3A-9 Preview: Harmony looking for eighth consecutive district title
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Last season: Harmony just had too many weapons to win a tight district for the Longhorns’ seventh-straight title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Shawn McCallister (Harmony), Jesten Conty (Orlando Freedom), Nathan Lyttle (Harmony), Nathan Barrett (Tohopekaliga), Orel Joseph (Oak Ridge), Elijah Alvarez (Orlando Freedom), Carson Estrada (Harmony), John Fernandez (Harmony)
The favorite: Harmony. The Longhorns graduated a state champion and state placer and might be just as deep this year.
Team to watch: Orlando Freedom. A young team is growing into an experienced team and there is quite a bit of that coming back.
District duals: Jan. 6 at Lake Nona
District IBT: Feb. 17 at Harmony
Kabra Says: Vic Lorenzano has built a machine at Harmony that just keeps pumping out tough teams that fill up their weight classes. State champion Toro might be gone for the Longhorns, but this team might be deeper.
Harmony Longhorns (#8 IBT | #9 Dual)
Coach: Vic Lorenzano (8th season/41st overall)
Assistant coaches: Tristan Cuatchon, Billy Linane, Tom Cleveland, Chris Grillo, Tanner Hinman
22-23 dual record: 12-2
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1; 2021:1-2A5; 2020:1-2A5; 2019:1-2A6; 2018:1-2A6; 2017:1-2A6; 2016:2-2A6; 2015:1-2A6; 2014:1-2A6; 2013:2-2A5; 2012:3-2A5
Last state champion: Nelson Toro, 2023 (285)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tanner Hinman, 28-6; Rey Ortiz, 48-3, 3rd, RC, DC; Antonio Falotico, 36-5, SQ, RC, DC; Nelson Toro, 46-0, SC, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-150 Shawn McCallister, Sr., 48-4, 4th, RC, DC; #8-144 Carson Estrada, Sr., 31-5, RQ-BR, DC; #12-138 Carlos Rodriguez, Sr., 24-9, RQ-BR, D2; #14-113 Tristan Horn, So., 32-11, RQ-BR, DC; #20-126 Landon Davis, Jr., 25-7, RQ, DC; Jeremiah Gomez, Sr., 24-15, RQ, D4; Michael Shanabrook, Sr., 20-17, RQ, D2; Case Roberts, Sr., 21-12, RQ, D3; Max Butler, So.; Keonno Rencoukas.
New wrestlers: #5-106 Nathan Lyttle, So., 44-15, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from South Walton); #9-175 John Fernandez, Sr., 35-15, SQ, R3, D2 (Transfer from St. Cloud); Gabriel Nascimento; Christian Rodriguez; Nevan Irving; Jaison Cabrera; Brody Williams; Kolton Ciraldo.
What they are saying: “We are fairly balanced throughout the lineup and have legit hammers in McCallister and Estrada. Next guys are pretty tough.”
On the outlook for the year: “If we can get all the right guys in the right weight classes, we may gel into a pretty tough team. Only time will tell.“
Outlook: The Longhorns are deep again this year and the biggest hurdle for the team might be finding a way to get its best possible lineup.
Orlando Freedom Patriots (#17 | NR)
Coach: David Bush (11th season)
Assistant coaches: Mikel Bush, Randall Grant, Lynzie Doll
22-23 dual record: 8-1
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:2; 2021:2; 2020:1; 2019:1-3A4; 2018:1-3A4; 2017:1-3A4; 2016:1-3A4; 2015:1-3A4; 2014:1-3A4; 2013:3-3A4; 2012:3-3A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Eric Aja, 35-7, 5th, R2, D2; Omar Habacha, 18-12, RQ, D4; Elijah Cherelus, 26-11, RQ-BR, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-120 Jesten Conty, Jr., 27-8, RQ-BR, DC; #6-157 Elijah Alvarez, Sr., 25-10, RQ, D2; #12-150 Tremaine Chester, Sr., 11-4;Nathan Fisher, Jr., 16-14, RQ, D2; Isaac Velazquez, So., 7-19, RQ, D4; Israel Buchin-Recio, Jr., RQ, D4; Quavion Mincey, Sr., 20-15, RQ, D3; Zachary Derilus, Sr., 17-12, RQ-BR, D3.
What they’re saying: “This year's team has a good group of athletes who are eager to compete.”
Outlook: Saying goodbye to a state placer is never easy, but there are some rising storms in this room. Conty has been tearing it up on the summer tournament circuit and Alvarez has collected some big wins too.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Colonial Grenadiers
Coach: Andy Pitts (11th season)
Assistant coaches: James Norman, Stephen Ohl, Daniel Krausz
22-23 dual record: 10-5
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:6; 2021:6-3A3; 2020:2-3A3; 2019:6-3A4; 2018:8-3A4; 2017:8-3A4; 2016:8-3A4; 2015:8-3A4; 2014:9-3A4; 2013:7-3A4; 2012:7-3A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Julian Guzman, 20-9, RQ, D2; Eli Suvak, 21-11, RQ, D3; Jthonathan Madrid, 30-8, SQ, R4, DC; Rolando Benitez.
Notable returning wrestlers: Charles Baptiste, So., 7-15, RQ, D4; Dionsyus Browne, Sr., 15-12, RQ, D4; Kaden Smith, Jr., 20-11, RQ, D3; Steven Rivera, Sr., 19-13, RQ, D4; Logan Silva, Jr., 14-14, RQ, D4; Lakai Hernandez, Jr.; Jesus Velazquez, So.; Aiden Pizarro, So.
