3A-12 Preview: Wellington looking to keep pace with others chasing

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: Wellington scored 300 points to take home a 10th straight title.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Giovanni Deangeles (Park Vista), Adriel Pina (Olympic Heights), Mac Andrews (Wellington), Cameron Gibson (Wellington), Sam Marvel (Wellington), Matthew Archambault (Olympic Heights), James Kosza (Wellington), Daniel Alvarez (Spanish River), Connor Olivares (Wellington), Dwayne Shaw (Wellington), Alex Schnobrick (Olympic Heights), Franco Rivas (Wellington)

The favorite: Wellington. 11 straight seems to be in sight for the Wolverines who look loaded again.

Team to watch: Olympic Heights. In the past two years of them sharing a district together, the Lions and Wellington have had some great battles.

District duals: TBD

District IBT: Feb. 15 at Olympic Heights

Kabra Says: On paper, Wellington looks just as deep as it was last year while winning a region title and that makes them the odds-on favorite in this tough district.

Wellington Wolverines (#5 IBT | #3 Dual)

Coach: Travis Gray (18th season)

Assistant coaches: Adam Ferrara, Jake Ferrara

See the 23-24 schedule here

22-23 dual record: 12-6

Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1-3A11; 2020:1-3A11; 2019:1-3A10; 2018:1-3A10; 2017:1-3A10; 2016:1-3A10; 2015:1-3A10; 2014:1-3A10; 2013:2-3A10; 2012:3-3A10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mario Trigazis, 35-11, SQ, R4, DC; Randy Lancaster, 41-16, 7th, R3, DC; Cameron Gray, 10-9, RQ, D2; Sebastian Perez, 33-22, SQ, R4, DC; Patrick Jones; RJ Caullett.

Notable returning wrestlers: #3-165 Mac Andrews, So., 39-7, 6th, R3, DC; #4-113 Cameron Gibson, Sr., 39-5, 3rd, RC, DC; #4-120 Sam Marvel, Sr., 19-3, 3rd, RC, DC; #6-144 James Kosza, So., 39-20, SQ, R3, D2; #7-157 Franco Rivas, Sr., 41-23, RQ, D2; #7-190 Dwayne Shaw, Sr., 31-19, SQ, R4, D2; #10-126 Mark Bonfante, Jr., 22-17, RQ, DC; #14-138 Russell Crum, Sr., 36-24, SQ, R4, DC; Evan Pena, Sr., 12-3; Liam Higgins, Jr., 19-16, RQ, D3.

New wrestler: #6-215 Connor Olivares, Jr., 34-18, SQ, RC, D2 (Transfer from Jupiter)

What they are saying: “We have a very balanced team this year with a complete wrestler at every weight.”

Outlook: Region champions Wellington have a solid core returning this year and they can score points in all 14 weight classes.

Olympic Heights Lions (#16 | #18)

Coach: Leevy Mears (16th season at OH/17th total)

Assistant coaches: Kevin Cannon, Gage Monzo

See the 23-24 schedule here

22-23 dual record: 27-7

Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1-2A15; 2018:1-2A15; 2017:1-2A15; 2016:1-2A15; 2015:1-3A11; 2014:1-3A11; 2013:2-2A14; 2012:1-2A14

Last state champion: Troy Jaffy, 2018 (220)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jake Blair, 37-23, RQ-BR, D2; Andrew Moss, 29-18, RQ, D3; Mateo Cifuentes, 17-16, RQ, D2; Brandon Lehrman, 49-21, SQ, R2, D2; Bill Charles, 45-16, RQ, DC; Gage Monzo, 36-25, RQ, D3; Jackson Boileau, 39-11, SQ, R2, DC; Ryan Skumatz, 22-27, RQ, D4; Sebastien Bazile, 58-8, SQ, R3, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: #3-132 Adriel Pina, Sr., 44-11, 6th, RC, DC; #5-144 Matt Archambault, Sr.; #9-113 Alex Schnobrick, Sr., 44-16, SQ, R3, D2; #18-215 Nikkolai Waggstaffe, Jr.; Mason Boni, Jr., 28-24, RQ, D5; Philip Antico, Sr., 35-18, RQ, D2; Stefan Povsic, Sr., 30-17, RQ, D4; Walt Munoz, Jr.; Neil Gilady, So.; Austin Schneider, Jr.; Trace Plumb; Elias Enzner, So.; Ian Zavala, Sr.; Gabriel Dell'arciprete, Jr.; Nick Boselli, Jr.; Trevor Cisneros, Sr.

New wrestler: #15-106 Chris Schnobrick, Fr.; Adriano Garavito

What they are saying: “We are a group of guys who like to wrestle.”

Outlook: Last year’s senior class was a strong one for the region runners-up, but there is talent still in the room in a returning state placer and qualifier and rising wrestlers ready to fill the void.

