3A-16 Preview: Class 3A favorite South Dade leads deep district of talent
BY BRANT PARSONS — The start of South Dade’s run to a state title always begins in one of the hardest districts in the state.
The past four years have become even harder as the second-best team in Class 3A over that stretch, SW Miami, has joined the district to make it even harder to top.
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Last season: South Dade won another district crown on the way to all 14 wrestlers placing at the state tournament.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Gabriel Tellez (SW Miami), Dillon Smith (SW Miami), Elvis Solis (South Dade), Christopher Sanchez (South Dade), Sawyer Bartelt (South Dade), Frederick Mitchum (Miami Southridge), Luis Acevedo (South Dade), Nathaniel Williams (South Dade), Tyree Graham (South Dade), Gavin Balmeceda (South Dade), Guillermo Jaramillo (South Dade), Bryan Morales (South Dade), Angel Delgado (SW Miami), Cameron Gallivan (Miami Palmetto), Myron Mendez (SW Miami), Drake Bonney (Miami Palmetto), Jonathan Moreno (South Dade), Noah Sanabria (Braddock), Connor Bonney (Miami Palmetto), Jaiden Oliver (South Dade), Shannon Davie (SW Miami), Ryan Miret (Miami Southridge)
The favorite: South Dade. The Bucs are not just the favorites here, but they’re big favorites for another Class 3A state title.
Team to watch: Miami Palmetto. They have their wrestling room back and lots of returners from a season ago.
District duals: Dec. 15-16 at South Dade
District IBT: TBD
Kabra Says: The toughest district in the state of Florida also houses arguably the toughest team. South Dade’s dominance should continue this season on the team level, but watch for some individual fourth place finishers in this group to still end up on the podium in Kissimmee.
South Dade Buccaneers (#1 IBT | #1 Dual)
Coach: Victor Balmeceda (29th season, 31st at school)
Assistant Coach: Humberto Reyna, Mikel Shropshire, David Zuniga
22-23 dual record: 20-0
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:1; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champions: Luis Acevedo, 2023 (120); Elvis Solis, 2023 (138); Lawrence Rosario, 2023 (170); Sawyer Bartelt, 2023 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Misha Arbos, 46-9, 2nd, RC, D2; Cordell White, 32-2, 2nd, RC, DC; KingJames Perry, 25-16; Lawrence Rosario, 57-9, SC, RC, DC; Ansel Cervantes, 45-1, 3rd, RC, DC; Marcelo Rosario, 47-10, 3rd, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-138 EJ Solis, Jr., 48-1, SC, RC, DC; #1-190 Christopher Sanchez, Sr., 45-11, 5th, R3, DC; #1-215 Sawyer Bartelt, Sr., 49-0, SC, RC, DC; #2-126 Luis Acevedo, Sr., 55-3, SC, RC, DC; #2-132 Nathaniel Williams, Jr., 52-13, 4th, RC, DC; #2-144 Tyree Graham, So., 50-14, 5th, R3, D2; #2-157 Gavin Balmeceda, Sr., 60-6, 3rd, RC, DC; #3-113 Guillermo Jaramillo, So., 52-16, 5th, R4, D3; #4-106 Bryan Morales, So., 56-16, 8th, R2, DC; #12-120 Obby Encarnacion, Sr., 16-5; #18-150 Matthew Abreu, Jr., 24-18; .
New wrestler: #6-175 Jonathan Moreno, Fr., 16-4, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Somerset); #12-126 Jaiden Oliver, So., 12-6, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Miami Southridge)
What they are saying: "This is a new year and we're gonna keep trying to keep the streak going and that's what drives them is not wanting to be the team that loses the state championship streak. We're gonna we're gonna have a really good team."
Last year's team: "Tt's hard to top last year. It's one of those years that everything comes together and every single weight class bought in. We also avoided some injuries. Having 14 weight classes place at states can be pretty hard to top. It's gonna be a while before somebody's able to do it."
On EJ Solis: "I'm looking forward to what he can do because he's like having a cheat code in a video game. The best way I can describe him is that he does things and then I'm looking at it and then I send him out in the middle and say show everybody what you just did and how you did it. In wrestling you're constantly learning and I'm still learning from watching him."
Outlook: South Dade may have broke the mold last year on how dominant they can be in the state but you can expect big things from this team too with an already decorated senior class ready to make one less statement.
