3A-5 Preview: Kissimmee Osceola looks to keep streaks going
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Last season: New coach, same results as former assistant Rick Tribit returned to lead the Kowboys to another district crown.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Roderick Brown (George Jenkins), Anderson Heap (Kissimmee Osceola), Gunner Holland (Kissimmee Osceola), Adaias Ortiz (Kissimmee Osceola), Timothy Peoples (George Jenkins), Elijah Vansickle (Kissimmee Osceola), Jayson Ortiz (Kissimmee Osceola), Isfandier Sharipov (Kissimmee Osceola), Caleb Negron (Kissimmee Osceola), Braxton Gerber (George Jenkins), Ian Drake (Ridge Community)
The favorite: Kissimmee Osceola. Until someone can top them, they’re the favorite.
Team to watch: Bartow. They aren’t in the team race, but this program is on the rebuild and even hosted their first offseason event in ages this fall.
District duals: Jan. 3 at Celebration
District IBT: Feb. 16 at Kissimmee Osceola
Kabra Says: George Jenkins is growing and improving each year, but the team to beat remains Kissimmee Osceola in this district.
Kissimmee Osceola Kowboys (#2 IBT | #2 Dual)
Coach: Rick Tribit (2nd as HC at school/36th overall)
Assistant coaches: Robert Vansickle, Jesus Cervantes, Chistopher Pagan, Justin Lesniewski, Derrick Stickles
22-23 dual record: 15-1
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 champion: Anderson Heap, 2023 (145); Cooper Haase, 2023 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Evan Martinez, 41-14, 6th, R3, DC; Davian Rivera, 27-16, RQ-BR, D4; Cooper Haase, 49-1, SC, RC, DC; Jomar Sanchez, 40-11, 6th, RC, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #1-157 Anderson Heap, Sr., 56-2, SC, RC, DC; #1-175 Gunner Holland, Sr., 52-5, 3rd, R2, DC; #2-285 Elijah Vansickle, Jr., 34-10, 3rd, R2, D2; #7-132 Isfandier Sharipov, Jr., 28-16, SQ, R4, DC; #10-120 Talyn Fisk, Sr., 22-16, RQ-BR, DC; #11-190 Bryan Gari, Sr., 28-12, RQ-BR, DC; Ian Cabrera, Sr., 4-10, RQ, D4; Ehab Shalaby, So., 10-5, RQ, D4; Deacon DeLong, Jr., 21-16, RQ, DC.
New wrestlers: #2-113 Adaias Ortiz, Fr. (Transfer from Lake Highland Prep); #6-138 Jayson Ortiz, Sr., 32-8, RQ-BR, D3 (Transfer from Tohopekaliga); #9-144 Caleb Negron, Sr.
Outlook: The Kowboys said goodbye to four-time champion Haase, but they have state champions in the room with Heap and Holland and they’re heavy favorites to win the district.
George Jenkins Eagles (#7 | #17)
Coach: Gavin Osborn (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Alex Ebisawa, Anthony Cerullo, Bing Osborn
22-23 dual record: 22-14
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:3; 2020:4; 2019:3-3A6; 2018:2-3A6; 2017:3-3A6; 2016:1-3A6; 2015:1-3A6; 2014:2-3A6; 2013:3; 2012:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gavin Keim, 27-15, RQ, D3; Landon Walters, 51-6, SQ, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-106 Roderick Brown, Sr., 51-10, 5th, R4, D2; #2-190 Timothy Peoples, Sr., 47-9, 7th, R3, D2; #10-150 Braxton Gerber, Jr., 39-13, SQ, R4, DC; #12-215 Brock Barr, Sr., 39-20, RQ-BR, D3; Giovanni Hiel-Hage, Jr., 13-16, RQ, D2; Ezekiel Rivera, So., 8-10, RQ, D4; Nicholas Skulimoski, So., 6-10, RQ, D3; Julian Melo, Sr., 27-24, RQ, D3; Brayden Root, Sr., 22-30, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: "We want to outperform our results last year."
On building the program: "Anytime you take over a program from someone different, it's going to take you four years until it can actually start to become your program and your vision and ultimately, your kids. Every kid that we've had is important, and they share a big place in my heart and in this program and we are a family because wrestlers are a different breed of people.
