2A-15 Preview: Wide open race could come down to final matches of season
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Before moving on to another district, Miramar comfortably won its second-straight title.
How did Kabra do?: We believed that Miramar would win the title, but we missed Archbishop McCarthy getting that second spot. We also said it would be a tight race and the Patriots won by 105.5 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Armando Wisdom (American Heritage-Plant), Joseph Scott (Hollywood Hills)
The favorite: Archbishop McCarthy. This district is suddenly wide open again and the Mavericks will try to lead the pack.
Team to watch: St. Thomas. Five region qualifiers return for the Raiders.
District duals: Monday, December 16 at St. Thomas, 1 p.m.
District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at St. Thomas, 4 p.m.
Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks (NR/#22)
Coach: Charlie C. Morgan, II (27th season)
Assistant coaches: Daniel Bankemper, Sophia Mirabella, Gianni Guerriero
23-24 dual record: 8-4
Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Matthew Rojas, 35-11, RQ, DC; Luis Rosa, 44-9, SQ, RC, DC; Maximilian Munoz-lysius, 41-15, SQ, R3, D2; Amari Lewis, 25-11; Dylan Ibanez, 38-19, SQ, R4, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Samuel Boatwright, So., 22-21, SQ, R4, D4; Andrew Cackett, Sr., 18-15, RQ-BR, D2; Justin St. Ange, Sr., 10-17, RQ, D4; Jayden Joseph, Sr., 16-17, RQ, D3; Daniel Navarro, Sr., 12-22, RQ, D3; Jaxon Frohring, Jr., 12-20, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Gavin Calcines, Jr., 28-7 (Transfer from Somerset); Atticus Dye, Jr., 8-6, D6 (Transfer from Miami Pace); Jacob Rhodes, Fr.; Deaven Montanez, Fr.; Jacob Torres, Sr. (Transfer from West Broward)
What they are saying: “We are young and scrappy. Despite our youth, we were able to add some experience at key missing weights from last year's team. I am excited to see our potential.”
Outlook: This group of wrestlers have bought in and have been working year-round to get better. With a winnable district in front of them, they could have the school’s first district title since 2013.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season 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
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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St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Coach: Robert Wimberly
Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Maddox Buth, 36-15, SQ, R4, D3; Derek Groves, 24-17, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Phillip Goodrich, Jr., 25-9, RQ, D3; Chase Goodrich, So., 14-4, RQ, D2; Grayson Buth, So., 18-13, RQ, D2; Valintino Ramos, So., 10-9, RQ, D3; Sebastian Diaz, Sr., 7-11, RQ, D3; Vince Williams, Jr.
Dillard Panthers
Coach: Vincent Greaves (6th season, 15th overall)
Assistant Coach: Tyler Cespedes
23-24 dual record: 18-16
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Lucson Emile, 46-7, 4th, R3, D2; Salaahddin Hightower, 38-9, 8th, R3, DC; Timmy Graham, 25-15, RQ, D4; Bernard Woods, 20-19, RQ, D4; Emmanuel Noel (Moved to Tennessee).
Notable returning wrestlers: Josiah Colak, Sr., 14-10, RQ-BR, DC; Leo Velasquez, Jr., 21-8, RQ, DC; Jah'qwan Newland, Jr., 25-14, RQ, D2; Samuel Fleurinord, Sr., 23-14, RQ, D2; Jayden Davis, Jr.; Shadeed Noel, Sr.; Ronnie Brown, So.; Kevin Matthews, So.; Jaheim Henry, Sr.; Bryton Wilcher; Adan Williams, Jr.; Demetrius Mincey, Jr.; James Spence, So.
New wrestler: Kadrian Hightower, Sr.; Anthony Smith, 6th; Lavon Forbes, 6th; Tavon Elisias, 6th; Travon Elisias, So.
What they are saying: “This team is mixed with a lot of inexperienced and experienced wrestlers. We’re tough and scrappy as always but we just need matches. We’re wrestling a full schedule so they will get those matches in and we’ll be battle tested come district time to compete for the district title.”
Outlook: The Panthers are coming off their best district finish since 2017, but they are said goodbye to state placers from last year.
