2A-4 Preview: Reloaded Fleming Island ready to compete for top spot again
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Fleming Island outscored runner-up Clay by 106 points to win its eighth straight district title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Timothy McLean (Matanzas), Jacob Bucci (Clay), Matthew Kotler (Fleming Island), Sawyer VanRider (New Smyrna Beach), Kaden Schaefer (Fleming Island), Jordan Mills (Matanzas), Christopher Chop (Fleming Island), Jonathan Bruner (New Smyrna Beach), Matthew Newman (Fleming Island), Laird Duhaylungsod (Fleming Island), Braden Glavin (Clay), Aidan Sutton (New Smyrna Beach), William Kelly (Clay), Matthew Braddock (Fleming Island), Rylan Herrera (Clay)
The favorite: Fleming Island. Five state placers from a year ago are gone, but there is still a lot of talent in this lineup.
Team to watch: New Smyrna Beach. The key for the Barracudas will be staying healthy because they have the experience coming back.
District duals: Jan. 4 at Fleming Island
District IBT: Feb. 15 at New Smyrna Beach
Kabra Says: Fleming Island is still the team to beat in the district, even having fill the holes left by five state placers.
Fleming Island Golden Eagles (#4 IBT | #3 Dual)
Coach: PJ Cobbert (15th season)
Assistant Coach: Angelo Lizza
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1-2A2; 2021:1-3A1; 2020:1-3A1; 2019:1-3A1; 2018:1-3A1; 2017:1-3A1; 2016:1-3A1; 2015:2-3A1; 2014:1-3A1; 2013:1-3A1; 2012:1-3A1
Last state champion: Jayce Paridon, 2023 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ronan Bozeman, 42-9, 5th, RC, DC; Joshua Sandoval, 47-6, 4th, RC, DC; Jhoel Robinson, 42-1, 3rd, RC, DC; Ethan Hoffstetter, 27-11, 4th, RC, DC; Jayce Paridon, Jr., 48-2, SC, RC, DC (Transfer to Lake Highland Prep)
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-150 Matthew Kotler, Sr., 29-9, 6th, R2, DC; #3-175 Christopher Chop, Sr., 35-10, 5th, RC, DC; #4-144 Kaden Schaefer, Sr., 34-2, 3rd, RC, DC; #6-113 Matthew Newman, Sr., 42-6, 4th, R2, DC; #6-132 Laird Duhaylungsod, Jr., 43-6, SQ, RC, DC; #11-120 Jordan Mukaddam, Sr., 17-8; #11-215 Walter Poe, Jr., 34-12, RQ, DC; #13-126 Shane Duhaylungsod, Jr., 40-9, SQ, R2, D2; #14-150 Dylan Beck, Jr., 24-14, RQ, D2; #19-215 Ladarius Jackson, Sr., 17-7; Cooper Beck, So., 17-17.
New wrestlers: #8-106 Matthew Braddock, Fr., 24-7, RQ, D2 (Transfer from St. John Country Day); Kevin Reyes, Jr.
Outlook: Fleming Island may not be as loaded as they were last season, but the Golden Eagles still have the strongest and deepest team in the district.
Clay Blue Devils (#18 IBT | #13 Dual)
Coach: James Reape (28th season, 31st at Clay)
Assistant coaches: Hunter Hill, Luke Frame, Elijah Gonzalez
22-23 dual record: 20-8
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:1-1A4; 2021:1-1A4; 2020:1-1A4; 2019:1-1A3; 2018:1-1A3; 2017:1-1A3; 2016:1-1A3; 2015:1-1A5; 2014:1-1A5; 2013:1-1A4; 2012:1-1A4
Last state champion: Robert Tyre, 2022 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Landen Solomon, 25-8, RQ-BR, D3; Dominic Martin, 28-10, 7th, R2, D2; Kedtric Wilbourn, 45-13, 8th, R4, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-113 Jacob Bucci, Jr., 57-2, 3rd, RC, D2; #7-138 Braden Glavin, Jr., 38-13, SQ, R2, D2; #9-126 Rylan Herrera, Jr.; #9-215 William Kelly, Sr., 40-18, SQ, R3, D3; #14-120 Drew Holmquist, So., 47-20, SQ, R4, D3; Vonte Burke, Jr., 24-13, RQ, DC; Aaron Stacey, Jr., 24-11, RQ, D3
New wrestlers: Jackson Hornbeck, Jr. (Transfer from Middleburg); Ajax Sgro, So., 23-13 (Transfer from Middleburg); Landon Martin, Fr.; Jayshawn McCloud, Fr.
