2A-16 Preview: Class 2A favorite Somerset leads solid district
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Mater Academy won its first district title since 2017 with a 73.5 point victory.
How did Kabra do?: We picked Belen Jesuit to win its third straight district title but Mater Academy proved us wrong with a solid victory.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Lucas Barrios (Mater Academy), Matteo Gonzalez (Somerset), Eric Hodge (Somerset), Bluny Davilma (Somerset), Mateo Martinez (Somerset), Tristan Sainz (Somerset), Luis Bellon (Somerset), Duly Brutus (Miramar), Michael Sainz (Somerset), Famous Nealy (Miramar), Jaiden Oliver (Lake Gibson), Adonis Severe (North Miami), Gary Mendez (Mater Academy), Darion Shannon (Somerset), Cano Austin (Somerset), Yaisel O'Farill (Mater Academy), Jordan Pineda (Felix Varela), Dylan Fernandez (Somerset), Alexander Harding (Miramar), Noel Guycen (Mater Academy)
The favorite: Somerset. The Panthers enter the season ranked #1 in Class 2A in both Kabra Wrestling’s team rankings.
Team to watch: Miramar. No longer an unknown quantity, the Patriots are well-known and have big expectations.
District duals: Thursday, January 9 at Somerset, 4 p.m.
District IBT: Wednesday, February 19 at Somerset, 3 p.m.
Somerset Academy Panthers (#1/#1)
Coach: Joe Blasucci (14th season)
Assistant coach: Julio Ore
23-24 dual record: 23-0
Recent district results: 2024:1-1A15; 2023:1-1A15; 2022:2-1A14; 2021:1-1A15; 2020:1-1A15; 2019:1-1A15; 2018:1-1A15; 2017:1-1A15; 2016:1-1A15; 2015:1-1A15; 2014:1-1A15; 2013:2-1A14; 2012:2-1A14
Last state champion: Jake Austin, 2024 (113); Jovani Solis, 2024 (132); Kendrick Hodge, 2024 (165)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kendrick Hodge, 55-3, SC, RC, DC; Adrian Tejada, 42-14, SQ, R4, D2; Noah Perez, 52-7, 3rd, R2, D2; Rafael Lopez, 15-7, SQ, R2, DC; Jake Austin, Fr., 55-4, SC, RC, D2 (Transfer to Charlotte); Gavin Calcines, Jr., 28-7 (Transfer to Archbishop McCarthy); Jovani Solis, Fr., 63-0, SC, RC, DC (Transfer to South Dade)
Notable returning wrestlers: Matteo Gonzalez, 8th, 46-9, 3rd, R2, DC; Luis Bellon, Sr., 35-8, 4th, RC, DC; Darion Shannon, So., 34-12, SQ, R3, D2; Eric Hodge, Sr., 50-8, 5th, R3, DC; Abdur Bey, Sr., 13-9, SQ, R4, D2; Dylan Fernandez, So., 42-18, 7th, R3, D2; Cano Austin, 7th, 32-15, SQ, R2, DC; Carlos Sainz, 8th, 16-3.
New wrestlers: Bluny Davilma, Sr., 19-6, 5th, R2, D2 (Transfer from Miami Central); Mateo Martinez, Jr., 42-6, 5th, R4, DC (Transfer from South Broward)
What they are saying: “We are solid at almost every weight class.”
Outlook: Class 2A got a whole lot tougher with the Panthers moving up in classification. Three state champs are gone, but this team is as deep as Blasucci has had in his 14 years at Somerset and they’ll be ready to compete in 2A.
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
For Kabra+ members (Join here)
Mater Academy Lions (#17/#11)
Coach: Eduardo Lamazares
Recent district results: 2024:1; 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): Gregory Mendez, 51-8, 6th, RC, DC; Michael Lomax, 24-10, D5; Justin Rodriguez, 33-12, RQ, DC; Juan Chavarria, 9-13, D6.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Yaisel O'Farill, So., 32-12, 6th, R4, DC; Ericson Coney, Fr., 46-12, 8th, R3, DC; Gary Mendez, Jr., 49-11, 8th, R3, DC; Noel Guycen, Jr., 17-13, SQ, R3, DC; Rafael Quintana, Sr., 22-9, RQ, D3; Michael Maisonet, Jr., 32-13, RQ-BR, DC; Gabriel Gutierrez, Sr., 15-10, RQ, D3; Rahdel Jean-Baptiste, So., 11-9, RQ, D3; Jonathan Garcia, Sr., 20-16, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Lucas Barrios, 8th.
Miramar Patriots (#17/#11)
Coach: Anthony Fernandez (7th season)
Assistant coaches: Nathaniel Richardson, Andre Cupas
23-24 dual record: 21-6
Recent district results: 2024:1-2A15; 2023:1-2A15; 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): Javari Milton, 27-9, SQ, RC, D2; Maxinot Mondesir, 20-7, 8th, R4, DC; Quinton Brownlee, 33-11, SQ, R2, DC; Terrence Joachim, 24-14, RQ, DC; Terrel Joachim, 20-11, RQ-BR, D3; Tedrick Welch, 16-10, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Dully Brutus, Sr., 37-11, 6th, RC, DC; Alexander Harding, Sr., 27-12, RQ-BR, D2; Dayian Bernot, Sr., 28-11, RQ-BR, DC; Famous Nealy, Sr., 28-10, SQ, R3, D2; Domonic Charles, Sr., 27-9, RQ-BR, DC; Jayden Rivas, So., 28-15, RQ, D2; Zakarii Robinson, So., 4-20, RQ, D4; Vankermaury Souffrant, Jr., 7-8, RQ, D2.
