G1A-8 Preview: Hernando looking for second state team title
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
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)
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 (8th at HC, 18th at school)
Assistant coach: Frank Hynes
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:2; 2022:2-1A9
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Gianella Walczak, Sr., 24-10, 4th, R3, D2;
Notable returning wrestlers: Jasmine Serrano, Sr., 33-7, 3rd, R2, DC; Kayla Blohm, So., 7-10, RQ, DC.
New wrestler: Savanna Valle, Jr.
Outlook: Two talented wrestlers in Serrano and Valle lead the charge this season.
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.
River Ridge Royal Knights
Coach: Gary Lane (1st at school)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Alexa Yoho; Alyssa Kernan
What they’re saying: “This is the first year of girls wrestling at River Ridge. We have a lot of tough first-year wrestlers.”
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