On Roderick: "One thing I've told him was you cannot write it off that you're gonna win a state title. You've got to outperform and outwork every single body, every single day, because you've got this massive target on your back. Everybody's going to give you their best shot, everybody's going to want to wrestle you, and everybody's going to want to dethrone the top guy. He's got to do the extra - in the classroom, at the dinner table, at practice - getting his rest at night and going to bed on time. Everything for the next few months has to be eat, sleep and breathe around that goal. And he's doing a good job with that and he's never been the kid to back down from any kind of competition or challenge."
Outlook: The Eagles continue to grow and build a culture under Osborn. Brown and Peoples should both compete for the top of the podium at state and should have a healthy number of teammates join them in Kissimmee this year.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Haines City Hornets
Coach: Johnny Sacco
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2019:9; 2018:8; 2017:8; 2016:7; 2014:6; 2013:3; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Christian Muniz, Jr., 7-15, RQ, D3; Kevonte Prince Faustin, Sr., 8-10, RQ, D2; Willie Pierre, Sr., 16-11, RQ, D2; Avery Gray, Sr., 18-16, RQ, D2; Deacon Alls, Jr., 17-13, RQ, D2.
Outlook: Haines City fielded its first team since the 2018-19 season and is already showing signs of growth.
Celebration Storm
Coach: Chris Yentzer (3rd season, 9th overall)
22-23 dual record: 4-17
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:3; 2021:2; 2020:2; 2019:2; 2018:3; 2017:7; 2016:6; 2015:6; 2014:4; 2013:5-2A5; 2012:2-2A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Chase McBroom, 36-10, 8th, R4, D3; Luis Moreno, 16-15, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jorge Feliz Macias, Jr., 20-13, RQ, D2; Zachariah DeCesare, Sr., 20-9, RQ, DC.
Outlook: Two-time state medalist McBroom is gone but there is some firepower still in the room with DeCesare and Macias.
Poinciana Eagles
Coach: Jerry Bazilme (4th season)
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:6; 2021:5-2A5; 2020:4-2A5; 2019:2-2A6; 2018:8-2A6; 2017:7-2A6; 2016:5-2A6; 2015:2-1A9; 2014:3-1A9; 2013:6-1A7; 2012:6-1A7
Last state champion: Widler Rislin, 2009 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Landon Trigueros, 19-1, RQ, DC; Eross Mann, RQ, D3; Davrell Cohn, 10-8, RQ, D3; Raphael Rodriguez, 16-9, RQ, D2; Maximus Kousiry, 8-11, RQ, D2; Jayden Swaby, 14-10, RQ, D4; Chafrantzl Dumesle, 13-9, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #16-157 Noah Otero, Sr., 14-11, RQ, D2; Franchavy Dumesle, Sr., 6-14, RQ, D4.
Bartow Yellow Jackets
Coach: Scott Fitzwater (3rd season at school/13th overall)
Assistant coaches: David Peoples, Brian Adams
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:7; 2021:6; 2020:7; 2019:8-3A6; 2018:8-3A6; 2017:7-3A6; 2016:8-3A6; 2015:5-3A6; 2014:7-3A6; 2013:5-2A6; 2012:7-2A6
Last state champion: Hoss Rhoton, 1993 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mycah Armes, 16-10, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #19-138 Hunter Adams, So.; William Ausmus, Jr., 20-12, RQ, D4; Laine Anker, So.; Landon Fitzwater, Jr.
What they are saying: “We should have more kids to fill the roster, We are still young but we are building in the right direction. We are wanting to start to make our name known.”
Outlook: After two years practicing in a trailer, the Yellow Jackets finally have a room of their own.
Ridge Community Lightning
Coach: Cody McQuarrie
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5; 2021:7; 2020:6; 2019:8; 2018:7; 2017:5; 2016:7; 2015:5; 2014:7; 2013:7; 2012:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-132 Ian Drake, Sr., 33-8, RQ, D2; Ivan Gonzales, Jr., 23-14, RQ, D4; Jayden Mendez, Jr., 32-12, RQ, D4; Angel Armas, Sr., 30-7, RQ, D4; Joshua Ramirez, So., 17-9, RQ, D4.
Winter Haven Blue Devils
Coach: Emilio Cruz (5th season)
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:4; 2021:5; 2020:5; 2019:4-2A7; 2018:5-2A7; 2017:5-2A7; 2016:7-2A7; 2015:5-2A7; 2014:4-2A7; 2013:4-2A6; 2012:2-2A6
Last state champion: Steve Zablocki, 1987 (185)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): John Arellano, Sr., 44-11, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer to Lake Gibson)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aiden Gomez, So., RQ, D4; #13-190 Zahquel Davis, Sr., 30-12, RQ, D3.