G1A-9 Preview: Bell Creek is team to beat as Panthers chase second-straight title
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Bell Creek and Newsome battled it out with the Panthers winning in the end by 15 points.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Abby Dicenzo (Bell Creek Academy), Lana Clayton (Newsome), Jayla Jones (Tampa Bay Tech), Fikayo Aroyewun (Bell Creek Academy), Jaylee-Ann Rosado (East Bay)
The favorite: Bell Creek. The Panthers might be a better team this year.
Team to watch: Armwood. There is excitement around a program that has a state qualifier back.
District IBT: Feb. 8 at King
Kabra Says: Last year’s district champion, Bell Creek, should be even tougher this year and that makes them the team to beat.
Bell Creek Panthers
Coach: Willie Murphy (4th season/9th overall)
Assistant coaches: Melissa DiCenzo, Cameron Patisaul, Justin Addison, Marvin Johnson, and Rafal Penso
22-23 dual record: 6-1
Recent district results: 2023:1; 2022:4-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Emily Fleckenstein, 18-15, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: #2-120 Abby Dicenzo, Sr., 33-11, 6th, R2, DC; #8-140 Fikayo Aroyewun, Sr., 25-14, SQ, R4, DC; #11-130 Jada Williams, 8th, 28-15, SQ, R3, DC; #13-155 Bethany Moeller, Jr., 20-10, RQ-BR, D2; #14-235 Eliana Johnson, So., 14-5, RQ, DC; Judy Lubin, Jr., 6-25, RQ, D4.
What they are saying: "We're going to be even better than we were last year. I think we're going to fill probably every weight class but one maybe. So I think we're gonna have close to a full lineup, which is really going to put us at an advantage. And then not only that, we have some athletic wrestlers that fill those spots, not just bodies out there."
On Abby: "Abby is going to have to wrestle consistently and enter the state tournament as healthy as she can be and then put together a complete three days. Because I honestly believe that Abby's best against anyone 120 pounder in the state, I'll take Abby's best against any 120 puounder in the state's best. So it's just about being healthy. And wrestling her best and peaking at the right time."
More on Abby: "Abby is who put Bell Creek wrestling on the map. Abby's probably the hardest working wrestler I've ever coached. She just loves wrestling and she eats, sleeps and breathes it. It's all she talks about. All she thinks about. And she sets the tone for this program."
Outlook: The Panthers return all but one girl from last year’s district champion team and will look to repeat while also moving some girls further up the podium in Kissimmee. The line-up is loaded with veterans and up-and-coming younger wrestlers with extensive jiu-jitsu backgrounds. The future is bright for the Panthers.
Newsome Wolves
Coach: Stephen Gilbert (14th season)
Recent district results: 2023:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Felicia Wetsman, 9-12, RQ, D3; Sarah Thomas, 7-12, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #6-170 Lana Clayton, Sr., 18-6, 8th, RC, DC; #13-135 Sophia Derezende, Sr., 18-9, SQ, R3, DC; #15-190 Janyah Wilson, So., 14-7, RQ-BR, D2; #20-100 Alisyn Cusson, Jr., 12-7, RQ, D3; Jasmine Lilland, So., 13-11, RQ, D2.
Armwood Hawks
Coach: Adam Cain (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Ty King, Lane Best, Natalie McWilliams
Recent district results: 2023:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): LaRissa Hart, RQ, D3.
Notable returning wrestlers: #12-130 Kamiah Ross, So., 15-8, SQ, R4, D2; #15-235 McKenzie Jackson, Jr., RQ-BR, D2; Alana Torres, Sr., RQ, D2; Deja McRae, Sr., RQ, D3.
What they are saying: "I've been recruiting the hallway so hard. And if our interest numbers can dictate a little bit, we have 70 kids who signed up and made it to the interest meetings. And I want to say about 30 girls signed up. I'm hoping to have two full squads this year and just set the foundation and then just continue to build off of that."
On teaching the sport: "I do a lot of talking with them, just because they're always saying 'Coach, we've never done wrestling before'. That's fine. It's my job to coach you and teach you and provide you coaches that can teach you what you need to know."
Outlook: Cain takes over a program that houses a state qualifier from last year in Ross and a blood round participant in Jackson. He’s looking to add to the team surrounding them and with the interest he’s had, this program should grow.
The Florida High School Wrestling District Previews
Click on link to see preview
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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
Tampa Bay Tech Titans
Coach: Edward Bayonet
Recent district results: 2023:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jessica Hill, 15-6, RQ-BR, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #7-115 Jayla Jones, Sr., 22-6, SQ, R3, DC; #17-170 Yazmine Cruz, Jr., 16-6, SQ, R4, D2; #18-235 Luna Martinez, So., 13-7, RQ, D3; Afiyah McLean, Jr., 14-8, RQ, D3.
Lennard Longhorns
Coach: Ian Hursh (1st at school/12th overall)
Recent district results: 2023:10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Natalia Weiss, So., 1-13, RQ, D5.
New wrestlers: #4-100 Madelyne Bombardier, Fr., 31-15, 7th, R3, D2 (Transfer from McKeel); #14-120 Gabriella Bombardier, So., 28-12, RQ, DC (Transfer from McKeel)
Strawberry Crest Chargers
Coach: Justin Weaver
Recent district results: 2023:9; 2022:7-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: #13-110 Arden Swindle, Sr., 23-5, SQ, R3, DC; Ariel Goble, Jr., 14-9, RQ, D3.
King Lions
Coach: David Sevier (4th season)
Assistant coach: Andre Chiasson
Recent district results: 2023:6; 2022:2-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alanis Cosme, 15-8, RQ-BR, D4; Corniya Hart, 2-11, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Danielys Soto-Padilla, Sr., 14-1, RQ, D2.
East Bay Indians
Coach: Erik Matricardi
Recent district results: 2023:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: #9-145 Jaylee-Ann Rosado, Sr., 14-2, SQ, RC, DC.
Gaither Cowboys
Coach: Marty Carpenter
Recent district results: 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kaitlyn Alvarez, 10-5, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Stephanie Browning, Sr., 11-5, RQ, DC; Yasmin Crespo, Sr., 8-7, RQ, D4.
Brandon Eagles
Coach: Joe Cozart
Recent district results: 2023:12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Julisselle Davila, Jr., 11-5, RQ, D2.
Bloomingdale Bulls
Coach: Mark Church
Recent district results: 2023:17
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Hannah Ferret, So., 8-6, RQ, D3.
Foundation Christian Academy Panthers
Coach: John Sawicki
Recent district results: 2023:13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jaiden Hight, So., 10-11, RQ, DC.
Durant Cougars
Coach: James Kauderman
Recent district results: 2023:15
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Trinity Hollifield, Jr., RQ, D4.
Tampa Freedom
Coach: Derrick McCoy (11th season)
Assistant coaches: Alex Kiester, Garry Gillooly, Dawson Baker
Recent district results: 2023:8; 2022:15-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lilly Lutrell, 24-4, 4th, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Karicia Rodriguez, Jr., RQ, D4.
Middleton Tigers
Coach: Tim Gebhards (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Rick Ravens, Benjamin Young
Recent district results: 2023:14
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Julianna Andersen, Jr., 11-8, RQ, D3.
Outlook: Region qualifier Anderson is back for the Tigers.
Riverview Sharks
Coach: Ryan Hall (6th season as HC/10th in program)
Recent district results: 2023:18; 2022:9-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aava Barbarena, So., 14-10, RQ, D5.
Sickles Gryphons
Coach: Terry Brockland
Recent district results: 2023:16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Carmen Pineda, 2-6, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None