Niceville soars into history, Viera repeats as champs | Saturday recap
BY BRANT PARSONS — Heading into the girls 1A-1 district tourney, Niceville knew they were on the cusp of something special.
On Saturday, they proved it as the Eagles won the school’s first-ever girls wrestling district title.
“We were so excited because we knew the amount of work we’ve been putting in to get there all together,” junior Camila Robles said. “Everyone was there for each other all day long and that’s all you need as a team.”
Each of Niceville’s 11 wrestlers scored points on the day and eight of them advanced to next weekend’s region tournament.
“We’re ecstatic to take the district title,” junior Brooke Arbic said. “All of the girls have been working incredibly hard for months and it was rewarding to see it pay off. We were motivated and carried by each other the whole way.”
Arbic was one of two individual district champions for the Eagles, winning the crown at 170 pounds. Kalysta Krumnow (155) also finished atop the podium.
“Kalysta is barely a freshman but has already won a district title,” Robles said. “She took out today.”
Robles placed third at 100 pounds to advance to next weekend along with Mora Penberthy (4th-110), Gianna Muscarella (3rd-120), Vionna Haertelt (2nd-135), Tracy Vause (2nd-145), and Harriett Sakis (4th-190).
Muscarella won four matches in-a-row after losing early in the day, catching the eye of her teammates.
“This was her first tournament after not have been able to practice and she got caught in something silly early on and fought all the way back despite any discomfort she was dealing with,” Arbic said.
Pace finished in second place with Kiaana Gavere (125) and Lahela Turnquest (130) both staying undefeated on the season and winning district titles. The Patriots advanced five total wrestlers.
Lincoln’s Sayuri Caceres (100) and Abigail Neel (235), Gulf Breeze’s Camdyn Elliott (105), Wakulla’s Kendal Haynie (110), Crestview’s Sigrun Metzger (115) and Lauriann Cavaco (120), Mosley’s Rowdy Johns (135) and Tor’Rina' Rushing (190), Chiles’ Kelsey Marschka (140), and North Bay Haven’s Emily Myers (145) all won individual titles.
Viera avenges some losses, wins second district title
On Saturday, Viera was set on avenging losses and winning a second straight district title.
The Hawks took care of both in winning the girls 1A-6 district title, outscoring Kissimmee Osceola by 13.5 points.
“The team showed both intensity and resilience today,” Viera coach Jason Custer said. “We also had four wrestlers who won rematches in the semifinals and finals against opponents they had lost to earlier in the season.”
Viera finished with five individual district champions, including their three leaders on the team.
Catalina Kenney (115), Isabel Alvarez (120), and Emma Hoppe (135) all won district titles along with Elizabeth Pino (105) and Savanah Nazario (190).
“Our three established wrestlers continue to shine and are wrestling thier best,” Custer said. “They set the bar for the entire team.”
Zahar Zouaki (100), Olivia Gapud (125), and Lillian Straessley (145) also reached the finals and advanced to the region tournament for Viera.
The runner-up Kowboys also had five champions, with Aniyah Whayne (100), Paola Ramirez (125), Denalie Dauphin (140), Erick Hernandez (145), and Lily Tucker (170) finishing in first place.
Harmony finished in third place in the team race and had three champions, Kiley Vinson (130), Zuhaily Caffery (155), and Katelynn Holt (235).
Palm Bay’s Joyce Blanc (110) also won an individual district crown.
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.