Southwest Miami Eagles (#3 | #4)
Coach: Mick Arteaga (7th season as head coach/ 12th total season)
Assistant coaches: Denys Ribot, Zack Luis, Lorenzo Walker, Rafael Cater, David Viveros
22-23 dual record: 16-3
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:1-3A15; 2018:1-3A15; 2017:1-3A15; 2016:1-3A15; 2015:1-3A15; 2014:1-3A15; 2013:2-3A15; 2012:2-3A15
Last state champion: Adrian Ochoa, 2023 (160); Franklyn Ordonez, 2023 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ryan Cominsky, 33-18, RQ-BR, D2; Danny Martinez, 46-4, 2nd, RC, DC; Lester Martinez, 39-14, 4th, R2, DC; Adrian Ochoa, 48-8, SC, R2, D2; Franklyn Ordonez, 46-11, SC, R2, D2; Hunter Fuentes, 22-20, RQ, D3; Jonathan Fraga, 41-12, 2nd, R2, D2; Luis Viveros, 24-16, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-120 Gabriel Tellez, Sr., 45-7, 3rd, R2, DC; #1-132 Dillon Smith, Jr., 13-2; #4-126 Angel Delgado, Sr., 39-15, 7th, R3, D2; #5-190 Myron Mendez, Jr.; #9-165 Shannon Davie, Sr., 18-8; #13-165 Evangelo Mercado, Jr.; #14-285 Steven Blanco, Jr., 22-16; #19-215 Matthew Rubio, Sr., 19-8, RQ, D2.
New wrestler: #12-113 Antonio Morales, Fr.;
What they are saying: “We have lots of young potential starters that can make an immediate impact.”
Outlook: The Eagles have become one of the top teams in the state and despite losing an epic senior class that included three high school state champions and two more state placers, the talent pipeline is alive and well at SW Miami.
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
Miami Palmetto Panthers (#14 | #5)
Coach: Anthony Fadelle (7th season)
Assistant coach: Michael Graham
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:4; 2019:3; 2018:3; 2017:4; 2016:3; 2015:3; 2014:3; 2013:2; 2012:2
Last state champion: John Rost, 2002 (135)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ronald Butler, 47-8, 4th, R2, D2; Richard Alexander, 47-9, 4th, R2, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: #4-138 Cameron Gallivan, Sr., 45-12, SQ, R3, D2; #5-157 Drake Bonney, So., 43-15, SQ, R3, D3; #8-175 Connor Bonney, So., 37-15, RQ, D3; #11-113 Matthew Padgett, So., 27-22, SQ, R4, D2; #12-144 Adrian Mayari, Jr.; #14-190 Julian Conde, Sr., 32-18, RQ, D4; #16-285 Alex Geffrard, Sr., 39-12, RQ-BR, D4; #19-126 Adonis Ferro, Jr., 27-16, RQ-BR, D4; .
New wrestlers: Luis Cabrera; Elijah Johnson
What they are saying: “We have done a lot of our training without a wrestling room or cafeteria for several years before and after Covid. We now have a room that we can call home and I believe having a place to call home for a wrestling team is a huge boost to the toughness and pride that wrestlers have in the program and school they are a part of.”
Outlook: The Panthers have been slowly building back to this spot and despite graduating two state placers in Butler and Alexander, there is depth returning with wrestlers ready to join the three returning state champions in Kissimmee.
Miami Southridge Spartans (#19 | NR)
Coach: Albert Pardo (First season at school/28th season overall)
Assistant coaches: Manny Nordelo, Twin Bryant
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:4-2A16; 2021:1-2A16; 2020:1-2A16; 2019:2; 2018:2; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:2; 2014:2; 2013:3; 2012:7
Last state champion: Johnny Lovett, 2019 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Yainiel Reina, 43-10, 7th, R2, D2; Julian Mayorga, 30-5, 7th, R3, D3; Jaiden Oliver, So., 12-6, RQ, D3 (Transfer to South Dade)
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-120 Frederick Mitchum, Sr., 37-4, 4th, RC, D2; #10-285 Ryan Miret, So., 36-15, RQ-BR, D3; #12-175 Leonard Gilley, Jr., 23-11, RQ-BR, D3; Damel Martinez, Jr.; Eliel Santos, Jr.