New wrestlers: Noah Catala, Sr., 25-6, RQ, DC (Transfer from West Broward); Zephaniah Dickens (Transfer from Tru Academy)
Outlook: The Patriots are no longer going to sneak up on opponents. Miramar has won two straight district titles and while that feat has gotten a little harder due to reclassification, this hard-nosed group is ready to fight.
Belen Jesuit Wolverines
Coach: Francis Aguilar (4th season/7th overall)
Assistant coaches: Luis Gonzalez
23-24 dual record: 13-10
Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Henry Amador; David Torres, 32-10, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jose Romano, Jr., 37-14, RQ-BR, DC; Cesar Aguado, Jr., 33-21, RQ, D2; Noah Levy, Sr., 21-14, RQ, D2; Emilio Diaz, Sr., 23-16, RQ, D2; Samuel Mazman, 8th, 21-16, D5; Nicholas Antonini, Fr., 9-15, RQ, D4; Sebastian Jurado, So., 32-15, RQ, D3; Luis Souto, Jr., 24-18; Juan Barreneche, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D4; Rafael Scott, Jr., 16-11, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Ignacio De Toro, Jr.; Antonio Gonzalez, Sr.
What they are saying: “We have a chip on our shoulder and are eager to work hard this season and compete.”
On Jose Romano: “He's a kid as an eighth grader, weighing 170 pounds, he wrestled the 190 weight class, just because we had other guys at the weights above them that were state level wrestlers at the time. He won districts his first year. Last year, he tore his ACL on a ski trip before the season and battled back, returning right before districts. He's been a blood round wrestler for three years now, unfortunately, last year he knocked off a state placer on the way to the to the blood round. And then, unfortunately, he tore his ACL in the blood round match on his other knee. He's been grinding the ax to get back. He's going to be back and ready to go in December. And we think the sky's the limit for him.”
On the new hard district: “I always try to schedule the hardest competition that we can find. We always try to take our guys to the best tournaments, the most competitive tournaments. I think we're at a place where there's always something to learn in competitions like that. But I think we're at a place where we could start demanding more of our top wrestlers at competitions like that. I think they're going to be ready for the competition. We're just excited for the opportunity to be in a competitive district and to have that to look forward to.“
Outlook: The Wolverines have finished in the top-2 in the district the past three seasons and will try to stay in competition for that top spot this season with a team that is loaded with leadership.
Miami Norland Vikings
Coach: Steven Valentine
Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Jovany Franklin, 31-18, SQ, R3, DC; Rahsaan Robinson, 27-12, SQ, R4, D2; Travon Broughton, 9-7, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Antrell Hall, Sr., 24-16, RQ-BR, D2; Brandon Simmons, So., 6-15, RQ, D4; Brandon Hamilton, Sr., 11-17, RQ, D3.
North Miami Pioneers
Coach: David Top Francis
Assistant coach: John Severe
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Gerson Alette, 54-8, 5th, R2, DC; Sandro Laguerre, 35-17, RQ, D2; Davion Cooper, 21-25, RQ, D3; David Alexis, 16-20, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Adonis Severe, Sr., 42-15, 8th, R4, D2; Michael Metayer, So., 31-25, RQ-BR, D2; Charly Sainteus, Jr., 33-19, RQ, D3.
Felix Varela Vipers
Coach: Eric Hughes (2nd year at school/44th overall)
Assistant coach: Nicholas Martinez
23-24 dual record: 10-10
Recent district results: 2015:8-3A16;2014: 7-3A16; 2013:5-3A16; 2012:4-3A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joshua Sanchez, 23-7, SQ, R4, D2; Dylan Sweeney, 24-4, SQ, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jordan Pineda, Sr., 41-10, 8th, RC, DC; Keen Davis, So., 24-11, RQ, D2; Rubier Oliva, Jr., 30-10, RQ, D2; Richard Mora, Jr., 7-16, RQ, D4; Matthew Soto, Sr., 20-12, RQ, D4; Danny Machin, Sr.; Terrell Jones, Jr.; Joshua Lascano, Jr.; Ralph Pariente, Jr.; Anthony Kissell, Jr.
New wrestlers: Mark Sweeney, Fr.; Victor Cerna, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have a little more experience at some weight classes and we worked hard throughout the summer.”
Outlook: The program returns for the second season after being shut down for nearly a decade.
Everglades Gators
Coach: Erie Coney
Recent district results: 2024:8; 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, Jr., 30-12, RQ-BR, D3; Phipps Jermiah-Frage, Jr., 14-19, RQ, D4; Vinh Quain, Sr., 15-9, D6.
South Miami Cobras
Coach: Joseph Dominguez
Recent district results: 2024:9-1A16; 2023:8-1A16; 2022:8; 2019:8-3A15; 2018:5-3A15; 2017:8-3A15; 2016:8-3A15; 2015:5-3A15; 2014:4-3A15; 2013:4-3A15; 2012:6-3A15
Last state champion: Javier Estopinan, 2004 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Yaniel Crespo, Sr., RQ, D4.
American Patriots
Coach: Benjamin Jackson
Recent district results: 2024:10; 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): Ranzer Wallace, SQ, R4, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None