Fast fact: Clay has had 128 state place winners and have finished as the team runner-up eight times.
What they are saying: “We are hopefully a scrappy bunch. We will be very good down low, and pretty solid up top, how fast we develop in the middle weights will decide our fate.”
Outlook: The Blue Devils have four state placers back this season, lead by state placer Bucci.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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New Smyrna Beach Barracudas (#15 | NR)
Coach: Isaac Bernard (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Michael Strouse, Kris Blasko
22-23 dual record: 15-11
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:5; 2019:7-2A6; 2018:9-2A6; 2017:5-2A6; 2016:4-2A6; 2015:3-2A6; 2014:3-2A6; 2013:9-2A13; 2012:9-2A13
Last state champion: Patrick Comardo, 1998 (160), Nicky Davis, 1998 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Micah Nilsson, 19-27, RQ, D3; Derek King, 27-9, 7th, R4, D2; Dylon York, 42-6, 2nd, R2, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-190 Sawyer Vanrider, Sr., 49-9, 5th, R2, D2; #5-138 Jonathan Bruner, Jr., 39-10, 8th, R2, D2; #7-144 Aidan Sutton, Sr., 34-13, SQ, R3, DC; Adam Novak, So., 22-24, RQ, D4; Spencer Timm, So., 24-18, RQ, D2; Merrick Miller, So., 31-19, RQ, D3; Kyle Nilsson, Jr.
What they are saying: "We're going to be better this year than we were last year. We're a year older which is good. I think it's going to be tough for teams to line up and just beat us. I think we will be strong in our light and middleweights. We struggled a bit last year at middleweights and I think that will be our strength this year."
On this team's toughness: "Half of my kids play football so that's always a challenge in itself, but it also helps in reference to the toughness of the team. So we don't have to that aspect."
On trying to stay healthy: "We overemphasize stretching. We even have a yoga instructor that comes in twice a week and works on flexibility. We promote healthy eating and make it more of a lifestyle choice than a season thing."
Outlook: This New Smyrna Beach team will be a tough out for anyone facing them with solid wrestlers up and down the line-up. They key for the Barracudas will be to stay healthy.
Matanzas Pirates (#14 | NR)
Coach: Mike Fries
Assistant coaches: TJ Gillin, Jeremiah Marschka, Sebastian Rizzo, Josh Bower, Caleb Bower
22-23 dual record: 13-7
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:2; 2021:3; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:4; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:2-2A3; 2012:1-2A3
Last state champion: Tyrone Jones, 2018 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kaden Golder, 32-7, RQ, DC; Carter Wilder, 26-18, RQ, D4; Dylan Parkinson, 44-10, 8th, R3, D2; Landon Wright, 34-17, SQ, R4, D3; Tayler Thomas, 21-20, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-106 Timothy McLean, Jr., 46-9, 5th, R3, D3; #4-190 Jordan Mills, Sr., 14-1; Mike Fries; Mason Obama; AJ Sanchez.
New wrestlers: Micah McGuire, Sr., 11-5 (Transfer from Mainland); Jaylon Owens
What they are saying: “We are ready to surprise people.”
Outlook: The return of 2022 state runner-up Jordan Mills is the highlight for this team with state placer McLean also returning for the Pirates.
