G1A-7 Preview: Questions remain in team district race
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: McKeel won the school’s second girls district title with a 126 point win.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Gabrielle Tedesco (Lake Gibson), Jennah Mustafa (Lake Wales), Madelyne Bombardier (McKeel), Megan Preston (Wiregrass Ranch), Paisley Muprhy (Wesley Chapel), Julia Brocato (WC Cypress Creek), Alexia Davis (McKeel)
The favorite: McKeel. Depending on who is coming back, they should be loaded.
Team to watch: Bartow. The story of bringing back the Bartow program is a wonderful story.
District IBT: Feb. 9 at Mulberry
Kabra Says: We don’t have all of the information we’d like to have in this district, but on paper, McKeel Academy is the favorite to win a third district title.
McKeel Academy Wildcats
Coach: Frank Olinger
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022: 1-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Shelby Mills, 24-10, RQ-BR, D2; Angelyn Glazier, Jr., 19-12, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Lake Region); #4-100 Madelyne Bombardier, Fr., 31-15, 7th, R3, D2 (Transfer to Lennard); #14-120 Gabriella Bombardier, So., 28-12, RQ, DC (Transfer to Lennard)
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #9-170 Alexia Davis, Jr., 22-11, 6th, R2, DC; #13-120 Margo Menge, Jr., 24-12, RQ-BR, D2; #17-100 Marialis Colon, Fr., 22-15, RQ, D2; #18-115 Jessica Perrott, Jr., 22-15, RQ, D3; #19-235 Kaelynn Crowder, Sr., 15-17, RQ, D2; #20-135 Kiley Earle, So., 27-8, RQ, DC; Brookelynn Hendrickrhoades, So., 3-11, RQ, D4; Madyson Donnelly, Jr., 22-12, RQ, DC.
Wesley Chapel Wildcats
Coach:
Recent district results: 2023:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #8-190 Paisley Muprhy, So., 22-7, 7th, R3, DC; Katherin Traynor, So., 4-18, RQ, D4; Gabrielle Thompson, Jr., 10-10, RQ, D4; Gabrielle Asabi, So., 17-10, RQ-BR, D3; Briana O'Neil, Jr., 13-9, RQ, D3; Aaliya Trahan, So., 14-10, RQ, D4.
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
George Jenkins Eagles
Coach: Gavin Osborn (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Alex Ebisawa, Anthony Cerullo, Bing Osborn
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:7-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Anna Murawski, 13-10, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #19-105 Miayalee Ortiz Martinez, So., 26-6, RQ, D2; Nevaeh Quinones, Jr., 19-12, RQ, D4.
What they are saying: "The girls program definitely isn't where we want it to be. We want to be like Matanzas or Orlando Freedom. We want to have a full lineup of girls who are straight hammers but like any sport in any program, it is going to take time, and it's got to take a few kids to buy in and set that example for it to be contagious and other people to jump on on board."
Outlook: There are some pieces to build with at George Jenkins as they look to keep improving their girls program each year. Watch for the two underclass returning region qualifiers to have a much bigger impact in the coming seasons.
Mulberry Panthers
Coach: Chris Dangle
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:2-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mayangelie Colon, 24-6, 5th, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #14-170 Kira Hendrix, Sr., 18-9, RQ-BR, D2; Hallie Hendrix, Jr., 8-10, RQ, D4; Ariel Morales, Jr., 13-7, RQ, D2; Mia Jones, Jr., 3-12, RQ, D2.
Lake Region Thunder
Coach: Dawson Davis (3rd season)
Assistant Coach: Shane Davis
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:3-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gabrielle Willis, 7-8, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestler: Tatiana Keys, So., 2-11, RQ, D2.
New wrestler: #17-140 Angelyn Glazier, Jr., 19-12, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from McKeel Academy)
What they are saying: “We should have people to build a bigger team this year. I've had several new girls that were recruiting and trying to find bodies to help the program grow. That's how we have started. We should be near double digit girls this year.”
Outlook: One-time state placer Glazier comes to Lake Region this year with her eyes set on getting back on the podium at Silver Spurs and also being part of a growing program here.
Lake Gibson Braves (#17)
Coach: Briana Kellin
Recent district results: 2023:7; 2022:5-1A8
Last state champion: Gabby Tedesco, 2023 (105)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #1-105 Gabrielle Tedesco, Sr., SC, RC, DC; Ami Nunez-Ortiz, So., RQ, D2.
