3A-15 Preview: Columbus looking for three-peat celebration while others chase
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Last season: Columbus topped Miami Beach and Doral Academy by 41 and 43 points respectively.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Tyrell Robby (Miami Beach), Tomas Campian (Miami Columbus), Jose Gutierrez (Doral Academy), Rocco Ruiz (Miami Columbus), Apollo Benito (Miami Columbus), Zachary Ruiz (Miami Columbus), David de Armas (Doral Academy), Jason Medina (Goleman)
The favorite: Columbus. The Explorers won their second straight title and have a solid returning group under new coach Grant.
Team to watch: Miami Beach. In what could be an even closer district race, the Hi-Tide are poised to battle for top honors.
District duals: Tuesday-Wednesday, December 17-18 at Hialeah Gardens
District IBT: Thursday, February 20 at Coral Park
Miami Columbus Explorers (#5/#7)
Coach: Jacob Grant (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Damian Penichet, Andres Gonzalez
23-24 dual record: 35-10
Recent district results: 2024:1; 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): Alec Gonzalez, 57-20, 7th, R3, DC; Anthony Piaia, 34-10, RQ-BR, D2; Kenneth Canales, 39-13, SQ, R4, DC; Arturo Sanchez, 25-9, RQ-BR, D2; Manuel Narciso, 37-11, RQ-BR, D2; Michael Mora, 48-7, RQ, D2; Zayn Niazi, 39-22, RQ, DC; Sebathian Zegarra, 6-9, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Zachary Ruiz, Sr., 44-15, 7th, R2, DC; Apollo Benito, Sr., 22-9, SQ, R2, DC; Victor Zanolini, Jr., 47-18, RQ-BR, D2; Sebastian Morera, Jr., 21-24, RQ, D4; Julian Sierra, So.; Randy Del Ray Rodriguez, Sr., 36-19, RQ, D3; Hunter Torres, Jr., 27-25, RQ-BR, D3.
New wrestler: Rocco Ruiz, Fr., 31-5, 2nd, R2, DC (Transfer from Doral Academy); Tomas Campian, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have a full lineup of experience, every wrestler on our varsity lineup has more then 2-3 years of wrestling under their belts. Many of them have been working hard all off season and getting a lot of mat time.”
Outlook: Grant takes over for the legendary Jim Husk, who retired in December.
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
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Miami Beach Hi-Tides (#22/#23)
Coach: Fred Robby (16th season)
Assistant coaches: Hector Jimenez, Anthony Nunez
23-24 dual record: 17-3
Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Alejandro Rodriguez, 38-11, SQ, R4, DC; Nathaniel Dumay, 14-3, RQ, D2; Santiago Valdes, 36-15, RQ, D2; Juan Nazario, 15-4, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Tyrell Robby, Sr., 48-5, 5th, R3, DC; Adlan Dzhabrailov, Jr., 38-14, SQ, R4, D3; Lajuan Ingraham, So., 20-9, SQ, R2, D2; Lian Castro, Sr., 36-9, RQ, D2; Markas Buckley, Sr., 18-9, RQ, D2; Tiberius Buckley, Sr., 24-13, RQ, D4; Leonardo Rodriguez, Jr., 17-18, RQ, D4; Solomon Swan, Sr., 24-15, RQ, D3; Jaelon Dodds, Sr., 15-18, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Imran Dzhabrailov, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have worked consistently all off season and taken very little to no time off. We are expecting to have a great season.”
On the seniors: “The seniors are key. I pulled them aside one day and told them ‘if y’all are goofing off, it’s going to set a tone to the younger ones, I need you to be the leaders here.’ And they are the leaders in the room and they lead by example. They lead by going out there and wrestling well in competition. Everything starts with them in the room setting the tone.”
On ending state title drought: “All of these kids have the potential to make that happen. I would says Tyrell has a good chance of making history for us. I don’t want it to be just him, but if it can only be one of them, that would be awesome for it to be my son to bring another state title here. I think all of us are on board with creating a legacy and something that they can come back and see in the future what they did.”
Outlook: It’s been 30 years since the Hi-Tides have had a wrestler finish the season on top and they feel they have some wrestlers who could end that streak this year.
