G1A-1 Preview: North Bay Haven looking to report stellar season

BY BRANT PARSONS

Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.

Last season: North Bay Haven earned its first girls district title, outscoring Lincoln by 42.

How did Kabra do?: We picked runner-up Lincoln to win, but we did note that North Bay Haven was a team that could challenge them.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Sayuri Caceres (Lincoln), Lahela Turquest (Pace), Camdyn Elliott (Gulf Breeze), Kendal Haynie (Wakulla), Kiiaana Gavere (Pace), Kelsey Marschka (Chiles), Sigrun Metzger (Crestview), Amelia McKnight (Lincoln), Madison Carroll (Gulf Breeze), Julia Falgout (North Bay Haven), Tor'rina Rushing (Mosley)

The favorite: North Bay Haven. The Buccaneers could return at least 10 starters from a year ago.

Team to watch: Lincoln. The only other school to win this district, the Trojans will look to be deeper this season.

District IBT: Saturday, February 15 at North Bay Haven

North Bay Haven Charter Buccaneers (NR/#14)

Coach: Jonathan Myers

Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:3; 2022:16

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Briyanna Peralta, 27-20, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Julia Falgout, Sr., 37-15, SQ, R4, D2; Gracelynn Janssen, Jr., 36-16, SQ, R4, D2; Emily Myers, Jr., 33-12, RQ-BR, D3; Hayden Hauck, Fr., 27-15, RQ, D3; Larissa Elliott, Sr., 22-19, RQ, D2; Addison Neufeld, 7th, 11-10, RQ, D5; Emylee Perez, Jr., 13-25, RQ, D4; Aleiyah Willett, Sr., 25-13; Avery Hill, 8th, 18-19, RQ, D4; Kylan Armstrong, So., 22-15, RQ, D3.

New wrestler:

What they are saying:

Outlook:

Lincoln Trojans (#12/NR)

Coach: Mike Crowder (30th season)

Assistant coaches: Jake Burch

See the 24-25 schedule here

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:1; 2022:4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Paola Ortiz, 18-11, RQ, D2; Sydney Merrill, 12-17, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Sayuri Caceres, Jr., 35-6, 3rd, R3, D2; Amelia McKnight, Jr., 22-13, RQ-BR, D2; Stacey Martinez, Sr., 11-12, RQ, D4; Amelia Pena, Jr., 5-16, RQ, D2.

What they are saying: “This is team is hungry and ready prove themselves. They have worked tirelessly this offseason to meet their goals.”

On Sayuri Caceres: “She’s a bulldog. She gets after it out there and it seems like she just get better and better. She raises it up and she travels and gets as many big time matches in as she can. She just loves the sport and that kind of bleeds into the rest of our girls.”

Outlook: Caceres returns after a third place finish as one of the favorites at 100 pounds entering the season. She’ll look to finish on top of the podium and bring some teammates to Kissimmee with her this year.

The Florida High School Wrestling Season 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

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

For Kabra+ members (Join here)

Rankings: Class 3A | Class 2A | Class 1A | Girls | Team

Crestview Bulldogs

Coach: Robbie Gaines

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:2; 2022:3

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Sigrun Metzger, Sr., 24-5, SQ, R3, DC; Alexis Brown, Sr., 17-3, RQ, D2; Victoria Smith, So., 15-11, RQ-BR, D3; Alyssa Gaines, Jr., 3-14, RQ, D5; Reyannah Sturges, Sr., 14-12, RQ, D5.

Gulf Breeze Dolphins (#23/NR)

Coach: Jim Bird

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:7; 2022:13

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Camdyn Elliott, Jr., 29-1, 2nd, RC, DC; Lily Powell, Sr., 25-4, SQ, R3, DC; Madison Carroll, So., 17-10, SQ, R3, DC; McKenna Green, Sr., 16-13, RQ, D5.

Chiles Timberwolves

Coach: James Marschka (20th as head coach, 22nd at school)

Assistant coaches: Kyle McGill, Garrett Marschka, David Lunn

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:10; 2022:7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Cadence Lyons, 29-5, 7th, R3, DC; Ashley Shaw, 32-5, SQ, R3, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Jordan Herron, Jr., 22-6, SQ, R2, D3; Kelsey Marschka, So., 24-7, RQ-BR, D2; Sienna Fenstemacher, Jr., 15-9, RQ, D3.

What they are saying: “We’ve got some extra girls in the room starting off this year in the preseason. Our goal is to hopefully have eight to start the season off after we had five last year. I’d like to get a solid team of girls.”

On the schedule: “We will just continue to build them up and get some matches under their belts. We’ve got a good schedule for them, some good competition. We’re going to start the year off going to Flagler and we’re going to see a lot of those region girls right off the bat.”

Outlook: The program lost two stars to graduation in Lyons and Shaw, but they bring back some experienced talent who will look to build off the legacy those two started.

Choctawhatchee Indians

Coach: Rodrigo Damore (5th season)

23-24 dual record: 2-1

Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:5;2022:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexea Lawson, 42-6, SQ, R3, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Mary McKinney, Jr., 30-7, RQ, D2; Shilah Borden, Sr., 17-15, RQ, D4; Heidi Dunkerson, Jr., 10-12, D6; Ella Holt, Jr., 9-7, D5.

What they are saying: “This is a young team and they do not complain about being hurt or the workouts, they just do the work. That is a toughness you want as a coach.”

Outlook: Gone is state qualifier Lawson, but back are two region qualifiers and a growing team that will start the season with 12 of the 14 weight classes filled.