What they’re saying: "We're up to nine girls and we have five that consistently work out right now. A lot of the girls in our school compete in girls weightlifting, so I'm trying to get with the girls weightlifting coach. It's pretty big girls weightlifting team, but we are growing and that's a good thing. This is gonna lead to more success down the road, because those five who've trained all year round, they're gonna make a big splash this year."
Outlook: In Tedesco, Lake Gibson might have best girls wrestler in the state this season and her leadership and drive is starting to impact the rising numbers and talent on the girls team.
Lake Wales Highlanders (#17)
Coach: Jonathan Richards
Recent district results: 2023:10; 2022:4-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #1-135 Jennah Mustafa, Sr., 37-3, 3rd, RC, DC; Jordan Alston, So., 15-20, RQ, D2.
Bartow Yellow Jackets
Coach: David Peoples (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Scott Fitzwater, Brian Adams
Recent district results: 2023:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ambur Browne, 10-7, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jayla Azcona, Jr., 10-14, RQ, D3; Maria Peoples, So., 5-14, RQ, D3; Jayla Sanders, So., 9-13, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Paige Ballard, Fr.; Ta’Riyah Reeves, So.; Sara Mills, So.
What they are saying: “Bartow is a second year program that started with only one girl, turned into four girls that all qualified for Regionals, and is setting up to explode in numbers this season. We'll be young, but this is a program about to make a name for itself.”
On building something here: "It's really awesome in a in a very broad and generic sense that whenever you feel like you're on the ground floor of something and good things start to happen, it's very natural to feel excited about new growth and watching something sprout out of the ground or start to blossom for the first time."
On interest: "It's gonna be a surprise to me who actually shows up to some degree because we're building the history, we're building the structure and so we do have three returning wrestlers that we will be building from, we've already gotten a couple of girls who have started with their who've done some offseason work with us in the with the club. And we may wind up getting a bunch of girls that we are we're not expecting because that's that's the demographic of the school."
Outlook: There is joy in building something from scratch and the girls that continue to come to this program will get a chance to be part of that process.
Wiregrass Ranch Bulls
Coach: Jamey Ketler (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Kevin Jacques, Kelly De Curtis, Eric Smith, Dan Simkins, Donavan Eury
22-23 dual record: 0-4
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:7-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #7-170 Megan Preston, Jr., 46-5, 6th, RC, DC; #14-145 Nicolette Watson, Jr., 31-13, SQ, R4, D2.
What they are saying: "Megan is a very dominating wrestler. She physically dominates 98% of the girls that she wrestles, and for some reason she wasn't able to wrestle her max against the state champ."
Outlook: Preston’s sixth-place finish was disappointing for the junior, who lost in the semifinals to the eventual state champion and then lost her next two matches after not being able to bounce back from it. She’s been working hard since that moment and getting tough competition to ready herself for that moment this year.
Auburndale Bloodhounds
Coach: Antonio Thomas (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Grant Smith, Jerry Simon, Victor Turner, George Sabillion
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:6-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Rylee Christmas, 8th, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Sariana Jones, Jr., RQ-BR, D3.
What they are saying: "I've been pretty much taken on both workloads so we try to make the best of the situation. I've tried to get the girls in more tournaments with the boys. That way, I know that we'll have enough coaches at the tournament for them."
Outlook: State placer Christmas has moved on but Jones returns with an eye on getting to Kissimmee herself this season and finding a spot on the podium.
Tenoroc Titans
Coach: Patrick Cannon
Recent district results: 2023:13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kaylee Bowen, Jr., 13-14, RQ, D3; Maelyn Argerenon, So., 16-15, RQ, D4.
Haines City Hornets
Coach: Todd Stevenson (2nd season)
Recent district results: None
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Sarah Rincon, Jr.; Evelyn Harcrow, Jr.
What they are saying: “These girls work very hard to learn how to wrestle.”
Outlook: This is a brand-new program with a group of 2nd-year girls who have their own team for the first time.
Davenport Broncos
Coach: Jamar Brown
Recent district results: First year as FHSAA team
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestlers: Kaylin Brooks, Aviana Perez Cotto, Desiree Antenor, Lyric Plummer
Outlook: Everybody in the room is new but they are working hard for the season.
Zephyrhills Bulldogs
Coach: Mike Martinez (4th season)
Recent district results: 2023:12; 2022:10-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kohana Martinez, 29-3, SQ, R2, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: None
What they are saying: "When Kohana graduated, I didn't think we were gonna have a girls team. And just organically there's five girls who are interested and I'm expecting at least two of them to stick it out. And that's double what we had last year."
Outlook: State qualifier Martinez is gone and helping coach at Wesley Chapel, but there are girls that could be coming out for the team.