2A-7 Preview: Defending state champion Braves look to overcome familiar foes
BY BRANT PARSONS — Back in 2021, Lake Gibson won a state title in the duals competition but saw a state champion laden Tampa Jesuit win the IBT team title.
On paper, this year looks it could be similar with Tampa Jesuit having some big time wrestlers in the room.
But that’s not all of what makes Class 2A so hard to win. Fleming Island is still a force to be reckoned with and in the district, Winter Springs and Brandon will both provide challenges.
"We know it is going to be a tough challenge and it could be one of those years again where you see a team win the duals and another team win the IBT,” Lake Gibson coach Daniel Walker said. “All of those teams match up differently when it comes to each of those tournaments."
Even with the heightened competition, Lake Gibson isn’t changing its approach.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Lake Gibson advanced 13 to the finals and 11 of those were district champions.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Elijah Lowe (Lake Gibson), Christian Fretwell (Lake Gibson), Austin Chung (Lake Gibson), Gianni Maldonado (Lake Gibson), Jace Brownlow (Lake Gibson), Andrew Colantanio (St. Cloud), Eric Vargas (Lakeland), Meison Broche (Kissimmee Gateway), John Arellano (Lake Gibson), Connor Hackett (Lake Gibson), Evan Martinez (Lakeland), Gaetano Tedesco (Lake Gibson), Husam Mustafa (Lake Wales), Amir Coston (Auburndale), Vuong Trinh (Kathleen), Gabriel Jones (Lake Gibson)
The favorite: Lake Gibson. One of the top teams in the state.
Team to watch: Auburndale. They have a state champion in the room and are developing quickly as a program.
District duals: Dec. 29 at Auburndale
District IBT: Feb. 15 at St. Cloud
Kabra Says: The main thing to watch here is how many wrestlers Lake Gibson can advance to the region tournament. Their ultimate goals will require as many athletes in Kissimmee as they can get there.
Lake Gibson Braves (#2 IBT | #1 Dual)
Coach: Danny Walker (23rd at school/27th overall)
Assistant Coach: Brent Jorge
22-23 dual record: 21-0
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1-2A6; 2020:1-2A6; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:1-2A6; 2012:1-2A6
Last state champion: Christian Fretwell, 2023 (120); Hayden Whidden, 2023 (145); Gianni Maldonado, 2023 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Colt Brown, 44-7, 4th, RC, DC; Quinyale Gore, 27-15; Nytravious Walker, 32-9, 4th, R4, DC; Hayden Whidden, 32-4, SC, RC, DC; Mitchell Colgin, 8-3; Frank Solorzano, 48-5, 6th, RC, DC; Tristan Vann, 41-12, SQ, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-120 Elijah Lowe, Sr., 45-11, 3rd, RC, DC; #1-132 Christian Fretwell, Jr., 36-4, SC, RC, DC; #1-157 Gianni Maldonado, Sr., 55-4, SC, RC, DC; #2-175 Jace Brownlow, Sr., 39-12, 4th, R2, DC; #5-157 Connor Hackett, Sr., 31-17, RQ-BR, DC; #7-126 Gaetano Tedesco, Sr., 47-14, 6th, R3, DC; #11-113 Rudy Messner, Jr., 34-18, SQ, R3, D2; #17-113 Tyler White, So.; Brayden Kahelin, Jr., 29-19, RQ, D2; Leyland Callahan, So., 5-13, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: #2-144 Austin Chung, Sr., 38-5, 6th, RC, D2 (Transfer from Tampa Freedom); #10-126 Gabriel Jones, Sr., 35-9, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Brandon); #4-285 John Arellano, Sr., 44-11, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer from Winter Haven); Noah Gregory, Jr. (Transfer from George Jenkins).
What they are saying: "We will stay the course. Nothing changes. As far as what the expectations are, we know what the challenges are, we know who the challenges are, and we know what we have to do to try to get to our ultimate goal and it's going to be very tough."
On Gianni: "He is a leader by showing. He's one of those kids that doesn't get frustrated if he's struggling with something and you put him over into a corner and say you're struggling with this certain aspect and you really need to work on it. You can put him over there and he'll work that certain move for 45 minutes to an hour and he won't get frustrated. So that's the type of example that he leads by."
On the depth: "Our goal is that we've got to focus on us trying to stay healthy and get in the optimal weights. That's one thing. We're still trying to figure out what weights we're wanting to go with everybody. Some we pretty much have it figured out, but there's a couple of weight classes, where we have two quality guys, sometimes we have three. The one difference from this year to last year's team would be our depth, and us being able to move some things around. We have that depth, some of those weight classes are not huge drop offs and you're not going to be able to just put out an average kid to beat us.
