G1A-11 Preview: Five ranked teams to challenge for top spots

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: North Fort Myers was 43 points better than Lakewood Ranch at the top for second-straight title.

How did Kabra do?: We took a guess on what NFM had coming back and got the pick right.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Iyonna Church-Ross (Charlotte), Milana Borrelli (Venice), Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay), Jazlyn Diaz (Riverdale), Blanca Cespedes (Riverdale), Noelia Varela (Riverdale), Julianna Caisse (Riverdale), Gabriella Sergi (North Fort Myers), Emily Doolittle (North Fort Myers), Skyler Randolph (Riverdale), Melanie Lamb (North Fort Myers), Mya Bolden (Port Charlotte), Cora Hayes (North Fort Myers)

The favorite: North Fort Myers. Still the team to beat with talent and depth.

Team to watch: Riverdale. The Raiders were also district champs last season and moves to G1A-11 looking to win another.

District IBT: Tuesday, February 11 at Booker

Riverdale Raiders (#4/#5)

Coach: Danny Rodriguez

Recent district results: 2024:1-1A12; 2023:2-1A12; 2022:7-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Maria Roque, 15-18, RQ, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: Skyler Randolph, Sr., 36-9, 7th, RC, DC; Jazlyn Diaz, Jr., 33-6, 4th, RC, DC; Blanca Cespedes, Sr., 31-11, 4th, RC, DC; Andrea Garcia, Jr., 17-5; Noelia Varela, Sr., 29-8, SQ, RC, DC; Aailyah Triplett, So., 18-15, RQ, D4; Addison Thompson, So., 9-25, RQ, DC.

New wrestler: Julianna Caisse, Jr., 36-5, 5th, RC, DC (Transfer from Palm Harbor University)

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

North Fort Myers Red Knights (#18/#7)

Coach: Dusty Fellows (First year at school)

Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:3-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Emily Doolittle, Sr., 29-11, 8th, R4, DC; Gabriella Sergi, Jr., 31-5, 6th, R2, DC; Melanie Lamb, Jr., 27-7, SQ, R2, D2; Alyssa Doolittle, So., 24-8, RQ, D3; Isabella Hull, Jr., 19-9, RQ, DC; Morrigan Brown, So., 12-15, RQ, D4.

New wrestler: Cora Hayes, Fr.

Outlook: The two-time defending district champion is loaded for another run.

Lakewood Ranch Mustangs

Coach: Nate Lancaster (2nd season)

Recent district results: 2024:2

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Isabella Montanaro, Jr., 11-14, RQ, D2; Lily Pellegrino, Jr., 4-22, RQ, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: Caitlynn Beausoleil, So., 18-11, RQ, D2; Alre Storbeck, Sr., 15-17, RQ, D3; Vanessa Rodriguez-Gallo, Jr., 6-21, RQ, D2; Francesca Bisordi, So., 3-20, RQ, DC; Lani Pace; Alexis Rissler.

What they are saying: “We are going to build on every we've learned in our first year, and really make some noise this year.”

Outlook: The team earned some valuable experience in the regions last season and will look to build from it.

Fort Myers Green Wave

Coach: Paul Rothenberg (1st at school/17th overall)

Assistant coaches: Charles Kerkesner, Kelli Bonner

Recent district results: 2024:2-1A12; 2023:1-1A12; 2022:1-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Daphney Pierre, 27-10, 5th, R2, DC; Jayla Teague, 22-15, SQ, R4, DC; Vallanda Antoine, 17-10, RQ, D3; Taylor Easterbrook, 12-14, D6.

Notable returning wrestlers: Ryann Thomas, Sr., 16-11, RQ-BR, D3; Payton Fulton, Sr., 6-21, RQ, D3; Marcella Bonner, Jr., 3-9, RQ, D2.

New wrestler: Karla Sierra, So., 3-9, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Cypress Lake)

What they are saying: “Both teams are relatively young with several wrestlers looking to turn the corner and establish themselves on the state level.”

Outlook: Some key wrestlers are gone from last season but Rothenberg should have some tools to work with in his first year at the school.

Bayshore Bruins

CCoach: Anthony Slack

Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:2; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Natalye Avila, 16-9, SQ, R4, DC; Yvette Flores, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Chelsey Flores, Sr., RQ, D3; Destinee Adkins, So., 10-10, RQ, D4; Alexandra Lopez, Sr., RQ, D2; Cimberlee Carey, Jr., RQ, D3.

What they are saying: “We have zero expectations on the girls side. We had our state qualifier from a year ago graduate so we really don’t know what we will have. We might only have one or two girls this season.”

Outlook: Avila created excitement in the program after reaching Kissimmee last year and hopefully some of the other girls from a season ago will be out again for the Bruins.

Braden River Pirates

Coach: Cezar Sharbono

Assistant coaches: Mat Eastman, Ryan Gascon, Chance Sharbono, Caterina Sharbono, Tina Sharbono

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:14; 2022:7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Karliana Arteaga, So., 13-7, RQ, DC; Alexis Hutter, So., 17-6, RQ, D2; Pressly Vogt, So., 7-15, RQ, D4; Gigi Mendes, Jr., 8-14, D5.

