2A-12 Preview: Wide open team race will reward district’s deepest team
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Barron Collier was the top team in the district, with six teams scoring over 100 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Jonathan Martinez (South Fort Myers), Roger Hill (Naples), Makendy Jean (Golden Gate), Tristan White (Cypress Lake)
The favorite: Barron Collier. The defending champions get the favorite nod, but this district feels wide open.
Team to watch: Naples. Seven region qualifiers could be back for the Golden Eagles.
District duals: Jan. 6 at Barron Collier
District IBT: Feb. 16 at Lely
Kabra Says: We don’t know how many Barron Collier may have back from last season, but we do know that Naples has seven region qualifiers back.
Naples Golden Eagles
Coach: Jeff Wesson (2nd season HC/14th overall)
Assistant coaches: Chris Bettridge, Luke Garcia
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:3; 2021:4; 2020:4; 2019:5; 2018:5; 2017:7; 2016:8; 2015:7; 2014:9; 2013:10; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champion: Aaron Earls, 1999 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #7-165 Roger Hill, Sr., 24-12, RQ-BR, D2; Vanden Sigmond, So., 17-16, RQ, D3; Nicholas Delboccio, Jr., 15-13, RQ, D3; Jaime Nunez, So., 12-13, RQ, D3; Giovanni Aragon, Jr., 13-22, RQ, D4; Hamlet Perez, Jr., 19-14, RQ, D4.
Outlook: Nobody graduated from last year’s team and that leaves a seasoned group that will look to build on their experience so far.
Barron Collier Cougars
Coach: Anthony Partello (11th season/13th overall)
22-23 dual record: 10-2
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:2; 2018:4; 2017:5; 2016:2; 2015:4; 2014:2; 2013:5; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champion: Cory Cannan, 2022 (170)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Enis Ljikovic, 46-9, 5th, R2, DC; Declan Finucan, 33-17, RQ, D3; Lucas Giles, 41-9, 2nd, R2, DC; Ross Simpson, 30-18, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #15-150 Joseph Wilkinson, Jr., 33-16, RQ, DC; #18-113 Anthony D Annunzio, Jr., 29-14, RQ-BR, DC; Yeddy Bourdier, Sr., 26-17, RQ-BR, D2; Alen Kamami, Sr., 25-10, RQ, D3; Joshua Segura, Jr., 29-18, RQ, D4.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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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
East Lee County Jaguars
Coach: Russell Barrs
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:8; 2019:9; 2018:8; 2017:9; 2016:6; 2015:9; 2014:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Eric Paul, 37-5, RQ-BR, D2; Matthew Christiansen, 27-11, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #17-175 Noah Figueroa, Jr., 34-12, RQ, D4; Josue Caro, Sr., 23-17, RQ, D4; Dominic Gutierrez, Jr., 31-10, RQ, D2; Yoel Otorena, Sr., 26-15, RQ, D4; Darion Gantt, Sr., 26-14, RQ, D4; Thomas Diaz, Sr., 18-11, RQ, D4.
Bonita Springs Bull Sharks
Coach: Ernesto Villalobos (5th at school/10th overall)
22-23 dual record: 13-14
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:1-1A12; 2021:4-1A12; 2020:3-1A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Konner Stuttgen, 52-1, 3rd, RC, DC; Floyd McKenna, 36-11, SQ, R4, D2; Riley Hyde, Jr., 20-23, RQ, D4 (Moved); Preston Thompkins, Jr., 10-6, RQ, DC (Transfer to Riverdale).
Notable returning wrestlers: #20-215 Esteban Mata, Sr.;Nicholas Kelley, So., 9-22, RQ, D4; Tahj VanHoose, Sr., 32-16, RQ, D3; Aarth Preciado, Jr., 31-18, RQ, D3; Jon Davis, So.; Matt Frost, Sr.; Jay Arthouriste, Sr.; William Hittinger, Jr.; Devin Reimer, Sr.; Keegan O'Connell, So.; Jan Gonzalez, Jr.; Sebastian Corporanm, So.
What they are saying: "We are young with kids that believe in each other and will scrap to for one another."
Outlook: Four region qualifiers return for the fifth-year program as it begins a slight rebuild after two strong senior classes.
