2A-10 Preview: Veteran Manatee team ready to take on state’s best

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

Last season: Manatee moved down to Class 2A and then took the district title here.

Wrestlers to watch: Damontez McDowell (Manatee), Jeson Carbajal (Manatee), Mason Miller (Manatee), Dastan Chiketaev (Palmetto), Jake Samuels (Manatee), Julian Smith (Manatee), Sean Herlihy (Palmetto), Luke Arthur (Manatee)

The favorite: Manatee. This year’s team has the chance to be even better than last year’s.

Team to watch: Palmetto. The Tigers have put together a formidable squad and should be the team to beat for second in this district.

District duals: TBD

District IBT: Feb. 15 at Osceola Fundamental

Kabra Says: All of the pieces have come together for Manatee this season with a veteran team ready for a big year.

Manatee Hurricanes (#6 IBT | #5 Dual)

Coach: Andrew Gugliemini (29th at school/32nd overall)

Assistant coaches: Ryan Fair, Ryan Craig, Phil Upton, Bobby Latessa

22-23 dual record: 39-7

Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2-3A7; 2021:2-3A8; 2020:2-3A8; 2019:1-3A8; 2018:2-3A8; 2017:2-3A8; 2016:3-3A8; 2015:3-3A8; 2014:2-3A8; 2013:2-3A8; 2012:3-3A8

Last state champion: Tylynn Lukens, 2021 (182)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dennis Bodin, 32-14, RQ, D4; James Cabrera-Nutter, 26-14, RQ, D4; Hamlet Rodriguez, 43-7, RQ-BR, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: #2-215 Damontez McDowell, Sr., 43-14, 6th, R3, DC; #4-132 Jeson Carbajal, Jr., 37-15, SQ, R4, D2; #4-175 Mason Miller, Sr., 44-7, 6th, R3, DC; #6-144 Jake Samuels, Sr., 49-7, SQ, RC, D2; #8-157 Julian Smith, Sr., 46-10, SQ, R4, DC; #9-132 Luke Arthur, Jr., 41-10, SQ, R4, DC; #12-165 Hunter White, Sr., 29-17, RQ, D2; Angel Ojeda, So., 30-18, RQ, D3; Brody Hall, Jr., 24-17, RQ, D3; Carter Cabrera, Sr.; Nick Randolph, Sr.; Hayden Randolph, Sr.

New wrestler: Riley Craig, Fr.; Trayvon Pinder, Sr. (Transfer from Braden River)

What they are saying: “This will be a fun team to be around and has a chance to finish top five in the state.”

Outlook: This is a strong senior-laden team for the Hurricanes.

Palmetto Tigers (#16 | #20)

Coach: Alex Thomas (2nd season)

Assistant coaches: Anthony Stewart, Gino Tutera, Gabbi Tutera

22-23 dual meet record: 7-9

Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5-2A11; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:3; 2016:3; 2015:6; 2014:2; 2013:2-2A11; 2012:3-2A11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tyler Stolze, 11-12, RQ, D4; Luke Lindley, 36-15, SQ, R4, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: #1-190 Dastan Chiketaev, Sr., 43-11, SQ, R4, D3; #7-120 Sean Herlihy, Jr., 25-17, RQ, D2; #10-138 Jacob Wyatt, Jr., 36-15, RQ, D3; #20-285 Deandre Berry, Sr., 33-16, RQ, D3; Colton Aaron, Jr., 15-22, RQ, D2; Dana Law, So., 17-26, RQ, D3; Robert McGill, Sr., 25-17, RQ, D4.

New wrestler: Michael Schlegel; Caleb Matelau.

What they are saying: "We're a team that's got really big goals for the future and I think this is going to be a year where you'll start to see our name be thrown around a little more frequently. I think this is the year we start to break through and maybe place top three at some of these bigger tournaments and win some dual matches that might surprise people. I fully intend on us participating in region duals. And then of course, the next goal would be to make it to the state dual tournament. I think the most success we have lies in front of us."

On the support of the adminstration: "Having Hall of Fame AD Brian Wilkes behind me and behind the entire program has just allowed me as a newer coach to get the team up and running. With so many people behind us and makes my job really easy. Whether it comes to simple things like uniform orders or equipment, it's nice to have kind of a wrestling first AD. It really makes the administrative job really easy for me and able to put our team's progress as a priority. It makes my job easy."

Outlook: Palmetto’s program is on the brink and with Chiketaev, Wyatt, and Herlihy leading the way this season, could have a growing group of state qualifiers with the goal of being the school’s first state finalist - and state champion - on the horizon.

The Florida High School Wrestling 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

Class G-1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

St. Petersburg Green Devils

Coach: Sam Pruitt (36th season)

Assistant coaches: Pat Lamb, Hugo St. John, Jay Dugmore

22-23 dual record: 22-10

Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:2; 2021:6; 2020:7; 2019:6-3A8; 2018:8-3A8; 2017:10-3A8; 2016:7-3A8; 2015:8-3A7; 2014:9-3A7; 2013:3-3A8; 2012:4-3A8

Last state champion: Dana Harrington, 1991 (112), Isaac Sherdick, 1991 (103)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christopher Lesniak, 39-4, RQ, D2; Cole Forbes, 34-7, RQ-BR, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: #14-165 Pavel Bulko, Sr.; Nathan Wallace, So., 18-9, RQ, D3; Yarmani Johnson, So., 15-10, RQ, D4; Airion Bradley, Jr., 27-11, RQ, D3; Ryan Theil, So.

