3A-2 Preview: Depth could be the difference maker in tight team district race
BY BRANT PARSONS — DeLand used its depth to win the district title a season ago and that could play a part again this year as the Bulldogs will start the season with close to 80 wrestlers.
The path won’t be easy with Buchholz and Flagler Palm Coast both expecting to compete with them if they can fill some of the holes formed by graduation.
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: DeLand won six of nine district finals to take home the district title by 64 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Marion Smokes (DeLand), Cavarius Liddie (Buchholz), Jedidiah Brown (Buchholz), Gavin Isaacs (Lake Mary), Finn Buchanan (Buchholz), Mathias Franz (DeLand), Toriyon Stallings (Flagler Palm Coast), Tyler Bracero (DeLand), Damonyai White (Lake Mary)
The favorite: DeLand. The defending district champions return seven region qualifiers from a year before.
Team to watch: Lake Mary. The Rams might not be ready to compete at the top of the district, but the comeback has begun for the Lake Mary program.
District duals: Dec. 13 at DeLand
District IBT: Feb. 15 at Buchholz
Kabra Says: The numbers have been a key part of DeLand’s rise to the top of the district and we’ll bet on that in our pick for them to win, but will add that the champion of 3A-2 will be the team that can fill its holes the best.
DeLand Bulldogs (#12 IBT | #13 Dual)
Coach: Chris Folsom (9th season)
Assistant coaches: Ray Knowles, Christian Lohsen, Jacob Toledo
22-23 dual record: 18-5
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:3; 2021:4; 2020:7; 2019:4-3A3; 2018:5-3A3; 2017:3-3A3; 2016:4-3A3; 2015:5-3A3; 2014:4-3A3; 2013:4; 2012:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Phoenix Krauth, 32-10, SQ, RC, DC; Grady Bryant, 36-12, RQ-BR, D2; Zane Canada, 28-12, RQ, D2; Kellen Chapman, 39-18, SQ, R2, D2; Gavin Rodriguez-Cayro, 43-16, SQ, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-285 Marion Smokes, Sr., 46-7, 5th, R3, DC; #8-120 Tyler Bracero, Jr., 37-14, SQ, R3, DC; #8-150 Mathias Franz, Sr., 48-13, SQ, R3, DC; #10-190 Garret Perkins, Sr., 30-27, RQ-BR, D3; #15-157 Joshua Folsom, Jr., 37-13, RQ, DC; Peyton Senez, Jr., 22-16, RQ, D3; Tyron Moore, Sr., 7-4, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: Gauge Hopton; David Birdsey; Jack Knowles; Andres Compasano; Aiden Neal; Rigaud Pierre.
What they are saying: “We should have a solid dual team and a couple state placers. We have some inexperience in the lower weights, but they should come through for us. We'll have a good amount of competition at every weight.”
Outlook: The Bulldogs have been riding a wave from seventh in the district four seasons ago to champions last year. They graduated a core of wrestlers who helped lead that resurgence, but the room is now deep and there will be folks ready to step in.
Buchholz Bobcats (#10 | #NR)
Coach: Billy Pankey (18th season)
Assistant coaches: Hunter Brinkman (V), Jack Buchanan (JV)
See the 2023-24 season schedule
22-23 dual record: 9-5
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:1; 2020:2; 2019:2-3A1; 2018:3-3A1; 2017:5-3A1; 2016:3-3A1; 2015:3-3A1; 2014:3-3A1; 2013:4-3A1; 2012:7-3A1
Last state champion: Cavarius Liddie, 2023 (132), Kason Nichols, 2023 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jack Buchanan, 17-20, RQ, D4; Steven Szabo, 50-16, SQ, R4, D2; William Lancer, 15-9, RQ-BR, D2; Kason Nichols, 49-5, SC, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-138 Cavarius Liddie, Sr., 56-6, SC, RC, DC; #5-132 Finn Buchanan, Jr., 19-11, SQ, R2, D2; #6-126 Jeddidiah Brown, Sr., 38-18, SQ, R4, DC; Laine Slayton, Jr., 16-14, RQ, D3; Gabe Myers, Jr.
New wrestler: Gabe Ramos (Transfer from Palatka).
What they are saying: "There are days that are the grind and there's days that are that are hard, but the culture is such that it makes it fun and these guys really respond to it."
On Liddie repeating: "We talk all the time about how it's easier to get up the hill the first time than it is the second time. We've focused on heart, a little bit more of our work and finding better trading partners and going to Lake Highland's rumbles. We are more in for what is going to push him and train him and that's been the big focus for him specifically.”
