G1A-11 Preview: North Fort Myers positioned to win second straight title

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: North Fort Myers won a tight three-team race over Bayshore and Port Charlotte.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Milana Borrelli (Venice), Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay), Iyonna Church-Ross (Charlotte), Giovanna Copolla (Lemon Bay), Solana McCaughen (North Port), Gabriella Sergi (North Fort Myers), Mya Bolden (Port Charlotte)

The favorite: North Fort Myers. If they wrestlers we think are coming back do, they’re the team to beat again.

Team to watch: Lemon Bay. The Manta Rays have two state placers on the team this year and looking to increase numbers.

District IBT: Feb. 7 at North Fort Myers

Kabra Says: We haven’t confirmed, but North Fort Myers could have two state qualifiers and 10 region qualifiers back this year.

North Fort Myers Red Knights

Coach: Vicki Hayward

Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:3-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #9-130 Ella Sergi, So., 18-9, RQ, D3; #12-135 Melanie Lamb, So., 13-10, SQ, R3, D2; #15-110 Isabella Hull, So., 19-9, SQ, R4, DC; #17-190 Taliyah Duprea, So., 8-13, RQ, D3; #20-145 Lillian Seneca, Jr., 7-6, RQ, DC; Sydney Trewartha, Jr., RQ, D3; Madison Galluzzo, Sr., 7-9, RQ, D2; Mallorie Alcorn, Jr., 11-6, RQ-BR, D3; Hannah Galluzzo, Sr., 5-17, RQ, D4.

Port Charlotte Pirates

Coach: Tyler Crane

Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lily MacGregor, 20-6, SQ, R4, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #10-145 Mya Bolden, So., 29-8, SQ, R2, DC; #12-235 Jaylin Pinedo, Jr., 17-4, RQ-BR, DC; #17-120 Gabriella Mitchell, Sr., 27-7, SQ, R4, D2; #19-190 Kyra Marcum, So., 14-5, RQ, DC; Angelina Alverez, Jr., 6-4, RQ, DC.

Manatee Hurricanes

Coach: Andrew Gugliemini (29th at school/32nd overall)

Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Abigale Owen, 18-6, RQ, D4.

Notable returning wrestlers: Gracyn Burby, So., 6-6, RQ, D2; Sa'Mari Davis, Jr., 7-6, RQ, D3; Bailey Catlett, 5-3, RQ, D2.

The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews

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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: Channin Williams

Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:1

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sophia Locastro, Jr., 14-6, RQ, D4 (Transfer to Lemon Bay)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-130 Solana McCaughen, Sr., 20-6, SQ, R2, D2; Bristol McMannon, So., 24-4, RQ-BR, DC.

Bayshore Bruins

CCoach: Anthony Slack (6th season)

Assistant coaches: Jeff Phillips, Bobby Dahlin, David Stubbs

Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jennifer Vasquez, 10-5, RQ, DC; Angelina Castro, 13-6, RQ-BR, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Kimberly Lopez, Sr., RQ, D2; Natalye Pimenta, Sr., 12-7, RQ, D3; Joelyn Guzman, So., 9-8, RQ, D2.

Lemon Bay Manta Rays

Coach: Jeff Ragan (1st year at Lemon Bay)

Assistant coaches: Mike Schyck, Jason Davids

Recent district results: 2023:10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): #4-135 Giovanna Copolla, Sr., 21-7, 4th, RC, DC (Quit)

Notable returning wrestlers: Amora Arismendez, Jr., 3-11, RQ, D3.

New wrestlers: #3-140 Ailee Briggs, So., 19-6, 2nd, R2, D2 (Transfer from Key West); Sophia Locastro, Jr., 14-6, RQ, D4 (Transfer from North Port).

What they are saying: "We're excited about the girls that we currently have working out every single day. That's creating an excitement, something that's new and never been done before type of thing. They all want to be part of something special and they're working their butt off to do something that has never been done. I know they're excited and we're excited. They're working harder than ever before. We're going to hit a lot of fun stuff out of this program with the girls and I know that all the coaches are excited about as well."

Outlook: The addition of Briggs will lead the growing numbers in the Lemon Bay room.

