3A-3 Preview: Three-team race will highlight another tight district battle
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: After winning the 3A-1 region duals title, Timber Creek loaded up the finals in 3A-3 with eight wrestlers and outscored runner-up Hagerty by 41.5 points.
How did Kabra do?: We were wrong on Timber Creek all year, with the Wolves having a landmark season of reaching the final four of the state duals and winning a district and region team title. We took a chance with our pick and Oviedo ended up third in the district. For the team to watch, we went with the safe bet Timber Creek and the Wolves won their fourth district title in five years. Our team to watch was Lake Brantley, who had just eight healthy wrestlers come the postseason and finished fourth.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Nikolas Blake (Hagerty), Dario Duany (Lake Brantley), Trevor Covelli (Hagerty), Jovan Vukajlovic (Lake Brantley), Josh Sabbia (Oviedo), Gavin Nelson (Hagerty), Juan Viera (Timber Creek), William Muniz (Timber Creek), Hunter Jessee (Hagerty), Ozy Aquino (Timber Creek), Brentley Crawley (Hagerty), Josue Batista (Hagerty), Benjamin Wolgamuth (Hagerty), Aiden Wood (Hagerty)
The favorite: Hagerty. The Huskies are bringing back a lot and have some new talent being added in.
Team to watch: Timber Creek. Count them out against your own pearl. We were wrong about them last year and will try to not make that mistake again.
District duals: Friday, January 11 at Oviedo
District IBT: Wednesday, February 19 at Timber Creek
Hagerty Huskies (#4/#5)
Coach: Scotty Diaz
Assistant coaches: Raun Jessee, Paul Cuozzo, Clay Perry, Jesse Hill
23-24 dual record: 15-5
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:3; 2022:1; 2021:2-3A4; 2020:2-3A4; 2019:2; 2018:1; 2017:2; 2016:2; 2015:3; 2014:7; 2013:7-3A2; 2012:6-3A2
Last state champion: Ryan Rowland, 2019 (106)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Connor Gilliam, 32-16, 6th, R3, D2; Hunter Tate, 27-12, SQ, R2, DC; Justin St. John, 31-18, RQ-BR, D2; Angel Salva; Aidan Kovats.
Notable returning wrestlers: Nikolas Blake, Jr., 56-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Trevor Covelli, Jr., 37-21, SQ, R3, D2; Hunter Jessee, So., 47-7, 4th, RC, DC; Gavin Nelson, Sr., 24-11; Benjamin Wolgamuth, Jr., 35-22, RQ-BR, D3; Kale Encarnacion, Sr., 18-26, RQ, D4; Aurelio Gutierrez, So., 17-21, RQ, D4; James Zena, Sr., 29-23, RQ, D4; Brandon Khamis, So.; Jude DiCicco, So., 2-0
New wrestlers: Josue Batista, Sr., 46-14, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from Timber Creek); Aiden Wood, Sr., 33-12, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from Lake Howell); Brentley Crawley, Fr.; Chase Wolgamuth, Fr.; Thomas Thorne, Fr.
What they are saying: “They work hard and they are smart.”
Outlook: Hagerty is deep again with seven region qualifiers back and two state placers in Blake and Jessee.
The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews
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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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Timber Creek Wolves (#19/#11)
Coach: Jon Cone (9th at school/19th overall)
Assistant coaches: Lucas Gama, Perry Balasis
23-24 dual record: 10-2
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:2; 2021:1-3A4; 2020:1-3A4; 2019:2-3A4; 2018:2-3A4; 2017:2-3A4; 2016:2-3A4; 2015:2-3A4; 2014:2-3A4; 2013:1-3A4; 2012:1-3A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rocco Jonigan, 39-9, RQ-BR, DC; Keegan Clark, 33-10, 7th, R4, D2; Daniel Pacheco , 31-18, SQ, R3, D4; Andrew Wittenberg, 28-12, SQ, R4, D3; Aiden Benson, 33-9, RQ-BR, D2; Christian Bishop, 10-12, RQ, D3; Josue Batista, Sr., 46-14, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer to Hagerty); Marlo Clark, Sr., 44-8, 8th, RC, DC (Transfer to Lake Highland).
