2A-12 Preview: Can South Fort Myers win again after snapping decade-long dry spell
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: South Fort Myers won the school’s first IBT district title since at least 2012 with a deep team that sent nine to the region tournament. The Cougars outscored runner-up East Lee County by 35.5 points.
How did Kabra do?: With limited information overall in the district we did say that it was a wide open team race and we picked Naples to win it all. The Trojans finished third in the final district standings.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Joseph Wilkinson (Barron Collier), Nicky Bernard (Palmetto Ridge), Noah Figueroa (East Lee County)
The favorite: South Fort Myers. They’re the champs, so they’re the team to beat.
Team to watch: Bonita Springs. To be honest, we haven’t learned much about these teams in our preseason work, but did for Bonita Springs and they have some guys coming back that are looking to take that next step.
District duals: Saturday, January 11 at Bonita Springs, 9:30 a.m.
District IBT: Friday, February 21 at Lely, 2 p.m.
South Fort Myers Wolfpack
Coach: Andre Metzger
Recent district results: 2024:1; 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): Jonathan Martinez, 58-4, 5th, R3, DC; Alejandro Robelo, 27-23, RQ, D3; Quinn Enguita, Jr., 38-15, RQ, D3 (Transfer to Bishop Verot)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Austin Thompson, So., 45-13, RQ, DC; Raul Hosking-Cruz, Sr., 34-11, RQ, DC; Dante Cantelupo, Jr., 36-16, RQ, D3; Tio Longjuin, Sr., 38-16, RQ, D4; Jared Cruz, Jr., 19-15, RQ, D4; Juan Albarran, Sr., 17-14, RQ, D2; Kevinson Jean Pierre, Jr., 21-14, RQ, D3.
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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East Lee County Jaguars
Coach: Russell Barrs
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:2; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:8; 2019:9; 2018:8; 2017:9; 2016:6; 2015:9; 2014:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Darion Gantt, 44-13, RQ, DC; Ruan Oliveira, 34-9, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Noah Figueroa, Sr., 51-8, RQ-BR, D2; Dominic Gutierrez, Sr., 38-5, RQ-BR, DC; Jeremiah Dumond, Sr., 36-11, RQ, D2; Marlon Medina, Jr., 36-11, RQ, D2.
Naples Golden Eagles
Coach: Jeff Wesson (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Paul Ligouri, Chris Betridge, Luke Garcia, Pete Medina, Aaron Rieley, Scott Sigmond, Brett Parker
23-24 dual record: 22-17
Recent district results: 2024: 3; 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): Trey Hill, 39-10, 6th, R4, DC; Thanickson Celestin, 28-21, RQ-BR, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Hamlet Perez, Sr., 27-11, RQ-BR, D3; Giovanni Aragon, Sr., 34-12, RQ, D2; Cohen Lackey, Sr., 17-11, RQ, D2; Pedro Espinal, So., 9-14, RQ, D4; Jaime Nunez, Jr., 9-6, RQ, D3; Vanden Sigmond, Jr., 21-26, RQ, D4; Cooper Garcia, So., 28-18, RQ, D4; Nick Delboccio, Sr.; Kaleb Musse, Jr.
What they are saying: “We have quite a few wrestlers returning with experience this year. This is a hungry, hard working team”
Outlook: Wesson thinks this could be the best team that Naples has had in the 14 years he’s been at the program and he might be right. Lots of experience is coming back for last year’s district duals champion team.
Bonita Springs Bull Sharks
Coach: Ernesto Villalobos (Sixth year at school, 18 years total)
Assistant coach: Mateo Villalobos
23-24 dual record: 25-14
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:3; 2022:1-1A12; 2021:4-1A12; 2020:3-1A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Matthew Frost, 26-22, RQ, D2; Jay Athouriste, 35-17, RQ, D3; Esteban Mata, 19-16; Jordan Bivins.
Notable returning wrestlers: Arath Preciado, Sr., 42-7, RQ-BR, D3; William Hittinger, Sr., 25-13, RQ, D4; Sebastian Corporan, Jr., 30-21, RQ, D4; Jonathan Oliveros, So., 9-6, RQ, D4; Jesus Lemus, Jr., 23-24, RQ, D4; Jonathan Davis, Jr.; Nick Kelley, Jr., RQ23; Jacob Meus, Sr.; Keegan O’Connell, Jr.; Jan Gonzalez, Sr.
