3A-12 Preview: Wellington to battle with Olympic Heights and Park Vista at top
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Last season: Wellington won four head-to-head battles in the district finals and its eight champions edged Olympic Heights by 21 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Daniel Alvarez (Spanish River), Mac Andrews (Wellington), Marcos Sanchez (Park Vista), Liam Higgins (Wellington), Nicolas Degrossi (Park Vista), James Kosza (Wellington), Tipper Schnobrick (Olympic Heights), Daniel Ospina (Park Vista), Enzo Dasilva (Spanish River)
The favorite: Wellington. 12 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: Various dates
District IBT: Unknown at time of publication
Wellington Wolverines (#10/#9)
Coach: Travis Gray (19th season)
Assistant coaches: Adam Ferrara, Jake Ferrara, Ryan Goodman, Mike Shaughnessy, Ken Kosza, Aurora Guadiana, Engelbert Pellecer, RJ Caullett
23-24 dual record: 16-9
Recent district results: 2024:1; 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
Last state champion: George Cintron, 1998 (112)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sam Marvel, 42-6, 3rd, RC, DC; Cameron Gibson, 18-4, 6th, RC, DC; Franco Rivas, 42-11, SQ, R3, D2; Dwayne Shaw, 45-15, 8th, R2, DC; Russell Crum, 32-13, SQ, R4, DC; Connor Olivares, Sr., 29-15, RQ, D3 (Transfer to North Carolina)
Notable returning wrestlers: James Kosza, Jr., 61-10, 6th, RC, DC; Mac Andrews, Jr., 23-7, SQ, R4, D2; Liam Higgins, Sr., 40-22, SQ, R3, DC; Mark Bonfante, Sr., 38-26, SQ, R4, DC; Leland Snelgrove, Sr., 29-28, RQ, DC; Nikolas Gray, So., 30-24, RQ, D4; Kai Benedetti, So., 23-10, RQ, D3; Aiden Sandlofer, So., 8-31, RQ, D5; Tyler Gray, So., 33-23.
New wrestler: Roderick Jones, Sr., 32-21, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Jupiter)
What they are saying: “I think we have a real similar team to what we had last year coming in. We’re young, but I feel like we’ve given our kids lots of opportunities. We take our JV kids to varsity events and have them competing throughout the offseason so I feel like we’re going to see some growth. It might be some growing pains early.”
On James Kosza: “He’s put in an amazing offseason and he’s one that just continues to wrestle with everybody. His dad’s a great supporter and helps coach and he’s seeking out good competition for him.”
On Mac Andrews: “He was a state placer two years ago and he broke his hip at district duals. He got cleared to come back the week of individual districts. Somehow he figured out a way to get to the state tournament, which was impressive enough that he got on the mat that quickly. He just didn’t have enough to get back on the podium. He and James have been leading the way.”
Outlook: The system works at Wellington and the team is always better at the end of the season and you can expect that against this season. Along with the depth on the team improving, Kosza and Andrews will be looking to finish the year on top.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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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
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Olympic Heights Lions (NR/#10)
Coach: Leevy Mears (17th season)
Assistant Coach: Kevin Cannon, Gage Monzo
23-24 dual record: 7-3
Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Matthew Archambault, 43-8, 8th, RC, DC; Adriel Pina, 44-8, 5th, R2, D2; Alex Schnobrick, 24-9, 8th, R3, D2; Stefan Povsic, 44-10, 6th, R3, DC; Philip Antico, 30-11, D6; Preston Ricks, Jr., 34-18, RQ, D2; Nick Boselli, 29-15, Sr., RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Tipper Schnobrick, So., 34-10, SQ, R4, DC; Walt Munoz, Sr., 39-10, RQ-BR, D2; Austin Schneider, Sr., 30-19, RQ, D3; Elias Enzner, Jr., 32-18, RQ, D4; Gabe Dell'arciprete, Sr., 32-19, RQ, D4; Fabio Eltringham, Jr., 25-16, RQ, D2; Mason Boni, Sr., 20-12; Jayden Belcher, Jr., RQ, D4.
What they are saying: “The kids haven’t stopped training since the season ended We did a camp at Penn State, we did the Knockout Summer Duals, AAU tournaments and the Super 32 qualifier. It’s just a matter of staying healthy, consistent, connected and keep doing it week by week.”
On Tipper Schnobrick: “He’s had a great offseason. He’s doing everything he can to put himself in a position to win. He had a tough tournament at Super 32 qualifier but I think a lot of kids had a tough one. It was eye opening because that’s the first time we had competed at that level since the Knockout Duals so it was good for him.