New wrestlers: Clayton Rivers, Jr. (Transfer from Lake Howell); Joaquin Losey, Jr. (Transfer from Boone); Jason Alvarez (Transfer from NY).
What they are saying: “This year's team will be a good mix of grizzled vets, young second-year wrestlers and new wrestlers.”
Outlook: The Hogs of Steel will be celebrating the 50th season of wrestling at Colonial this season.
Cypress Creek Bears
Coach: Douglas Hennighan (29th season)
Assistant coaches: Todd Chiang, Carl Bernavil, Shari Hennighan, Becan Skye, Vince Clark, Dell Dean, Anthony Dela Rosa
22-23 dual record: 4-12
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:3; 2021:3; 2020:5; 2019:5-3A4; 2018:4-3A4; 2017:5-3A4; 2016:4-3A4; 2015:5-3A4; 2014:3-3A4; 2013:2-3A4; 2012:4-3A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kenneth Dean, 42-9, SQ, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jase Niesent, Jr., 15-10, RQ, D3; Jaylen Lopez, Sr., 13-12, RQ, D4; Jean Ho, Jr., 24-22, RQ, D3; Michael Clark, So.; Dammean Feliz, Sr.
New wrestlesr: Adrian Ramos, Akens Meus, Angel Legrand, Chris Arzola, Ibrahim Rustam, Bryan Camilo, Gui Prado, Jaiden Ventura, Yaziel Pizarro
What they are saying: “Our team is still very young. We are mainly freshman and sophomores with a few juniors, but they are hard workers and eager to learn so the future is bright.”
Outlook: The youth movement continues at Cypress Creek with only one senior region qualifier returning for the Bears.
Lake Nona Lions
Coach: Eric Scrivens (2nd at school/9th overall)
Assistant coaches: Gabriel Lopez, Jason Mckweon, Peggy Estevez, Yevier Lopez
22-23 dual record: 17-19
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:5; 2021:9; 2020:7; 2019:5-3A5; 2018:5-3A5; 2017:3-3A5; 2016:3-3A5; 2015:2-2A6; 2014:2-2A6; 2013:2-1A5; 2012:2-1A5
Last state champion: Yavier Lopez, 2015 (106)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christian Reinhardt, 42-11, SQ, R4, DC; Gabriel Medina, 29-16, RQ, D3; Clark Zerba, So., 26-11, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Lake Highland Prep)
Notable returning wrestlers: Aiden Corzo, So.; Aiden Jenkins, So.; Joshua Johnson, So.; Wyatt Long, Jr.
What they are saying: “We will train hard, battle hard, and take on all challenges.”
Outlook: With no region qualifiers back in the room, this team will be rebuilding this year in the image of second-year coach Scrivens.
Tohopekaliga Tigers
Coach: Jon Smorin (1st at school/10th as HC)
Assistant coaches: Dan Daniels, Mia Berrios, Vincent Capuano
22-23 dual record: 9-2
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:4; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:7-3A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Egan Gustilo, 37-9, SQ, R3, D2; Samir Murray, 26-16, RQ, D3; Reggie Cuesta, 29-10, RQ-BR, DC; Jacob Noid, 36-13, SQ, R4, D2; Luis Rosario, 35-10, SQ, R2, DC; Chris Luyanda, 27-8, SQ, R3, DC; Starlin Clark, 16-20, RQ, D4; Jayson Ortiz, Sr., 32-8, RQ-BR, D3 (Transfer to Kissimmee Osceola).
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-138 Nathan Barrett, So., 37-11, SQ, R2, D2; Maxwell Barrett, Sr.
What they are saying: “We are excited about this wrestling season and the offseason for this calendar year as we build the foundation for years to come. We have a great group of hardworking young athletes who will get better by the week.”
Outlook: The program graduated 16 wrestlers this past summer, most of whom had been with the program since it started four years ago. Smorin takes over for the complete rebuild of the program with a young group.
Boone Braves
Coach: Lorrie-Ann Ramos Feliciano
Assistant coaches: Avery Souders, Jayden Bradshaw, Charles Sprenkel, Jennifer Williamson
22-23 dual record: 4-5
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:7; 2021:5; 2020:2; 2019:3-3A4; 2018:3-3A4; 2017:3-3A4; 2016:3-3A4; 2015:4-3A4; 2014:4-3A4; 2013:6-3A4; 2012:8-3A4
Last state champion: Alton Meeks, 2011 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dillon Dorman, 12-7, RQ, D4; Evan Colon, 33-10, SQ, R4, D3; Sam Wesley, 35-9, RQ, D2; Sebastian Laso, 16-12, RQ, D4; James Rasberry, 28-8, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jermaine Watson Jr., Jr., RQ, D4.
Oak Ridge Pioneers
Coach: Kenneth Gerry
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:8; 2021:7; 2020:9; 2019:7-3A4; 2018:6-3A4; 2017:6-3A4; 2016:5-3A4; 2015:10-3A4; 2014:7-3A4; 2013:7-2A5; 2012:8-2A5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #6-285 Orel Joseph, Sr., 19-10, SQ, R2, D2; Rolph D'Esty, Jr., 9-9, RQ, D3; Marrensky Valmyn, Jr., 15-6, RQ, D3.