3A-15 Preview: Exciting team district race could be repeated again this year
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Columbus won district titles at 220 and 285 to narrowly beat Doral Academy by 4.5 points for the team crown.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Christian Vazquez (Doral Academy), Jose Gutierrez (Doral Academy), Alejandro Rodriguez (Miami Beach), Apollo Benito (Miami Columbus), Rocco Ruiz (Doral Academy), Tyrell Robby (Miami Beach), Nathan Adras (Dr. Krop), Anthony Piaia (Miami Columbus), Joel Carillo (Doral Academy), Markas Buckley (Miami Beach)
The favorite: Columbus. The Explorers won their first district title since 2013 and they bring a lot back.
Team to watch: Doral Academy. Last year seemed the best year for them, but there is depth and they can bounce back.
District duals: Dec. 13 at Miami Beach
District IBT: TBD
Kabra Says: Last year’s district tournament was exciting and this season’s could produce the same energy. We’ll pick Doral Academy based on the depth they have coming back.
Doral Academy Firebirds (#6 IBT | #7 Dual)
Coach: Alexis de Armas (6th season)
Assistant Coach: Willy de Armas, Sebastian Calmet
22-23 Dual record: 14-1
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:2-2A16; 2018:7-2A16; 2017:5-2A16; 2016:8-2A16; 2015:8-2A16; 2013:3-1A16; 2012:3-1A16
Last state champion: Danny Garcia, 2013 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Julian Montero, 36-8, 3rd, R2, DC; Hector Cruz, 24-18, RQ, D2; Enzo Santoro, 34-16, 8th, R4, DC; Albert Manzini, 44-9, 5th, R3, DC; Michael Gonzalez, 6-14, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-113 Christian Vazquez, Sr., 35-4, 2nd, R3, DC; #2-150 Jose Gutierrez, Jr., 19-4, SQ, R2, DC; #8-106 Rocco Ruiz, 8th, 16-11, RQ, D3; #9-190 Joel Carillo, Sr., 28-13, RQ-BR, DC; #12-165 Gabriel Beracasa, Sr., 32-15, RQ-BR, DC; #15-138 Athan Toro, Sr., 20-10, RQ, DC; #19-120 David de Armas, Jr., 12-5 .
New wrestler: Mateus Sgai, So., 41-8, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Goleman)
What they are saying: "A lot of our returners have been working hard all year. Over the whole summer, most of them went to Fargo and have been getting that extra wrestling in to be ready for the season."
On replacing three state placers: "They are big shoes to fill but we just continue to do the same thing we've done in previous years. You are getting everybody else ont he team ready to step in and try to fill those shoes the best they can."culture."
On Christian Vazquez: "He's been nonstop training. He was on the dual team for the juniors, he went to Fargo and competed and made it pretty far in the tournament in a style that he's never even wrestled before. He's been putting a lot of work in the offseason."
On the team's toughness: "It's pretty much the same style my brother and I grew up in when we wrestled. That's how we were taught and our first core group that came into the room with us were a group of kids that had wrestled with me since they were kids so they came in ready with that culture."
Outlook: The Firebirds graduated three state placers but still return a capable team led by top-ranked Vazquez. With the de Armas brothers entering their sixth season in charge of the program, there is more depth and experienced wrestlers ready to step into needed roles.
Miami Columbus Explorers (NR | #10)
Coach: Jim Husk (60th total season)
22-23 dual record: 35-7
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:3-3A16; 2021:3-3A16; 2020:3-3A16; 2019:2; 2018:3; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Christian Guzman, 2021 (106)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brandon Villa, 53-17, 8th, R4, D2; Jaime Rodriguez, 53-10, SQ, R4, D2; Matteo Clement, 48-20, SQ, R4, D2; Derrick Hart, 15-3, 7th, RC, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #4-215 Apollo Benito, Jr., 43-10, 7th, R3, DC; #7-113 Anthony Piaia, Sr., 48-17, RQ-BR, D2; #10-157 Manuel Narciso, Sr., 51-18, RQ, D3; #13-106 Victor Zanolini, So., 29-26, RQ-BR, D4; #13-138 Arturo Sanchez, Sr., 48-12, SQ, R4, D2; #14-175 Michael Mora, Sr., 29-13, RQ, D2; #15-150 Zayn Niazi, Sr., 23-21, RQ, D3; #18-157 Daniel Perez, Jr., 34-23, RQ, D3; Alec Gonzalez, Sr., 20-6; Zachary Ruiz, Jr., 47-17, RQ-BR, D3; Kenneth Canalles, Sr., 25-22, RQ, D3.
