G1A-7 Preview: Multi-team battle awaits district tournament
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: McKeel won the school’s third girls district title with a 19.5-point win.
How did Kabra do?: We did pick the winner, who won, so we got that right. And our team to watch came in third by 1.5 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Megan Preston (Wiregrass Ranch), Sariana Jones (Auburndale), Miayalee Ortiz Martinez (George Jenkins), Jayla Sanders (Bartow), Alexia Davis (McKeel), Mia Jones (Mulberry), Gabrielle Asabi (Sunlake)
The favorite: McKeel. The champions just keep getting it done and have a solid group back.
Team to watch: Bartow. Along with Wiregrass Ranch, they are two teams who could topple McKeel’s reign here.
District IBT: Friday, February 14 at George Jenkins, 3 p.m.
McKeel Academy Wildcats (NR/#17)
Coach: Frank Olinger
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022: 1-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alexia Davis, Sr., 31-5, 4th, R3, DC; Kiley Earle, Jr., 25-4, RQ-BR, DC; Marialis Colon, So., 20-9, RQ-BR, DC; Jessica Perrott, Sr., 20-10, RQ-BR, DC; Madyson Donnelly, Sr., 15-9, RQ, D2.
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)
Bartow Yellow Jackets
Coach: David Peoples (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Scott Fitzwater, Brian Adams
See the 24-25 schedule here
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Jayla Sanders, Jr., 25-9, 6th, RC, DC; Ta'Riyah Reeves, Jr., 22-7, RQ-BR, D2; Jayla Azcona, Sr., 14-13, RQ, D2; Paige Ballard, So., 16-15, RQ, D2; Maria Peoples, Jr., 15-14, RQ, D3; Hannah Royer.
What they are saying: "We want to be a program that people know about. We are still considered a relatively new program, but these girls don't feel like they're new anymore. The only thing I think that's been holding us back from getting attention at these tournaments has been our overall numbers."
On growing the program: "We're going to be adding kids, I'm positive of that. I think the word is out that we had a successful year last year, and people in the school are starting to pay attention and though it's been kind of an uphill battle to get people to know we even exist, I think that is starting to be established, and that's only going to bring opportunity for more girls to come give it a try."
On the type of girls at Bartow: "If we have any kind of advantage, I think it's having girls around who are who are already tough and they are looking for a challenge."
Outlook: It is no longer a brand-new program and some expectations will come along with the experience and confidence that has grown here. Sanders made school history with the podium finish last year, the first girl to earn it and the first Bartow wrestler in a least a decade to place.
Wiregrass Ranch Bulls
Coach: J. Edward Ketler (6th year)
Assistant coach: Kelly DeCurtis
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:9; 2022:7-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Megan Preston, Sr., 27-3, 2nd, R2, DC; Nicolette Watson, Sr., 22-6, RQ, DC; Mariam Kovziridze, So., RQ, D3; Kalliyannei Lebrun, So., 8-10; Hiruni McCants, So., 9-21, RQ-BR, D4.
New wrestlers: Katherine Traynor, Jr., 18-16, RQ, D3 (Transfer from Wesley Chapel); Briana O'Neil, Sr., 24-15, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer from Wesley Chapel)
What they are saying: “Megan Preston is actively being recruited by many of the top women's wrestling programs in the country.”
Outlook: With the shutting down of the Wesley Chapel wrestling program, some talented wrestlers are looking for new homes. Two of them have found their way to Wiregrass Ranch so far. They’ll join a talented, and growing team this year.
George Jenkins Eagles
Coach: Anthony Cerullo
Assistant coaches: Matthew Markowski, Alex Ebisawa, Johnathon Gerber
Recent district results: 2024:10; 2023:4; 2022:7-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Miayalee Ortiz Martinez, Jr., 23-8, SQ, R4, D2; Sarai Rodriguez, So., 2-10, RQ, D3; Alyssa Gerber, So., 2-8, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Angelyn Glazier, Sr., 26-7, SQ, R4, D2 (Transfer from Lake Region); Mackenzie Skulimoski, Sr. (Transfer from Kathleen)
On Martinez: “She's had some pretty good success internationally on the freestyle stage. She's a sponge. She gets after it. She's not afraid of competition and she's not afraid of tough matches. Last year she made it to the state tournament as a sophomore and kind of had a little bit of deer in the headlights. We’ve mad an emphasis to show her that she can compete with these girls.”