What they are saying: “We have a group of young men who work tirelessly to be their best on the wrestling mat as well as in the classroom. I am expecting the team to improve on last year's record.”

Outlook: The Green Devils have some experience coming back with three region qualifiers and Bulko, who exceled this summer at Greco-Roman.

Hollins Royals

Coach: Nick Spataro

Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:1; 2021:1-2A9; 2020:1-2A9; 2019:4-2A9; 2018:3-2A9; 2017:4-2A9; 2016:2-2A9; 2015:1-2A9; 2014:1-2A9; 2013:1; 2012:1

Last state champion: Henry Middleton, 1989 (103)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lowden Ward, 42-6, SQ, R3, DC; Michael Farrelly, 40-7, SQ, R2, DC; Michael Carpenter, 35-12, SQ, R4, D2; Grabiel Rodriguez, 42-4, RQ-BR, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ethan Nadeau, Jr., 18-12, RQ, D4; Brandan Walsh, Sr., 22-9, RQ, D2.

Pinellas Park Patriots

Coach: Vincent Crews (3rd season)

Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:6; 2021:3-2A9; 2020:3-2A9; 2019:5-3A8; 2018:3-3A8; 2017:9-3A8; 2016:8-3A8; 2015:6-3A7; 2014:4-3A7; 2013:5-3A8; 2012:7-3A8

Last state champion: Michael Falgoust, 2004 (130)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Clifford O'Driscoll, RQ, D4; Logan Masterton, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Nathan Lorn, So., 10-10, RQ, D3; Logan Chornoby, So., 5-10, RQ, D4; Dy'airreus Bell, So., RQ, D4; Brady Comerford, Jr., RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “This team is young. We have two seniors that are expecting to show out but otherwise we are a bunch of freshman and sophomores that want to improve from their first year.”

Outlook: There is a slow build taking place at Pinellas Park and as this young group matures and gains experience, you should see it pay off with success on the mat.

Osceola Warriors

Coach: Dan Smalley

Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:4; 2021:4-2A9; 2020:4-2A9; 2019:6-2A9; 2018:8-2A9; 2017:6-2A9; 2016:7-2A9; 2015:4-2A9; 2014:4-2A9; 2013:4; 2012:2

Last state champion: David Walker, 1995 (215)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Youssef Zaitouni, 24-9, RQ, D2; Elmmanual Brooks, 26-10, RQ, D3; Michael Nole, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #13-215 Colin Bailey, Sr., 25-11, RQ, DC; Aidan Boesch, Jr., 16-7, RQ, D2; Izaiah Zaitouni, Jr., 23-12, RQ, D3.

Countryside Cougars

Coach: Andrew Jefferies (1st season)

Assistant coaches: Joe Longano, Emma Jefferies

Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:3; 2021:2-2A9; 2020:2-2A9; 2019:4-3A8; 2018:7-3A8; 2017:4-3A8; 2016:6-3A8; 2015:4-3A7; 2014:5-3A7; 2013:5-3A7; 2012:5-3A7

Last state champion: Brian Burburija, 2023 (195)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Hernando Pinto, 49-11, 8th, R4, DC; Kaden Cartagena, 36-8, RQ, DC; Elijah Vickers, 44-10, SQ, R4, DC; Brian Burburija, 60-0, SC, RC, DC; Landon Bates, Jr., 53-6, 3rd, R3, DC (Transfer to Palm Harbor University).

Notable returning wrestlers: Jordan Marshall, So., 6-18, RQ, D4.

Outlook: Jefferies takes over the program that has just a single region qualifier returning from a year ago. They’ll be young but should get better.

Seminole Warhawks

Coach: Peter LaClair (1st season HC/2nd season at school)

Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:8-2A9; 2020:8-2A9; 2019:10-3A8; 2018:9-3A8; 2017:8-3A8; 2016:10-3A8; 2015:7-3A7; 2014:8-3A7; 2013:9-3A7; 2012:6-3A7

Last state champion: Mike Surette, 1985 (155)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jeremiah Duncan, 26-15, RQ, D4; Blake Olsen, 31-12, RQ, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: Jordan Dasilva, Jr., 16-9, RQ, DC; Lucas Selko, Jr., 16-22, RQ, D5.

New wrestler: Milo Klaustermeier, Jr., 24-21, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Largo)

Outlook: Last year’s JV coach LaClair takes over the program.

St. Petersburg Northeast Vikings

Coach: Mateo Vasquez

Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:8; 2021:4-2A9; 2020:6-2A9; 2019:5-2A9; 2018:4-2A9; 2017:1-2A9; 2016:4-2A9; 2015:3-2A9; 2014:6-2A9; 2013:6-3A8; 2012:6-3A8

Last state champion: Phil Rizzo, 1981 (126)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #20-120 Jacob Devinny, Sr., 28-7, RQ, D2; Jarrett Coffey, Jr., 8-6, RQ, D3.

Clearwater Tornadoes

Coach: Herbert Weller

Recent district results: 2023:10; 2022:9; 2021:7-2A9; 2020:7-2A9; 2019:8-2A9; 2018:6-2A9; 2017:8-2A9; 2016:8-2A9; 2015:6-2A9; 2014:10-2A9; 2012:8-3A7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexander Fernandez.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None