What they are saying: "It's a little bit of a fresh start, because I haven't coached in five years. Coming back to this where its pretty much a ready-made team. Mr. Miret, the principal, his son's on the team and his forte was running the club program. So he's been running a club program here at Southridge for five years. He's always had a ton of success with the teams and finally, all of the kids are going to be one place at one time. There's an incredible freshman team here and there's a ton of potential."
On taking over the team: "There's definitely a difference in style. They're used to doing things a certain way and we're a little bit more eclectic. I tend to coach more to the strengths of the indivdual. We find what best fits for each individual and we coach them up on that. So it's a process in getting the culture changed as far as them buying into the style that I was Southridge to have going forward, but they seem to be enjoying it and it's going well."
On being in this district: "I'm used to it because I've always been in this district. Back in 2000, Southridge was a state champion and South Miami was a state runner-up, Coral Park was third and Palmetto was fourth. I like the trial by fire and I tell me kids, if you can place top four in this district, you can be a state qualifier. And if you can come out of our region, you can be a state placer."
Outlook: Pardo was talked out of retirement to help his old assistant coach and current Southridge principal to help with a rising group of kids that included his song Ryan Miret. You should those dividends start to pay off quickly as he brings his proven style to the Spartans’ room.
Miami Braddock Bulldogs
Coach: Sergio Hernandez (3rd as head coach/21st at school)
Assistant coaches: Saul Tejada, Jean Rodriguez
22-23 dual record: 14-10
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:6; 2019:6-3A15; 2018:6-3A15; 2017:7-3A15; 2016:4-3A15; 2015:2-3A15; 2014:2-3A15; 2013:3-3A15; 2012:3-3A15
Last state champion: Alex Victor, 2016 (113)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #7-138 Noah Sanabria, Sr., 47-13, SQ, R4, D3; #16-132 Dylan Lopez, Jr., 33-9, RQ-BR, D3; Danny Tabares, Jr.
What they are saying: “We are more experienced and ready to make a name for ourselves.”
Outlook: The light and middleweights for the Bulldogs have a season of learning behind them and should be a lot more competitive this season than they were last season. The team is understanding the sport better and have a stronger mentality.
Coral Gables Cavaliers
Coach: Thomas Hardy (6th season as HC/17th at Coral Gables)
22-23 dual record: 19-6
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:8; 2021:5; 2020:8; 2019:4-3A15; 2018:7-3A15; 2017:3-3A15; 2016:3-3A15; 2015:4-3A15; 2014:5-3A15; 2013:6-3A15; 2012:8-3A15
Last state champion: Marino Eatman, 2004 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Billy Saleh.
Notable returning wrestlers: #19-132 Diego Imbert, Sr., 20-7, RQ-BR, D3; William Altamirano, Sr., 14-10, RQ, D4; Angel Obando, Sr., 19-11, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The Cavaliers have three wrestlers back in the room led by senior Imbert, who has been wrestling across the state all summer after coming a match short of the state tournament one year ago.
Miami Ferguson Falcons
Coach: Luis Cabal
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:6; 2021:8; 2020:7; 2019:7-3A15; 2018:4-3A15; 2017:5-3A15; 2016:7-3A15; 2015:6; 2014:5; 2013:6; 2012:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ryan Canahuate, 11-7, RQ, D3; Dante Morales, 27-15, RQ, D4; Matt Alemany, 25-11, 5th, R4, D4; Matthew Hernandez, 39-12, 6th, R4, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #18-144 Jake Fernandez, Jr., 18-13, RQ, D4.
Miami Coral Reef Barracudas
Coach: Miguel Dominguez (12th season at school, 24th overall)
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:4; 2018:4; 2017:5; 2016:5; 2015:4; 2014:4; 2013:4; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ivan Nadal, 31-12, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: None.
Notes
Rankings listed next to teams are the preseason Kabra rankings in both IBT and Duals. (IBT/Dual)
Rankings listed in front of wrestlers are the official Kabra Wrestling preseason rankings
SC = State Champion last season
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th = State placer
SQ = State qualifier
RC = Region champion
R2, R3, R4 = Region placer
RQ-BR = Region qualifiers who reached the blood round
RQ = Region qualifier
DC = District champions
D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 = District placer