2A-5 Preview: Top teams looking to break last year’s tie at the top
BY BRANT PARSONS — With all of the different point combinations that teams can earn throughout a tournament, it’s a special occurrence when two teams battle all the way to the end - and finish tied.
That’s what happened last year with Land O’Lakes and Springstead finishing as co-district champions.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Land O’Lakes and Springstead finished tied for first with 223 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Yianni Marinis (River Ridge), Jet Griffis (Land O' Lakes), Ethan Kent (River Ridge), Zavier Pennington (Leesburg), Leomany Casado (Land O' Lakes)
The favorite: Land O’Lakes. The co-champions return 11 region qualifiers from last year.
Team to watch: River Ridge. Last year’s third place team has a new coach and a bright future.
District duals: Dec. 20 at Springstead
District IBT: Feb. 15 at River Ridge
Kabra Says: Land O’Lakes and Springstead had a thrilling district race a year ago and we could see a repeat of that, but on paper, the Gators look like favorites with so many wrestlers back from that experience.
Land O’Lakes Gators
Coach: Edward Marley (11th season/17th as head coach/20th total)
22-23 dual record: 28-7
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:3-2A8; 2020:6-2A8; 2019:5-2A8; 2018:7-2A8; 2017:3-2A8; 2016:4-2A8; 2015:5-2A8; 2014:7-2A8; 2013:3-2A7; 2012:7-2A7
Last state champion: Jacob Conrad, 2017 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Malik Mohamed, 32-22, RQ, D2; Garry Gilbert, 43-7, SQ, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #6-126 Jet Griffis, Jr., 48-17, 6th, R4, D2; #11-157 Wyatt Green, Jr., 40-15, SQ, R4, DC; #12-150 Leomany Casado, Sr., 39-15, RQ-BR, D2; #17-138 Brandon Austin, Sr., 43-15, SQ, R4, D3; Anthony Zupo, So., 16-21, RQ, D4; Clay Henderson, Jr., 36-20, RQ, D3; Logan Tedeschi, So., 20-17, RQ, D4; Charles Griffis, Jr., 40-17, RQ, D2; Jade Gerena, Sr., 14-12, RQ, D2; Jolexis Rodriguez, Sr., 26-19, RQ, D2; Daniel Recla, Sr., 31-14, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: Brayden Austin, Fr.
What they are saying: "I've set realistic goals like last year, my goals were at the end of the season to win conference again and not not even make it close. I think we were 97 points ahead of the second team and we did tie in districts. So this year, my goal is pretty much the same thing, I want to dominate conference, win district and I want that top five finish in the region. I think we got the team to do it."
On getting help: "I'm expecting good things. We've finally got an assistant coach and I'm hoping is a good fit. That'll help me. I also have a lot of alumni that come in and help out. A couple of the dads come in and help me out. So the more eyes in the room, the better."
On the team: "They're close with each other. A lot of these kids, I don't get to ninth or 10th grade so I don't get that luxury of having kids coming in that have been wrestling their whole life so I like that I get these kids from doing nothing to being competitive."
Outlook: The Gators won their third consecutive conference title and second district crown while sending all 14 wrestlers to the regions for the first time in Marley’s 12 years at the school.
Springstead Eagles
Coach: Mike LaRocca (8th season as HC, 17th at school)
Assistant school: Tom Gumpton
22-23 dual record: 18-4
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:4; 2021:1-2A8; 2020:2-2A8; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:2; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1-2A7; 2012:1-2A7
Last state champion: Richie Rivera, 2017 (113)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joshua Gallo, 53-7, 3rd, R3, DC; Craig Corbett, 21-8, RQ, DC; Curtis Tyler, Jr., 34-13, RQ, DC (Transfer to Zephyrhills Christian).
Notable returning wrestlers: #13-175 Clint Huggins, Sr., 22-8, RQ, DC; #15-113 Vincenzo Lee, Sr., 34-15, SQ, R4, D2; #15-190 Pedro Class, Sr., 25-19, RQ, D2; #20-138 Ricky Corbett, Jr., 30-12, RQ-BR, DC; Evan Bozek, Jr., 38-13, RQ, D3; Arthur Walczak, Sr., 31-10.
New wrestler: #19-165 Mykel Theriault, Jr., 31-17, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Weeki Wachee)
What they are saying: “We are a team ready to break out.”
Outlook: The Eagles are still a young team with a lot to prove but are ready to for the next challenge.