On what's important: "It's so cliche, and so coaches cliche and I can be guilty of this too but sometimes we put winning in front of what is best for the kid and the development of the human being. But the reality is that we're in this business, especially at high school level, to see the development of these kids grow into fathers and husbands."
Outlook: The Bobcats made school history last with two individual state champs and Liddie is coming back this year to try and repeat.
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
Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs
Coach: David Bossardet
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:1; 2021:2; 2020:1; 2019:4-3A1; 2018:2-3A1; 2017:2-3A1; 2016:2-3A1; 2015:1-3A1; 2014:1-3A1; 2013:3; 2012:3
Last state champion: Avery Holder, 2018 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kole Hannant, 46-10, 7th, R3, D2; John Hald, 40-12, SQ, R4, DC; Josh Davis, 25-15, RQ, D3; Dalton Schell, 44-10, 8th, R2, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #11-215 Ethaniel Laupepa, Sr., 35-13, RQ-BR, D2; #13-144 Hayden Herndon, Sr., 33-12, RQ, D2; #14-165 Kelton Howard, Sr., 39-11, SQ, R3, DC; Carson Baert, Jr., 7-9, RQ-BR, D2; Brandon Calidonio, Sr., 34-11, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: #9-132 Toriyon Stallings, Sr. (Transfer)
Lake Mary Rams
Coach: Tony Segretario (2nd at Lake Mary, 4th season overall)
Assistant coaches: Jamie Foley, Shawn Morris, Nick Eliason, Sean Bailey, Jon Schwartz, Pete Boykin, Mike Stephenson
22-23 dual record: 5-9
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:8; 2021:3-3A4; 2020:3-3A4; 2019:3-3A3; 2018:3-3A3; 2017:4-3A3; 2016:3-3A3; 2015:4-3A3; 2014:3-3A3; 2013:5; 2012:4
Last state champion: Jack Likens, 1984 (112)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Deveah White, RQ, D4; Nicholas Ghezzi, 25-13, RQ, D3; Brock Binford, RQ, D4; Michael Frederick, 32-6, 4th, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-165 Gavin Isaacs, So., 21-6, SQ, R3, DC; Nathan Walck, So., 17-15, RQ, D4; Adrian Pabon Rivera, Sr., 27-12, SQ, R4, D4; Joshua Raymond, Sr., 9-6, RQ, D3.
New wrestler: #5-165 Grady Isaacs, Fr.; #13-126 Damonyai White, Jr.
What they are saying: "I am looking forward to this season, it's probably the most excited I've been about any sport in quite a while. Looking at what we have coming ahead in year two and I can't say enough about how excited I am. It's just ready to rock and roll."
On commitment: "Looking at all the work that they've been putting in and summer workouts, and a lot of those kids are crossover athletes who play other sports. Some of these kids were going to football practice in the morning with us and then I'm seeing them in the afternoon for wrestling. That level of dedication, considering where we were when I came into this program a year ago and I only had three kids in the program when I when I got here, is mind blowing, The fact that so many kids have now made wrestling one of their sports and it's not just an afterthought is huge."
On building numbers: "One of the things that I've learned over the years that I'm really good at is recruiting. I'm great at spotting talent and I'm great at going out and getting those kids in the room."
On this program: "We're a pretty straightforward program and what you see is what you get. You know the kids show up at their weight class and let the chips fall where they may. We're super excited to get out on the mat this year, that's for sure."
Outlook: After a season in 2022 that saw the Rams finish eighth in the district and have just three wrestlers returning in the program, Segretario and his staff have started a turnaround in both numbers and excitement. The Rams should continue to improve even more this season.
Sanford Seminole Seminoles
Coach: Simeon Everett (First season)
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:4; 2021:5; 2020:4; 2019:5-3A3; 2018:7-3A3; 2017:8-3A3; 2016:10-3A3; 2015:8-3A3; 2014:9-3A3; 2013:9; 2012:8
Last state champion: Curtis Ruff, 2020 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Onel Esquilin, 20-11, RQ, D3; Ryan Culbertson, 17-7, RQ-BR, D4; Jovani Valenzuela, 13-17, RQ, D3; Deshawn Bristow-Harris, 18-11, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #17-285 Jerome Johnson, Sr., 24-11, RQ, D2; #20-144 Andres Sanchez, Sr., 21-13, RQ, D3; Gavin Kubiak, So., RQ, D4.
Outlook: Everett takes over the program that could have three region qualifiers back.
