2A-15 Preview: Will there be another changing of the guard at the top?
BY BRANT PARSONS — Last season, everything came together for Miramar who won its first district title in some time and ended St. Thomas’ run of three-straight 2A-15 team titles.
This yeah, the Patriots would love to repeat the feat.
“You can't get comfortable and we have St. Thomas in our district you know they had an off year but we've known them for for a while now, they're not going to stay down,” Miramar coach Anthony Fernandez said.
Also chasing is American Heritage-Plantation, who is looking for the school’s first district title.
“This year the team looks to be solid from the bottom to the top,” American Heritage-Plantation coach David Wisdom said.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Miramar completed its rise to the top with a district title season in a convincing manner.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Leviev Kinlock (American Heritage-Plant), Armando Wisdom (American Heritage-Plant), Maxinot Mondesir (Miramar), Salaahddin Hightower (Dillard), Amari Lewis (Archbishop McCarthy), Luis Rosa (Archbishop McCarthy)
The favorite: Miramar. This team is no longer a secret after a state duals appearance and district title.
Team to watch: American Heritage-Plantation. This team has been built for this moment, can they make it happen?
District duals: Dec. 20 at American Heritage-Plantation
District IBT: Feb. 15 at Archbishop McCarthy
Kabra Says: This district has all the makings of a toss-up. We’ll go with the defending champions in a squeaker, picking Miramar to win by slim margin.
Miramar Patriots (NR IBT | #15 Dual)
Coach: Anthony Fernandez (6th season)
Assistant coaches: Nathaniel Richardson, Andre Cupas
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:4-3A15; 2021:2-3A14; 2020:6-3A14; 2019:8-3A13; 2018:9-3A13; 2017:8-3A13; 2016:11-3A13; 2014:4-3A13; 2013:3-3A13; 2012:2-3A13
Last state champion: Elijah Brice, 2000 (135)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kylan Butler, 34-12, SQ, R4, D2; Emile Morris, 30-20, RQ, D3; Akintayo Akinlabi, 21-15, RQ, D3; Pierre Simon, 23-18, RQ, DC; David Francis, 27-8, SQ, R4, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #8-215 Maxinot Mondesir, Sr., 48-7, SQ, RC, DC; #12-120 Dully Brutus, Jr., 44-7, SQ, R3, DC; #13-138 Famous Nealy, Jr., 47-14, SQ, R4, D3; #14-175 Terrence Joachim, Sr., 33-20, RQ-BR, D2; #16-113 Domonic Charles, Jr., 43-13, SQ, R4, DC; #17-190 Javari Milton, Sr., 35-16, RQ, D2; Quinton Brownlee, Sr., 34-7, RQ-BR, D2; Dayian Bernot, Jr., 25-17, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Jayden Rivas
What they are saying: "Last year everything started to click. I felt like the success that we had last year was going to come this year because I really thought we were going to start to rebuild. But the sophomores stepped up, they were in the room the whole summer and the guys that we had come in from football didn't miss a beat and they just jumped in. This year we will stick to the same game plan and rely heavily on our athleticism and just go at it."
On repeating this year: "You've got to keep them hungry and just keep them on the mat. And even for the state duals, the boys want to go back and they want to correct the wrong and get that win."
On the state duals experience: "The state duals is something I've never seen as a coach. The crowds and there's a lot of action going on. I think we were a little shell shocked at first and we're trying to tell them we belong now. We're not a Cinderella story, we got here and let's get something done. You gotta wrestle like it's expected."
Outlook: The Patriots hard work to build this program paid off last year with a district title season. They have the athletes in the room to repeat again if they stay hungry and eager.
American Heritage Plantation Patriots (NR | #18)
Coach: David Wisdom (6th season)
Assistant coaches: Matthew Burnett, Andrew Wisdom, Josh Stern
22-23 dual record: 24-11
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:2-1A14; 2020:2-1A14; 2019:3-1A14; 2018:3-1A14; 2017:5-1A14; 2016:3-1A14; 2015:5-1A14; 2014:2-1A14; 2013:3-1A14; 2012:3-1A14
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexander Wisdom, 27-6, SQ, R2, DC; Victor King, 6-2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-215 Leviev Kinlock, Sr.; #8-150 Armando Wisdom, Jr., 36-6, SQ, R2, DC; #16-144 Isaac Jacobs, Sr., 20-8, RQ-BR, D2; #17-132 Ernest Padron, Sr., 23-5, RQ-BR, D2; #17-285 Freddie King, Jr., 15-3, RQ, D2; Christian Esler, So., 12-10, RQ, D2; Jared Anton, Jr., 17-18, RQ, D4; Isaac Fayer, So., 26-12, RQ, D3; David Vargas, Sr., 9-9, RQ, D3; Israel Cuba, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D4.
What they are saying: "I think this year's group is more poised to win the district title. We're going to be solid from the bottom to the top, where we missed last year was that we had holes in our lineup and the other teams were stronger."
On Armando making state last year: "He and his brother both said the same thing, that just making it to Kissimmee should never be the goal. You want to get there and do damage when you're there. I think they were so focused on just getting out of the region or making it there that they lost sight of the work that's needed while you're there. He trained all year to get out of the region but now with the bigger picture, Armando is looking at the competition outside of the region, across the state, and how he's going to have to step up his game to compete against those guys, once he gets back to Kissimmee."