Pedro Menendez Falcons
Coach: Kevin Leonard (8th season)
Assistant coaches: David Jensen, William Taylor
22-23 dual record: 14-9
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:6; 2021:2-1A5; 2020:3-1A5; 2019:3-1A4; 2018:2-1A4; 2017:5-1A4; 2016:3-1A4; 2015:3-1A4; 2014:6-1A4; 2013:5-1A4; 2012:6-1A4
Last state champion: Morgan Dufresne, 2004 (135)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Archer Bosick, 32-8, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Eric Smith, So., 22-15, RQ, D4; Liam Molloy, Jr., 27-15, RQ, D4; Bryce Alli, Sr., 19-9, RQ, D2; Maddoxx Lehman, So., 20-16, RQ, D4; Colby Leth, Jr., 12-11, RQ, D4; Logan Geist, Jr.; Nick Thorn, So.; Matt Thorn, So.; Hunter Martin, Sr.; Tyshaun Thames, Jr.
What they are saying: “We are strong in the middleweights and this year we should also have strong numbers in the room.”
Outlook: This is a hungry group that is working together to get better and you’ll see five region qualifiers back to lead the team.
Mainland Buccaneers
Coach: Matthew Lawrence (6th season)
Assistant coach: Damon Sansom
22-23 dual record: 4-13
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2019:10-2A6.
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brian Harris, 22-15, RQ, D3; Sam Ayodele, 18-8, RQ, D3; Hayden Heilman; Josh Newman; Micah McGuire (Transfer out)
Notable returning wrestlers: #15-285 Christian Singleton-Hudson, Jr., 9-4, RQ, D2; Malik Daniels, Sr., 6-8, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: Jamison Pinyan, Sr. (Transfer from Port Orange Atlantic)
What they are saying: 'We're going into our sixth year so we're not brand new anymore like we used to be. Last year was my first year with four-year letterwinners so we're really kind of getting into a groove of having a team and some experience at the top end to help with the younger guys as they come in."
On having a younger team: "I do change my approach to scheduling. I will try and get into more dual tournaments rather than IBTs just so I can get more contests for the guys."
On incoming transfer Jamison Pinyan: "He's coming from Atlantic and his dad actually works with me at the school. He was a district champ his freshman year and a runner-up in his sophomore year. He broke his leg last season but he's qualified for the regions a couple times and we're excited to have him in and he's knows a lot of the guys so it will be a smooth transition"
On Christian Hudson: "He didn't get a lot of matches so that's why no one really knew who he was. With our football team reaching the finals, those guys don't start for us until January. I don't think he wrestled his first match until the Five-Star Conference in February and his first match was against DeLand's MJ Stokes."
Outlook: The Buccaneers are very young but enter the season as a hard-working and dedicated group. They’ll spend the year trying to get some experience and the team should find more success when the football players join after their season.
Seabreeze Sandcrabs
Coach: Paul Shuler (8th season)
Assistant Coach: Kris Blasko
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:2-1A6; 2021:5; 2020:3; 2019:3-2A6; 2018:4-2A6; 2017:4-2A6; 2016:6-2A6; 2015:6-2A6; 2014:5-2A6; 2013:8-2A13; 2012:8-2A13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jackson Pruett, 25-18, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: William Sites, Jr., 27-14, RQ, D3.
Belleview Rattlers
Coach: Jeffery Farris
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:6; 2019:4-2A5; 2018:4-2A5; 2017:2-2A5; 2016:1-2A5; 2015:2-2A5; 2014:3-2A5; 2013:2; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christian Lewis, 22-9, RQ, D4; Riley Green, 23-15, RQ, D4; Eric McLaughlin, 23-9, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
St. Augustine Yellow Jackets
Coach: Chris Geores
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:4; 2018:5; 2017:5; 2016:6; 2015:4; 2014:3; 2013:4-2A3; 2012:4-2A3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Logan Brenner, 24-14, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tashaun Whitfield, Sr., 20-16, RQ, D4.