3A-8 Preview: Palmetto Ridge looks to stay on top with younger group coming in
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: After a stellar graduating class in 2022, Palmetto Ridge came back to the pack, but was still strong enough for a 10th straight district title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Samuel Goodrick (Sarasota), Vincent Donatelle (North Port), Kase Hopper (Venice), Ayden Balma (Riverdale), Demetri Zertopoulis (Palmetto Ridge), Erik Perez (Palmetto Ridge), Nicholas Torres (Sarasota)
The favorite: Palmetto Ridge. Although the Bears have said goodbye to another brilliant senior class, they still have the pieces to win No. 11.
Team to watch: North Port. While Palmetto Ridge and Riverdale rightfully get the attention at the top, the Bobcats have been developing a consistent team in the district too.
District duals: Jan. 4 at Palmetto Ridge
District IBT: Feb. 16 at North Port
Kabra Says: Both Palmetto Ridge and Riverdale had tremendous 2023 classes and because of that, we’ll narrowly give the Bears the edge in our prediction, but this is one district to watch.
Palmetto Ridge Bears
Coach: Blaine Ison (9th at school/14th overall)
Assistant coaches: Justin Rodriguez, Kain Mills, Ryan Tutt, Josh McIntosh
22-23 dual record: 22-3
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1-2A12; 2020:1-2A12; 2019:1-2A12; 2018:1-2A12; 2017:1-2A12; 2016:1-2A12; 2015:1-2A12; 2014:1-2A12; 2013:2-2A12; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champions: Tyler Washburn, 2023 (113)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tyler Washburn, 49-5, SC, RC, DC; Bernardo Barnhart; Jean Valoria, 37-10, 8th, R3, DC; Roman Garcia, 45-4, 2nd, RC, DC; Aurelius Walton, 27-18, RQ, D3; Austin Foye, 44-4, 2nd, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-157 Demetri Zertopoulis, Sr., 16-8, RQ-BR, DC; #8-113 Erik Perez, So., 11-7, RQ, D2; #11-150 Mark Whalen, Sr., 22-19, RQ, D3; William McGowan, So., 23-15, RQ, D3; Xavier Barnhart, Jr., 27-21, RQ, D3; Owen Pratt, Sr., 29-16, RQ, D3; Kaden Darwin, Sr., 24-12, RQ-BR, D2.
What they are saying: “We have big shoes to fill and we are hungry to do so.”
Outlook: A virtual Florida all-star team has graduated the past two seasons at Palmetto Ridge but that just opens to door for hungry young wrestlers ready to make their mark in the program.
Riverdale Raiders
Coach: Keith Evans (3rd season HC/6th overall)
Assistant coach: Dusty Fellows
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2; 2021:1; 2020:1; 2019:1-2A11; 2018:1-2A11; 2017:1-2A11; 2016:1-2A11; 2015:1-2A11; 2014:1-2A11; 2013:1-2A12; 2012:?-2A12
Last state champion: Dominic Rodriguez, 2022 (170)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Charlie Smiarowski, 31-17, 8th, R2, D2; Zachary Balma, 44-13, 8th, R2, DC; Christian Varela, 46-12, SQ, R4, D2; Alex Soto, 53-5, 2nd, R3, DC; Cade Best, 37-16, SQ, R2, D4; Ivan Iriarte, 27-18, RQ, D4; Scevie Young, 32-19, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-126 Ayden Balma, Jr., 43-14, 5th, R2, D2; #15-215 Houston Brand, Jr., 29-12, RQ, D3; #19-175 Cole Hayes, Jr., 31-15, RQ, D2; Michael Taylor, So., 9-11, RQ, D4; Samuel Hall, Jr., 24-18, RQ, D4; Angel Figueroa, Jr., 27-14, RQ, D4.
New wrestler: #17-126 Preston Thompkins, Jr., 10-6, RQ, DC (Transfer from Bonita Springs)
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
North Port Bobcats
Coach: Eugene Hill
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:3; 2019:3; 2018:4; 2017:3; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Dominic Joyce, 2022 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Cannon Locastro, 26-8, RQ-BR, D2; Samuel Holman, 26-7, RQ, D2; Dominic Joyce, 44-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Carmichael Gonzalez, 42-8, SQ, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #2-175 Vincent Donatelle, Sr., 38-6, RQ-BR, D2; #11-138 Austin Nappi, Jr., 37-14, SQ, R3, DC; #20-285 Nash Hudgens, So., 35-11, RQ-BR, D2; Llochlyn Harris, So., 22-22, RQ, D4; Lucas Roberts, So., 18-19, RQ, D4.
Venice Indians
Coach: Jeremie Cook (1st season)
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:3; 2021:3; 2020:4; 2019:2-2A10; 2018:2-2A10; 2017:2-2A10; 2016:2-2A10; 2015:1-2A10; 2014:1-2A10; 2013:1-2A11; 2012:2-2A11
Last state champion: Dan Stone, 2018 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Blaine Taranto, 59-4, 2nd, RC, DC; Lucas Wheeler, 25-21, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-106 Kase Hopper, So., 45-16, 7th, R2, DC; #17-132 Massimo Pellicano, So., 29-24, RQ, D3; #20-165 Micah Thomson, Sr., 37-14, RQ, D3; Aiden DeBrun, Sr., 29-22, RQ, D4; Colton Lehmann, Sr., 19-16, RQ, D3.
Sarasota Sailors
Coach: Brent Yoder
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:5; 2021:5-2A10; 2020:4-2A10; 2019:9; 2018:5; 2017:5; 2016:5; 2015:2-2A10; 2014:5-2A10; 2013:4; 2012:2
Last state champion: Tobias Baker, 2014 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Luke Williams, 30-6; Luke Wall, 22-14, RQ, D4; Tanner Reichardt, 31-14, RQ, D3; Reese Hibbard, 27-7, SQ, R2, D2; Mikael Kipila, 36-14, SQ, R4, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #2-165 Samuel Goodrick, Sr.; #9-157 Nicholas Torres, Sr., 36-12, SQ, R4, DC; #11-126 Wyatt Loynd, Sr.; John Yelvington, Jr., 14-12, RQ, D3; .
Sarasota Riverview Rams
Coach: Brian Sebaaly (9th season)
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:8; 2018:10; 2017:7; 2016:9; 2015:8; 2014:8; 2013:8; 2012:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tasneem Hasan, 23-11, RQ, D3; Alexander Fernandez, 21-19, RQ, D2; Trey Yoder, Sr., 11-14, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: #13-150 Jaymin Saunoris, Jr., 41-18, RQ, D2; #13-285 Colton McCutcheon, Jr., 34-14, RQ-BR, DC.
New wrestlers: Quinn Leonards; Evan Saunoris; Jayden Fouche.
Outlook: Saunoris and McCutcheon are poised to have great junior seasons with a state tournament appearance in each wrestler’s sights.
Lehigh Lightning
Coach: John Doscher
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:8; 2021:5; 2019:7-2A11; 2018:8-2A11; 2017:6-2A11; 2016:6-2A11; 2015:10-2A12; 2014:10-2A12; 2013:8-2A12; 2012:?-2A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Braden Quigley, 17-4, RQ, D2; Jeremiah Erickson, 21-10, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Diamoni Carter, Sr., 14-11, RQ, D4.