3A-1 Preview: Another tight district race could make this one to watch in February
BY BRANT PARSONS —After two seasons of being the runner-up in 3A-1, Creekside brought through last season and won the school’s first district title since 2017.
It won’t be an easy route for the Knights as they’ll have to hold off Bartram Trail and Fletcher again, but those schools graduated a combined five state placers and Creekside returns a solid chunk of their lineup.
"We are pretty consistent in doing stuff that makes these kids better,” Creekside coach Rick Marabell said. “We don't worry about winning, we worry about getting better, and because we're getting better, you're gonna win."
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: A tight team race took place between three teams with just 30 points separating them. Creekside rode the strength of eight district finalists to the narrow win over Bartram Trail and Fletcher.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Alan Rivera (Nease), Malachi Mista (Sandalwood), Cole Anderson (Creekside), Cole O'Brien (Fletcher), Grady Hutchinson (Bartram Trail)
The favorite: Creekside. After winning a tight district last year, the Knights are poised to win more comfortably this year.
Team to watch: Fletcher. They graduated two state placers and in some parts they’re rebuilding/reloading, but there is some talent there.
District duals: Weekly round-robin starting Nov. 29
District IBT: Feb. 17 at Creekside
Kabra Says: This promises to be one of the closer Class 3A districts and it could end up a number of different ways, but we’ll go with the returning depth of Creekside to grab the most points.
Creekside Knights
Coach: Rick Marabell (16th season)
Assistant coach: John Highsmith
See the 2023-24 season schedule
22-23 dual record: 19-3
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:2-2A4; 2018:2-2A4; 2017:1-2A4; 2016:2-2A4; 2015:2-2A4; 2014:1-2A4; 2013:3-2A3; 2012:2-2A3
Last state champion: Shane Carpenter, 2013 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexavier Panganiban, 34-7, SQ, RC, DC; Conner Wright, 32-7, RQ-BR, DC; Chihaya Cook, 18-8, RQ, D3; Eli Pagan, 18-7, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-285 Cole Anderson, Jr., 27-11, RQ, D2; #16-113 Santiago Carrion, So., 26-16, SQ, R4, D2; #16-175 Colton Leavell, Jr., 27-10, RQ, D2; #17-120 Justin Umali, Jr., 33-5, RQ, DC; #18-190 Tristen Darling, Sr., 30-14, RQ-BR, D4; Stephan Carrion, Jr., 25-10, RQ, D2; Larry Mims, So., 19-18, RQ, D2; Xavier Grimm, Jr., 13-17, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Luke Manghisi, Fr.
What they are saying: "My guys are doing stuff all summer, especially drilling and stuff like that and they bring the new kids in. They're constantly recruiting. The first day we're gonna have probably over 45 kids in our room."
On defending the district title: "Your experience helps and it helps with leadership. We really don't have captains on our team. I expect everybody to be a leader and because we've developed a culture, these kids connect with each other. So in the offseason, our kids do a lot of work with each other. Also, I think what it does for the new kids coming up is give them a good example what it takes to be successful."
On the program's mantra: "We want them to have fun, we want them to enjoy it. A lot of kids when they graduate, some of these kids don't even talk to their coaches after they graduate. And I don't want that. I want them to come out better than they came in. When they talk about getting better, they're gonna get better and then the winning comes once you get better."
Stat time: Marabell started the program in 2008 and they enter this season with a 270-78 dual meet record with a possible 35 duals or more this season.
Outlook: The defending district champions return with a big portion of the team intact. Carrion was the second freshman in school history to qualify for the state tournament last season.
Fletcher Senators
Coach: Joe Stetzer (3rd at school/10th season overall)
Assistant coaches: Mark Smilek, Daniel Holmes
22-23 dual record: 11-12
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:1-2A3; 2021:1-2A3; 2020:1-2A3; 2019:3; 2018:5; 2017:3; 2016:9; 2015:7; 2014:4; 2013:2; 2012:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Josh Daltro, 40-10, 8th, R2, DC; Toby Matson, 43-8, 8th, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #8-138 Cole O'Brien, Sr., 42-8, SQ, R4, DC; #19-106 Landon Locantora, Jr., 25-15, RQ-BR, D2; Jimi Baur, Sr., 17-19, RQ, D4; Bryson Henson, Sr., 6-22, RQ, D5; Andrew Mincks, Sr., 13-15, RQ, D5; Elias Twigg, Jr., 25-19, RQ, D3; Noah Stidfole, Jr., 34-19, RQ, D3; Elisha Purdy, Sr., 18-11, RQ, D2; Joseph Kohlhaas, Sr., 17-19, RQ, D4; Theo Brase, 15-24; Kyle Lonergan, 7-9
New wrestlers: Killian Lonergan, Fr.; Owen Manuel, Jr. (Transfer from GA); La’waugn Collins; Nate Lamb, Fr.; Gradin Lichty, Fr.; Luke Warren, Fr.
