3A-7 Preview: Four teams with legit chances will battle for top spot here
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Last season: Six champions and eight total finalists propelled Bloomingdale to the district title ahead of four teams that were separated themselves by only 25 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Anthony Cubero (Bloomingdale), Aidyn Wolfe (Riverview), James Singer (Bloomingdale), Nate Smith (Lakewood Ranch), Christian Stibich (Lennard), Ni'jah Drawdy (Plant City), Chris Dinsdale (Lennard), Brant Bovee (Durant), Trent Jacobs (Sumner), Brendon Clark (Sumner)
The favorite: Bloomingdale. The defending champions get the favorite nod here, but they have some holes to fill.
Team to watch: Lakewood Ranch. If they can find some quality guys in the middle weights, a return to the top could be in the cards.
District duals: TBD
District IBT: TBD
Kabra Says: We’ve learned a lot about some of the teams in this district and most importantly, we’ve learned that each team has some holes to fill from solid graduating classes. It’s a toss-up, and we’ll pick Lakewood Ranch to ascend to the top for the second time in three seasons.
Lakewood Ranch Mustangs
Coach: Pat Ancil (19th season)
Assistant coach: Robert Collier
22-23 dual record: 21-9
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:1; 2021:6-3A8; 2020:5-3A8; 2019:7-3A8; 2018:6-3A8; 2017:6-3A8; 2016:4-3A8; 2015:3-2A10; 2014:4-2A10; 2013:7-2A11; 2012:6-2A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Logan Wright, 30-12, RQ, D2; Devlin Loynd, 31-21, RQ, D4; Cody King, 34-15, RQ, D3; Erin Leavy, 29-15, RQ, D2; Evan Blake; #4-285 Nate Smith, Sr., 40-10, SQ, R2, DC (Moved to Oklahoma)
Notable returning wrestlers: #19-113 Logan Borcsane, Sr., 32-15, RQ, D2; Andres Anastasi, Jr., 23-23, RQ, D4; Tucker Rodriguez, Sr., 26-24, RQ, D4; Trey Schwartz, Jr., 25-22, RQ, D3; Will Moran, Sr., 20-19, RQ, D4; Nicholas Mattheus, Sr.; Evan Bollick, Jr.; Thomas Bisordi, Sr.
What they are saying: “We are going to be real solid in our upper weights and our lower weights, our middleweights is where our challenge is going to be.” - Pat Ancil
On Logan Borcsane: “Last year was Logan’s first year and he was a regional qualifier and had a really good season. He was one of the kids that went to Ohio State with us and he’s going to have a real exciting season this year.”
On filling in some holes in the lineup: “The short term process is that you’re going to probably take some guys that just don’t have the mat time and they’re going to have to go out and pay their dues, and they’re going to lose matches. But the long term outcome is that they’re going to get the experience so next year they’ll be a lot better.”
On what it will take to win the district: “It just keeps getting tougher and tougher but you know, it’s the grind. As we tell our kids, when they come in every day, you’ve got to make incremental improvements in your wrestling abilities. And when you come in this room, don’t look for the easiest guy to beat up on, look for the toughest one that’s going to knock the snot out of you. And that’s how your raise your level of intensity.”
Outlook: There is a good mix of upperclassmen with a strong leadership group in the Mustangs’ room. Smith returns for his senior having qualified for the state tournament the past two seasons. He has been working with the Lakewood Ranch coaching staff in the offseason and was one of 13 wrestlers to head to The Ohio State University’s intensive wrestling camp this summer.
Bloomingdale Bulls (#13 IBT | NR Dual)
Coach: Mark Church (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Josh Wilken, Zane Hinzman
22-23 dual record: 9-3
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:4; 2021:1-3A6; 2020:3-3A6; 2019:7; 2018:3; 2017:10; 2016:5; 2015:7-3A8; 2014:7-3A8; 2013:5-3A6; 2012:4-3A6
Last state champion: Chris Figari, 2009 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Nathaniel Overman, 52-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Jeremiah Sawicky, 40-11, SQ, R4, DC; Jose Milord, 54-9, 3rd, R2, DC; Brayden Wilken, 35-13, SQ, R3, DC; Thomas Owen, 26-19, RQ, D2; Alexander Morris, Sr., 34-15, RQ, D3 (Moved to New Mexico); Jacob VanAllen, Jr., 37-15, RQ-BR, DC (Moved to Illinois).
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-106 Anthony Cubero, Jr., 48-14, 6th, R3, DC; #4-144 James Singer, Sr., 49-14, 7th, R2, D2; Mizeal Morales, Sr., RQ, D4.
Outlook: Two state placers return to cushion the blow of a loaded senior class graduating and two out-of-state moves.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Sumner Stingrays
Coach: Erik DeJesus
Assistant coach: Norman Gallon
22-23 dual record: 21-8
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:2-2A9; 2021:7-2A6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ryan Mangano, 44-10, SQ, R2, DC; Isaiah Hansen, 22-18, RQ, D3; Hansel Kruse, 21-9, RQ, D4; Trent Jacobs, Jr., 45-7, RQ-BR, DC (Injury).
