2A-16 Preview: Belen Jesuit sets sights on three-peat with teams looking to dethrone
BY BRANT PARSONS —Belen Jesuit continues to trend in the right direction.
The Wolverines have won two straight district crowns and this year have even bigger goals.
“We are seeking to make the duals state championship and we are seeking to have a top five performance at the region IBT,” Belen Jesuit coach Francis Aguilar said.
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Last season: Belen Jesuit held off Mater Academy by 19.5 points to win the 2A-16 title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Gregory Mendez (Mater Academy), Joshua Sanchez (Felix Varela), Henry Amador (Belen Jesuit), Gerson Alette (North Miami)
The favorite: Belen Jesuit. The two-time defending district champions could bring back 10 region qualifiers and five of those were district finalists.
Team to watch: Mater Academy. Speaking of a large number or returnees, the Lions might have 11 region qualifiers back and they’re looking for the school’s first district title since 2017.
District duals: Dec. 13 at Belen Jesuit
District IBT: Feb. 13 at Belen Jesuit
Kabra Says: There is definitely no sure thing in this district and Mater Academy should keep the team race close all the way to the end, but we’ll pick the three-peat for Belen Jesuit.
Belen Jesuit Wolverines
Coach: Francis Aguilar (3rd season/6th overall)
Assistant coaches: Luis Gonzalez, Joel Duran
22-23 dual record: 22-12
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:4; 2020:5; 2019:7; 2018:5; 2017:7; 2016:9; 2015:7; 2014:6; 2013:5; 2012:3
Last state champion: Esteban Gomez-Rivera, 2012 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Michael Delgado, 13-4, RQ, D2; Lucas Amaya, 55-8, SQ, R3, DC; Darian Torres, 53-13, SQ, R2, DC; Isaac Badell, 39-16, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-138 Henry Amador, Sr., 31-11, SQ, R2, DC; #20-190 Jose Romano, So., RQ, D2; Samuel Mazman, 7th, 22-24, RQ, D4; Sebastian Jurado, Fr., 24-15, RQ, D3; Luis Souto, So., 24-23, RQ, D3; Cesar Aguado, So., 28-13, RQ, D2; Noah Levy, Jr., 25-26, RQ, D4; David Torres, Sr., 24-15, RQ, D2; Juan Barrenche, Jr., 14-10; Kyle Quintana, Sr., Injured LY; Rafael Scott, So., 22-25; Antonio Gonzalez, Jr., 22-18.
What they are saying: “This year we have a large young group of wrestlers that have been wrestling for us for a few years now and are ready to make a big jump this upcoming season after grinding through the offseason. We are hungry to improve and make some noise.”
Outlook: This team is ready for a big season, even with a couple state qualifiers having moved on through graduation.
Mater Academy Lions
Coach: Eduardo Lamazares
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:3; 2021:6; 2020:3; 2019:4-3A14; 2018:2-3A14; 2017:1-3A14; 2016:3-3A14; 2015:10; 2014:1; 2013:3; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-132 Gregory Mendez, Sr., 55-11, 8th, RC, DC; #16-106 Gary Mendez, So., 26-14, RQ-BR, DC; #16-157 Rafael Quintana, Jr., 29-14, RQ, D2; Ericson Coney, 8th, 45-19, RQ, D2; Yaisel O'Farill, Fr., 41-20, RQ, DC; Elliot Cabeza, Jr., 25-26, RQ, D4; Michael Lomax, Sr., 30-16, RQ-BR, D3; Juan Chavarria, Sr., 15-15, RQ, D4; Gabriel Gutierrez, Jr., 14-20, RQ, D4; Sebastian Perez-Aponte, Jr., 20-25, RQ, D4; Gulcyn Noel, So., 24-20, RQ, D2.
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Miami Norland Vikings
Coach: Steven Valentine
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:3-2A15; 2021:6-2A15; 2020:3-2A15; 2019:3; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:2; 2015:1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lamarcus Benyon, 35-17, RQ, D2; Travon Broughton, 51-15, RQ, D2; Inson Guerrier, 47-12, 7th, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #12-113 Rahsaan Robinson, Sr., 35-13, SQ, R4, DC; Antrell Hall, Jr., 22-18, RQ, D2; Brandon Hamilton, Jr., 34-18, RQ, D3; Jovany Franklin, Sr., 24-19, RQ-BR, D2.
Outlook: State qualifier Robinson is back to lead the Vikings with a handful of region qualifiers also in the fold.
North Miami Pioneers
Coach: John Severe (8th season/14th overall)
Assistant coach: Shawn Pierre
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:2; 2021:3-3A15; 2020:4-3A15; 2019:1-3A14; 2018:1-3A14; 2017:2-3A14; 2016:2-3A14; 2015:1-3A14; 2014:1-3A14; 2013:2-3A14; 2012:7-3A14
Last state champion: Daniel Leon, 2014 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Charvens Sainteus, 13-13, RQ, D3; Carly Germain, 13-12, RQ, D2; Shawn Pierre, 6-8, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-157 Gerson Alette, Sr., 33-11, SQ, R3, DC; #16-165 Adonis Severe, Jr., 27-13, RQ-BR, DC.