The Florida High School Wrestling 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
Class G-1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Miami Beach Hi-Tides (NR | #19)
Coach: Fred Robby (15th season)
Assistant coach: Hector Jimenez
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:1; 2021:4; 2020:2; 2019:3-3A14; 2018:4-3A14; 2017:3-3A14; 2016:1-3A14; 2015:2-3A14; 2014:3-3A14; 2013:7; 2012:7
Last state champion: Steve Carry, 1994 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Franklyn Romero, 30-15, RQ, D2; Paul Benezicto, 32-15, RQ, D3; Khalil Esquire, 18-5; Aaron Lanster, 45-6, 2nd, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #4-132 Alejandro Rodriguez, Sr., 34-10; #7-144 Tyrell Robby, Jr., 36-12, RQ-BR, DC; #10-215 Markas Buckley, Jr., 39-20, RQ-BR, D3; #18-138 Santiago Valdes, Sr., 27-17, RQ-BR, D3; #19-285 Nathaniel Dumay, Sr., 20-11, RQ, D2; Juan Casalinas, So., 8-9, RQ, D4; Tiberius Buckley, Jr., 33-21, RQ, D3; Devin Diaz, Sr., 18-18, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Lajuan Ingraham, Fr.
What they are saying: “We lost some good kids, but are still going to be solid. We have worked hard since the state tournament and have been consistent with our training. Our wrestlers that were dedicated throughout the offseason will show that they have gotten better.”
Outlook: State finalist Lanster is gone but there are is core of wrestlers back who are poised for breakout seasons.
Miami Goleman Gators
Coach: Reinel Mansito (8th season)
22-23 dual record: 15-7
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:3; 2019:1-2A16; 2018:3-2A16; 2017:6-2A16; 2016:1-2A16; 2015:5-2A16; 2014:9-2A16; 2013:4-3A14; 2012:5-3A14
Last state champion: Rey Parrado, 2008 (140)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): David Perez, 35-20, RQ, D2; Edgar Barreiro, 40-9, RQ-BR, D2; Preston Martin, 33-18, RQ, D4; Edwin Guillen, 47-11, 7th, R3, DC; Kevin Hernandez, 32-18, RQ, D2; Mateus Sgai, So., 41-8, RQ, D3 (Transfer to Doral Academy).
Notable returning wrestlers: #17-157 Bryan Tavares, Sr., 14-13, RQ, D2;Nelser Castillo, Sr., 13-21, RQ, D4; Adrian Jimenez, So., 5-3; Blake Mansito; Lexani Salguedo, Sr., 1-1; Brando Gudinez, Jr., 5-6; Jason Jimenez.
What they are saying: “Our team is ready to have a successful year.”
Outlook: With just a single district finalist back from a season ago, the Gators will be looking for wrestlers to step up and fill in some holes.
Dr. Krop Lightning
Coach: Shakir Francois (10th year as HC/15th overall)
Assistant coach: Markeno Esty-Rodney
22-23 dual record: 12-12
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:3-3A14; 2020:3-3A14; 2019:2-3A14; 2018:3-3A14; 2017:5-3A14; 2016:5-3A14; 2015:4-3A14; 2014:5-3A14; 2013:6-3A14; 2012:6-3A14
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #7-215 Nathan Adras, Sr., 26-8, SQ, R4, D3; #13-132 Jeremiah Louis, Jr., 26-21, RQ, D4; Gabriel Florez, Jr., 17-22, RQ, D4; Jeremiah Bethel, Sr., 19-8, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Jairo Castilo
What they are saying: “We are coming. The old Krop is rising again.”
Outlook: State qualifier Adras leads a group of four region qualifiers who are back for Dr. Krop.
Miami Coral Park Rams
Coach: Angel Vazquez
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:9-3A16; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:5; 2015:7; 2014:6; 2013:5; 2012:5
Last state champion: Brian Mashburn, 2000 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Adrian Diaz, 25-5, RQ-BR, DC; Joshua Gutierrez, 17-9, RQ, D4; Daniel Cuevas, 19-6, RQ-BR, D2; Rolly Hernandez, Jr., 10-4, RQ, D3 (Moved)
Notable returning wrestlers: Santiago Lopez, Sr., 10-3, RQ, D3.
Hialeah Gardens Gladiators
Coach: David Labi
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:6; 2021:5; 2020:6; 2019:5-3A14; 2018:6-3A14; 2017:7-3A14; 2016:4-3A14; 2015:5-3A14; 2014:2-3A14; 2013:7-3A14; 2012:4-3A14
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Evin Valdes, 28-13, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alberto Soto, Jr., 23-17, RQ, D4.