2A-5 Preview: Wide open battle might be in store in competitive district

BY BRANT PARSONS

Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.

Last season: Land O’Lakes topped Citrus by 23 points for the title.

How did Kabra do?: We picked the champions, but we were did not see the great season Citrus put together coming.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Aden Juan (Springstead), Jordan Bonacasa (River Ridge), Ryan St. Denis (River Ridge)

The favorite: Springstead. On paper, the Eagles look like the team to beat in 2A-5 this year.

Team to watch: Tavares. The four-year program moves to Class 2A and returns at least seven starters from a year ago.

District duals: Wednesday, January 8 at Tavares, 4:30 p.m.

District IBT: Wednesday, February 19 at River Ridge, 2 p.m.

Springstead Eagles

Coach: Mike LaRocca

Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Vincenzo Lee, 26-7, SQ, R2, DC; Clint Huggins, 12-6, RQ, DC; Kaleb Johns, Jr., 32-11, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Zephyrhills Christian)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aden Juan, Sr., 32-11, RQ-BR, DC; Brian Burch, Jr., 17-8, RQ, D3; Evan Bozek, Sr., 29-10, RQ, D3; Herman Johnson, So., 17-13, RQ, D4; Jordan Lopez, So., 6-8, D6; Daniel Quinones, Jr., 15-11, RQ, D4; Nate Jones, Sr., 0-7, RQ, D4; Brenden Hoepker, Sr., 13-7; Jashaun Contegiacomo, So., RQ, D4.

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)

Rankings: Class 3A | Class 2A | Class 1A | Girls | Team

River Ridge Royal Knights

Coach: JT Heckler (2nd at school/6th overall)

Assistant coaches: Farage, Stanjeski Sr., Stanjeski Jr., Lawless

Recent district results: 2024:4; 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): Simon Ortiz, 20-17, SQ, R4, D2; Mason Hughes, 14-15, RQ, D3; Kyler Wittshire, 19-17, RQ, D4; Zachary Kotsubka, 20-14; Yianni Marinis, Sr., 37-3, 4th, R2, DC (Transfer to Zephyrhills Christian); Ethan Kent, Sr., 21-8, RQ, DC (Transfer to Zephyrhills Christian)

Notable returning wrestlers: Ryan St. Denis, Sr., 24-16, SQ, R4, D3; Kevin Hannigan, So., 2-9, RQ, D3; Anthony Acosta, Sr., 11-13, RQ, D2; Jackson Reed, Jr., 10-17, RQ, D4.

New wrestlers: Sal Bonacasa, Jr., 29-14, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Fivay); Jordan Bonacasa, Jr., 28-14, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Fivay)

Outlook: State qualifier is back to lead a driven club that picked up the Bonacasas from Fivay and that should add some higher-level depth to the team.

Tavares Bulldogs

Coach: Gavin Jones

Recent district results: 2024:3-1A6; 2023:4-1A6; 2022:5-1A6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Marcus Flamingo, 24-19, RQ, D2; Owen O'Neil, 32-15, RQ, D3; Chace Stockman, 21-17, RQ, D4; Ethan Harris, 21-21, RQ, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Jelani Bentley, So., 24-8, RQ-BR, D2; Ari Bentley, So., 13-6; Jeremy Batista, Sr., 23-16, RQ, D4; Cameron Waara, So., 12-22, RQ, D2; Jett Harris, So., 14-18, RQ, D3; Khairi Coleman, Jr., 9-14, RQ, D4; Jayson White, Sr., 12-22, RQ, D3.

Gulf Buccaneers

Coach: Chris Palasky

Recent district results: 2024:6-1A9; 2023:5-1A9; 2022:9-1A9; 2021:8-2A8; 2020:9-2A8; 2019:4-1A6; 2018:4-1A6; 2017:3-1A6; 2016:3-1A6; 2015:8-1A6; 2014:7-1A6; 2013:1-1A10; 2012:2-1A10

Last state champions: Anthony Ayers, 2011 (130), Ladarius Jackson, 2011 (171)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Logan Duncan, Jr., 43-15, RQ-BR, D3; Jayden Collier, Sr., 16-27, RQ, D3; Cameron Anthony, Sr., 21-27, RQ, D3; Raedon Jones, Sr., 31-15, RQ, D3.

Lecanto Panthers

Coach: Luke Capie (2nd at school/16th overall)

Assistant coaches: Christan Acosta , Ryan Brown

Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Denis Ferderer, 17-8, RQ, D2; James Greene, 11-10, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: Kayden Koehl, So., 3-19, RQ, D3; Jimmy Dang, Sr., 1-9, RQ, D4; Kaleb Bergeron, Jr., 7-10, RQ, D4; Jacob Johnson, Sr., 10-13, RQ, D2.

What they are saying: “We have a young and motivated team with depth. We have several returning regional qualifiers and a dedicated coaching staff. Last season, we built the foundation for the program we want to have here in Lecanto and this season we will keep on the process. A lot of the guys put in work through the offseason on the mat and in the weight room so their efforts should show this season.”

Leesburg Yellow Jackets

Coach: Anthony Dicunto

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:7; 2022:8-1A6; 2021:6-1A7; 2020:5-1A7; 2019:4-1A5; 2018:5-1A5; 2017:5-1A5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Zavier Pennington, 46-7, SQ, R2, DC.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Cameron Dillon, Sr., 38-12, RQ, D3; Anthony Wine, So., 10-29, RQ, D3.

Fivay Falcons

Coach:

Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): Sal Bonacasa, Jr., 29-14, RQ, D2 (Transfer to River Ridge); Jordan Bonacasa, Jr., 28-14, RQ, D2 (Transfer to River Ridge)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jesse Confer, Jr., 17-25, RQ, D4.

Belleview Rattlers

Coach: Jeffery Farris

Recent district results: 2024:9-2A4; 2023:8-2A4; 2022:4-2A4; 2021:4-A4; 2020:6-2A4; 2019:4; 2018:4; 2017:2; 2016:1; 2015:2; 2014:3; 2013:2-2A4; 2012:4-2A4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tate Trauthwein, 23-18, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None