On goals in the classroom: "Our team GPA goal is 3.85. That's one of the things this team is really trying to push this year and these kids take this seriously. The kids want to win the state GPA championship also. That's one thing you can say about this group, they're as much academically focused as they are athletically focused, which is truly amazing."
Outlook: Competing in Class 2A, Lake Gibson certainly has been through this before with a horse race at the top between great programs. The Braves will be ready and hoping they have the firepower and big wins at the end of the season.
Auburndale Bloodhounds (#17 | #16)
Coach: Antonio Thomas (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Grant Smith, Jerry Simon, Victor Turner, George Sabillion
22-23 dual record: 20-9
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:3; 2021:8-2A6; 2020:7-2A6; 2019:11; 2018:3; 2017:7; 2016:5; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:2-2A6; 2012:3-2A6
Last state champion: Nate Gabriel, 2023 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Colby McColley, 18-8; Nate Gabriel, Sr., 35-4, SC, RC, DC (Early enrollee at WVU).
Notable returning wrestlers: #8-175 Amir Coston, Jr., 37-12, RQ, D3; #11-165 Raymond Shaw, So., 36-13, RQ, D2; #16-215 Anthony Gardner, Jr., 15-5, RQ-BR, DC; #20-157 Adrian Castillo, Jr., 35-17, RQ, D4; Ruben Barrett, Sr., 19-16, RQ, D3; Blake Selwitschka, Jr., 30-13, RQ, D3; Landon Lindsay, So., 19-28, RQ, D4; Terrence Williams, Sr., 25-22, RQ, D3; Antonio Martinez, Jr., 32-19, RQ, D4.
What they are saying: "Auburndale had two state titles back in the 1990s and we are trying to get that tradition back. Being an alumni here and being back in the community, I'm just trying to get this program back to being competitive around the state."
On rebuilding Auburndale: "It's been an enjoyable process. When you start from scratch with a program, you know what direction you really are going to go in. You just have to trust what you know, work hard at trying to do the things that you think, to put you and your team in a good position in place. And right now I feel like we're trending upward as a program. Going into my fourth year, you couldn't have told me that I would have state champ in three years. So I think that we're definitely going up and we got other kids that have been working hard off and on the mat. Hopefully, we can build some more state champions around here."
Outlook: The rebuild continues for the Bloodhounds. State champion Gabriel will not be back after enrolling early at West Virginia for football. This team is deep with experience and led by some veterans leaders. Look for more and more to keep coming from the work Thomas is doing here.
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
St. Cloud Bulldogs
Coach: Mike Short (3rd season at school/29th overall)
Assistant coaches: Alex Southall, Brennon Chambers, Curnette Scrivens
22-23 dual record: 7-11
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:4-2A8; 2021:1-3A9; 2020:3-3A9; 2019:3-3A5; 2018:2-3A5; 2017:4-3A5; 2016:5-3A5; 2015:3-3A5; 2014:3-3A5; 2013:3-2A5; 2012:4-2A5
Last state champion: Frank Cousins, 2010 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): John Fernandez, Sr., 35-15, SQ, R3, D2 (Transfer to Harmony)
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-285 Andrew Colantanio, Jr., 26-13, RQ, D3; Cheniko Wallace, Jr., 22-19, RQ, D3; Nathaniel Huron, Sr., 24-16, RQ, D2; Aiden Johnson, Jr.; Brian Morales, Jr.; Christophe Karandreas, So.; Garrett Cowell, So.; TJ Griffin, So..
New wrestler: Eann Mesa
What they are saying: "We've had moderate success that last couple of years with a fairly brand new to wrestling group of kids and it should translate into some success. We are in a difficult district and region but we had some kids not far away from making it to the Silver Spurs."
On the growth of the program: "The numbers this year should be phenomenal. We return everybody with the exception of one transfer student out and we've had huge interest levels at our meetings this fall. We just tyring ot reach out and get as many kids to try it and bkeep building the program."
On being football coach too: "Last year, out of the 23 kids in the room, I want to say that 14 of them were football players. It was really good because I know who those kids are and what they can do on the field. So I can try and cater my coaching to what kind of athlete they are."
Outlook: The numbers are growing in the Bulldog wrestling room and that should pay some dividends this year with a few wrestlers ready to make the leap from region qualifier to state qualifiers.
