G1A-2 Preview: Close team race expected again in competitive district

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: Westside was two points better than Baker County and Oakleaf.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Kailani Barrientos (Oakleaf), Adrianna Barrientos (Oakleaf), Jayla Harrison (Oakleaf), Karla Ortiz (Westside), Jazmine Moore (Oakleaf), Zakiya Williams (Ed White), Sara Goodman (Sandalwood)

The favorite: Westside. Two district titles in two years makes them the de facto favorite entering the season.

Team to watch: Fletcher. The program is determined to grow and get more competition this season.

District IBT: Feb. 7 at Westside

Kabra Says: Last year’s district race was one of the closest in Florida and we’ve had no luck finding out much about the wrestlers returning for the top teams. So, Oakleaf This time?

Oakleaf Knights (#2)

Coach: Mark Detoro

Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:3

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #1-125 Kailani Barrientos, So., 28-3, RQ, DC; #2-105 Adrianna Barrientos, Sr., 32-2, 2nd, RC, DC; #2-170 Jayla Harrison, So., 35-5, 3rd, R2, DC; #5-235 Jazmine Moore, Jr.; Sofia Shirley-Montijo, So., 12-16, RQ, D2.

Westside Wolverines

Coach: Chris McNealy

Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Degriece Coleman, 11-6, RQ-BR, DC.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #5-155 Karla Ortiz, Jr., 24-4, 5th, R3, DC; Layah' Mixon, Sr., 12-8, RQ, D2; Trayce Goodman, Sr., 4-6, RQ-BR, DC.

The Florida High School Wrestling 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

Class G-1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Baker County Wildcats

Coach: Corey Cantrell (3rd season)

Assistant coaches: Richard Crews

Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:8

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Deanna Walker, 9-6, RQ-BR, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-110 Makayla Johnson, Sr., 13-4, SQ, R4, DC; Mackenzie Jordan, So., RQ, D2; Kylee Hopkins, So., 10-6, RQ, D2; Madison Jordan, Sr., RQ, D4; Lyle Peebles, Jr., 10-7, RQ, D4.

Outlook: Johnson was the first girl to qualify for state for Baker County.

Ed White Commanders

Coach: Avery Wilds (4th season)

Assistant coaches: Walter Goodman, Darien Tucker

Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Francelle Williams, 1-6, RQ, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: #9-115 Zakiya Williams, Jr., 9-9, SQ, R2, DC; Helen Lake, Jr., 1-10, RQ, D3; Lasharon Williams, So., 1-8, RQ, D4.

Outlook: State-qualifier Williams returns to lead the girls team.

Fletcher Senators

Coach: Joe Stetzer (3rd at school/10th season overall)

Assistant coaches: Mark Smilek, Daniel Holmes

Recent district results: 2023:8

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Nicole Anderson, So., 9-10, RQ, D3; Aidan Arthur, So., 5-10, RQ, D3; Marina Andrews, So.; Olivia Hewett, So.

What they are saying: "The program there needs consistency. We've got some new girls that have stepped up that have shown some interest in starting to show up to everyday workouts. I think as we continue to grow numbers and see who who we have, I think we'll be able to go further. I know we're going to do some more tournaments and get more matches in and we're going to host a a JV and girls call out tournament. And hopefully we can get just numbers and even fans and spectators out and students out to see the girls doing doing their part."

Outlook: Two region qualifiers return for the Senators who are looking to increase their numbers and get more girls in the program.

Riverside Generals

Coach: Ricky Hicks

Recent district results: 2023:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #16-140 Jasmine Gore, Sr., 15-11, SQ, R4, DC; Siniayra Thomas, So., 7-10, RQ, D3.

Stanton Prep Blue Devils

Coach: John Dunn

Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Mackenzie Mock, Jr., 11-15, RQ, DC; Rhodaisha Norgaisse, So., 8-10, RQ, D2; Kennedy Murphy Sr.; Addison Kline So.

Paxon

Coach: Philip Abbott

Recent district results: 2023:6

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Nichole Guzman, So., RQ, DC.

Columbia Tigers

Coach: Peter Whittington (9th season)

Assistant coaches: Luke Smith, Zach Rice, Donald Slater

See the 23-24 schedule here

Recent district results: 2023:10; 2022:5

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: #19-155 Carlee Morrison, Jr., 18-5, RQ, D2.

Sandalwood Saints

Coach: Ron Reidell

Recent district results: 2023:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: #10-135 Sara Goodman, So., 14-6, SQ, R2, DC.

First Coast Buccaneers

Coach: Tanner Tenopir

Recent district results: 2023:10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aniella Garcia-Lopez, Jr., 7-14, RQ, D2.

Bishop Kenny Crusaders

Coach: Paul Schloth

Recent district results: 2023:12; 2022:4

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Malloy Frattle, 11-6, RQ, D3.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Raines Vikings

Coach: Aaron Mason (10th season/33rd overall)

Recent district results: 2023:13; 2022:7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Maryah Jones, So., 6-11, RQ, D4.

What they are saying: “Once again, we are starting anew and forging ahead to teach and mentor these new grapplers on all the things wrestling can do for them in life and within the sport we love.”

Baldwin Indians

Coach: Michael Echevarria

Recent district results: 2023:14

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kaylin Stephens, 6th, 1-11, RQ, D3.

Wolfson Wolfpack

Coach: Dwight Spence (1st season)

Assistant coaches: Scott Marabell, Hugh Bent

Recent district results: 2023:15

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Kiele Rife, Sr., 1-8, RQ, D4.

Outlook: The girls team has grown from two wrestlers last season to five this year.