Doral Academy Firebirds (#23/NR)
Coach: Alexis de Armas (7th season)
Assistant Coach: Willy de Armas, Sebastian Calmet
23-24 dual record: 13-3
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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: Christian Vazquez, 2024 (113)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christian Vazquez, 42-1, SC, RC, DC; Joel Carillo, 33-11, SQ, R3, D2; Gabriel Beracasa, 27-4; Athan Toro, 16-5; Nicholas Santiago, Sr., 29-9, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer to South Dade); Rocco Ruiz, Fr., 31-5, 2nd, R2, DC (Transfer to Columbus)
Notable returning wrestlers: Jose Gutierrez, Sr., 43-4, 3rd, RC, DC; David de Armas, Sr., 25-8, RQ-BR, DC; Mateus Sgai, Jr., 31-5, RQ, DC; Ricky Montalvan, So., 14-13, RQ, D2; Jason Sastre, Sr., 14-20, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Lazaro Diaz, Sr., 4-3 (Transfer from Reagan).
Outlook: Gutierrez returns to lead a group that is looking for next level success and most have been working all summer on getting there.
Miami Goleman Gators
Coach: Reinel Mansito (9th year)
Assistant coach: Coach Tavares
23-24 dual record: 10-5
Recent district results: 2024:4; 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): Nelser Castillo, 21-12, RQ, D3; Yurel Cabral, 30-14, RQ, D4; Lexani Salguedo, 28-11, RQ-BR, D3; Bryan Tavares, 30-18, RQ-BR, D3; Derek DeLos Santos, 17-15, D5.
Notable returning wrestlers: Adrian Jimenez, Jr., 31-16, RQ, D3; Jason Medina, Sr., 28-11; Andrew Vasquez, Sr., 18-17, RQ, D4; Pablo Giron, Jr., 11-13, RQ, D4; Blake Mansito, So., 21-20, RQ, D4; Daniel Medina, Jr., 19-12, RQ, D4; Brandon Paert, Sr., 27-17, RQ, D4; Noah Vasquez, Sr.; Adel Corrales, Sr.
What they are saying: “The team is looking forward to compete at a high level including the top schools.”
Outlook: The Gators strength lies in the upper weight classes and that is where it should see the most success.
Dr. Krop Lightning
Coach: Shakir Francois (11th year as head coach, 15th overall)
23-24 dual record: 12-16
Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Nathan Adras, 39-5, 2nd, R2, DC; Jeremiah Bethel, 21-8, RQ, D3; Darren Pierre Louis
Notable returning wrestlers: Jeremiah Louis, Sr., 33-9, RQ, D2; Jaelen Smith, Sr., 21-9, RQ, D3; Gabriel Flores, Sr., 15-11, RQ, D4.
What they are saying: “We are hungry and ready for a challenge.”
Outlook: The Lightning are a team that likes to work on its feet and that could come be to their benefit this year with the three-point takedown.
Hialeah Gardens Gladiators
Coach: David Labi
Recent district results: 2024:6; 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): Mehdi Wadi, 12-10, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alberto Soto, Sr., 30-16, RQ, D3; Daniel Jaramillo, So., 24-19, RQ, D4.
Miami Coral Park Rams
Coach: Angel Vazquez
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Pablo Ramos, 30-7, D5; Maikol Perdomo, Jr., 17-10, RQ, D2 (Transfer to SW Miami)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Bryant Nuno, Sr., 30-13, RQ, D3.
Miami High Stingarees
Coach: Ladislao Brborich (13th season)
Assistant coach: Enoc Aguado
23-24 dual record: 3-5
Recent district results: 2020:7; 2019:5; 2018:8; 2017:6; 2016:6; 2015:6; 2014:7; 2013:8; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Daziel Lanzo; Maynor Nunez; Sebastian Yanes; Julian Peraltaone
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Leonardo Mendoza
New wrestler: Miguel Mendoza
Outlook: Despite having a solid wrestling history, the program was dropped after the 2019-20 season. The Stingarees are back and while they’re new to the sport, the program is building some depth.