2A-1 Preview: Gulf Breeze looking for a three-peat in challenging district

BY BRANT PARSONS

Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.

Last season: Six district champions led Gulf Breeze to a second-consecutive district title.

How did Kabra do?: We picked the champions and our team to watch - Pace - finished in second place.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Garrett Ferguson (Gulf Breeze), James Opitz (Niceville), Logan McAlister (Mosley), Gavin Samons (Gulf Breeze), Matthew Sinclair (Fort Walton Beach), Malachi Lewis (Niceville), Maeson Otwell (Pace), Landon Burbidge (Fort Walton Beach), Keegan Deeds (Gulf Breeze)

The favorite: Gulf Breeze. The Dolphins graduated some high level talent, but with Coach Bird taking over and a room filled with wrestlers ready to step up, they’re still the team to beat.

Team to watch: Pace. Last year’s runner-up returns a host of wrestlers ready to take the next step.

District duals: Wednesday, January 8 at Gulf Breeze, 1 p.m.

District IBT: Wednesday, February 19 at Choctawhatchee, 9 a.m.

Gulf Breeze Dolphins (#14/#13)

Coach: Jim Bird (1st season, 36th overall)

Assistant coaches: Ryan Blackwell, Austin Elliott, Eric Kerkhof

Recent district results: 2024:1; 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): Michael Mancuso, 50-8, 7th, R2, DC; Coby Shields, 53-8, 5th, R3, DC; London Taylor, 40-16, RQ-BR, DC; Charlie White, 21-22, RQ, D2; Naythen Campos, 15-11, RQ, D2; Jack Donahoe, 33-24, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Gavin Samons, So., 49-10, 5th, R2, DC; Garrett Ferguson, Jr., 50-6, 5th, R2, DC; Sky Wnetrzak, So., 21-11, RQ, D2; Keegan Deeds, So.; George Selmeister, Sr., 42-19, RQ, DC; Marshall Hobbs; Brody Jewett; Carson Green; James Pukish

New wrestlers: Ryder Cohen; Gavin Cohen; Leyton Collazo; John Delvecchio; Xavier Gallagher; Harber Amiss; Parker Mays

What they are saying: “We are hard-working and want to get better.”

Outlook: Legendary Hall of Fame coach Bird takes charge of the program after helping out after moving to the panhandle following a long stint at Kissimmee Osceola.

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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Rankings: Class 3A | Class 2A | Class 1A | Girls | Team

Pace Patriots

Coach: Reggie Allen

Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Isaac Waters, 57-6, 5th, R3, DC; Franco Ravendo, 39-15, RQ, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tagg Strickenberger, Jr., 18-10, RQ, D2; Maeson Otwell, Sr., 0-0; Bowen Iorg, Jr., 28-19, RQ, D3; Trystahn Duran, Jr., 27-20, RQ, D2; Daniel Cavaleanti, So., 26-11, RQ, D2; Joshua Waring, Jr., 27-13, RQ, D3; Isiaha Rickling, So., 26-20, RQ, D4; Mitchell Brozenske, Jr., 15-16, RQ, D4; Gabriel Bloodworth, Sr., 7-8, RQ, D3; Brandon Morhing, Sr., 33-18, D5.

Niceville Eagles (#22/#19)

Coach: Jordan James

Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Asa Adams, 29-14, RQ, DC; Tristen Lionberger, 25-18, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: James Opitz, Sr., 32-14, SQ, R4, DC; Malachi Lewis, Sr., 38-11, SQ, R2, DC; Garret Jarvis, Sr., 36-10, RQ, D2; Sal Richio, So., 25-17, RQ, D4; Braden Strohl, Sr., 42-11, RQ, D2; Jayden Fuller, So., 15-28, RQ, D3; Colin Berkey, Sr., 21-21, RQ, D4; Collver Hipp, Jr., 19-12; Ayden Davis, Jr., 14-17, RQ, D4.

Outlook: Niceville chose to not share information with us ahead of the season.

Mosley Dolphins (NR/#24)

Coach: Jeremiah LaFountain

Recent district results: 2024:3-2A2; 2023:3-2A2; 2022:5; 2021:4-2A2; 2020:3-2A2; 2019:1-1A1; 2018:7-1A1; 2017:8-1A1; 2016:3-1A1; 2015:8; 2014:8; 2013:9; 2012:8

Last state champion: Adam Evans, 1998 (103)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Andrew Yeats, 68-13, 7th, RC, DC; Landon Jacobs, 45-24, RQ, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Logan McAlister, Sr., 55-11, 7th, R2, D2; Isaac Melendez, Jr., 29-24, RQ, D4; Elijah Nolan, Sr., 45-24, RQ, D3; Alex Vasquez, So., 26-28, RQ, D3; Kyle Mahler, Sr., 39-30, RQ, D3; Ian Keith, So., 17-24, RQ, D3; Kale Mills, Jr., 22-35, D6; Cole Archambeau, So., 17-24, RQ, D3; Tristen Steele, Jr., 20-30, RQ, D4.

