3A-14 Preview: Five teams may have legitimate shot for district crown

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: In a wide-open race, South Plantation came out on top, outscoring runner-up Western by 28 points.

How did Kabra do?: We didn’t anticipate the change at the top, but we had picked the Paladins as the team to watch.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Ivan Kyryianenko (South Broward), Illia Kyryianenko (South Broward), Aryeh Rosenberg (South Plantation), Sage Suarez (South Broward)

The favorite: South Plantation. The road to a repeat won’t be easy in this competitive district, but to be the best you have to beat the best.

Team to watch: South Broward. The team is growing and will feature state podium wrestlers in Ukrainian brothers Illia and Ivan Kyryianenko

District duals: Wednesday, December 18 at Nova

District IBT: TBD

South Plantation Paladins

Coach: Alex Badillo (9th season)

Assistant coach: Cameron Hagans

23-24 dual record: 23-5

Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:2; 2022:5; 2021:3-3A13; 2020:2-3A13; 2019:5-3A13; 2018:10-3A13; 2017:11-3A13; 2016:10-3A13; 2015:5-3A13; 2014:11-3A13; 2013:7-3A12; 2012:7-3A12

Last state champion: Colin Cole, 1999 (HWT)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Joshua Whitter, 48-6, 7th, R3, DC; Naushad Bashir, 46-9, 8th, R3, DC; Gage Oyster, 40-8, RQ, DC; Cesar Calderin, 35-14, RQ-BR, D2; Brian Senalle, 37-13, RQ-BR, D2; Reymundo Alvarez, 23-23, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Aryeh Rosenberg, Sr., 32-10, RQ, D2; Joel Bell, Sr., 34-13, RQ, D4; Donovan Jenkins, So., 35-13, RQ, DC; Tod Mancini, Jr., 37-14, RQ, D2; Jaxson Madgey, So., 34-21, RQ, D3; Lincoln Derby, So., 25-21, RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “We are just a small program trying to make a name for ourselves.”

Outlook: The defending district champions graduated two state placers and five district finalists, but look to stay in the fight again this season for a back-to-back title.

The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews

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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

Cypress Bay Lightning Cypress Bay (NR/#20)

Coach: Dwayne Anderson (1st season)

Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1-3A13; 2018:1-3A13; 2017:2-3A13; 2016:1-3A13; 2015:1-3A13; 2014:1-3A13; 2013:2-3A12; 2012:2-3A12

Last state champion: Andrew Punzalan, 2023 (106)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alexander Persteins, Sr., 40-17, RQ-BR, D3; Skyler Barreto, So., 32-10, RQ-BR, D2; Michael Carsten, Sr., 29-9, RQ-BR, D2; Julio Gonzalez Jr, Jr., 33-13, RQ, DC; Roger Ravelo, Sr., 36-14, RQ, D3; Logan Shapiro, Sr., 40-9, RQ-BR, DC; Max Rodriguez, So., 5-14, RQ, D4; Kyle Jensen, So., 24-23, RQ, D4.

Western Wildcats

Coach: Shane Camera

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:3; 2022:2; 2021:1-3A13; 2020:3-3A13; 2019:6-3A13; 2018:4-3A13; 2017:7-3A13; 2016:7-3A13; 2015:7-3A13; 2014:7-3A13; 2013:4-3A12; 2012:4-3A12

Last state champion: Aaron Deutsch, 1995 (130)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Omar Faris, 33-3, 3rd, R3, DC; Rashon Hines, 26-6, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Joshua Perez, Sr., 18-7, RQ, D4; Julius Gonzalez, Sr., 16-8, RQ, D2; Isaiah Rojas, Sr., 15-4, RQ, D2; Nicholas Nieminen, So., 12-9, RQ, D2; Gabe Gonzalez, Jr., 21-6, RQ, D2; Ernesto Morfa, Jr., 15-7, RQ, D2; Paul Cristafaro, Jr., 21-10, RQ, D3; Moises Zambrano, Sr., 12-8, RQ, D3.