Kissimmee Gateway Panthers
Coach: Travis Hill (6th season)
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:3-2A8; 2021:6-2A5; 2020:5-2A5; 2019:4-3A5; 2018:6-3A5; 2017:6-3A5; 2016:2-3A5; 2015:2-3A5; 2014:2-3A5; 2013:2-3A5; 2012:3-3A5
Last state champion: Christian Vazquez, 2013 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jessiah Glass, 8-17, RQ, D5; Kevin Montilla, 25-17, RQ, D4; Aidan Cooper, 15-13, SQ, R4, D2; Elijah Abreu, 20-5, RQ-BR, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #6-150 Meison Broche, Sr., 33-11, SQ, R3, D3; #14-132 Ariel Molina, Sr., 16-14, RQ-BR, D2; Ruben Ocasio, So., 17-14, RQ, D4; Taylen Haynes, Sr., 14-16, RQ, D4; Eann Mesa, Jr., 11-10, RQ, D3.
New wrestler:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Lakeland Dreadnaughts
Coach: Winston Phan (4th season)
22-23 dual record: 10-7
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:5; 2021:6-2A6; 2020:6-2A6; 2019:4-3A6; 2018:5-3A6; 2017:4-3A6; 2016:4-3A6; 2015:3-3A6; 2014:1-3A6; 2013:5-3A5; 2012:5-3A5
Last state champion: Willie Lampkin, 2020 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Adam Johnson, 25-15, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-113 Eric Vargas, Sr., 49-16, 7th, R3, D2; #6-157 Evan Martinez, Sr., 39-15, SQ, R2, D2; #19-157 Mateo Martinez, So., 28-19, RQ, D2; Anthony Coney, Sr., 27-13, RQ, D3; DeVarr Malloy, Sr.
New wrestlers: Jonathan Dinottia, Sr. (Transfer from Fort Myers); Travonte Burgess, Fr.
What they are saying: “I think we got some kids new and old that will surprise some people this year. With the leadership of Erick Vargas and Evan Martinez, who have gotten the new kids to buy in, this team has turned into a team full of grinders.”
Outlook: With some strong veteran leadership, the Dreadnaughts look to move up the district standings this season.
Sebring Blue Streaks
Coach: Chris Cook
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:6-1A13; 2021:8-2A13; 2020:7-2A13; 2019:5-2A10; 2018:4-2A10; 2017:4-2A10; 2016:4-2A10; 2015:4-2A10; 2014:3-2A10; 2013:3-2A6; 2012:5-2A6
Last state champion: Blake Germaine, 2005 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): O'Shaughne Coates, 11-17, RQ, D4; Bransford Stone, 24-13, RQ, D2; Colin James Killon, 23-15, SQ, R4, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-190 Cale Delaney, Jr., 20-12, RQ-BR, D3; Kaleb Scott, So., 10-16, RQ, D4; Donavin Butler, Sr., 10-19, RQ, D3; Adrian Maldonado, So., 6-17, RQ, D5.
New wrestler:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Lake Wales Highlanders
Coach: Jonathan Richards
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:8; 2019:7-1A9; 2018:6-1A9; 2017:1-1A9; 2016:5-1A9; 2015:7-1A9; 2014:6-1A9; 2013:2-1A7; 2012:3-1A7
Last state champion: Sam Smith, 2002 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #7-157 Husam Mustafa, Jr., 36-15, RQ-BR, D2; Joshiah Dobson, So., RQ, D2; Forrest Thompson, Jr., RQ, D4.
New wrestler:
What they are saying:
Outlook:
Kathleen Red Devils
Coach: Michael Locke (2nd season)
22-23 dual record: 6-18
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:4-2A6; 2020:3-2A6; 2019:5-3A6; 2018:4-3A6; 2017:5-3A6; 2016:6-3A6; 2015:6; 2014:5; 2013:7-2A6; 2012:4-2A6
Last state champion: Jeremiah Jackson, 2022
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alan Velez, 25-12, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-106 Vuong Trinh, So., 25-14, RQ-BR, DC.
What they are saying: “We have a small core of returners with an anticipation of a large influx of beginning wrestlers. Time will tell how well they pick up the sport.”
Outlook: The Red Devils started last season with just four returning wrestlers and ended the year with four region qualifiers and a first-year freshman Trinh winning a district title.
Liberty Chargers
Coach: Tyrone McKee (1st season)
Recent district results: 2022:3-2A8; 2021:4-2A5; 2020:3-2A5; 2019:5-2A6; 2018:2-2A6; 2017:2-2A6; 2016:1-2A6; 2015:4-2A6; 2014:4-2A6; 2013:4-3A5; 2012:6-3A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Asa Skord, Sr.
New wrestler: Sebastian Perdomo, Fr.
What they are saying: “Our group is young and willing to put in the time needed to grow and compete.”
Outlook: Liberty didn’t compete in the FHSAA postseason in 2022-23 and return this year with new head coach Tyrone McKee.