3A-5 Preview: George Jenkins ready to rise up to the top of the district
BY BRANT PARSONS — For the past five years, George Jenkins has been chasing one of the top programs in the state - Kissimmee Osecola - for district glory.
The past three seasons, the Eagles have come up short in their quest.
“They’re one of the best teams in the state year in and year our and we wanted to win a district title by dethroning them,” George Jenkins coach Gavin Osborn said. “We thought we had a good shot last year but we had some kids miss weight and it just didn’t happen.”
“It left a bad taste in our mouth and we were ready to get back after it and chase it again.”
That chase won’t be around this year as the Kowboys have moved to district 3A-9, leaving George Jenkins as the team to beat in the district.
“It's crazy to think about but obviously we feel pretty good about our chances,” Osborn said. “But until we do it, it's just a hope. It’s just a dream.”
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Last season: Kissimmee Osceola earned 10 district titles and pulled away with a 83.5 point win.
How did Kabra do?: We correctly picked the Kowboys to beat George Jenkins for the title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Andrew Taylor (George Jenkins), Raymond Shaw (George Jenkins), Braxton Gerber (George Jenkins)
The favorite: George Jenkins. Admittedly they wanted to top Osceola to win this district, but the Kowboys are gone and the Eagles are ready to ascend.
Team to watch: Plant City. The Raiders are new to the district and come in with a roster that has state tournament experience and some growing depth.
District duals: Wednesday, January 8 at George Jenkins, 4:30 p.m.
District IBT: Friday, February 21 at George Jenkins
George Jenkins Eagles (#11/#21)
Coach: Gavin Osborn (Sixth season)
Assistant coaches: Anthony Cerullo, Matthew Markowski, Alex Ebisawa, Johnathon Gerber
23-24 dual record: 23-12
Recent district results: 2024:2; 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): Timothy Peoples, 46-5, 3rd, RC, D2; Roderick Brown, 37-9, 5th, R3, DC; Brock Barr, 39-12, RQ, D2; Julian Melo, 36-23, RQ, D2; Brayden Root, 21-16, RQ, D4; Isequiel Rivera, Jr., 26-21, RQ, D2 (Moved to PA)
Notable returning wrestlers: Andrew Taylor, So., 46-14, RQ-BR, D2; Braxton Gerber, Sr., 35-16, RQ, D2; Tyler Davis, Sr., 26-18, RQ, D3; Rakeem Green, Sr., 11-8; Jackson Lietz, Jr. 32-29; Michael Woodruff, So., 21-22, RQ, D2.
New wrestlers: Joseph Handley, Jr., 29-17, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from Lake Region); Raymond Shaw, Sr., 56-11, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer from Auburndale); Isaiah Day, Jr. (Transfer from Lake Region)
What they are saying: “This years team has traveled the country all summer long. They have spent so much time together that it has truly created a family environment. They are energetic and looking forward to making a name for themselves.”
On goals: “We've been putting a lot of work and a lot of emphasis and reiterating to our guys that we think that we have a great shot at winning a district title in the duals and the IBT We also think that we can make the state tournament for the duals and potentially win a regional title in the IBT. There’s a lot of optimism and a lot of focus going into those two things for this upcoming season.”
Outlook: The Eagles have been district runners-up to Kissimmee Osceola three straight seasons and with the Kowboys having moved on to 3A-9, George Jenkins could have its first district title since 2015.
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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Plant City Raiders
Coach: Blake Olson (2nd at school, 7th overall)
Assistant coaches: Brandon Snyder, Brent Ruedeman, Coach Box
2023-24 dual record: 16-3
Recent district results: 2024:2-3A7; 2023:6-3A7; 2022:8-3A7; 2021:4; 2020:3; 2019:7-3A6; 2018:7-3A6; 2017:8-3A6; 2016:7-3A6; 2015:7-3A6; 2014:6-3A6; 2013:6-3A6; 2012:8-3A6
Last state champion: Cornelius Wiggins, 2002 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): William Belen, RQ, D2; Matthew Bollinger, 39-12, RQ-BR, DC; Jorge Jantes, 24-10, RQ, D3; Wahid Hussaini, 38-14, RQ-BR, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Austin Hunt, Jr., 32-14, SQ, R4, D3; Jarold Cervantes, Jr., 45-9, SQ, R4, DC; Levi Wentz, Jr., 20-14, RQ, D3; Gianni Valeriani, Jr., 21-16, RQ, D4; Izzy Broeders; Yadira Rivas
New wrestler: Russell Yarbrough, Jr., 29-13, SQ (Transfer from Mae Jemison, AL)
What they are saying: “We are ready to build on last year’s success.”
Outlook: Last year’s team had the most state qualifiers and dual meet wins in a decade for the Raiders. Also was the first team in school history to finish as district runners-up in the IBT and Duals.