Notable returning wrestlers: #10-106 Brendon Clark, Jr., 38-17, RQ-BR, D3; Kenneth Elie, Jr., 20-14, RQ, D3; Jack Cleversey, Sr., 29-15, RQ, D3; Jasiah Solomon, Jr., 28-12, RQ, D2; .
New wrestler: Sebastian Studebaker (Transfer from Braden River)
What they are saying: "At this point, we are having our first group of homegrown talent where they've been with the program for a third or fourth year so a lot of them really want to push for a team district title."
On being ready: "The mental preparation is key and making sure when the postseason comes around that you have a plan of action and make sure you're warming up at the right time before a match and putting the right things in your body the day before."
On Brendan Clark: "I think he just got to wrestle smart and be locked in for entire matches. He got close to 100 matches this summer, so it's a time now where I don't think the nerves will be there. I think last year, when he lost in the regional semifinals and then in the blood round, I think it the first time kind of having the spotlights on you so I think he'll be prepared this year."
Outlook: Year 4 of the program is here and the work that has been put in to build this from scratch will start to show with this year’s junior and senior classes.
Riverview Sharks
Coach: Ryan Hall (6th season as HC/10th in program)
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5; 2021:2-3A6; 2020:1-3A6; 2019:1; 2018:1; 2017:3; 2016:1; 2015:2-3A8; 2014:3-3A8; 2013:3-3A6; 2012:3-3A6
Last state champion: Nicholas Romero, 2022 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christian Iguina, 29-14, SQ, R4, D2; Nicholas Romero, 43-2, 3rd, RC, DC; Jacob Edwards, 40-9, RQ-BR, D3; Zachary Burrell, 21-10, RQ, D4; Ethan Reyes, 39-11, RQ, D2; Thomas Hayes, 35-12, RQ-BR, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-215 Aidyn Wolfe, Sr., 44-8, SQ, R3, DC; #14-126 James Aguilar, So., 41-9, RQ-BR, D2.
New wrestler: Stephane Norceide, Jr., 12-20, RQ, D4 (Transfer from Bell Creek)
Plant City Raiders
Coach: Blake Olson
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:8; 2021:4-3A5; 2020:3-3A5; 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): Jeremiah Smith, 30-14, RQ, D3; Jordan Anderson, Jr., 30-9, RQ-BR, D4 (Transfer to Hudson).
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #7-285 Ni'jah Drawdy, Sr., 42-17, SQ, R4, D2; #11-285 William Belen, Sr., 40-11, RQ-BR, D2; Matthew Bollinger, Sr., 25-16, RQ, D4; Malachi Powell, Sr., 28-8, RQ, D3.
Newsome Wolves
Coach: Stephen Gilbert (14th season)
22-23 dual record: 14-4
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:3; 2021:5-3A6; 2020:2-3A6; 2019:2-3A6; 2018:3-3A6; 2017:2-3A6; 2016:5-3A6; 2015:4-3A8; 2014:5-3A8; 2013:7-3A6; 2012:5-3A6
Last state champion: Kohl Drake, 2020 (160)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Charlie Getz, 29-17, RQ, D4; Jeremy Gradford, 33-8, RQ, D2; Randy Trowbridge, 36-12, RQ-BR, DC; Peyton Turner, 35-8, SQ, R4, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Samuel Herzburg, Sr., 25-16, RQ, D4; Brandon Hall, Jr., 32-15, RQ, D3.
Lennard Longhorns
Coach: Ian Hursh (1st at school/12th overall)
Assistant coach: Keygan Foster
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:6; 2021:7-3A6; 2020:7-3A6; 2019:8-2A8; 2018:11-2A8; 2017:9-2A8; 2016:2-2A8; 2015:5-2A10; 2014:6-2A10; 2013:2-2A9; 2012:2-2A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Napier Hale, 14-7; Devin Harrison, 34-19, RQ, D3; Ronnie Plummer, 18-14, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-126 Chris Dinsdale, Jr., 41-5, RQ-BR, DC; #16-138 Christian Stibich, Sr., 24-6, RQ-BR, D2.
What they are saying: “The team is passionate about improving this year and trying to reach their potential.”
Outlook: Hursh brings his experience to a program that has needed some guidance and stability from the coaching spot and he will work to begin that change immediately. Having two blood round wrestlers back should give the team some success to build off of.
Durant Cougars
Coach: James Kauderman
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:7; 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): Tanner Peirce, 38-12, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-165 Brant Bovee, Sr., 35-15, RQ, D2; #14-132 Josh Spence, Sr., 19-12, RQ, D4; Nestor Sotomayor, Jr., RQ, D4.