G1A-8 Preview: Hernando looking for second state team title

BY BRANT PARSONS

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

Last season: State champions Hernando scored 211.5 points and were 119.5 points ahead of runner-up Sunlake.

How did Kabra do?: We correctly picked Hernando.

Last year’s district tournament results

Last year’s region tournament results

Wrestlers to watch: Grace Leota (Hernando), Keana Bush (Hudson), Jasmine Serrano (Springstead), Chloe Stinnett (Hernando), Mariah Earl (Hernando), Julia Brocato (Sunlake), Emma Bauknight (Hernando), Kristy More (Sunlake), Mia Parker (Sunlake), Gianella Walczak (Springstead), Makenzie Eltzroth (Hernando), Lilyana Rodriguez (Crystal River), Brenda Games (Fivay), Arianna Antoniou (East Lake), Nathalia Espinal (Hernando), Daniella Espinal (Hernando), Olivia Brown (Hernando), MyaNah Carter (Anclote)

The favorite: Hernando. The defending state champions are loaded again.

Team to watch: Sunlake. The Seahawks have had a busy offseason competing and growing. The team is now one of the top ones in the state.

District IBT: Tuesday, February 11 at Anclote, 1 p.m.

Hernando Leopards (#2/#1)

Coach: David Pritz (13th season)

Assistant coaches: Kenneth Day, Brian Pena, Heaven-Leigh Jackson, Josh Hulse

23-24 dual record: 6-1

Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:1-1A9

Last state champion: Grace Leota, 2024 (170)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sydney Bridenstine, 35-14, 5th, R2, DC; Julia Salgado Campos, 22-15, SQ, R2, D2.

Notable returning wrestlers: Grace Leota, Sr., 31-2, SC, RC, DC; Makenzie Eltzroth, Sr., 32-9, 3rd, R2, DC; Emma Bauknight, Sr., 40-7, 3rd, RC, DC; Chloe Stinnett, Sr., 28-13, 4th, R4, DC; Mariah Earl, Sr., 25-14, 6th, R2, DC; Olivia Brown, Sr., 19-14, RQ-BR, D2; Daniella Espinal, Sr., 33-12, SQ, RC, D2; Nathalia Espinal, Sr., 25-11, SQ, R3, DC; Alondra Santana-Perez, Jr., 11-16.

New wrestler: Emerson Webber, Fr., 22-4 (Transfer from Zephyrhills Christian)

What they are saying: "Our goal is to repeat. I think we have the right pieces to do it and I don't think anything really changed for our team."

On Grace Leota: "When she came here, she showed the girls what it takes to be elite. We've always had girls in the room but we needed someone that could show that they could win a state championship and they can wrestle on a national level. She started doing that and the other girls started following suit and she just elevated everyone around her."

On some to watch: "I'm really excited to see Emerson coming in as a freshman, I think she was good enough to be in the state final last year. I think Chloe is going to have a huge year and I'm excited for her. And then we have Mariah Earl and Makenzie Eltzroth who are two girls that kind of play in the background in the state of Florida but they perform everywhere they go."

Outlook: The defending state champion Leopards are reloaded for another run at the title. Leota leads the way as she will looking to finish her Florida high school career with three state titles. Eltzroth, Bauknight, Stinnett, and Earl will all look to move up the podium and Webber adds another state title contender to the mix.

Grace Leota is looking to win state title No. 3 this year as a senior. (London Parsons/Kabra Wrestling)

The Florida High School Wrestling Season 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

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

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Rankings: Class 3A | Class 2A | Class 1A | Girls | Team

Sunlake Seahawks (#7/#25)

Coach: Sergio Matos (11th at school/15th overall)

Assistant coaches: Rob Wiseman, Matt Daner, Chris Locascio, Todd Gee, Austin Smith

Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:5; 2022:4-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kristy More, Sr., 29-2, 3rd, RC, DC; Cameron Lord, So., 26-14, SQ, R4, D2; Izabella Kullman, Sr., 20-9, RQ-BR, D3; Camilla Alderman, So., RQ, D3; Chloe Fletcher, So., 4-10, RQ, D3.

New wrestlers: Julia Brocato, Sr., 33-9, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer from WC Cypress Creek); Mia Parker, Fr., 27-8, 6th, R2, D2 (Transfer from First Baptist-Naples); Paisley Murphy, Jr. (Transfer from Wesley Chapel); Malia Rezac, So., 15-15, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from Bell Creek)

What they are saying: “They are a close knit unit who understand the expectations this season and are ready to deliver.”

Outlook: A strong team has added to its arsenal with three wrestlers who have state tournament experience and two of them (Parker, Murphy) have been on the podium along with More.