Booker Tornadoes

Coach: Shane Hamm (6th as head coach/14th at school)

Assistant coaches: Nick Termine, Jerry Silva

Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:2

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dyleen Perez, 26-6, 8th, R3, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: #15-115 Aubrey Ard, So., 16-10, RQ-BR, D2; Marra Geraci, Jr., 6-10, RQ, D2.

Venice Indians (#17)

Coach: Jeremie Cook

Recent district results: 2023:14; 2022:3

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Sydney Pablo, Jr., 8-3, RQ, D2.

New wrestler: #1-120 Milana Borrelli, Jr., 39-5, SC, RC, DC (Transfer from Lake Nona)

Cape Coral Seahawks

Coach: Trevor Elliott (19th as HC/20th overall)

Assistant coaches: Austin Trebisovsky, Troy Wusterbarth

Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:19-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: #19-135 Taylor Miranda, Sr., 15-7, RQ-BR, DC; Melanie Rodriguez, Jr., 5-7, RQ, D4; Yanelis Martinez, So., 8-8, RQ, D4; Terezia Mihaly, Jr., 10-7, RQ, D2.

What they are saying: “Our team runs on discipline and hard work. We have always taken pride in sportsmanship and competing at the highest level while maintaining respectable and fair wrestling practices.“

Outlook: Four region qualifiers return for the Seahawks who improved to seventh place in the district last season.

Mariner Tritons

Coach: Clay French (3rd at school/6th as head coach/16th as coach)

Assistant Coach: Mike Pedersen, Pat Missaouri

Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:20-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer):

Notable returning wrestlers: #14-140 Madison Wheeler, So., 10-7, RQ-BR, DC; Aikaterini Koreladou, Sr., 3-9, RQ, D3.

Outlook: Both region qualifiers are back for the Tritons.

Charlotte Tarpons

Coach: Evan Robinson Jr (20th season)

Recent district results: 2023:11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-115 Iyonna Church-Ross, Jr., 34-5, 4th, R2, DC.

Island Coast Gators

Coach:

Recent district results: 2023:13; 2022:18-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: McKenzie Winston, Jr., 3-14, RQ, D4; McKyla Niccum, So., 1-14, RQ, D3.

Bradenton Christian Panthers

Coach: Jonathan Kliewer

Recent district results: 2023:16; 2022:8

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kennedy Wright, Fr., 8-5, RQ, D4.

Sarasota Military Academy Eagles

Coach:

Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Christina Turner, 32-2, 2nd, RC, DC.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #20-115 Silva Salas, Jr., 14-9, RQ, D3; Sienna Helmuth, Sr., RQ, D3.

Palmetto Tigers

Coach: Alex Thomas (2nd season)

Assistant coaches: Anthony Stewart, Gino Tutera, Gabbi Tutera

Recent district results: 2023:12; 2022:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Kira Topolino, So., RQ, D4; Arias Martin, So., RQ, D4.

What they are saying: We had to start back at square one last year after Gabby Tutera graduated. Luckily Gabby came back as a volunteer assistant coach and has helped me recruit and build this program. We had two freshmen region qualifiers last year and they will be back stronger and then we have a new girl on the team who I think will be pretty competitive."

On building numbers: "So we don't quite have a full team, but we're about halfway there. I'd say we're somewhere between six and eight female wrestlers and just trying to constantly grow. It's a challenge, but it's something that we definitely want to make a priority going forward."

Outlook: The Tigers program started from scratch last season after Tutera’s graduation but they have been increasing the numbers and expect an even better second year for the start-up.

Braden River Pirates

Coach: Cezar Sharbono

Recent district results: 2023:14; 2022:7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: None

Lakewood Ranch Mustangs

Coach: Pat Ancil (19th season)

Assistant Coach: Robert Collier

Recent district results: First-year program

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): No program before this year

Notable returning wrestlers: No program before this year

What they are saying: “We are going to have a program this year and right now we are doing some politicking with girls weightlifting because they don’t like to share. Hopefully we can work with them because wrestling makes kids tougher so that they can face the trials and tribulations in life as an adult.”

Outlook: The Mustangs are excited to begin an official girls program this season.