Forest Wildcats
Coach: Eric Christiansen (2nd year)
Assistant coaches: Paul Viles, Casey Carr, Christian Lewis
22-23 dual record: 12-10
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:6; 2019:6-2A5; 2018:5-2A5; 2017:6-2A5; 2016:5-2A5; 2015:8; 2014:7; 2013:6; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Cane Fernandez, 16-3, Scott Smith, 20-11, RQ-BR, DC
Notable returning wrestlers: #19-190 Ellis Lawson, Jr., 26-19, RQ, D4; Brent Ryals, Sr., 42-17, RQ, D4; Jamon Stromwall, Sr.
What they are saying: "We're introducing kids to wrestling. Three years ago, the program was almost on life support and we had Rondo Fernandez come in and keep the program alive. And then I took over last year and built off of what he had started. We only had five returners last year that had any mat experience so nearly everyone is brand new to the sport. It's gonna take a few years to really kind of get your foot in the door and really start to put some stuff together."
On building the program: "I'm a terrible salesman for the sport in that I'm very honest, I say this the toughest sport you're gonna do. You're gonna come in here, five days a week, and we're gonna push you harder than you ever been pushed. No knock to football, but we're going to push you harder than the football coaches do. And one of the things I tell them is, look, I don't care about wins and losses until we get to the district tournament. The only reason why I care about it then is if you don't win your season's over and so I'm really trying to get them bought in on the process of it."
On the future: "We have more athletes walking the halls here than we know what to do with. And now in my second year as the head coach, having kids at the school get to know me and getting them plugged into who I am and what we're about. We had 22 kids in the wrestling room in August and 16 had never been on the mat before so it is very promising to see where we're going to be in the next couple of years once we get some development."
Outlook: There is some talent returning for the Wildcats in the form of state qualifier Ruano and region qualifiers Ryals and Lawson. But the majority of this team is young and learning and while they are green now, Coach Christiansen expects bigger things down the road.
West Port Wolf Pack
Coach: Paul Dodge (3rd as head coach)
22-23 dual record: 7-2
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:6; 2021:6; 2020:5; 2019:3; 2018:5; 2017:8; 2016:2; 2015:3; 2014:6; 2013:4-2A4; 2012:5-2A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Luis Sotomayor, 16-19, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #11-106 Mathew Pishotta, So., 37-16, SQ, R4, D3; Christopher Galliano, Sr., 4-10; Ethan Crews, Jr., 14-20; Prince Valentine, Jr., 16-20; Noah Fackler, So., 4-13; Allen Roman, So., 4-13; Justin Sierra, Jr., 1-5; Caden Perez-Pantoja, Jr., 12-13; Jhusthino Miranda, Jr., 26-14; Dylan Treco, Sr., 4-9; Harrison Caputo, Jr., 6-4; David Hill, Jr., 20-16; Alex Decker, So., 0-6; Abed Zayed, So., 3-12.
New wrestler: Uriah Fackler, Fr.
What they are saying: “We have tough kids. We have a great group with tons of heart, they love to wrestle and I believe will make some waves.”
Outlook: West Port is hoping to repeat as champions of the MCAIC and moving up the district duals standings this year too as they have a deeper squad.
Orange City University Titans
Coach: Andy Rothenberg (3rd season as HC/8th season)
Assistant coaches: Brandon Alanis, Jeffrey Howard
22-23 dual record: 1-3
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7; 2021:3; 2020:3; 2019:6-3A3; 2018:6-3A3; 2017:7-3A3; 2016:9-3A3; 2015:2-3A3; 2014:5-3A3; 2013:2; 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rubens Joseph, RQ, D4; Slade High-Tompkins; Bryan Persinger.
Notable returning wrestlers: Seth Cruz, Sr., RQ, D4; Carlito Betancourt.
What they are saying: "We have a lot of multi sport guys that playing football right now, but the encouraging part about it is that those guys that are returning, they're coming by club after they get done with football and saying hi to the guys. Tt's a pretty tight knit group and it's growing still."
On what makes this team tight: "When I took over the program, this is my third season, and the wrestling program, as a whole, had kind of been ignored. We had some decent athletes here and there and the culture wasn't great. We came in and did hard work and these kids were just really committed to working hard in the room and they stuck around. They might not have been the best talent wise or technique wise, but they were in practice every day and they were busting their butt in the room.”
On goals this season: "It's kind of hard for me to set a team goal right now just because we're just not there yet. We have a lot of individual goals. I know we have a lot of guys that want to be regional and state qualifiers. A lot of them are coming back are going to be sophomores that have a real good shot at being regional qualifiers and possible state qualifiers. So I think that's more what we're focusing on right -- baby steps getting them to where they they're competitive."
Outlook: The Titans are young and return just a single region qualifier from a year before but the team is rebuilding and growing better together. They’re likely a bottom tier team in the district again this season, but don’t expect that to be the norm going forward.