Bishop Verot earns first wrestling district title| Monday recap
Bishop Verot celebrates winning the girls 1A-12 district title on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Verot Wrestling)
BY BRANT PARSONS — Since Bishop Verot started its girls wrestling program three seasons ago, the mantra has been “Be First” in the program as they’ve worked to build the team and continue accomplishing new things.
On Monday, the Bishop Verot girls team won its first district title, taking first place in the Girls 1A-12 district tournament held in their home gym.
“There are a lot of firsts to be achieved in this program and now these girls can say they were the first district champions,” coach Gerry Braun said. “That’s been a goal for these senior girls for three years now.”
The Vikings have been led by their five seniors all season and on Monday, each of them reached the finals.
Melanie Moreno (190) and Anna Lesniak (140) both won titles for Vikings while Isabella Tarquino (115), Lainey Hooper (120), and Addison Slaybaugh (135) all finished in second.
“Moreno is a first-year wrestler, but is a natural and her taking first today was big for the team,” Braun said.
Junior Marisol Manriquez-Beltran also earned a district title for Bishop Verot, winning a close 6-4 decision in the 125-pound final.
“Marisol stepped up with two big wins to also take first for us,” Braun said. “That might have been the highlight of the day.”
Christina Dalton (100) also reached the district finals as Bishop Verot advanced seven to next week’s region tournament.
South Fort Myers finished second and advanced all five of their wrestlers to next weekend. Ester Rodriguez (105) and Regina Espinoza (135) each won individual titles for the Wolfpack.
Shantal Rolle (235) won her second district title to help lead Immokalee to a third-place finish.
The other eight individual champions were shared among seven other schools.
Did you win a district title? Send us your photos here for our district winner’s page
Barron Collier’s Kiera Partello (100), St. John Neumann’s Zoey McDonald (110) and Savanna Porter (120), First Baptist’s Hailee Moder (115), Naples’ Sophie Simons (130), Gulf Coast’s Jasmine Barnes-Toomer (145), Fort Myers Gateway’s Ilyana Sterrett (155), and Aubrey Rogers’ Madi Selig (170) all finished atop the podium on Monday.
It was the third career district title for the sophomore Moder, who has placed twice at the state tournament in her career.
It was the second straight title for Barnes-Toomer, who won last year at Palmetto Ridge.
The girls 1A-3 region tournament is on February 22 at North Fort Myers.
See the entire girls schedule/results for the postseason here
On Tuesday’s Schedule
There are two girls district tournaments being competed today.
Girls 1A-8 is taking place at Anclote. Wrestling will being at 1 p.m. Defending state champion Hernando (#2 in state) is looking to win its fourth district title in four years. #8 Sunlake is also in the mix.
Sunlake’s Kristy More (145) and Hernando’s Grace Leota (190) enter the postseason ranked Number 1.
Over at Booker, two top-ranked wrestlers will lead the charge in the 1A-11 district competition. Venice senior Milana Borrelli (#1 at 125) will begin her quest for a third-career state title in Florida while Lemon Bay’s Ailee Briggs (#1 at 140) will start her journey toward a second.
G1A-8: at Anclote, 1 p.m.
G1A-11: at Booker, 3 p.m.
Check out some matches to watch for in both districts.
On the boys, the CCAC tournament will be taking place at Aubrey Rogers.
Duals schedule
Bishop Snyder, Trinity Christian, Wolfson at Episcopal, 6
Canterbury, Estero, Fort Myers Gateway at Evangelical Christian
Cocoa Beach at Bishop Moore
Columbia, Union County at Baker County (Tri County Dual)
Coral Reef at Homestead
Deerfield Beach at St. Thomas
Dr. Phillips at Windermere, 6:30 (Senior Night)
Durant at Newsome, 12 (In School)
Lakewood Ranch at Braden River
Plant at Sickles, 6
Port Orange Atlantic at Pine Ridge, 6
Wharton at Gaither, 6
Brant Parsons is the founder and executive editor of Kabra Wrestling. He has been covering high school wrestling in Florida since 2004. He can be reached at brant@kabrawrestling.com.