New wrestler: Tripp Rogers, So., 18-10, RQ, DC (Transfer from North Bay Haven)

Fort Walton Beach Vikings

Coach: Tobi Marez (21st year)

Assistant coaches: Skylar Gonzalez, Coach Lee

Recent district results: 2024:4; 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): JJ Martinez, 51-7, SQ, R2, DC; Zak Vosburgh, 49-12, SQ, R3, DC; Layne Lutz, 21-12.

Notable returning wrestlers: Matthew Sinclair, Sr., 43-14, SQ, R4, DC; Rome Kendrick, Jr., 26-19, RQ, D2; Landon Burbidge, Sr., 36-19, RQ, DC; Maxx Perez, So., 11-16, RQ, D4; Isaac Vosburgh, Jr., 27-24, D6; Mathew Martinez, Jr., 7-17, RQ, D4; Noah Reyes, Jr., 11-20, RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “We are young and determined with good senior leadership.”

Outlook: One state qualifier returns from last season but the room is loaded with wrestlers who have been taking the right steps to make a run this season.

Arnold Marlins

Coach: Michael Lapadat (4th season)

Assistant coach: Scott Korol

23-24 dual record: 10-12

Recent district results: 2024:4-2A2; 2023:4-2A2; 2022:9; 2021:4-1A1; 2020:1-1A1; 2019:2-1A1; 2018:5-1A1; 2017:1-1A1; 2016:1-1A1; 2015:1-1A1; 2014:1-1A1; 2013:1-1A1; 2012:3-1A1

Last state champion: Brock Carlan, 2015 (132), Richie McClanahan, 2015 (126)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Braylon Meyer, 36-6, RQ, D2; Sean Holmes, 27-31, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Tajay Richards, Jr., 37-23, RQ-BR, D2; Anthony Bradbury, Sr., 33-19, RQ, D2; David Crilly, Jr., 32-16, RQ, D2; Omar Lange, Jr., 24-23, RQ, D4; Noah McLendon, So., 15-23, RQ, D4; Julian Razavi, Jr., 22-32, RQ, D4.

New wrestlers: Cayden Colamaria; Christian Garden; Anthony Hughes

What they are saying: “We are slightly improved from last season and have a group dedicated to the system.”

On the new district: “I think it's a little harder district this time. So being able to recreate what we did last year can be a little difficult, I think. But we're not gonna back down from a challenge. We're gonna roll in there in February and try to pull some upsets and do the best that we can.”

On Julian Razavi: “I think he's gonna surprise a bunch of people this year. He came out late. He broke his leg skateboarding, like compound fractured his leg skateboarding. He actually has plates and stuff in his lower leg to hold the bones back together. So he came out late as a freshman, won one match and then last year he was our varsity at 157. He was the only kid that make it to regionals that had 30 losses. He had 20 wins, but he had 30 losses. And he didn't care. He went out and he battled. He went 0-2, but he hasn't missed a practice since he got knocked out of the regionals.”

Outlook: The Marlins are back in 2A-1 after two years in 2A-2, and are still looking to build depth.

Choctawhatchee Indians

Coach: Josh Carroll (Third season)

Assistant coach: Rodrigo Damore

Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): Caden McKinney, 28-11, RQ, D2; Phillip Lapa, 8-8, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Bradack Carroll, Sr., 12-4, RQ-BR, D3; Antonio Daquep, Sr., 24-18, RQ, D3; Sammy Nelson, Sr., 22-21, RQ, D3; Travis Welch, Jr., 13-18; Jackson Welch, Jr. 3-5

New wrestler: Zerel Munn

What they are saying: “The culture of room has changed. We have a small group of hard working kids that want to excel. I believe they have learned the proper work ethic and are hungry. They understand that hard work is what is expected to be on the team.”

On growing the team: “We got good ones, but we're just still small in numbers. I wish I could get more kids interested in the school and that is happening. I'm getting more and more, but it's slowly happening. I guess I expected things to happen faster or hoped they would.

Outlook: Entering his third season, Carroll has worked hard to change the culture that was in the room when he took over. This year that work is starting to pay off with a dedicated group that has bought in.

Tate Aggies

Coach: Chris Gaukel

Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Landon Hutto, 19-12, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alexi McGowan, So., 17-16, RQ, D2; Zachary Rogers, Sr., 9-21; Roman Sison, Jr., 25-14, RQ, D3; Jayce Walker, Jr., 4-25, D6.

Crestview Bulldogs

Coach: Robby Gaines

Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Pedro Masso, 14-8, SQ, R2, D3; Gary Gessendoff, 5-12, RQ, D3; Daniel Giafaglione, 11-8, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Carson Muse, Jr., 3-6, RQ, D4; Phenix Mayo, So., 11-13, RQ, D3.

Milton Panthers

Coach: Alex Alvarado

Recent district results: 2024:8; 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): Nolan Ellis, 8-4, RQ, D2; Hayden Jones, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aidan Herbert, So., 9-10, RQ, D4.