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

Park Vista Cobras

Coach: Shaun Marcis (5th at school/10th overall)

Assistant coach: Joe Perez

See the 23-24 schedule here

Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:1-3A11; 2018:1-3A11; 2017:1-3A11; 2016:2-3A11; 2015:2-3A11; 2014:2-3A11; 2013:1-3A10; 2012:1-3A10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Zachary Shapiro, 28-10, RQ-BR, D2; Matthew Cassio, 20-14, RQ-BR, D3; Brandon Ibarra, 19-11, RQ-BR, D2; Nathan Ministre, 25-24, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: #1-165 Giovanni Deangeles, Sr., 48-8, 4th, RC, DC; #13-113 Nicolas Degrossi, Jr., 30-19, RQ, D3; #18-175; #20-215 Evan Fortune, Sr., 7-8, RQ, D3; Marcos Sanchez, Jr., 25-20, RQ, D3; Daniel Ospina, Jr., 29-17, RQ, D3.

What they are saying: “My team is very coachable and supportive of each other. They are great teammates and always willing to put in the extra work.“

Outlook: Deangeles worked his way onto the podium last season and is hoping to go even higher on it this season.

Boca Raton Bobcats

Coach: Dominic Grande

See the 23-24 schedule here

Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:4; 2021:5; 2020:7; 2019:6-3A11; 2018:6-3A11; 2017:2-3A11; 2016:3-3A11; 2015:5-3A11; 2014:3-3A11; 2013:6-3A10; 2012:2-3A10

Last state champion: Curtis Anderson, 1995 (145)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Luca Johnson, Jr., 18-15, RQ, D4; Robert Gamer, Sr., 4-10, RQ, D4; Sean Stern, So., 12-15, RQ, D4; Alan Chagaev, Jr., 12-14, RQ, D2; Alexander Tytyk, So.; Gian Lorenzo, So., 3-2; Kayman Molloy, So., 15-12; Zoltan Cseh Aldana, Jr., 16-6.

What they are saying: “We should have a strong team this year and we should be more competitive.”

Outlook: With no significant losses from last year’s team, the Bobcats should benefit from the experience in the room.

Santaluces Chiefs

Coach: Sam Agresti

Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:9; 2019:2-3A11; 2018:2-3A11; 2017:4-3A11; 2016:1-3A11; 2015:3-3A11; 2014:4-3A11; 2013:3-3A10; 2012:7-3A10

Last state champion: Jeffrey Dowling, 1994 (112)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Antuan Brooks, 35-7, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #17-106 Shawnley Clervoyant, So., 16-11, RQ, D5; #17-113 David Andrade, Sr., 19-10, RQ-BR, D2; Bryan Eugene, Sr., 8-12, RQ, D4; Preston Ricks, So., 12-17, RQ, D4; Terrel Shines, Sr., 16-13, RQ, D2.

Spanish River Sharks

Coach: Hugh Maher

See the 23-24 schedule here

Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:5; 2021:6; 2020:3; 2019:3-3A11; 2018:3-3A11; 2017:5-3A11; 2016:6-3A11; 2015:7-3A11; 2014:5-3A11; 2013:5-3A10; 2012:6-3A10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #7-150 Daniel Alvarez, Jr., 27-7, SQ, R3, D3; #16-144 Christopher Anderson, Sr., 15-11, RQ, D4; Matthew Voto, So., 6-17, RQ, D3; Perdo Spindola, So., 8-15, RQ, D4; Daniel Turkish, So., 11-10, RQ, D4; Nicolas Pascuzzi, Sr., 12-12, RQ, D4.

John I. Leonard Lancers

Coach: Robert Miranda (1st season at school/2nd overall)

Assistant coach: Jesus Perez

See the 23-24 schedule here

Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:8; 2021:3-3A11; 2020:4-3A11; 2019:6-3A10; 2018:4-3A10; 2017:5-3A10; 2016:6-3A10; 2015:3-3A10; 2014:6-3A10; 2013:8-3A10; 2012:9-3A10

Last state champion: George Cintron, 1996 (112)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: James Acosta, Jr.; Dokken Juergen, Jr.; Giovani Lopez, Sr.; Cameron Melvin, Sr.

What they are saying: “It’s hard to characterize a team I've only just met but from a first impression standpoint, they are passionate and eager to learn.”

On taking over at JIL: “We are pretty much starting fresh but administration has been really supportive to get us going. I'm hoping to see a lot of improvement throughout the season because we have some quality athletes here at John I. Leonard.”

Outlook: Miranda takes over a program that has been rudderless the past two seasons. He’s working to bring in a new style and create an enthusiasm that has been missing at Leonard.

Lake Worth Trojans

Coach: Danny Matthews (5th season)

Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:6; 2021:6-3A11; 2020:7-3A11; 2019:5-3A11; 2018:5-3A11; 2017:6-3A11; 2016:5-3A11; 2015:6-3A10; 2014:5-3A10; 2013:5-2A14; 2012:6-2A14

Last state champion: Tony Jackson, 1986 (UNL)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Andy Pompilus, Sr., RQ, D4.