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
River Ridge Royal Knights
Coach: JT Heckler (1st at school/4th overall)
Assistant coaches: Coach Lawless, Coach Farage, Coach McHugh, Coach Stanjeski
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:4-2A8; 2020:3-2A8; 2019:2-2A9; 2018:5-2A9; 2017:5-2A9; 2016:5-2A9; 2015:7-2A9; 2014:7-2A9; 2013:1-2A8; 2012:4-2A8
Last state champion: Sean Peterson, 1995 (112)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dominick Smith, 2nd, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #4-138 Yianni Marinis, Jr., RQ, D2; #6-285 Ethan Kent, Jr., SQ, RC, DC; #15-120 Zachary Kotsubka, Sr., SQ, R4, D2; #19-113 Ryan St. Denis, Jr., RQ-BR, DC; Anthony Acosta, Jr., RQ, D3; .
What they are saying: "I'm setting the goal as conference and district champions. We want to place in the top five at region and the top ten at state. I think those are all very feasible goals for this team."
On coming home to River Ridge: "I went to high school here and I wrestled at River Ridge. I graduated back in 2002. T obviously have a connection to the school. I noticed about halfway through the season that they have lost their coach so after finishing out the season with Fivay, I reached out and expressed interest and things worked out."
On the team's approach to season: "Since taking over this team, we started wrestling in the summer with club practices and there is a real great vibe in the room right now and all of the kids are extremely excited. There is a lot of potential here, good things are going on in our wrestling room."
Outlook: Heckler takes over an experienced room of wrestlers who are looking to earn some accolades at the end of the season.
Citrus Hurricanes
Coach: Joe Estep (6th season)
Assistant coach: Craig Barker
22-23 dual record: 4-6
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:2; 2021:1-1A7; 2020:4-1A7; 2019:5; 2018:2; 2017:3; 2016:3; 2015:3; 2014:2; 2013:4-2A7; 2012:2-2A7
Last state champion: Taylor Jackson, 2012 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christopher Albury, RQ, D3; Aaron Reynolds, 25-15, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Bradley Franklin, So., RQ, D4; Charles Smith, Sr., 31-16, RQ, D4; Matthew McHugh, Jr., 11-20, RQ, D4; Manny Martinez, Sr.; Jackson Bennett, So.; Jack Kumprey, Jr.; Joey Simpson, Sr.
New wrestlers: Isaac Reynolds, Fr.; Logan Pericht, Fr.; Bryce Griffin, Fr.
What they are saying: “This year team will have more experience overall than our team last year. Several of our incoming freshmen trained with Citrus Wrestling Club throughout middle school, and our sophomores have been consistent in training and competing in the offseason. We have a solid group of upperclassmen ready to lead this team in the right direction.”
Outlook: Two region qualifiers have graduated but plenty remain in the room looking to get better and that will combine with the influx of intriguing freshmen.
Fivay Falcons
Coach: Gary Lane
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:8; 2021:9-2A8; 2020:4-2A8; 2019:9-1A10; 2018:7-1A10; 2017:3-1A10; 2016:5-1A10; 2015:8-2A9; 2014:2-2A9; 2013:3-1A8; 2012:1-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Anthony Bolin, 14-21, RQ, D4; Malachi Armstrong, 13-3; Espn Thieryung, 9-16, RQ, D3; Isiah Daniels, Jr., 35-10, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Hernando)
Notable returning wrestlers: #19-190 Gavin Sadjak, Sr., 27-14, RQ, D2; Perry Brown, Jr., 20-11, RQ, D2; Damian Shuman, Sr.
What they are saying: “We have a solid lineup with lots of seniors. We are looking forward to a great season.”
Outlook: Last year’s coach JT Heckler moved across to the district to River Ridge and first-year head coach Gary Lane will step in to lead the Falcons.
Leesburg Yellow Jackets
Coach: Doug Jackson
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:8-1A6; 2021:6-1A7; 2020:5-1A7; 2019:4-1A5; 2018:5-1A5; 2017:5-1A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-120 Zavier Pennington, Sr., SQ, R2, DC; Cameron Dillon, Jr., RQ, D3.
New wrestler: #15-144 Lavoctris Patterson, Jr., 28-8, RQ-BR, D3 (Transfer from Jones)
Lecanto Panthers
Coach: Luke Capie (1st season at school/15th overall)
Assistant coach: Christian Acosta
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:6; 2021:5-2A8; 2020:7-2A8; 2019:3; 2018:6; 2017:5; 2016:7; 2015:7; 2014:4; 2013:7-2A7; 2012:6-2A7
Last state champion: Nick Carrier, 1998 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lorenzo Macatol, 25-7, SQ, R4, DC; Costantine Moskes, 10-6, RQ, D3; Logan Feuston, 22-12, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #20-150 Denis Ferderer, Sr., 20-11, RQ, D3; James Greene, Sr., 16-12, RQ, D3.
What they’re saying: “We have a room full of student athletes that are eager to learn the sport and create a strong foundation for the future. I see a lot of promise from this group along with the support from a great school staff and community. I believe we will be able to build something special here in Lecanto.”
Outlook: Capie takes a program over that has only finished in the top three at districts one time in the last 12 seasons.