Outlook: State qualifier Ortiz Martinez is going by senior Glazier to lead a growing team under Cerullo.
Auburndale Bloodhounds
Coach: George Sabillion
Assistant coaches: Shawn McGhee, Adam Pyle, Robert Lamothe, Zac Coulter, Gilbert Jones
Recent district results: 2024:12; 2023:8; 2022:6-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Sariana Jones, Sr., 27-13, 7th, R4, DC; Christiane Rebarchek, Sr., 11-15, RQ, D4; Kyra Jackson, Sr., 11-15, RQ, D4
What they are saying: “Our team captains, Sariana Jones and Amir Coston, have both thoroughly bought in and that’s gonna drag the rest of the team into the fight.”
Outlook: State placer Jones returns for her senior year to lead the squad in Wendle’s first-year leading the Bloodhounds.
Mulberry Panthers
Coach: Chris Dangle
Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:3; 2022:2-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kira Hendrix, 17-10, RQ-BR, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Mia Jones, Sr., 27-7, SQ, R3, DC; Lyndsay Gay, Jr., 10-10; Hallie Hendrix, Sr., 11-14.
Lake Gibson Braves
Coach: Briana Kellin
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:7; 2022:5-1A8
Last state champion: Gabby Tedesco, 2024 (105)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gabrielle Tedesco, SC, RC, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jaylen Cromer, So., RQ, D2; Allana Anderson, Sr., RQ, D4; Naomi Magana, Jr.
What they’re saying: “The numbers are about the same as what they were last year. Our middle school girls program is where it's really growing right now. We have about seven or eight middle school girls that are going to be coming in the next two years. In between the next two years, we got our first one this year, and then the other ones will start coming in next year. So it's growing. We also have Jenna Mustafa in the room now helping out, so that brings another piece to the girls program that's going to help it continue to grow.”
Outlook: The Braves start the unenviable process of continuing the legacy set by a once-in-a-generation wrestler like Tedesco.
Lake Region Thunder
Coach: Dawson Davis
Recent district results: 2024:11; 2023:5; 2022:3-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Yanaliss Vaddy, 12-5, RQ, D3; Angelyn Glazier, Sr., 26-7, SQ, R4, D2 (Transfer to George Jenkins)
Notable returning wrestlers: Jelitza Minguela, Sr., 14-15, RQ, D4.
Winter Haven Blue Devils
Coach: Emilio Cruz
Recent district results: 2024:16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Akemi Cunha, Jr., SQ, R3, D2.
Tenoroc Titans
Coach: Patrick Cannon (2nd season)
Assistant coach: Kenny Nester
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): A'Sasha Lamones, 12-8, RQ, D4; Maelyn Argerenon, Jr., 17-8, RQ-BR, DC (transfer)
Notable returning wrestlers: Abigale Roushia, So., 6-24, RQ, D4.
Outlook: Roushia is the only one back from last season who reached the region tournament, but she’ll hopefully have more girls in the room this season.
Tampa Freedom
Coach: Eric Heller
Recent district results: 2024:17-1A9; 2023:8-1A9; 2022:15-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Karicia Rodriguez-Morales, Sr., D6.
Kathleen Red Devils
Coach: Michael Locke
Recent district results: 2024:16; 2022:9-1A8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Mackenzie Skulimoski, Sr. (Transfer to George Jenkins)
Notable returning wrestlers: Danniela Pizarro Aponte, So., 9-20, RQ, D2.
Zephyrhills Bulldogs
Coach: Mike Martinez
Recent district results: 2024:14; 2023:12; 2022:10-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Bailey Cross, Sr., 15-12, RQ, D2.