Notable returning wrestlers: William Muniz, Sr., 10-4; Tiago Neves, Sr., 21-12, SQ, R2, D2; Juan Viera, Sr., 37-11, SQ, RC, DC; Sadra Davadevlabet, Sr., 26-16, SQ, R2, D2; Ozy Aquino, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D4; Anthony DiManno, Sr., 13-15, RQ, D3; Diego Weiser; Ashtin Diggs; Tigran Grigoryan; Angel Pluguez; Kameron Sheeran.
New wrestler: Anthony Cornwell; Nolan Joyce
What they are saying: “We have a unique balance of experience and some really new kids in the lineup.”
On replacing departed starters: “We have some kids that are going to really have to step up. They’ve been kind of behind some hammers that we’ve had. They’ve been wrestling all summer and we’re not sure who’s going to where but I know what we are going to have 14 people ready to go by the end of the year.”
On Juan Viera: “He always knows that he can get a pin from any position in the match and he kind of wrestles that way. He just doesn’t stop wrestling because he knows that he’s always in the match from his big move capabilities.”
On being under appreciated: “I told the guys that you know we’re not supposed to be very good and I kind of like it that way.”
Outlook: Timber Creek just keeps pumping out solid teams. They proved Kabra wrong all of last year, not only winning the district, but taking home a region title as well. They have quite a few spots in the lineup to replace, but they also have over 75 kids in the room who are hungry to be the next up.”
Oviedo Lions
Coach: Zach Waters (9th season)
Assistant coaches: Reid Holden, Trey Godwin, Troy Huckenberry, Nick Krieger
23-24 dual record: 10-8
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:2; 2022:3; 2021:6-3A4; 2020:4-3A4; 2019:7; 2018:4; 2017:6; 2016:6; 2015:7; 2014:6; 2013:8-3A2; 2012:9-3A2
Last state champion: Alec Shriner, 2015 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Luke Forsberg, 8-4; Clayton Mitchell, 26-11, SQ, R2, D2; James Chiaradio, 23-6; Conner Rodriguez, 13-7, RQ, D3; Jesus Ramos, 20-17, RQ, D3; Nick Rynearson, 13-7, RQ, D3; Lukas Crawley, 19-12, RQ-BR, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Josh Sabbia, Sr., 45-7, 4th, RC, DC; Joey Gioa, Sr., 15-7, RQ, D3; Yosef Mohaisen, Sr., 22-16, RQ-BR, D3; Jimmy Godwin, So., 25-19, RQ, D3; Douglas Dowda, Jr., 26-22, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: “We are reloading after a flop of a 2023-24 season. With the potential we had and where we got to, we just had to have a big talk with the kids.”
On Josh Sabbia: “I would say one positive thing was Jose reaching the podium and now he just needs to keep his eyes on the prize. The big thing is that it’s not just the two hours in the room. It’s getting enough sleep at night, making sure you’re eating, and using those two hours to be best degree it can be. Those are the little things that add up and give you a competitive edge in close matches.”
On this team: “We’re less talented that we were perhaps but we are hungrier than we were a year ago. I think we have a lot of potential to grow so I’m not worried so much about where we are in December as I will be at districts because we’re going to grow during the season. I’m excited about the potential.”
Outlook: The Lions had big expectations heading into last season and feel they fell short. Seven wrestlers graduated from that group and now the team looks to rebuild while being led by senior returning state placer Sabbia.