What they are saying: “These kids are ready to make a name for themselves. Most kids are second or third-year kids and they work hard and can get to the same level as kids that have been at this sport for a while.”
On team strengths: “We are a family. We have fun. We fight for each other. We believe in each other. We may not have the most experience stepping on the mat, but we will not let people outwork us.”
On growth of the program: “We are nine dual meets from hitting 100 wins at the school. So in our sixth season, we should hit 100 wins this year in our duals. That's exciting.”
Outlook: Last year’s group graduated only four seniors so there is experience coming back. This is just the sixth year for the program and already you are seeing alumni give back to the program and that should only help going forward.”
Barron Collier Cougars
Coach: Anthony Partello
Recent district results: 2024: 4; 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): Yeddy Bourdier, 36-10, RQ-BR, D2; Alen Kamami, 31-14, RQ, D2; William Eskridge, 30-16, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Joseph Wilkinson, Sr., 44-9, 7th, R2, DC; Dawson Finucan, Sr., 27-12, RQ, D2; Anthony D Annunzio, Sr., 27-16, RQ, D3; Tyler Jeskie, So., 22-16, RQ, D3.
Naples Lely Trojans
Coach: Tige Thompson
Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): Richmyer Celiferme, 49-14, RQ-BR, D2; Richmerlins Celiferme, So., 48-16, RQ, DC (Transfer to St. John Neumann)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jason Morency, Sr., 33-20, RQ, D4; Jackson Zunzunegui, Jr., 32-17, RQ, DC; Lazaro Antunez, Jr., 23-5; Jaxon Perry, So., 28-24, RQ, D4; Kerby Milien, Sr., 26-29, RQ, D5.
Estero Wildcats
Coach: Darryl Corbett
Recent district results: 2024:9-1A12; 2023:10-1A12; 2022:11; 2021:8; 2020:7; 2019:6; 2018:6; 2017:6; 2016:9; 2015:2; 2014:4; 2013:6; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champion: Jason Miller, 1994 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Joshua Martinez, Jr., 7-14, RQ, D5; Vadiel Vallecio, Sr., 7-8; Adrian Cavazos, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D4; Hunter Haugh, So., 27-16, RQ, D4; Pierce LeBlanc, Jr., 19-22, RQ, D4.
Palmetto Ridge Bears
Coach:
Recent district results: 2024: 1-3A8; 2023:1-3A8; 2022:1-3A8; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:2; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champions: Kaden Darwin, 2024 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kaden Darwin, 55-1, SC, RC, DC; Demetri Zertopoulis, 55-7, 2nd, RC, DC; Mark Whalen, 34-13, SQ, R2, DC; Owen Pratt, 36-22, SQ, R2, D2; Matthew Kinola, 21-15, RQ, DC; Xavier Barnhart, Sr., 37-10, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer to St. John Neumann); Jordan Bloomberg, So., SQ, R2, DC (Transfer to St. John Neumann); Nash Holdridge, So., 26-22, RQ, D2; William McGowan, Jr., 39-22, 7th, R2, DC; Jordan Peralez, Sr., 40-20, SQ, R2, DC; Erik Perez, Jr., 53-9, SQ, RC, DC;
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Nicky Bernard, Sr., RQ-BR, DC; Julius Avila, Jr., 28-14; Froilan Olano, So., RQ, D3.
Golden Gate Titans
Coach: Jaramillo
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Makendy Jean, 32-7, RQ-BR, DC; Johnny Charles, 29-9, RQ-BR, DC; Anthony Lawhon, 17-11, RQ, D4; Eduardo Rey, So., 11-18, RQ, D3 (Transfer to Aubrey Rogers)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Daniel Gonzalez, Sr., 18-15, RQ, D4; Richardson Joseph, Sr., 11-15, D5.
Immokalee Indians
Coach: Filiberto Gorosquieta
Recent district results: 2024:8; 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): Maynor Herrera, 36-8, 7th, R4, DC; Carlens Myrthill, 13-12, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aurelio Anzualda, Jr., 25-7, RQ, D2; Isaac Maldonado, Jr., 10-15, RQ, D2.
Gulf Coast Sharks
Coach: Thomas Kleinmeyer
Recent district results: 2024:10; 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, Jr.