What they are saying: "We're looking to get those guys that were struggling or 500 and we want to see them pushing up towards those higher win rates. And the guys that were new last year, we want to see them getting their steps up. And we have young guys coming in, that we've been working with, and our programs growing on that younger side to get that experience early on, so that we're not playing catch up as juniors and seniors. We're really looking to see guys push each other in the room and sharpen each other up and get competitive in the room."
On how to navigate the season: "In the early season, we're going to rotate our lineup some we have a couple of dual tournaments that we have lined up. That was done on purpose so that every young guy is getting live reps and seeing where they need to be. It's also getting them to step up to that thought that they're competing with each other knowing what the expectation is and what they need to be taking on. That's not to say that we're not looking to win, we're looking to win every dual that we're a part of, but we want to make sure that we're growing our whole team."
On being excited: "I'm most excited for the leadership. I'm excited for what we have right now. Our leaders are coming out and they're holding a standard and they're pushing guys and they're taking that leadership. These seniors are pulling guys up, they're not tearing people down. And I love seeing that."
Outlook: Fletcher is in the midst of a rebuild and will be looking to gain experience for most of its wrestlers early on, but they also have strong leaders like O’Brien, Twigg, and Stidfole who will be looking to improve on last year’s promising performances.
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
Bartram Trail Bears
Coach: Johan Olarte (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Sam Harris , Alex Vugman, Rich Maritato, Matthew Rodriquez
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:5; 2020:4; 2019:3-2A4; 2018:4-2A4; 2017:2-2A4; 2016:3-2A4; 2015:3-2A4; 2014:4-2A4; 2012:9-2A3
Last state champion: Ethan Vugman, 2023 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ethan Vugman, 58-1, SC, RC, DC; Preston Pena, 34-10, RQ-BR, DC; John McNames, 48-7, 7th, R3, DC; Shane Armstrong, 34-10, 6th, R4, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #10-144 Grady Hutchinson, Sr., 33-12, RQ-BR, DC; #12-285 Jacob George, Sr., 35-13, RQ-BR, D3; #15-113 Carmen Dibella, So., 20-3, RQ-BR, DC; Jacob Becker, So., 32-13, RQ, D4; Gabriel Betancourt, So., RQ, D2; Jason Merkison, Jr., RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: #11-120 Mario Dibella; #15-126 Mason Damis; Charlie Thompson
What they are saying: “We will have an exciting style that has the potential to catch people by surprise this year. The team is very excited to get started and they have been working hard this off season. Looking forward to building a new era in the programs history.”
On season prep: It's been such a great summer. We've put in a tremendous amount of work and though we haven't even started yet, it's just been a lot of foundation setting in the summer, and it was just preparing the culture build, and really building an image for ourself of what we want to be and setting our standards early. That way once the season starts, we know what to expect.
On putting his mark on program: "We know what our standards are and we know what our team culture is. One thing is I'm really impressed with the optimism, the professionalism, the focus, and just how fired up these wrestlers are. There's just a level of maturity that they've been showing and they're really buying in on the team culture."
On leadership: "I'm really impressed with the professionalism from the collective group, where it's the seniors, and the upperclassmen, they're paving the way by showing and instilling, and then these younger underclassmen are reaching out to take the baton. They're saying I can do this and I'm here to take from you. I haven't really had to force it. and that's what I'm most impressed by the group is how quick they are to really hold themselves accountable."
Outlook: There is excitement in the Bartram Trail room as Olarte brings his infectious energy to the program with the goal of taking it to the next level. You can expect maybe a small step back for the Bears after graduating a state champion and two more state placers, but that step could be made back up by season’s end.
Tocoi Creek Toros
Coach: Darick Dunham (3rd at school/12th overall)
Assistant coaches: John O'Shea, Steven Griffel
22-23 dual record: 6-7
Recent district results: 2023:3-1A4; 2022:6-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dylan Danson, 14-7, RQ, D2; Lawton Case, RQ, D2; Jason Callahan, 17-7, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Aidan Hubbell, Jr., 16-10, RQ, DC; Alessandro Bazan, So., 22-17, RQ, D4; Jordan Bogart, Jr., 8-7, RQ, D3; Willie Sims, Sr., 33-8, RQ, D3; Mark Coniker, Jr., 32-13, RQ-BR, D2; Jeremiah Malarkey, Jr., 21-15, RQ, D4; Ryland McGinley, Sr., 17-17, RQ, D4; Daniel Hageman, Jr., 13-11, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: “We have been moved up from 1A to 3A. Not sure how often that kind of jump happens so we will see how the team reacts to the larger classification. “
Outlook: The Toros are in Class 3A after spending the school’s first two years in Class 1A, and they’ll have eight region qualifiers ready to compete at the big school level.