Lake Brantley Patriots (#14/NR)
Coach: Jason Jessee (Third season)
Assistant coaches: Patrick Jaye, Jacob Kasper
23-24 dual record: 3-3
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:4; 2022:5; 2021:2; 2020:7; 2019:9; 2018:10; 2017:10; 2016:8; 2015:9; 2014:8; 2013:6; 2012:8
Last state champion: Richard Farmer, 1982 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jake Jessee, 47-15, 7th, R2, DC; Christopher Swanson, 35-18, RQ-BR, D2; Giovanni Duany, 39-10, RQ-BR, D2; Troy Vazquez, 24-22, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Dario Duany, Sr., 48-13, 4th, RC, DC; Jovan Vukajlovic, Sr., 44-10, 5th, R3, DC; Joey Davis, Jr., 31-21, RQ, D2; Oliver Barfield, Sr., 24-23, RQ, D3; Zaiden Rodriguez
New wrestler: Devin Johnson (Transfer from Lyman)
What they are saying: “We have a mixture of inexperienced and veteran student-athletes”
Outlook: Two state placers are back to lead the Patriots and each is looking to improve on their podium position from a year ago.
Evans Trojans
Coach: Darrian Mills (1st at school/2nd overall)
Assistant coach: David Hellinger
Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:7-3A4; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:9-3A2; 2018:8-3A2; 2017:2-3A2; 2016:7-3A2; 2015:6-3A4; 2014:10-3A4; 2013:6-2A5; 2012:7-2A5
Last state champion: Chris Dawson, 1991 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jermael Paul, 37-1, 2nd, RC, DC; Jaylen Clayton, 32-8, 8th, R3, D2; Goldskey Dalmond, 12-16, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Edward Guzman, Jr., 21-14, RQ, D4; Fabiaun Coleman, Jr., 12-13, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: Mhelakii Henriquez (Transfer from Wekiva)
What they are saying: “Our guys really desire to get better. They are committed and coachable. That leaves a lot of room for growth.”
On building his schedule: “It’s going to be a meat grinder. Nearly every week we’re going to see high-level competition. My hope is that consistently running into roadblocks and challenges will help them adapt and rise to the occasion each time. And then by postseason time, we’re peaking and ready to go in a really tough district.”
On this group: “We got a core group of young guys that are committed. But they have to get over that hump. If we can work, if we got guys that are committed, that's the first step of building anything, that initial commitment. And I’m loving it.”
Outlook: The team mostly consists of first and second-year wrestlers after graduating two state placers from a year ago. This is an energetic group that will look to improve as the season grows. Mills coached at South Lake last season but moved to Evans to work closer to home.
Winter Park Wildcats
Coach: Craig Russell
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:5; 2022:4; 2021:4-3A4; 2020:5-3A4; 2019:4-3A4; 2018:7-3A4; 2017:7-3A4; 2016:7-3A4; 2015:9-3A4; 2014:8-3A4; 2013:7-3A4; 2012:5-3A4
Last state champion: Joe Gonzalez, 2021 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Liam Glassmeyer, 20-4; James Gonzalez, 12-2, 3rd, R3, DC; Jayden Velazquez, 34-13, SQ, R4, D2; Teddy Barry, RQ, D3; Jacob Rothman, 15-6, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Cole Rasmy, Jr., D6.
Lake Howell Silver Hawks
Coach: Jorge Ulloa (First season)
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:7; 2022:7; 2021:5-3A4; 2020:6-3A4; 2019:8; 2018:8; 2017:5; 2016:7; 2015:10-3A2; 2014:10-3A2; 2013:7; 2012:6
Last state champion: Chris Campbell, 1998 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiden Wood, Sr., 33-12, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Hagerty)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Stanley Green, Jr., RQ, D4; Morgan Hall, Jr., RQ, D4.
Outlook: Lake Howell was having trouble filling its open coach vacancy so the NJROTC instructor, Master Sergeant Jorge Ulloa, accepted the job so the season wouldn’t go to waste.
Wekiva Mustangs
Coach: Lenin Vazquez
Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:8; 2022:5-3A4; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:7-3A2; 2018:4-3A2; 2017:6-3A2; 2016:8-3A2; 2015:9-3A2; 2014:9-3A2; 2013:8; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Isaiah Robinson, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ryan Japak, Sr., RQ, D4; Connor Figueroa, Sr., RQ, D4.