G1A-9 Preview: Bell Creek and Tampa Bay Tech set for encore to epic finish
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Bell Creek came from behind by winning the 235-pound final by pin to edge Tampa Bay Tech by four points.
How did Kabra do?: We thought Bell Creek would win their second title and they did.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Isabella McFarlane (King), Jessie Griffin (Bell Creek Academy), Grace Jawulski (Newsome), Shaniah Martinez (East Bay), Jada Williams (Bell Creek Academy), Ariel Goble (Strawberry Crest), Eliana Johnson (Bell Creek Academy)
The favorite: Bell Creek. The Panthers said goodbye to the leader of the team but still should be deep.
Team to watch: Tampa Bay Tech. The Titans were a match away from the district title last season.
District IBT: Thursday, February 13 at Armwood, 2:30 p.m.
Bell Creek Panthers (NR/#21)
Coach: Willie Murphy (5th at school, 10th overall)
Assistant coaches: Justin Addison, Melissa DiCenzo, Rafael Penso, Cameron Patisaul, Marvin Johnson
23-24 dual record: 1-1
Recent district results: 2024:1; 2023:1; 2022:4-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Abby Dicenzo, 42-6, 3rd, R2, DC; Fikayo Aroyewun, 28-10, 4th, RC, DC; Malia Rezac, So., 15-15, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Sunlake)
Notable returning wrestlers: Eliana Johnson, Jr., 17-11, RQ-BR, DC; Jada Williams, Fr., 30-11, SQ, R4, DC; Jessie Griffin, 7th, 19-16, RQ, D2; Dalila Amar, 8th, 6-8, RQ, D4; Judy Lubin, Sr., 8-19, D6; Izzy Costa, Fr., 11-14, RQ, D3.
What they are saying: “I think overall, as a team, we may end up placing higher at the state tournament than we did last year (13th). It’s definitely a possibility with this group.
On scheduling: “This team wants to wrestle the best. They don’t want to shy away from it. They want to test themselves against everybody - the number one ranked girls, returning champions - they want that challenge and we put it out there for them. They want to seek out those high-level wrestlers and wrestle them and see where they stack up against them. They’re not afraid.”
On Abby Dicenzo’s legacy: “She’s been with the program since the beginning and not only set the tone for girls wrestling, but wrestling in general at Bell Creek. She set the foundation and while she wasn’t someone that was a naturally amazing athlete, she was just an extremely hard worker.”
Outlook: The two-time defending district champions graduated two state placers but have wrestlers coming back ready to take their spot and continue to grow the program. With another year of experience in their arsenal, this team could indeed be the best so far at Bell Creek.
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
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Tampa Bay Tech Titans (NR/#22)
Coach: Edward Bayonet
Recent district results: 2024:2; 2023:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Caitlynn Llanos, 23-12, SQ, R4, D2; Jayla Jones, 29-5, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Luna Martinez, Jr., 16-8, RQ-BR, D2; Afiyah McLean, Sr., 27-8, RQ-BR, D4; Zadaryhea Moore, So., 10-5, RQ, DC; Sha'ni Lawrence, Sr., 21-6, RQ, D2; Iyanna Murray, Sr., 20-7, RQ, D3; Laila Schultz, Sr., 23-8, RQ, D3; Eva Herdocia, So., 17-5, RQ, D2; Abigail Del Rosario, Sr., 19-7, RQ, D2; Janyah Wilson, Jr., 19-4.
New wrestler: Kamiah Ross, Jr., RQ-BR, DC (Transfer from Armwood)
Strawberry Crest Chargers
Coach: Justin Weaver
Recent district results: 2024:4; 2023:9; 2022:7-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Arden Swindle, 17-6, RQ-BR, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ariel Goble, Sr., 33-12, SQ, R3, D3; Jordan Delgrace, So., 18-9, RQ, D2; Lindsay Wills, Sr., 12-10, RQ, D4; Naomi Luna, So., 19-13, RQ, D3; Alexis Watts, So., RQ, D6.
Sumner Stingrays
Coach: Erik DeJesus
Recent district results: 2024:6-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): My Parker, 6-14, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Lily Nolan, So., 18-12, SQ, R4, D2; Taylar Draffin, Jr., 19-10, RQ, DC; Hazuki Sykes, Jr., 10-13, RQ, D5.
