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