On new rules: “If you’re trying to coast at any point in your six minutes on the mat, you’re in deep trouble. Any minute, the guy could hit you with a seven point move. the coaching quality has gotten so much better in the state of Florida and kids now how to score.”
Outlook: The Lions graduated four state placers from a year ago have just one state qualifier (Schnobrick) returning. But Olympic Heights also has a big room and a program based on consistency so don’t expect too much of a drop off if there is one.
Park Vista Cobras (#17/#19)
Coach: Shaun Marcis
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Giovanni DeAngeles, 45-9, 4th, R2, DC; Evan Fortune, 42-6, 5th, RC, DC; Cody Salomon, 19-13, RQ, D2; Justin Heiman, 35-19, RQ, D3; Zion Cochran, 14-20, RQ, D3; Daniel Lopez, 11-14, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Marcos Sanchez, Sr., 46-10, SQ, R3, D2; Daniel Ospina, Sr., 38-11, SQ, R2, D2; Nicolas Degrossi, Sr., 38-11, SQ, R4, D3; Jack Murray, Sr., 24-9, RQ-BR, D3; Alexander Lopez, Jr., 29-16, RQ, D3; Sebastian Campanile, So., 15-21, RQ, D5.
New wrestler: Eli Valdez, So., 22-9, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer from Lake Worth)
Spanish River Sharks
Coach: Hugh Maher
Recent district results: 2024:4; 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): Christopher Anderson, 34-10, RQ, D3; Nicolas Pascuzzi, 11-14, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Daniel Alvarez, Sr., 36-6, 4th, R2, D2; Enzo Dasilva, Sr., 30-12, SQ, R4, D3; Santiago Alvarez, Sr., 25-8, RQ-BR, D3; Daniel Turkish, Jr., 13-11, RQ, D4; Tom Freitas, So., 28-14, RQ, D3; Matthew Vota, Jr., 16-12, D5.
Boca Raton Bobcats
Coach: Dominic Grande
Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Robert Gamer, 11-16, D6.
Notable returning wrestlers: Zoltan Aldana, Sr., 34-1, RQ, D2; Luca Johnson, Sr., 34-9, RQ-BR, DC; Mustafa Ramadan, So., 24-17, RQ, D4; Sean Stern, Jr., 20-11, D5; Luke Anderson, Sr., 6-7, RQ, D4; Kayman Molly, Jr.
New wrestlers: Javin Taylor, Fr.; Brady Lang, Fr.; Nathanial Mason, Jr.
John I. Leonard Lancers
Coach: Robert Miranda (2nd at school/3rd overall)
Assistant coach: Jesus Perez
23-24 dual record: 6-6
Recent district results: 2024:8; 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: Jad Urribarri, So., 24-14, RQ, D4; James Acosta-Turcios, Sr., 20-13, RQ, D4; Maickol Mena; Jeremiah Flores.
What they are saying: “This year’s team is a very dedicated group, they do a lot of working out outside of our practice time together. They have bought into the culture our staff tried to establish last year. They are motivated and unsatisfied with their results from last year.”
On Jad Urribarri: “He’s a great kid and it’s all the stuff he does outside of practice. He really takes care of his body, he does extra training at home and does all of the other things you like your students to do. He’s a very bright kid and I’m excited to see what he can do this year. He could even place. I took him to the state tournament last year and he was like ‘yeah, I need to be here next year.’”
On it being the second year at JIL: “Last year was kind of a blur to be honest. There were so many things going on but this year I have a lot of second-year kids that are with us and the system is in place, I can be hands off when I need to be.”
On what he’s trying to build at JIL: “I’m just trying to build a family culture. Everyone is welcome to come and I want to make it as positive as it can be. I want it to be a place where people want to come to practice every day. I want them to like working out for three hours, as crazy as that may sound to some people.”
Outlook: The second year in charge should prove to be a smoother one for Miranda as the core group knows what is expected and what they need to do to be successful. Look for improvement in those that return and in a growing youth movement on the team as the vets take them under their wing.
Santaluces Chiefs
Coach: Sam Agresti
Recent district results: 2024:4; 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): David Andrade, 32-9, RQ-BR, D3; Bryan Eugene, 11-9.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Khaii Falcon, Jr., 28-12, RQ, D4; Shawnley Clervoyant, Jr., 11-9, RQ, D4; Doolendy Pierre, Jr., 6-13, RQ, D4.
Lake Worth Trojans
Coach: Danny Matthews
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Eli Valdez, So., 22-9, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer to Park Vista)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Marc Fleurinord, Sr., 9-13, RQ, D3.