On having a multi-cultural room: "It's exciting because everybody brings their culture and their experience, and what it takes to be good into the room. The kid from Canada, he's tough. He's someone that brings a skill set that the kid from Brazil is going to benefit from. My Russian guys that are on the squad are just incredibly hard workers and they just don't stop. So everyone learns from everyone and it makes it a really good team."
Outlook: The veterans on this team have been together for a few years now and they want their first district title.
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
Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks
Coach: Charlie C. Morgan, II (7th season/26th total)
Assistant coach: Daniel Bankemper
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:3; 2020:4; 2019:4; 2018:5; 2017:8; 2016:7; 2015:3; 2014:2; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Radley Gillis, 2013 (106)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Michael Hernandez, 27-13, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #10-132 Amari Lewis, Sr., 26-7, SQ, R3, DC; #11-138 Luis Rosa, Sr., 38-10, SQ, R3, DC; #11-190 Matthew Rojas, Sr., 38-14, SQ, R4, DC; #18-175 Maximilian Munoz-lysius, Sr., 14-15, RQ-BR, D2; Preston Ham, Jr., 3-24, RQ, D4; Andrew Cackett, Jr., 12-22, RQ, D3; Dylan Ibanez, Sr., 21-18, RQ, D4; Christian Navarro, So.
What they’re saying: “I would say that we are gritty, hardworking, driven, and goal oriented. I am excited about the program's growth, stoked about this group as a whole, and excited about this year's potential.”
Outlook: When Morgan came to the program in 2016, there were just five kids on the roster. When this season begins, there were be over 30 in the room, including three returning state placers.
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Coach: Robert Wimberly
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1-3A12; 2018:4-3A12; 2017:1-3A12; 2016:1-3A12; 2015:1-3A12; 2014:1-3A12; 2013:1-3A12; 2012:1-3A12
Last state champion: Grant Aranoff 2017 (138); Bryce Marcus 2017 (152); Josiah Gittman 2017 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Charles Otto, 30-14, RQ, D4; Jake Kavanaugh, 40-9, SQ, R3, DC; Michael Szymanik, 27-12, RQ, D2; Colin Gilbert, 29-9, RQ-BR, DC; Troy Antonoglou, 24-11, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Vincient Williams, So., 24-15, RQ, D3; Marco Ristaaino, Jr., 27-15, RQ, D3; Anthony Braun, Jr., 25-15, RQ, D4.
Dillard Panthers
Coach: Vincent Greaves (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Tyler Cespesdes, Johnny Henderson, Matt Fleurinord
22-23 dual record: 12-8
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:5; 2021:4; 2020:6; 2019:7; 2018:7; 2017:3; 2016:3; 2015:6; 2014:7; 2013:6; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Julius Cunningham, 17-8, RQ, D2; Bill Gregory, 29-14, SQ, R4, D2; Kevin Dunbar, 34-8, RQ-BR, D3; Semaj McClain, Sr., 25-14, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Fort Lauderdale).
Notable returning wrestlers: #8-132 Salaahddin Hightower, Sr., 44-16, SQ, R4, D2; Leo Velasquez, So., 9-18, RQ, D3; Samuel Fleurinord, Jr., 38-15, RQ, D4; Lucson Emile, Sr., 36-9, RQ, D3; Bryton Wilcher, Jr.; Bernard Woods, Sr.; Ja’Qwan Newland, So.; Jaray Howard, So.; Josiah Colak, Jr.
New wrestlers: #14-285 Nattrell Blocker, Sr., 18-4, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from Miami Northwestern); Iverson Dorvil (Transfer from Miami Northwestern); Geo Velasquez, Jr.; Steve Chaparo, Sr.; Jonathan Nance, 8th; Kendrick Davis, 8th; Adan Williams So.
What they’re saying: “This team is probably one of the toughest teams I had the pleasure of coaching. What we lack in experience is replaced with toughest and athleticism.”
Outlook: This team is on the rise in both talent and numbers as the program continues to grow.
McArthur Mustangs
Coach: Jonathan Hughes (2nd season/22nd overall)
Assistant coach: Jesus Rodriguez
22-23 dual record: 11-14
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:6; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:7-3A13; 2018:7-3A13; 2017:1-3A13; 2016:6-3A13; 2015:4-3A13; 2014:5-3A13; 2013:6-3A13; 2012:6-3A13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Roman Wilson, 42-7, SQ, R2, DC; Sean Estupinan, 14-23, RQ, D4; Anthony Montes, 12-22, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: William Baffartiguez, Jr., 9-7, RQ, D3; Trey Young, Sr., 12-8, RQ, D3; Juelez Lainez, Jr.; Muang Tuang, So.; Richard Cid-Ortiz, Jr.; Sebastian Pinzon, Sr.
Outlook: The Mustangs are young, but they’re gritty and they’ll look to improve as the season grows.
Hollywood Hills Spartans
Coach: Cedric Golden
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:9-3A13; 2018:11-3A13; 2017:9-3A13; 2016:3-3A13; 2015:2; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Henry Petit, 19-6, RQ-BR, D2; Albert Bernardo, 17-7, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Plantation Colonels
Coach: Alonzo Cunningham
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2020:8; 2019:8-3A12; 2018:7-3A12; 2017:7-3A12; 2016:3-3A12; 2015:4-3A12; 2014:6-3A12; 2013:6-3A12; 2012:5-3A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kayden Vialva, 7-11, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Outlook: Plantation participated in the postseason last year for the first time since the 2019-20 season.