Nease Panthers
Coach: Bradley Lucas (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Chuck Rutan, Phil Mauro, Olivia Carr
22-23 dual record: 9-12
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:3; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:6-2A4; 2018:3-2A4; 2017:3-2A4; 2016:4-2A4; 2015:5-2A4; 2014:5-2A4; 2013:9-2A3; 2012:11-2A3
Last state champion: David Bell, 2010 (189), Chris Taylor, 2010 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Parker Stamschror, 28-8, RQ, D2; Jacob Lutz, 23-11, SQ, R4, D2; Jaiden Zajni, Jr., 17-13, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Ponte Vedra).
Notable returning wrestlers: #4-165 Alan Rivera, Sr., 26-5, SQ, RC, DC; Wyatt Balger, Jr., 17-14, RQ, D3; Brady Stoutamire, Jr., 17-14, RQ, D3; Lucian Slayden, Sr., 10-17, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: "We are still quite young. We only have a handful of seniors coming back this year. We had a whole bunch of sophomores go to region last year and get a ton of experience and that worked out over the summer. They're going to be looking to make their mark."
On Alan Rivera: "We're hoping that he repeats as the district champ and the region champ this year and that he has a better showing at state and makes it onto the podium. He's been working hard over the summer. He's playing football and working so hard that he ended up starting on the offensive line. The coaches love him and love what wrestling has done for him and they're trying to encourage more and more kids to come out because of him."
On the team culture: "We start every practice now with our mantra where we're grateful and thankful for the opportunity to wrestle and to compete. They understand that this is just temporary and it can be taken away from you at a moment's notice. So getting these kids to focus on their grades, focus on the community, focus on things outside of wrestling, and what they're going to use the lessons that they've learned, as far as determination, hard work, dedication, the teamwork relying on yourself and others as far as teamwork. That's that's what we're trying to establish within the room within our culture."
Outlook: The Panthers continue to grow and gain experience. This year’s team is hungry for further success and to keep building for the future.
Sandalwood Saints
Coach: Ron Reidell
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:6; 2021:7; 2020:6; 2019:6; 2018:8; 2017:4; 2016:4; 2015:4; 2014:7; 2013:6; 2012:4
Last state champion: Tim Mellot, 1985 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ricky Hicks, 19-17, RQ, D4; Duffy Mista, 50-10, 5th, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #4-175 Malachi Mista, Sr., 39-16, 8th, R4, D2; #16-190 Malik Wilson, Sr., 27-18, RQ, D3; Adam Goodman, Jr., 12-18, RQ, D4; Seth Mleczynski, Jr., 9-12, RQ, D4; Qalani Cobb, Jr., 21-20, RQ, D4.
Atlantic Coast Stingrays
Coach: Hector Zayas (5th season)
Assistant coach: Samuel Barbosa
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:8; 2021:8; 2020:8; 2019:10; 2018:10; 2017:9; 2016:5; 2015:8; 2014:5; 2013:8-2A3; 2012:7-2A3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Mason Kaye, So., 7-6, RQ, D3; ArJun Lamba, Jr., 11-8, RQ, D3; Hayden Brodehl, Sr., RQ, D2; Sebastian Colon, Sr., RQ, D4.
Outlook: The Stingrays had their best district finish since 2016 last season and return all four of their region qualifiers.
Mandarin Mustangs
Coach: Ben Wales (2nd season)
22-23 dual record: 5-13
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:4; 2020:7; 2019:7; 2018:7; 2017:7; 2016:8; 2015:6; 2014:8; 2013:7; 2012:6
Last state champion: Billy Osborne, 1997 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jaelen Simmons, 27-10, 5th, R2, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Antonio Ramos, Sr., RQ, D4; Brendan Warren, So., RQ, D4; Isaiah Diltz, Sr., RQ, D3.
What they are saying: “We are still young, but we are solid in the middle and upper weights.”
Outlook: A handful of region qualifiers return for the Mustangs.
First Coast Buccaneers
Coach: Tanner Tenopir
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:5-2A3; 2020:4-2A3; 2019:9; 2018:9; 2017:10; 2016:10; 2015:5; 2014:6; 2013:5; 2012:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dean Marshall, 30-12, SQ, R4, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #20-175 Alphonso Parsons, Sr., 13-8, RQ, D3; Derric Jacobs, Jr., 19-15, RQ, D4.