2A-8 Preview: Lyman ready to battle for first district title since 2013

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

Last season: Before leaving for 2A-4, Winter Springs outscored Lyman by 115 points.

Wrestlers to watch: Jason Perez (Kissimmee Gateway), Christian Bonilla (Lyman), Julio Menoyo (Lyman)

The favorite: Lyman. The Greyhounds have slowly been building it back and have a shot now for their first district title since 2013.

Team to watch: Edgewater. They seem the favorite to be the top contender, especially if Jones doesn’t field a team like its anticipated that won’t.

District duals: Saturday, January 4 at Lyman, 9:30 a.m.

District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Lyman, 3:30 p.m.

Lyman Greyhounds

Coach: Chris Canale (4th season/10th overall)

Assistant coaches: Silas Mantero, Donny Simpson, Luis Valdez, Nick Popeck

23-24 dual record: 10-4

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:3; 2022:6-3A3; 2021:7-3A4; 2020:8-3A4; 2019:10-3A2; 2018:9-3A3; 2017:9-3A3; 2016:5-3A3; 2015:6-3A3; 2014:2-3A3; 2013:1-3A3; 2012:3-3A3

Last state champion: Willie Campos, 1992 (130)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Thomas Weissert, 20-15, SQ, R4, DC; Jackson Fredrickson, 44-19, RQ-BR, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Christian Bonilla, So., 51-10, SQ, R2, DC; Cameron Popeck, Sr., 49-11, RQ, D2; Julio Menoyo, Sr., 31-23, RQ, D3; Jamie Taylor, Sr., 18-17, RQ, D2; Benjamin Diaz, So., 9-12, RQ, D4; Luke Nilles, Sr., 20-14, RQ, D4; Nathaniel Mattews, Sr., 24-24, RQ, D4; Angel Ortiz-Corral, Sr., 12-12, RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “I honestly believe that we have four or five guys that can go to state, which years ago, we were saying we have to get one guy to go to state. Now we have five guys that can go and I think we have quite a few of them that can reach the podium.”

On this senior class: “My seniors right now were freshmen my first year and they were just a very dedicated group. I started preaching to them that they were the guys who would be burning the path here. They’re the trendsetters. They are an important class for Lyman.”

On building up numbers: “We have 15 signed up now as freshman. Being a coach inside the school, which I knew they hadn’t had before, has been a big help. I’m constantly recruiting and getting kids to come out.”

Outlook: The outlook at Lyman hasn’t been this good in a decade. After the program floundered for years after it’s second-place district finish in 2014, the Greyhounds are now poised to be a team that could win a district title in their new district.

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

Edgewater Eagles

Coach: Josh Lowe (2nd season)

Assistant coach: Shy Lowe

23-24 dual record: 0-10

Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:7; 2022:7; 2021:7-2A5; 2020:6-2A5; 2019:5-3A2; 2018:9-3A2; 2017:7-3A2; 2016:6-3A2; 2015:6-3A2; 2014:2-3A2; 2013:1-2A5; 2012:1-2A5

Last state champion: C.J. Hauser, 2006 (171)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Rolando Ojeda, Sr., 14-11, RQ, D2; Casper Roberts, So., 9-11, RQ, D4; Marc Williams, So., 4-15, RQ, D2; Parker Miller, So., 9-10, RQ, D4; Judah Miller, Jr., 14-10, RQ, D2; David Combs, Sr., 2-10, RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “Last year was a baseline year to build the team from six returning wrestlers to having around 30 in the room daily.”

On the determination of this group: “The team has a positive attitude and we are creating a strong sense of belonging. They are working on fundraising for new mats and we have monthly cookouts. This is the first year the boys will have to earn most of their varsity spots, so the quality should start improving as more battling takes place in practice.”

Outlook: The Edgewater program has been rudderless for most of the past decade but Coach Lowe is starting to change the direction of this team. It’s still a young group and you can expect more bumps and bruises as they learn the sport.

East River Falcons

Coach: Anthony Gilbert

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:5; 2022:2; 2021:Qu; 2020:8-2A5; 2019:4-2A6; 2018:7-2A6; 2017:3-2A6; 2016:3-2A6; 2015:3-3A4; 2014:5-3A4; 2013:4-3A4; 2012:2-3A4

*Did not participate in 2021 postseason due to quarantine

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Pedro Sifuentes, 40-4, 4th, R2, DC; Chase Eckman, 36-11, SQ, R2, D2; Landon Daugherty, 37-8, SQ, R2, D3; Israel Rodriguez, 11-11, D6.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Norris Mayo, Jr., 27-16, RQ-BR, D2; Dae'Miere Spencer, Jr., 24-16, RQ-BR, D4; Jese Feliciano, Sr., RQ, D3.

Kissimmee Gateway Panthers

Coach: Travis Hill

Assistant coaches: Christopher Stryker-Jackson

23-24 dual record: 12-11

Recent district results: 2024:4-2A7; 2023:3-2A7; 2022:3; 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): Meison Broche, 34-8, RQ-BR, D3; Xaviel La Paz, 24-15, RQ, D2; Ariel Molina, 27-12, RQ-BR, D2; Worrell Logan, 27-9, RQ, D3; Ruben Ocasio, Jr., 30-15, RQ, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: Jason Perez, So., 30-18, SQ, R2, D3; John Dominique, Sr., 19-19, RQ, D3.

New wrestler: Max Broche, Fr.

What they are saying: “They are young but come in with wrestling knowledge and know-how from middle school. Overall, both our returners from last year and freshmen are determined and very competitive, when they wrestle, they get after it.”

On incoming freshman Max Broche: “He has been wrestling for a while. I have watched him wrestle a few times and he seems very competitive, he is just going to have to adjust to the faster pace of high school wrestling.”

Outlook: The Panthers graduated five region qualifiers but return state qualifier Perez and region qualifier Dominique.

Innovation Bulls

Coach: Nathan Hauser (1st year at school/3rd overall)

Assistant coaches: Gabriel Lopez, Derek Garcia

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Outlook: Hauser moved over to the brand-new school from Wekiva to start this program from scratch.