G1A-14 Preview: Wellington looks to win its third straight district title
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Last season: Eight finalists powered Wellington to its second team title.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Gabriella Caro (Douglas), Aurora Guadiana (Wellington), Vivianna Caullett (Wellington)
The favorite: Wellington. The Wolverines have set the standard in this district.
Team to watch: Douglas. A state champion is back and the numbers are up in the room.
District IBT: Feb. 8 at Wellington
Kabra Says: It’s likely a two-team race in this district and while we believe that Douglas has closed the gap, Wellington is still the team to beat.
Wellington Wolverines
Coach: Travis Gray (18th season)
Assistant coaches: Adam Ferrara, Jake Ferrara
22-23 dual record: 7-0
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Naomi Lewis, 17-8, RQ, DC; Sofia Bentz, 26-5, 5th, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #4-115 Aurora Guadiana, Sr., 27-4, 5th, RC, DC; #11-120 Lana Loucks, So., 23-9, SQ, R4, D2; #11-125 Vivianna Caullett, Sr., 10-3, RQ-BR, D2; Morgan Suniga, Jr., 13-2, RQ, DC; Sofia Toledo, Jr., 7-4, RQ, D3.
Outlook: State placer Guadiana is back to lead the two-time district champions.
Douglas Eagles (#17)
Coach: Kenny Gendason (7th at school/12th as head coach/31st overall)
Assistant coach: Daniel Sanchez
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:6-1A15
Last state champion: Gabriela Caro, 2023 (125)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Maya Yenor, 4-5, RQ, D2; Nadia Chavez, Jr., 3-3, RQ, D3; Given Spong.
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-130 Gabriela Caro, Sr., 21-0, SC, RC, DC; Mia Velazquez, Sr., 1-7, RQ, DC; Grace Mackenzie, Sr., RQ-BR, DC; Haasini Vattikuti, So., 6-7, RQ, D3; Mickayla Sugrano, So., 10-5, RQ, D2; Jessica Rice, So., RQ, DC.
New wrestler: Kahmya Bell, So. (Transfer from Indiana)
What they are saying: "I think knowing they were so close to winning a district team title last year behing Wellington. It was really a two team race, but they just had a little bit more firepower than us. It took a while for them to really start coming together as a girls team last year, but at the end, when they finally did, they realized, wow, we really can do something as a girls team. And I think if we can just get that first district championship under the belt, we can really take it from there."
On Caro: "She really has her own vision. She definitely wants to go undefeated again, so she's on her own mission."
On the growth of the team: "As far as the program, Gaby was only girl two years ago. And then last year, we had nine girls at districts and now we actually have 20-plus girls signed up for wrestling. I think she's really pioneered by making more interest in the school now."
Outlook: Caro became the first girls wrestler in Broward County to win a state title and while she looks to win her second, the team is building together as a team. Interest is growing at the school and Douglas should fill most weights this season.
Suncoast Chargers
Coach: Dan Tria (7th season)
Assistant coach: Omar Davis
Recent district results: 2023:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sophia Kapsos, 4-13, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Maia Ortega, Sr., 12-3, RQ, DC; Anna Macaulay, Jr., 2-9, RQ, D2;
New wrestlers: Beatriz Da Cunha, Jr.; Samantha Veloso, Fr.; Sophia Santoro, So.; Abigail Lespinasse, So.; Melina Cortes, So.
What they’re saying: "We're just really excited that we have girls who are really conscientious and really pushing themselves. I mean everyone, every day in practice, they're getting better it's all are you getting 1% better each day and that's the thing we want."
Last year’s performance: "My girls were really the bright spot last year, finishing fourth in the district with three girls on the team was quite an accomplishment for us especially considering only one of them had real experience coming into it."
Outlook: The Suncoast girls team was a bright spot in the Chargers room last year and there’s reason for positive optimism as the experience and buy-in grows, the numbers are moving up too.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
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Monarch Knights
Coach: Troy Yarbrough
Recent district results: 2023:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #16-190 Payton Moyer, Jr., 17-11, SQ, R4, DC; #19-100 Rosie Kleine, So., 19-8, RQ-BR, DC; Rachell Chacon, Jr., 1-6, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Abigail Moyer, Fr.; Megan Ham, Fr.
Jensen Beach Falcons
Coach: Tom McMath (18th at school/19th overall)
Assistant coaches: Chris Smith, Denzel Rego, Baily Lasiter, Anthony Calzadilla, Kyle Kirkham, Chirs Favoroso, Blake Wiswell
Recent district results: 2023:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #15-125 Brooke Vanetten, Jr., 21-8, RQ-BR, DC.
What they are saying: “So we are fighting to get more girls out and it’s difficult so we have a couple but not very many.”
Outlook: The numbers might not be where they want yet, but Vanetten had a stellar first season for Jensen Beach and returns with her sights on a top finish in the state this season.
Deerfield Beach Bucks
Coach: Mark Gadson
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:8-1A15
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Bethsaida Nina, Sr., 6-13, RQ, D4; Jamie Thomas, Jr., 6-9, RQ, DC; Orlisia Sands, Sr., 10-10, RQ, D2.
South Fork Bulldogs
Coach: Blake Lucky
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:5-1A13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #13-130 Brianna Visocky, Sr., 10-4, SQ, R3, D2.
Outlook:
Boca Raton Bobcats
Coach: Dominic Grande
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Eva Sorokorensky, Jr., 10-7, RQ, D3.
Santaluces Chiefs
Coach: Sam Agresti
Recent district results: 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Heily Salgado, 6-11, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jazmin Ricketts, Jr., 8-12, RQ, D3.
Jupiter Warriors
Coach: Nathan Smith
Recent district results: 2022:9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestler: Sadie Smith, Fr.
What they are saying: "It has helped that jiu-jitsu is so big now because there's a lot of girls coming over from that. I think pretty much every girl who's come out has some mixed martial arts background. But if you don't have similar-sized body, it's just not the same. I mean, they can roll in with the boys when you're going live, but to be drilling, and having a consistent partner every day. You're only really as good as your partner in practice."
Outlook: The girls program had 12 girls signed up before the season started and is looking to be competitive this season. Coach Smith’s daughter is joining the team and has played a key role in recruiting more girls to the Warriors program.
John I. Leonard Lancers
Coach: Robert Miranda (1st season at school/2nd overall)
Assistant coach: Jesus Perez
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Cali Anderson, So., 0-9, RQ, D2.
Outlook: Miranda takes over the program and hopes to see the numbers grow.
St. Andrew’s Scots
Coach: Adam Schumer
Recent district results: 2023:11; 2022:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #12-125 Molly Miller, 8th, 9-6, RQ, D3.
Seminole Ridge Hawks
Coach: Barry Staats
Recent district results: 2023:12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Karissa Pittard, So., 7-14, RQ, D4.
Palm Beach Gardens Gators
Coach: William George
Recent district results: 2022:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Taelor Williams, 9-2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None