Outlook: Alette and Severe are both back for the Pioneers.
Felix Varela Vipers
Coach: Eric Hughes (1st at Varela/43rd total)
Assistant coaches: Nicholas Martinez, Alejandro Torres
Recent district results: 2015:8-3A16;2014: 7-3A16; 2013:5-3A16; 2012:4-3A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): No program last year
Notable returning wrestlers: No program last year
New wrestlers: #7-106 Joshua Sanchez, Sr., 44-9, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from Miami Killian); #13-150 Dylan Sweeney, Sr., 32-8, RQ, DC (Transfer from Miami Killian); Terrell Jones, Soph. (Transfer from Miami Killian); Jair Quintero, Jr. (Transfer from Miami Killian); Daniel Caballero, Sr. (Transfer from Miami Killian)
What they are saying: "I've always been able to start up new programs and get kids to build. My main concern is to build them so they can try to get scholarships once they leave out of the doors. This chance came about when they called me and I was thinking about it about moving forward. It was a good fit and they wanted a person there with experience who could relate to kids of all ethnicities and that's what I've always done."
On the new program: "The people over here are good. I think once I got people who are behind me, that's the first thing I look for. Then I get the parents involved. Then I have meetings and I tell them that wrestling presents itself with 14 weight classes that give you an opportunity. And the best man would get the opportunity."
Outlook: Hughes moves over from Miami Killian to reignite the Vipers wrestling program that hasn’t competed since the 2014-15 season.
Homestead Broncos
Coach: Cedrick Stewart (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Franklin Torres, Frank Melo, Fernando Melo
22-23 dual record: 5-7
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:4; 2019:5-3A16; 2018:6-3A16; 2017:6-3A16; 2016:6-3A16; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Earl Hall, 2008 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): R'travian Jean, 14-8, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Elias Ramirez, Jr., 4-11, RQ, D4; Caleb Pierre, Jr., 9-8, RQ, D4; Fabio Perez Leguizamo, Jr., 6-7, RQ, D3; Jameel Carter, Sr., 4-9, RQ, D4; Aryen Satter, So., 7-10, RQ, D3; Kemauri Middleton; Dionel Ramos; Corey Lester, So.
New wrestlers: Darien Hernandez; Isaiah Woodson
Fast fact: The Broncos will try to end an eight-year drought of not having a state qualifier
What they are saying: “I think that we're flying under the radar and will have people talking at season's end.”
Outlook: New coach Stewart returns to his alma mater and is working to rebuild the program to its old standard.
READ: New Homestead coach Cedrick Stewart will bring his life lessons to program
Miami Northwestern Bulls
Coach: Verne Louis
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:3-1A15; 2020:4-1A15; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:2; 2016:6; 2015:11; 2014:7; 2013:7; 2012:7
Last state champion: Joseph Ruffin, 1975 (119)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Micah Johnson, 18-7, RQ, D3; Nattrell Blocker, Sr., 18-4, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Dillard)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #13-157 Zamir Franck, Jr., 19-10, SQ, R4, D3; Anthony Person, Sr., 15-9, RQ, D4; Eric Alexander, Jr., 16-10, RQ, D3; Isaiah Deloach, Jr., RQ, D4.
Everglades Gators
Coach: Erie Coney
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7-3A15; 2020:7-3A14; 2019:10-3A13; 2018:8-3A13; 2017:6-3A13; 2016:4-3A13; 2015:3-3A13; 2014:2-3A13; 2013:2-3A13; 2012:5-3A13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Juan Perez, So., 17-15, RQ, D2; Justin St-Ange, Jr., 27-14, RQ, D3; Vinh Quain, Jr., RQ, D4.
American Patriots
Coach: Benjamin Jackson
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:8-2A15; 2020:7; 2019:7-3A14; 2018:5-3A14; 2017:6-3A14; 2016:7-3A14; 2015:6-3A14; 2014:6-3A14; 2013:3-3A14; 2012:3-3A14
Last state champion: Henry Chirino, 2009 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Yul Campbell, SQ, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
Ronald Reagan Bison
Coach: Edward Barnett (8th season)
Assistant coaches: Max Alvarez, Max Dalcy
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2020:8-3A15; 2019:6-3A14; 2018:7-3A14; 2017:4-3A14; 2016:6-3A14; 2015:3-3A14; 2014:4-3A14; 2013:5-3A14; 2012:2-3A14
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Jaiden Barron, So., 5-6, RQ, D3; Lazaro Diaz, Jr., 5-8; Ever Casanova, Jr., 3-7.
What they’re saying: “Last year's kids are ready to go after experiencing what it was like to compete in meets and tournaments, which have made them hungrier to compete and be successful.”
Outlook: The Bison competed in the postseason last year for the first time since the 2019-20 season and is looking to make a big splash in their second year back. Reagan is young but the growing core group is hard-winning and willing to learn.