Lemon Bay Manta Rays (#15/NR)

Coach: Jeff Ragan (2nd at school/20+ overall)

Assistant coaches: Jason Davids, Mike Schyck, Brock Lavallee, David Kelly, Robert Mooney

Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:10

Last state champion: Ailee Briggs, 2024 (135)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Ailee Briggs, Jr., 40-1, SC, RC, DC; Sophia Locastro, Sr., 26-14, SQ, R4, D4; Amora Arismendez, Sr., 16-16, RQ, D2; Sophie Wilson, Jr., RQ, D4.

Outlook: Briggs is back to defend her state title and has spent the offseason wrestling across the county and the world, earning a world title in Bahrain in October.

Palmetto Tigers

Coach: Alex Thomas (4th season)

Assistant coaches: Anthony Stewart, Gino Tutera, Robert McGill

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:12; 2022:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Ashlie Schlegel, Jr., 21-6, RQ-BR, DC; Delaney Faulkner, Sr., 19-9, RQ, D3; Kira Topolino, Jr., 13-9, D5.

What they are saying: “Ashlie and Delaney were so close last year. So that is like the biggest motivation in their offseason to work hard and get to that next level. And helping to understand as a coach playing to that, not being mean about it but letting them now that we’re not going to let that happen again this year.”

Outlook: The team will be lead by Schlegel and Faulkner who have been wrestling all offseason long to get ready for another run at a trip to Kissimmee.

North Port Bobcats

Coach: Channin Williams (First year)

Assistant coaches: Steve Nappi, Darren Hendricks, Yan-Derrick Young

Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:5; 2022:1

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Solana McCaughen, 16-5, SQ, R3, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Izabella Cordova, Sr., RQ-BR, D3; Clariza Pequeno, Jr., RQ-BR, D4.

What they are saying: “Izabella and Clariza are going to be my team captains this year and they’ve already taken their role very serious. They’re making sure that they’re helping out the other girls and they’re training just as hard. I’ve explained to them that teach will also help them with their wrestling and to get everything fine-tuned.”

On what this team can accomplish: “Right now we have 14 girls and we’ve never had more than four or five at the most. As long as these girls stick with it, I’m really excited about our girls team as well. They’ll be competitive in district and regions if we can keep these numbers and the intensity that we have going right now.”

Outlook: Two returning wrestlers reached the blood round last season and that has motivated them to go further this year. The team is growing in numbers and will look to move back up the district standings this season.

Port Charlotte Pirates

Coach: Tyler Crane

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:3; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gabriella Mitchell, RQ-BR, D2; Kaja Williams, Jr., RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer to Parrish); Jaylin Pinedo, Sr., RQ, DC.

Notable returning wrestlers: Mya Bolden, Jr., SQ, R3, DC.

Manatee Hurricanes

Coach: Andrew Gugliemini

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

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mia White, 6-4, RQ, D2; Bailey Catlett, 6-6, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Emily Hernandez, Sr., 5-3, RQ-BR, D2.

Booker Tornadoes

Coach: Shane Hamm (8th at school/15th overall)

Assistant coaches: Nick Termine, Tai Nguyen

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:4; 2022:2

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Michele Jackson, RQ, D2; Marra Geraci, RQ, D3; Aubrey Ard, Jr., RQ-BR, D3.

Notable returning wrestlers: Judeah Deveaux, Jr., RQ, D3.

Outlook: Deveaux is the lone region qualifier back in the room this season.

Venice Indians (#19/NR)

Coach: Jeremie Cook

Recent district results: 2024:12; 2023:14; 2022:3

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Milana Borrelli, Sr., 18-0, SC, RC, DC.

Parrish Bulls

Coach: Tyler Small (6th at school/9th overall)

Assistant coaches: Jed Kramer, Alex Boukheir

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: None

New wrestler: Kaja Williams, Jr., RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer from Port Charlotte)

What they are saying: “She Kaja transferred here at the end of last year, she immediately reached out and was like, hey, do we have girls wrestling? And I was like, we are all for having girls wrestling, we just haven't really had anyone interested over the past couple years. As the school has been a little bit newer, there hasn't really been anyone that's gone down that road yet. So she has been the pioneer. We've had a couple other girls that have sparked a little bit of interest before, but they didn't want to be the first one and they didn't really know what they were getting into. So just having her is kind of the pioneer to encourage other girls.”

Outlook: The girls team gets a kickstart with Williams coming over with region experience.

Charlotte Tarpons (#19/NR)

Coach: Evan Robinson Jr

Recent district results: 2024:11; 2023:11

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alana Estremera, 5-7, D5.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Iyonna Church-Ross, Sr., 28-0, SC, RC, DC; Gracie Austin, Jr., 9-5, D5.

Mariner Tritons

Coach: Clay French

Recent district results: 2024:14; 2023:9; 2022:20-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Laylah Fenimore, So., 7-6, D5.

Cape Coral Seahawks

Coach: Trevor Elliott

Recent district results: 2024:13; 2023:7; 2022:19-1A12

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Taylor Miranda, 19-10, 8th, R2, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Cardinal Mooney Cougars

Coach: Will Schenerlein (1st at school/11th total)

Assistant coaches: Felix Osuna-Coto, Eric Tomayo, Gabbi Tutera

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: None

What they are saying: “We are a first-year program with little individual experience.”

Outlook: Cardinal Mooney is starting a boys and girls program under National Wrestling Hall of Fame member Schenerlein. He coached Top 25 teams, multiple state champions and future D1 wrestlers at Parkersburg High School in West Virginia and is returning to coaching. There were 10 girls at the interest meeting who wanted to come out and they’ll be the first building blocks of the program.