G1A-10 Preview: Boca Ciega looking for fourth district title, state success

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: Boca Ciega won its third-straight district title, beating Admiral Farragut by 45 points.

How did Kabra do?: We picked the winners and our team to watch finished in fourth place.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Cerenity Whiting (Countryside), Kinea Moore (Boca Ciega), Sophie Booe (Palm Harbor University), Riley Lancaster (Admiral Farragut), Ja'Niyah Jackson (Boca Ciega), Aliyah Hodge (St. Pete Northeast)

The favorite: Boca Ciega. The Pirates still have the numbers and high-end hammers.

Team to watch: Admiral Farragut. They don’t have the numbers of other teams, but the girls they have produce.

District IBT: Thursday, February 13 at Boca Ciega, 3 p.m.

Boca Ciega Pirates (#16/#6)

Coach: Tobey Alvarez (17th as HC/27th at school)

Assistant coaches: Pete Laclair, Kurt Montanye, Sadrick Daniel, Cheko Carte

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

Last state champion: Kinea Moore, 2023 (235)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aiyana Edwards, 15-12, RQ, D2; Da'Maria Raymond, 8-6, RQ, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Kinea Moore, Sr., 32-3, 2nd, RC, DC; Ja'Niyah Jackson, Sr., 29-6, SQ, R3, DC; Jamiyah Wade, Sr., 25-8, SQ, R3, DC; Sabrina Richards, So., 20-3; Fiona Meade, Sr., 4-14, RQ, D4; Raziah Mills, Jr., 14-10, D5; Liana McIntosh, Jr., 0-14, RQ, D5; Taraj Jones, So., 12-8, RQ, D3; India Graham, Jr., 13-4, D6.

New wrestlers: Kenya Vassell (Transfer from Lakewood); Adrianna Hitchcock (Transfer from St. Petersburg)

What they are saying: “I have the numbers, but only a handful have experience. That was all good and well when girls wrestling was in its infancy, but now they have to wrestle to win - which is how it should be. We'll see how much dedication and heart this new young group has.”

Outlook: The Pirates have won three straight district titles and are the favorite to win it again.

The Florida High School Wrestling Season District Previews

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

Admiral Farragut Blue Jackets

Coach: Tony LoRusso (Fifth season)

Assistant coach: Anthony Plaza

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:3; 2022:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Grace Vernine, 31-10, 5th, R2, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: Riley Lancaster, Jr., 39-7, SQ, RC, DC; Vanessa Whitelock, So., 24-7, SQ, R3, DC; Alyssa Dunn, So., 15-18, RQ-BR, D2; Emma Goodman, Fr., 16-27, RQ, D3.

What they are saying: “Our girls' team remains a small in number but heavily competitive team. Lancaster and Whitelock are consistently top 10 wrestlers with national experience that translates directly to up-and-comers Dunn and Goodman, who also trained all spring and summer.”

Outlook: What the Blue Jackets lack in number, they make up with hard work and talent. Lancaster and Whitelock are back after reaching the state tournament for the second consecutive season and they’ll be looking to bring their teammates with them as they aim for the podium.

Robinson Knights

Coach: Thomas Montero

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:6; 2022:6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Laraisa Spencer, 2-6, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alayjah Campbell, So., 30-6, SQ, R2, D2; Jakoba Boskers, Sr., 18-14, RQ, D3; Arianna Houghtaling, So., 20-14, RQ, D3; Jayne-Anne Poynor, So., RQ, D2; Yanichel Or, Sr., 10-11, RQ, D5.

Palm Harbor University Hurricanes

Coach: Matt Avramidis (Fifth season)

Assistant coach: Eric Reger

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:2; 2022:3

Last state champion: Clare Booe, 2022 (105)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Miranda Moes, 20-10, 6th, R3, D2; Julianna Caisse, Jr., 36-5, 5th, RC, DC (Transfer to Riverdale)

Notable returning wrestlers: Sophie Booe, Jr., 35-7, 5th, R3, DC; Addison Hartley, So., 26-10, RQ-BR, DC.

Outlook: Booe is back and has been working all summer and will be looking to move up the podium. Hartley was one match from Kissimmee last year and should be joining her teammates this year.

Alonso Ravens

Coach: Michael Heldt

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

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lorenny DelRio, RQ, D2; Bianka Valdes, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Valeria Segura Vega, So., RQ, D3; Lindsey Gilbert, Jr., D5.

St. Pete Northeast Vikings

Coach: Mateo Vasquez

Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aliyah Hodge, Jr., SQ, R4, D2; Jayda Hagood, Sr., RQ-BR, D2.

Gibbs Gladiators

Coach: Andre Walton

Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:17

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Cohlee Abbott, Jr., RQ, DC; Bridget Meade, Jr., D6; Solomon Riley, Jr., RQ, D4; Nola Mooney, Jr., RQ, D6; Mariah Cuevas, So., RQ, D5.

Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders

Coach: Chris McClure (11th season)

Assistant coaches: Matt Wotowiec, Matt Collora

Recent district results: 2024:11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Angelina Fucci, Sr., RQ, D3; Yasmine Mora, Sr., RQ, D5; Natalija Kuzmanovic, So., RQ, D4.

Outlook: Three region qualifiers return for the Marauders this season after their first season competing in the FHSAA postseason.

Jefferson Dragons

Coach: Adam Altuzarra

Recent district results: 2024:12; 2023:4; 2022:11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Aniya Herbin, 52-17, 4th, R4, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Siaya Guardiola, Jr., 25-9, RQ-BR, D2.

Countryside Cougars (#19/NR)

Coach: Andrew Jefferies (2nd season)

Assistant coaches: Joe Longano, Emma Jeffries

Recent district results: 2024:14; 2023:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Cerenity Whiting, Sr., 33-4, SC, R3, D3; Lilly Molin, Jr., RQ, D4; Isabella Longano, Jr., RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “Cerenity is ready to defend her state title.”

Leto Falcons

Coach: Daisy Santos (First year)

Assistant coaches: Adiran Wallace, Michael Patrick

Recent district results: 2024:16; 2023:10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jessica Mendoza, 8-6, RQ, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: None

New wrestler: Katherine Brooks, Jr., 16-10, RQ, D2 (Transfer from Tarpon Springs)

Outlook: The Falcons have a designated girls coach now in Santos and she’ll start building the program around two-time region qualifier Brooks, who moved over from Tarpon Springs.

St. Petersburg Green Devils

Coach: Sam Pruitt

Recent district results: 2024:13; 2023:10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alexandra Deroche, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Isabella Angulo, Sr., RQ, D3.

Berkeley Prep Buccaneers

Coach: Jeremy Carter

Recent district results: 2024:15; 2023:12; 2022:16

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Cayleigh Reid, 14-10, RQ, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Dunedin Falcons

Coach: Colin Blackmore-ide (2nd season)

Assistant coaches: Alex Lebhar, Kyle Goodnow

Recent district results: First FHSAA season

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

What they are saying: “We will have at least eight girls this season.”