South Broward Bulldogs

Coach: Major Threlkeld (5th season)

Assistant coach: Liam Mitchell

23-24 dual record: 29-7

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:6; 2022:8; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:2-2A15; 2018:2-2A15; 2017:2-2A15; 2016:2-2A15; 2015:6-3A13; 2014:10-3A-13; 2013:1-3A13; 2012:1-3A13

Last state champion: Kevin Jacques, 2013 (HWT)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jaitoine Higueros, RQ, D4; Mateo Martinez, Jr., 42-6, 5th, R4, DC (Transfer to Somerset)

Notable returning wrestlers: Manario Dickenson, Sr., 34-6, RQ-BR, DC; Nicholas Alonso, Sr., 16-8, RQ, D4; Anthony Agriesti, So., 24-10, RQ, D3; Sage Suarez, Jr., 11-9, RQ, D3; Lucas Phillips, So., 22-12, RQ, D3; Blake Higgs, Sr., 15-14, RQ, D3.

New wrestlers: Illia Kyryianenko, Fr.; Ivan Kyryianenko, Jr.

Outlook: Six region qualifiers are back from the Bulldogs who also added the Kyryianenko brothers who have freestyle experience and have been learning folkstyle over the summer.

Cooper City Cowboys

Coach: Scott Sodergren (29th season)

Assistant coaches: Eric Perez, Joseph Riestra

23-24 dual record: 5-8

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:5; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:2; 2019:2-3A13; 2018:3-3A13; 2017:4-3A13; 2016:2-3A13; 2015:2-3A13; 2014:3-3A13; 2013:4-3A13; 2012:3-3A13

Last state champion: Jeff Beauregard, 1997 (215)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mamadou Kone, 29-7, RQ-BR, DC; Cameron McGonigal.

Notable returning wrestlers: Chase Moen, Sr., 22-11, RQ, D3; Caden Rodriguez, Sr., 19-15, RQ, DC; Colten Penick, Sr., 15-16, RQ, D4; Leon Alazzawi, Sr., 11-15, D5; Victor Rodriguez, Sr., 15-6; Jayden Stewart, Sr., 13-18; Alan Ortiz, Sr.; Nick Santana, Sr.

New wrestler: Jaiden Morgado, Fr.

What they are saying: “We are a very seasoned team ready to make a splash.”

Outlook: The Cowboys have experience at nearly every weight in the lineup and if they stay healthy, look to Cooper City to have its best season since 2020.

Nova Titans

Coach: Fritzler Dorisca

Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:4; 2022:3; 2021:4-3A13; 2020:5-3A13; 2019:4-3A13; 2018:2-3A13; 2017:3-3A13; 2016:5-3A13; 2015:9-3A13; 2014:6-3A13; 2013:3-3A12; 2012:3-3A12

Last state champion: Phil Scott, 2007 (140)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Cedric Daniels, 31-9, SQ, R4, D2; David Yagerman, 33-7, SQ, R4, DC; Jayden Saint-Velus, 22-13, RQ, D3; J'Kwan Brown, 8-10, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Xander Ortiz, Jr., 30-8, RQ-BR, D3.

Flanagan Falcons

Coach: Mike Eugene

Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:7; 2020:8; 2019:11-3A13; 2018:6-3A13; 2017:10-3A13; 2016:7-3A13; 2015:10-3A13; 2014:9-3A13; 2013:5-3A13; 2012:4-3A13

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Behr Spitler, Jr., 10-15, RQ, D5; Aston Claxon, Jr., 21-10, RQ, D4.

West Broward Bobcats

Coach: Henry Jackson

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:7; 2022:6; 2021:6; 2020:4; 2019:3-3A13; 2018:5-3A13; 2017:5-3A13; 2016:9-3A13; 2015:8-3A13; 2014:8-3A13; 2013:7-3A13; 2012:8-3A13

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Maximillian Taboada, 48-8, SQ, R3, D2; Albert Shipman, 13-19, RQ, D3; Noah Catala, Sr., 25-6, RQ, DC (Transfer to Miramar).

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None