Haines City Hornets
Coach: Johnny Sacco (Third season)
Assistant coach: Todd Stevenson
23-24 dual record: 15-8
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:4; 2019:9; 2018:8; 2017:8; 2016:7; 2014:6; 2013:3; 2012:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Avery Gray, 15-7, RQ-BR, D2; Kevonte Prince Faustin, 19-13, RQ, D4; Jeffrey Cook, 20-11, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Deacon Alls, Sr., 25-6, RQ, D2; Jamel Grover, Sr., 19-8, RQ, D3; Gael Guzman, Sr., 19-9, RQ, D3; Christian Muniz, Sr.; Gabriel Sniadecki, Jr.; Alex Villacis, Sr.
What they are saying: “We are hungry. Even though we placed fourth in the district and third in the county last year, we were left off the debated lists of prospective winners. We didn't even make the list. The guys took that personally.”
Outlook: There is good senior leadership on the team that has done well since coming back from nothing in 2019.
Ridge Community Lightning
Coach: Cody McQuarrie (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Chris Yatsuk, Alex Nicholas
23-24 dual record: 17-7
Recent district results: 2024:3; 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): Ian Drake, 45-9, SQ, R3, D2; Angel Armas, 30-8, RQ-BR, DC; Erionel Birriel Pacheco, 33-15, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Brayden Cannon, Sr., 15-9, RQ-BR, D3; Jayden Mendez, Sr., 20-14, RQ, D3; Randy Ievrieta, Sr., 35-6, RQ, D3; Joshua Ramirez, Jr., 32-8, RQ, D3; Ivan Gonzales, Sr., 20-10.
What they are saying: “We are working well together to make each other better.”
Outlook: Ridge Community had its best district finish in at least a decade last season in McQuarrie’s first year and the Lightning are focused on continuing the improvement.
Davenport Broncos
Coach: Jamar Brown (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: David Dobin, Chris Tsakonas
Recent district results: 2024:4-1A7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Andy Romero, Sr., 29-15, RQ, D3 (Transfer)
Notable returning wrestlers: Tallon Widrick, Sr., 34-5, RQ-BR, DC; Jaden Carmona, Jr., 27-13, RQ-BR, DC; Justo Medina, Jr., 28-10, RQ-BR, DC; Jayden Rosario Febo, Jr., 9-23, RQ, D3; Jacob Rosa, Sr., 20-9.
What they are saying: “We are a young team with a lot of new wrestlers. This will be a good building year and for us and our senior Tallon Widrick to redeem his regional blood round loss.”
On blood round disappointment: “It’s just about getting them back focused and remembering what it felt like to be so close to almost make it but to fall short. They really put some work in just to get better and to learn from the loss and be able to move forward this year and make that goal of getting to state. Certainly no loss is good but from a coaching standpoint, you use that to develop and have the whole team develop.”
On growing the program: “We are excited about this year. Even though we're three years in, I feel this year is the one to have actually a full program. So we're just excited about the growth and the new additions and starting to create a culture and just create the right type of team and developing who we want to be and beginning to build our legacy.”
Outlook: The second FHSAA season for the Broncos features a young team that has room for growth and three wrestlers that return who reached the blood round in the region tournament last year.
Winter Haven Blue Devils
Coach: Emilio Cruz
Recent district results: 2024:5; 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): Zahquel Davis, 49-4, 2nd, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Bryson Thompson, So., RQ, D4; Aiden Gomez, Jr., RQ, D4; Kevin Jimenez, Sr., RQ, D3; Zion Sauveur, Sr., RQ, D4; Thomas Hirtner, Sr., RQ, D4.
Bartow Yellow Jackets
Coach: Scott Fitzwater (4th season at school, 14th overall)
Assistant coach: Brian Adams
Recent district results: 2024:7; 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): Jonathan Padron, 10-10, RQ, D4; Trey Dreyer, 25-15.
Notable returning wrestlers: Erick Cleveland, Jr., 24-17, RQ, D2; Hunter Adams, Jr., 36-10, D6; Graydon Ausmus, Sr., 27-11.
What they are saying: “My seniors this year started the journey with me from my first year at Bartow and they all plan on making there mark this year.”
Outlook: In the past three seasons, Bartow has gone from the bottom of Polk County to sixth last year. The middle school program was started two years ago and there will be seven freshman on this year’s roster that have some knowledge and experience.
Durant Cougars
Coach: James Kauderman
Recent district results: 2024:8-3A7; 2023:8-3A7; 2022:7-3A7; 2021:6-3A6; 2020:6-3A6; 2019:6-3A6; 2018:6-3A6; 2017:6-3A6; 2016:2-3A6; 2015:6-3A8; 2014:4-3A8; 2013:2-3A6; 2012:2-3A6
Last state champion: T.J. Davis, 2010 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brant Bovee, 44-4, SQ, R4, DC; Josh Spence, 25-17, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Hunter Smith, Sr., 30-13, RQ-BR, D3; Nestor Sotomayor, Sr., 23-14, D5.