Newsome Wolves
Coach: Stephen Gilbert
Recent district results: 2024:3; 2023:2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Lana Clayton, 21-2, 3rd, RC, DC; Salina Mixon, 1-15, RQ, D3; McKenzie Hall, 11-12, RQ, D3; Mariela Alvarez, 5-8, D5.
Notable returning wrestlers: Grace Jawulski, So., 17-7, SQ, R4, DC
Outlook: State qualifier Jawulski is back.
Armwood Hawks
Coach: Adam Cain (2nd at school)
Assistant coaches: Lane Best, John Lombardo
Recent district results: 2024:5; 2023:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dayane Santiago, RQ, D3; Johna Miller, 6-6, RQ-BR, D4; Kamiah Ross, Jr., RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Tampa Bay Tech); Joya Hodge, Jr., 5-5, RQ, D3 (Transfer to Tampa Freedom)
Notable returning wrestlers: McKenzie Jackson, Sr., RQ, D4; Solange Betancourt, Jr., 2-6, RQ, D4; Keimani Hopkins, Jr., 4-5, RQ, D4.
Outlook: Johnson returns for a senior season hoping to end her career with a huge ending.
King Lions
Coach: David Sevier (6th season)
Assistant coaches: Andre Chiasson, Willie Knighten, Melvin Waters, Edward Ereaux
Recent district results: 2024:13; 2023:6; 2022:2-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Danielys Soto-Padilla, 20-5;
Notable returning wrestlers: Isabella McFarlane, So., 30-8, 5th, R2, D2
What they are saying: “Isabella will be a force. She wrestled over 100 matches this summer. Her goal is to be atop the 170 pound podium.”
Outlook: McFarlane hasn’t stopped since the end of last season. The sophomore had success at national duals, FAWA states, and competed at Fargo over the summer.
Durant Cougars
Coach: James Kauderman
Recent district results: 2024:7; 2023:15
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Hannah Simmons, RQ, D5.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Evie Fierro, Sr., 19-13, RQ, D3; Arianna Polanco, Sr., D5; Emma Harris, So., D6; Hayley Bridges, So., RQ, D4.
East Bay Indians
Coach: Erik Matricardi (25th year at school)
Assistant coach: Daniel Rodriguez
Recent district results: 2024:8; 2023:11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Shaniah Martinez, Jr., 22-5, 6th, R4, DC; Madison Phillips, Sr., 8-7, RQ, D4; Angeles Herrera, Jr., RQ, D3.
Foundation Christian Academy Panthers
Coach: John Sawicki
Recent district results: 2024:16; 2023:13
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jaiden Hight, Jr., 16-9, RQ-BR, D3.
Bloomingdale Bulls
Coach: Mark Church
Recent district results: 2024:9; 2023:17
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Madison Diener, 26-10, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Hannah Ferret, Jr., 17-12, RQ, D2.
Lennard Longhorns
Coach: Keygan Foster
Recent district results: 2024:15; 2023:10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Finley Oleszewski, Jr., 10-13, RQ, D2.
Sickles Gryphons
Coach: Terry Brockland (27th year)
Recent district results: 2024:12; 2023:16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Savannah Ozer, Sr., 22-5, RQ-BR, D2.
Outlook: County champion Ozer is back after reaching the region blood round a season ago.
Plant City Raiders
Coach: Blake Olson (2nd at school, 7th overall)
Assistant coaches: Brandon Snyder, Brent Ruedeman, Coach Box
Recent district results: 2024:10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Yadira Rivas, Sr., 22-7, SQ, R3, DC; Isabelle Broeders, Sr., 17-6, RQ, D3.
Gaither Cowboys
Coach: Marty Carpenter
Recent district results: 2024:11; 2023:7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Stephanie Browning, 23-3, RQ, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kendra Browning, Sr., 4-10, RQ, D5.
Riverview Sharks
Coach: Ryan Hall
Recent district results: 2024:13; 2023:18; 2022:9-1A10
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Aava Barbarena, Jr., 11-8, RQ, D3; Yarelis Hernandez-Cancel, Sr., 5-5, D6.