South Fort Myers Wolfpack
Coach: Andre Metzger
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:10; 2021:8-2A11; 2020:8-2A11; 2019:7; 2018:9; 2017:8; 2016:7; 2015:8; 2014:6; 2013:9; 2012:?-2A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jerry Moore, 8-9, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-138 Jonathan Martinez, Sr., 51-7, 5th, RC, DC; #12-215 Javien White, Sr., 31-10, RQ, D2; #20-113 Juan Rivera, Jr., 11-8, RQ-BR, D2; Jayden Jackson, So., 15-17, RQ, D4.
Cypress Lake Panthers
Coach: Paul Rothenberg (16th at school/16th overall)
Assistant coaches: Aryeh Mehl, Chuckie Kerkesner
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:4; 2021:6-2A11; 2020:3-2A11; 2019:4; 2018:3; 2017:3; 2016:4; 2015:6; 2014:5; 2013:7; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champion: Corey Kerkesner, 2015 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jarnell Livingstone, 25-19, RQ, D3; Mason Fox, Jr., 30-14, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Mariner)
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-285 Tristan White, Sr., 35-13, SQ, R4, D3; #16-132 Solomon Lucas, Jr., 25-12, RQ, D2; Anthony Cardenas, Sr., 26-18, RQ, D3; .
What they are saying: “This year's team has several experienced seniors with a large group of newcomers just starting the sport. Our senior leadership and experience will be our biggest strength this year.”
Outlook: Three region qualifiers return to lead the Panthers with state qualifier White leading the way.
Immokalee Indians
Coach: Filiberto Gorosquieta (8th season)
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:9; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:2-1A12; 2018:2-1A12; 2017:3-1A12; 2016:4-1A12; 2015:10; 2014:5-1A12; 2013:5-1A12; 2012:3-1A12
Last state champion: Eliazar Valdez, 1992 (112)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christopher Noel, 11-15, RQ, D3; Joel Anzualda, 36-11, RQ, DC; Mike Tironne, 35-11, SQ, R2, DC; Gregorio Herrera, 39-4, SQ, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-113 Maynor Herrera, Sr., 42-11, 8th, R3, DC; Carlens Myrthill, Sr., 19-17, RQ, D4.
Golden Gate Titans
Coach: Thomas Kleinmeyer
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:5; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:3; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:3; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:1-1A12; 2012:1-1A12
Last state champion: Andy Martinez, 2020 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Judlin Alliance, 29-11, RQ, D3; Nigel Reed, 27-12, RQ, D3; Wilson Bartolon, 28-7, RQ, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-285 Makendy Jean, Sr., 14-5; Richardson Joseph, Jr., 13-9, RQ, D3.
Gulf Coast Sharks
Coach: Isaac Thomas
Recent district results: 2023:8-3A8; 2022:6-3A8; 2021:7-3A8; 2020:7-3A8; 2019:8; 2018:7; 2017:4; 2016:5; 2015:5; 2014:8; 2013:7-3A8; 2012:5-3A8
Last state champion: Mitchell Han, 2012 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Luke Camiscioli, So., 15-11, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The Sharks are back in Class 2A after being one of three schools to have a large enough size change to require being moved in a non-reclassification year.
Naples Lely Trojans
Coach: Tige Thompson (10th season, 12th overall)
Assistant coach: J. Flores
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:8; 2021:7; 2020:6; 2019:7-1A12; 2018:3-1A12; 2017:2-1A12; 2016:1-1A12; 2015:1-1A12; 2014:1-1A12; 2013:4; 2012:?-2A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): McKenley Charelus, 43-13, 7th, R4, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Richmyer Celiferme, Sr., 28-13, RQ, D2; Yorney Licourt, Sr., Inj. LY; Jackson Zunzunegui, So.; Franklin Santana. So.; Kerby Milien, Jr.; Jose Raga, So.; Emmanuel Garcia, Jr.
New wrestler: Jaxon Perry, Fr.; Richmerlens Celiferme, Fr.; Jeff Antunez, Jr.
What they are saying: “We are young but growing with experience.”
Outlook: Gone is state placer Charelus but what remains is a committed group of young wrestlers looking to improve.