Hudson Cobras

Coach: Matthew Forbes

Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:3; 2022:5-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Keana Bush, Sr., 38-5, 3rd, RC, DC; Danielle Haskins, Sr., RQ-BR, DC; Lillian Hill, Jr., RQ, D3; Alexandria Groppe, So., RQ-BR, D2; Alyssa Mello, Jr., RQ, D4.

East Lake Eagles

Coach: Joe Marzo

Recent district results: 2024:3-1A10; 2023:8-1A10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Arianna Antoniou, Jr., 19-4, SQ, R2, DC; Leila Memon, Sr., 17-4, RQ-BR, DC; Phoenix Crane, Sr., 17-2, RQ, DC; Isabella Theofanous, Jr., 12-2; Daria Kotsiuba, Jr., D6; Emerson Brandt, So., RQ, D3.

Springstead Eagles (#11/NR)

Coach: Mike LaRocca

Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:2; 2022:2-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Gianella Walczak, Sr., 24-10, 4th, R3, D2; Jasmine Serrano, Sr., 33-7, 3rd, R2, DC; Kayla Blohm, So., 7-10, RQ, DC.

Gulf Buccaneers

Coach: Chris Palasky

Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:4; 2022:9-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Callie Alfieri, 43-5, 3rd, RC, DC.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Galilea Flores, Jr., 2-17, RQ, D2; Alexis Palmer, Jr., 14-11, D6.

Steinbrenner Warriors

Coach: Paul Noble (16th season)

Assistant Coach: Brian Busch, Jake English, Chi Geraghty

Recent district results: 2024:6-1A9; 2023:3-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Courtney Hodges, 28-4, SQ, R3, DC; Paizlee Res, 15-12, RQ, D5; Laney Coyle, 2-6, RQ, D5.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Erin Casey, Jr., 18-9, RQ, D2; Alyssa Wurtz, Jr., D6; Alejandra Villamil, Sr., 19-10, RQ, D4.

Crystal River Pirates

Coach: Guy Touchton

Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lilyana Rodriguez, Sr., 15-11, SQ, R4, D2; Savannah Knight, Sr., 11-9, RQ-BR, D2; Madison Rose, Sr., 0-11, RQ, D4.

Nature Coast Technical Sharks

Coach: Mark Murray (Sixth season)

Assistant Coach: Chak Ros

Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:8; 2022:6-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Soraya Castillo, Sr., RQ, D2; Jerry Giddens, So., RQ, D3.

Land O’Lakes Gators

Coach: Edward Marley (14th at school/21st overall)

Recent district results: 2024:10; 2023:7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Amal Mena Dahdal, So., 11-11, RQ, D3; Brooke Pickering, Jr., 14-13, RQ, D3; Megan Costin, So., 3-16, D5.

What they are saying: “I have four right now but in that group, I have a couple that could do something. Brooke went 1-2 at regions last year and Amal made it but was sick that weekend.”

Outlook: Dahdal and Pickering are back to lead the program.

Fivay Falcons

Coach:

Recent district results: 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:3-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sage Lester, RQ, D4.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Gianna Walsh, Sr., 14-7, D5; Modesta Mujkanovic, Sr., 3-16, RQ, D4; Lola Boswell, So., RQ, D3; Mackenzie Piascik, So., 5-17, RQ, D4.

Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek Coyotes

Coach: Roy Schleman

Recent district results: 2024:8-1A7; 2023:6-1A7; 2022:8-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Julia Brocato, Sr., 33-9, SQ, R2, DC (Transfer to Sunlake)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kiera Hubler, Jr., 16-13, RQ, D3; Victoria Schleman, Jr., 13-12, RQ, D4.

Anclote Sharks

Coach: James Paliotti

Recent district results: 2024:11; 2022:11-1A9

Last state champion: Tasha Matkovich, 2022 (145)

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Potential notable returning wrestlers: MyaNah Carter, Sr., 20-15, SQ, R4, D2.

Pasco Pirates

Coach: Craig Lennard (3rd season)

Recent district results: 2024:18-1A7

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: Nevaeh Tedeman, Sr., 10-8.

Brooksville Central

Coach: Donald Duncan (2nd season)

Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:12; 2022:12-1A9

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Allexis Rosa, 2-6, RQ, D4; Jordan Miller, RQ, D2.

Potential notable returning wrestlers: Chiara Rhodes, Jr., D5.

What they are saying: “I’m looking at probably seven or eight girls coming out this season.”

Tarpon Springs Spongers

Coach: John Zsido (7th season)

Assistant coach: Richard Warnke

Recent district results: 2024:10-1A10; 2023:15-1A10; 2022:10-1A10

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Michelle Rimel, 7-16, RQ, D4; Katherine Brooks, Jr., 16-10, RQ, D2 (Transfer to Leto)

Potential notable returning wrestlers: None

Mitchell Mustangs

Coach: Sean McHugh

Recent district results: First season

Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None

Notable returning wrestlers: None