2A-13 Preview: Sebastian River and Heritage to battle at top of district

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: Merritt Island won the district title, scoring nearly 100 points more than runner-up Sebastian River. The race for second was tight with the Sharks edging Heritage by 1.5

How did Kabra do?: We picked the former Class 2A Mustangs to win, but said it would be a slim margin. Is that half credit?

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Jake Giovino (Satellite), Harper Noel (Heritage), Gary Bradley (Bayside), Gabriel MacVittie (Satellite), Lucas Boecker (Sebastian River), Justice Hield (Bayside)

The favorite: Sebastian River. They outpointed Heritage by 1.5 for the runner-up spot last year.

Team to watch: Heritage. Both teams at the top graduated some top wrestlers, how each fills those spots will determine the winner here.

District duals: Tuesday, January 7 at Bayside

District IBT: Tuesday, February 18 at Bayside

Sebastian River Sharks

Coach: Tom Maul (20th total)

Assistant coaches: Zachary Pitts, Phinehaus Weatherly

23-24 dual record: 15-0

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:4; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:7; 2018:5; 2017:6; 2016:7; 2015:7; 2014:6; 2013:7; 2012:6

Last state champion: Vince Maul, 2008 (171)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Carlos Almanza, 31-8, SQ, R2, D2; Jonathan Tumblin, 23-8, SQ, R2, D2; Timothy Rattiger, 29-10, SQ, R4, D3; Michael Rodrigues, 30-6, RQ, D3; Andrew Rosado, 22-11, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: Lucas Boecker, Sr., 27-15, SQ, R2, D2; Kaden Wheeler, Sr., 27-11, SQ, R4, D2; Phineas Weatherly, Sr., 30-9, RQ, D3; Cameron Gil, Jr., 26-12, RQ, D4; Eli Weatherly, So., 5-2.

New wrestlers: Ezekiel Guerrero; Nikhil Guerrero

What they are saying: “We are eager to learn and improving by the week.”

Outlook: The Sharks graduated three state qualifiers but return two to lead a growing team that has to work out in two locations because of the size and skill levels on the team.

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

Heritage Panthers (#20/NR)

Coach: Jeff Degginger (10th season)

Assistant coaches: Cody Barton, Kane Gabrielsen, Kevin Smith

23-24 dual record: 14-5

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

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Solomon Peterson, 47-2, SC, R2, DC; Kaleb Gabrielsen, 60-3, 3rd, RC, DC; Keith Cole, 31-9, 5th, RC, DC; Stephan Perry, 42-15, RQ-BR, D2; Jason Martin; Emmanuel Verneus, 13-13, RQ, D4; Gustavo Ferreira, Jr., 49-14, 7th, RC, DC (Transfer to Viera)

Notable returning wrestlers: Harper Noel, Sr., 53-7, 5th, RC, DC; Nicholas Deboer, Sr., 15-4; Tyquez Smith, Sr., 24-15; Seyrious Peterson, So., 19-15, RQ, D3; Angel Tollinchi; Frank Noel; Geremy Santiago; Sam Redfearn; Landon Torchia.

New wrestler: Grayson Schmeichel, Fr.

What they are saying: “The only good thing about losing this much talent is that the kids behind them get to show what they’re made of.”

On improvement: “I take great pride in the fact that every year we are much better at the end of the season than the beginning of the season.”

On finding leaders: “I’m a very old school guy and I’m a plain English guy. So what we do is every year we have a traditional “hell week” where we really put them through the ringers. We push them as hard as we can and you’ll see them develop. You’ll see the leaders walk up under that kind of pressure and they’re the guys that are encouraging other kids. Don’t quit, Don’t quit. And when you see who those guys are, then you know you have something to work with.”

On development: “They don’t know what they don’t know and they’ve never had that big challenge yet. And you see all of those milestones, the first time you beat a kid you’re not supposed to and the first time you beat a state qualifier, and it’s just brand new to them and there’s a real excitement to it and it re-energizes the room.”

Outlook: After having 3-4 consecutive years with a solid returning class, Heritage truly is a young team this year. There is a state title contender in Noel and you have to think that by the end of the season, the Panthers will have some state qualifiers in the room.

Bayside Bears

Coach: Clay Folsom

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:4; 2020:8; 2019:4; 2018:5; 2017:4; 2016:5; 2015:6; 2014:2; 2013:4; 2012:4

Last state champion: Jonathan Taylor, 2007 (HWT)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Payton Maynard, 47-14, RQ-BR, D4; Austin Pattillo, 26-16, RQ, D2; Logan Churchel, 14-17, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Gary Bradley, Sr., 18-9, SQ, R2, D3; Justice Hield, Sr., 16-11, RQ-BR, D3; Logan Beeman-Brown, Jr., 16-15, RQ, D3;Wyatt Perhealth, Jr., 15-26, RQ, D4.

Outlook: A new coaching staff will start with a squad that has four region qualifiers back from a year ago.

Satellite Scorpions (#25/NR)

Coach: David McMiller

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:3; 2022:3-1A8; 2021:3-1A8; 2020:7-1A8; 2019:3-1A8; 2018:5-1A8; 2017:5-1A8; 2016:4-1A8; 2015:5-1A8; 2014:4-1A8; 2013:7-1A6; 2012:4-1A6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ryan Beirne, 44-5, 3rd, RC, DC; Anthony Dicks, 51-9, 4th, R2, DC; Alex Ruby, 9-12, RQ, D4; Qushawn Mighty, 16-13, RQ-BR, D3; Nolan West, Jr., 22-11, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer to Merritt Island)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jake Giovino, Jr., 28-5, 2nd, RC, D2; Gabriel MacVittie, So., 23-13, SQ, R2, D2; Jake Kriegsman, Jr., 17-17, RQ, D3; Kekaikahua Bailey, Jr., 15-11.

Rockledge Raiders

Coach: Jon Reneau

Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:4; 2021:4-1A8; 2020:3-1A8; 2019:1-1A8; 2018:2-1A8; 2017:3-1A8; 2016:3-1A8; 2015:3-1A8; 2014:1-1A8; 2013:2-1A6; 2012:7-1A6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jacob Schooley, 34-20, RQ, D2; Sam Smith, 36-16, RQ-BR, D3; Malik Parker, 26-10, RQ-BR, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kameron Lamb, Sr., 27-18, RQ-BR, D4; Hayden Bell, Sr.; William McCloney, Sr., 21-18, RQ, D4; William Robinson, Jr., 14-20, RQ, D4; Carmelo Ortiz, Jr., 7-27, RQ, D5.

Eau Gallie Commodores

Coach: Kelly Benninger

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:7; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:5; 2018:3; 2017:5; 2016:6; 2015:4; 2014:5; 2013:3; 2012:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Logunn Hilton, Jr., 9-8, RQ, D3; Mason Snyder, Sr., 15-8, RQ, D4.