G1A-8 Preview: State title contending Hernando looking for third district crown
BY BRANT PARSONS — Hernando is not looking to just win a third district title this season, the Leopards have their eyes on a bigger prize.
“We are experienced and determined to make a run at a state championship. We have girls that will competing for spots on the podium up and down the line up.”
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Hernando rolled to a title, scoring 225.5 points with state champion Grace Leota leading the way.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Grace Leota (Hernando), Keana Bush (Hudson), Callie Alfieri (Gulf), Sydney Bridenstine (Hernando), Kristy More (Sunlake), Emma Bauknight (Hernando), Jasmine Serrano (Springstead), Gianella Walczak (Springstead), Olivia Brown (Hernando), Julia Salgado Campos (Hernando), Jade Noble (Horizon)
The favorite: Hernando. Not just a favorite here, but one of the favorites in all of Florida.
Team to watch: Hudson. They may not be strong at the upper weights, but the program is growing.
District IBT: Feb. 8 at Hernando
Kabra Says: Well, this is one of the easier districts to pick with Hernando leading the way.
Hernando Leopards (#3)
Coach: David Pritz (12th season)
Assistant coaches: Kenneth Day, Brian Pena
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:1-1A9
Last state champion: Grace Leota, 2023 (170)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Valerie Camacho, 12-14, RQ, DC; Elissa Rice, Jr., 7-13, RQ, D2 (Transfer); Eva Rice, Jr., 9-16, RQ, D2 (Transfer)
Notable returning wrestlers: #1-170 Grace Leota, Jr., 35-0, SC, RC, DC; #7-145 Olivia Brown, Jr., 26-11, 8th, R3, DC; #8-125 Julia Salgado Campos, Sr., 25-9, RQ-BR, D3; #11-155 Mariah Earl, Jr., 22-13, SQ, R4, DC; #12-105 Savanna Valle, So., 23-9, RQ, DC; #12-140 Makenzie Eltzroth, Jr., 21-14, SQ, R4, DC; #17-110 Nathalia Espinal, Jr., 16-12, RQ-BR, D2; #17-130 Daniella Espinal, Jr., 24-6, RQ, DC.
New wrestlers: #5-115 Emma Bauknight, Jr., 28-5, 7th, R3, DC (Transfer from Springstead); #4-120 Sydney Bridenstine, Sr., 27-7, 4th, R3, DC (Transfer from WC Cypress Creek); Alondra Santana-Perez; Chloe Stinnett.
What they are saying: "My goal is to win a team state title and I think we have the team to do it. We have like 10 really solid girls and we have some young girls that have come into the lineup that I think are gonna help us. I think we just have to execute and they gotta believe in themselves. I think the main thing we have to do is just believe in ourselves."
On having a successful girls program: "We've been lucky. We've had girls here since I've been here. I've had a girl on the team for about 12 years. Heavenly Jacksons, who kind of led the way for us, is back coaching with me this year. So that's really big for our girls program that she's back in the room every day with the girls now."
Outlook: This is a team built for a run at the team state title and might enter the season as the slight favorite.
Springstead Eagles
Coach: Mike LaRocca (8th season as HC, 17th at school)
Assistant school: Tom Gumpton
Recent district results: 2023:2; 2022:2-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Emma Bauknight, Jr., 28-5, 7th, R3, DC (Transfer to Hernando)
Notable returning wrestlers: #5-120 Jasmine Serrano, Jr., 24-7, 5th, R2, DC; #7-105 Gianella Walczak, Jr., 22-12, SQ, R4, DC; #16-125 Nadia Serrano, Jr., 11-6, RQ-BR, D2.
Hudson Cobras
Coach: Matthew Forbes
Assistant coach: Ken Simmons
Recent district results: 2023:3; 2022:5-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Paige Webb, 4-12, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #3-110 Keana Bush, Jr., 28-4, 5th, RC, DC; Angelise Jackson, Sr., RQ, D2; Denay Haskins, Jr., 16-14, RQ, D3; Alyssa Mello, So., 6-13, RQ, D2; Lillian Hill, So., 11-12, RQ, D2.
What they are saying: "We are in a tough district, Hernando's got a really stacked team. I think we're pretty tough all the way up to 130. We have some new girls coming out and I have some juniors who have been putting in the work this summer."
Outlook: Hudson’s strength is in the lower weights and that should show some continued improvement in the Cobra team as the season grows.
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
Gulf Buccaneers
Coach: Chris Palasky
Recent district results: 2023:4; 2022:9-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kelsey Fox, 11-17, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #3-130 Callie Alfieri, Sr., 36-4, 3rd, RC, DC; Alexis Palmer, So., 8-12, RQ, D3.
Fivay Falcons
Coach: Gary Lane (1st season)
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:3-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lilyana Gargano, 16-6, 8th, R4, D2; Alexandra Gonzalez, 0-4, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
New wrestlers: Gianna Walsh; Alyssa Kernan
Crystal River Pirates
Coach: Guy Touchton
Recent district results: 2023:9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Charlotte Cooper, Jr., 10-22, RQ, D4.
Citrus Hurricanes
Coach: Joe Estep
Recent district results: 2023:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alycia Rivera, Jr., RQ, D4.
Sunlake Seahawks
Coach: Sergio Matos
Recent district results: 2023:5; 2022:4-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #4-145 Kristy More, Jr., 30-4, 6th, R2, DC; Izabella Kullman, Jr., 9-17, RQ, D4.
Land O’Lakes Gators
Coach: Edward Marley (11th season/17th as head coach/20th total)
Recent district results: 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Ariana Cruikshank, Jr., 10-10, RQ, D2; Brooke Pickering, So.
What they are saying: "It's a work in progress. I'm looking at like six or seven right now, which is, you know, triple my numbers."
Outlook: The program is slowly developing with more girls in the room this season.
Nature Coast Technical Sharks
Coach: Mark Murray (5th season)
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:6-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #18-190 Soraya Castillo, Jr., 9-5, RQ, D2; Angelina Wey, Jr., 1-8, RQ, D4.
Weeki Wachee Hornets
Coach: Joe Felice (10th at school/12th overall)
Assistant coach: Patrick McHugh
Recent district results: 2023:10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Jadyn Aponte, Jr., 13-5, RQ-BR, D3.
What they are saying: "Last year, we had one girl that wrestled the district for us and this year, we're looking at maybe having 14 or 15 girls on the team. There's a buzz on the campus about it."
Outlook: Volleyball star Aponte is back and has been working hard over the offseason to improve on last year’s blood round appearance. She’s also been integral in helping to build the numbers up in the program too.
Brooksville Central
Coach: John Bloomfield
Recent district results: 2023:12; 2022:12-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None