning for the Patriots.
District duals: Jan. 3 at Gulf Breeze
District IBT: Feb. 13 at Choctawhatchee
Kabra Says: We didn’t receive much from this district, but based on who could be back, we’ll give the slight edge to Gulf Breeze.
Gulf Breeze Dolphins (#19 IBT | #19 Dual)
Coach: Dave Daily
Assistant coaches: Jim Bird, Al Gliniecki, Rob Hermann, Austin Elliot, John Scanlon
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:3; 2018:1; 2017:2; 2016:3; 2015:5; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Nathan Weber, 41-11, RQ-BR, D2; Colson Elliott, 33-2; Brendan Nita, 23-12, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-120 Coby Shields, Sr., 47-7, 8th, RC, DC; #5-106 Garrett Ferguson, So., 39-11, SQ, R4, DC; #9-144 Michael Mancuso, Sr., 35-22, SQ, R4, D2; #18-285 London Taylor, Sr., 25-13, RQ, DC; Aiden Macken, Jr., 39-8, RQ, DC; Marshall Hobbs, Jr., 22-16, RQ, D3; JT Intile, Jr., 16-22, RQ, D4; Rock Merk, Jr., 1-7, RQ, D4; Nikolai Johnson, Sr., 14-28, RQ, D2.
Pace Patriots
Coach: Reggie Allen
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:3; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:2; 2017:1; 2016:2; 2015:3; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:5
Last state champion: Gabe Jacobs, 2020 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jordan Baxter, 41-11, SQ, R3, DC; Ty Morgan, 54-5, SQ, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #6-175 Isaac Waters, Sr., 24-6, SQ, R3, DC; #8-138 Maeson Otwell, Jr., 46-10, 8th, R2, DC; #19-126 Alexander Mendez, Jr., 33-12, RQ-BR, DC; Jessie Baker, So., 27-11, RQ, D3; Tristtahn Duran, So., 23-11, RQ, D3; Joshua Waring, So., 22-14, RQ, D4; Brandon Morhing, Jr., 13-6, RQ, D3; Bryson Houtch, Sr., 6-13, RQ, D3; Franco Ravendo, Sr., 14-13, RQ, D3.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Fort Walton Beach Vikings
Coach: Tobi Marez (20th as head coach/22nd at school)
Assistant coaches: Skylar Gonzalez
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:2; 2019:2; 2018:6; 2017:7; 2016:5; 2015:1; 2014:5; 2013:3; 2012:4
Last state champion: Cedric Fairrow, 2022 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Santiago Mayic, 26-12, SQ, R3, D2; Steven Banfield, 37-13, SQ, R2, DC; Alexander Davidson, 34-12, RQ-BR, D2; Connor Roberts, 41-14, 8th, R4, D2; Darius Brundidge, 49-6, 5th, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #13-120 Zak Vosburgh, Sr., 36-11, RQ-BR, D2; #16-126 Landon Burbidge, Jr., 36-20, RQ-BR, D2; Isaac Vosburgh, So., 24-22, RQ, D2; Layne Lutz, Sr., 29-25, RQ, D3; George Selmeister, Jr., 31-21, RQ, D4; Matthew Sinclair, Jr., 30-13, RQ-BR, DC.
New wrestler: #13-144 JJ Martinez, Sr., 25-9, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer from Niceville)
Outlook: Two state placers and two state qualifiers will need to be replaced, but there is talent back in the room to help cushion the transition.
Niceville Eagles
Coach: Jordan James
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:4; 2019:4; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:4; 2015:2; 2014:3; 2013:2; 2012:2
Last state champion: Jack Johnson, 2017 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ethan Pinto, 26-5, RQ, D3; Andres Maldonado-Negro, 11-15, RQ, D4; #13-144 JJ Martinez, Sr., 25-9, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer to Fort Walton Beach)
Notable returning wrestlers: #13-165 Malachi Lewis, Jr., 30-11, RQ, D2; Jordan Rayno, Jr., 6-22, RQ, D4; Collver Hipp, So., 16-16, RQ, D3; Garret Jarvis, Jr., 24-14, RQ, DC; Braden Strohl, Jr., 7-9, RQ, D3; James Opitz, Jr., 13-20, RQ, D2; Asa Adams, Sr., 26-14, RQ, D2.
Milton Panthers
Coach: Alex Alvarado (2nd season)
Assistant Coach: Matt Clark, Rob Brown, Vernon Duncan
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:10; 2021:8; 2020:8; 2019:8; 2018:8; 2017:8; 2016:8; 2015:9; 2014:7; 2013:8; 2012:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Julian Fuentes, 30-9, RQ-BR, D4; Tyler Green, 17-11, RQ, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #16-190 Cameron Keys, Sr.; Nolan Ellis, Sr., 23-16, RQ, D3; Brock White, Sr., 17-20, RQ, D3.
Tate Aggies
Coach: Aaron Telatovich
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:8; 2021:7; 2020:5; 2019:7; 2018:5; 2017:3; 2016:1; 2015:7; 2014:9; 2013:6; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ethan Harper, 17-18, RQ, D4; Caiden Stone, 24-12, RQ, D2; Kaden McDonald, 4-10, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Choctawhatchee Indians
Coach: Josh Carroll (2nd season)
Assistant Coach: Rodrigo Damore
22-23 dual record: 4-17
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:6; 2020:7; 2019:5; 2018:4; 2017:5; 2016:6; 2015:4; 2014:2; 2013:5; 2012:9
Last state champion: Jon Bush, 1998 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Roman Jackson, Sr., 11-18, RQ, D4; Bradack Carroll.
What they are saying: "Obviously we're not gonna be any kind of top tier team anytime soon, but I think that just in the one year, it has come a long ways. The kids at the school are talking to all the other kids and they're excited about it. There's several football studs that want to come out and wrestle the minute football ends. So I think we are getting where the word is out, and kids want to be part of it."
On what he learned in his first year: "I found that it's a whole lot of time committed to all of this. And on the personal side for season number two, I will be hoping that it should go a little smoother, where it's not as rough looming on the coaching side as far as paperwork in the school system, and just all the ins and outs on that side of it."
On Roman and Bradack returning from injury: "Both of whom have come back with more desire and more drive. Hopefully, we'll see great things. I know that both have been in the weight room and running and they both are working as much as they can. They're at put up or shut up point of time and I think if they can stay injury free, they both will have great seasons."
Outlook: Last year’s season was marked by injuries and other issues. The Indians will look to be healthy and have more depth this season. It’s a slow rebuild but the interest is growing the team is excited for the coming season.
Crestview Bulldogs
Coach: Robby Gaines
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:6; 2019:6; 2018:7; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:6; 2014:6; 2013:7; 2012:3
Last state champion: Eric Finchum, 2002 (189)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christian Brito, 21-15, RQ, D3; Lance Sanders, 29-9, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None