Florida High Seminoles

Coach: Anderson Stennett (First season)

Assistant coach: Ciera Stennett

Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:11; 2022:11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Hailey Payne, 22-5, SQ, R3, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Petra Croom, Jr., 17-11, RQ-BR, D3; Lillie Pepper, 7th, 2-14, D6; Claire Ajose-Adeogun, So., 20-6, RQ, D2; Ashlyn Hamlin, Jr.; Ainsley Rodgers, 8th

New wrestlers: Michelle Frady, 6th; Keirsten Cawley, Fr.; Kiera NeSmith, Fr.

What they are saying: “We are super excited about the potential of the team. This group of girls is eager to learn and grow with one another and that is the most important thing you could ask for in girls wrestling.”

Outlook: The Seminoles program continues to grow in number and now has a designated coach in Stennett to move to the next level.

Niceville Eagles

Coach: Rachel Groft/Matt Hanlon

Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexis Krumnow, 27-6, 7th, R3, DC; Alexis Orcutt, 21-4, SQ, R3, DC; Shaelyn Harper, 5-7, RQ, D2; Emily McGowan, 4-14, D6.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Gianna Muscarella, So., 11-13, RQ, D4; Camila Robles, Jr., 2-15, RQ, D5; Allie Irvine, So., 11-17, RQ, D5; Sophieah Wall, So., 2-12, RQ, D4; Harriett Sakis, So., 3-22, RQ, D5.

Pace Patriots (#8/#20)

Coach: Reggie Allen

Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:12; 2022:8

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lahela Turquest, Sr., 26-4, 2nd, R3, DC; Kiiaana Gavere, Jr., 26-4, 5th, R3, DC; Eva Lee, So., 14-17, RQ, D6; Jayda Berry, Sr., 18-13, RQ, D3.

Wewahitchka Gators

Coach: J Rushing

Recent district results: 2024:14; 2023:9; 2022:1

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Mia Beatty, So., 14-13; Kameron Easter, So., 23-15, D6; Avery Forehand, Jr., 7-12, RQ, D4; Kyndall Patterson, So., 2-20, RQ, D3.

What they are saying: “I would like my girls to be competitive at regions and I have two that I would like to get to state - one of which is a previous state qualifier.”

On Kameron Easter: “I’m working on getting that fire back in her belly to get her push herself to get back to state. I know she wants to go, but it’s a process and she’s been working this summer to get it. I just need her completely involved in it.”

Outlook: The potential is bigger for the Gators with wrestlers like Easter and Forehand on the cusp of breaking through.

Mosley Dolphins

Coach: Jeremiah LaFountain

Recent district results: 2024:10; 2023:8; 2022:2

Last state champions: Valarie Solorio, 2022 (100); Henlee Haynes, 2022 (170)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tor'rina Rushing, So., 17-2, RQ, DC; Rowdy Johns, Sr., 23-14, RQ, D3; Trinity Brannon, Jr., 11-20, RQ, D3; Anaya Garrett, So., 2-16, D6.

Wakulla War Eagles

Coach: Nate Litowski

Recent district results: 2024:11; 2023:16

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Austin Brown, 10-11, RQ, D2; Caitlin Hall, 6-16, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Julia Baggett, So., 13-15, RQ-BR, D2

New wrestler: Kendal Haynie, Fr.

What they are saying: “Julia has experience under her belt. She is working. She's one of the hardest workers on the whole team, boys included. And again, she's an individual that she is ready to make the next step forward. She’s been putting the work in.”

On freshman Haynie: “There's a lot of hype. I’ll go ahead and say the hype is real. It should be there. I also remind her daily, you haven't had one high school match yet, not one high school match has she wrestled. But I expect greatness. She expects greatness, and that's what we're chasing.”

Outlook: The base of the Wakulla team this year will include blood round wrestler Baggett and young hammer Haynie as both look to compete for a podium spot in Kissimmee.

Milton Panthers

Coach: Alex Alvarado

Recent district results: 2024:12; 2023:4; 2022:10

Last state champion: Aireaana Gavere, 2023 (130)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Joselyn Delgado, So., 20-4, SQ, R3, DC; Dusti Henderson, So., RQ, D6.

Bozeman Bucks

Coach: Robert Dobbs

Recent district results: 2024:13; 2023:17; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Abigail Tavernier, So., 4-13, RQ, D3; Ana Joyner, Jr., 4-12, RQ, D4.

Fort Walton Beach Vikings

Coach: Tobi Marez

Recent district results: 2024:15; 2023:14; 2022:6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Amy Pham, Sr., 5-8, RQ, D4.

Rutherford Rams

Coach: Zach Edmonds

Recent district results: 2023:15-1A1; 2022:14-1A1

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

New wrestler: Callie Jessop (Transfer from Utah)

Outlook: Jessop, a state qualifier in Utah, joins the program.

Freeport Bulldogs

Coach: Carey Nick (3rd at school, 18th overall)

Assistant coaches: JR Grant, Rich Harson, David Nunes

Recent district results: 2024:13; 2023:17; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Emma Layle, Jr., 3-11, D6.

New wrestler: Allie Barker

Arnold Marlins

Coach: Scott Korol

Recent district results: 2024:16; 2022:17

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Leah Tierese, So., 16-14, RQ, D3 (Moved to Alaska)

Notable returning wrestlers: None

Outlook: Arnold has had two girls in the room this summer competing in local events. They’ll look to build that number this season.