American Heritage Plantation Patriots
Coach: David Wisdom (5th at school/7th overall)
Assistant coaches: Matthew Burnett, Andrew Wisdom
23-24 dual record: 32-11
Recent district results: 2024:4; 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): Isaac Jacobs, 36-9, SQ, R3, D3; Lev Goldstein, 7-6, RQ, D4; Isaac Fayer, Jr., 48-5, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer to Cardinal Gibbons)
Notable returning wrestlers: Armando Wisdom, Sr., 44-3, RQ-BR, DC; Alejandro Canaves, Sr., 17-11, RQ, D3; Michael McMahon, Jr., 12-9, RQ, D4; Dillon Rodriguez, Jr., 25-11, RQ, D3; Freddie King, Sr.; Jared Anton, Sr.; Diego Baish-Miranda, Fr.
What they are saying: “We only have a few veteran wrestlers, many are new wrestlers and freshmen.”
On Armando Wisdom: “It’s been six years that he’s been wrestling varsity. He’s done well and missed going to state last year with a technical call, which really motivated for him this year. He’s motivated wherever he goes. He’s wrestled all summer. He’s wrestled out of state. He’s beat some really good guys and knows what his ability it.”
On wrestler retention and development: “We do the best we can to keep as many kids as we can on the squad and become better. We try to make it fun. The system that I use is that my senior wrestlers, my veteran wrestlers serve as mentors to the younger ones. They will grow based on how much they’re learning from that person.”
Outlook: Armando Wisdom leads a younger team heading into his senior season. He’s looking to reach Kissimmee after falling close last year while also being part of the veteran group charged with helping develop the future of this program.
Deerfield Beach Bucks
Coach: Mark Gadson (Fourth season)
Recent district results: 2024:5-3A13; 2023:6-3A13; 2022:7-3A13; 2021:3-3A12; 2020:5-3A12; 2019:6-3A12; 2018:5-3A12; 2017:8-3A12; 2016:9-3A12; 2015:3-3A12; 2014:4-3A12; 2013:5-3A11; 2012:3-3A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jackson Harper, 12-7, RQ, D2; Odell Harris, 18-8, RQ, D3; Donovan Campbell, 13-6, RQ, D4; Brian Lewis, 4-10, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Tyler Kelly, Jr., 17-11, RQ, D4; Kenneth Hall, Jr., 14-14
What they are saying: “I have a team of some returners. I'm losing some three notable good guys from last year. But this year’s team, there are very high expectations. Being that we're in a new district coming from 3A to 2A, I have expectations for my guys. Our goal is to get to state, to get one step further than we did last year. So we had a couple of guys who made it to regionals, try to get those guys to qualify for state this year.”
On when the ‘lightbulb clicks’: “It's a great moment because sometimes they tend to fall in love with wrestling more than football. Because I have a couple other football players who's coming over and they can't wait to wrestle. So for me, it's a happy moment because it's like I was once upon a time in their shoes and was a football player who loved wrestling. I love wrestling. Wrestling is my number one sport now. Now I'm trying to get those guys to understand the aspect of the mental and the physical part of wrestling.”
Outlook: The Bucks had their best finish in three seasons last year and while they graduated some, they are excited to compete in a new class and district this season.
McArthur Mustangs
Coach: Jonathan Hughes (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Jesus Rodriguez, Steven Nogradi
Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): Trey Young, 24-7, D5.
Notable returning wrestlers: Juelez Lainez, Sr., 18-6, RQ-BR, D3; William Bouffartiguez, Sr., 17-14, RQ, D2; Richard Cid-Ortiz, Sr., 6-5, RQ, D4; Manghua Tuang, Jr.; Jordan Evans, Jr.
Outlook: Three region qualifiers are back to lead the Mustangs.
Oakland Park Northeast Hurricanes
Coach: Josh Jacobs
Recent district results: 2024:7-2A14; 2023:8-2A14; 2022:8-2A14; 2021:7-2A14; 2020:6-2A14; 2019:8; 2018:3; 2017:5; 2016:6; 2015:11-3A12; 2014:12-3A12; 2012:7-3A13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Earl Cayao, 15-4, RQ-BR, DC; Xavier Rodriguez, 10-3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kaden Walton, Jr., 9-10, RQ, D2.
Plantation Colonels
Coach: Alonzo Cunningham
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Isaiah Wade, Sr., RQ, D4.
Hollywood Hills Spartans
Coach: Cedric Golden
Recent district results: 2024:8; 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): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Joseph Scott, So., 38-16, RQ, D2; Alex Palumbo, Sr., 17-17, RQ, D4.