Motivated Riverdale wins title, Hernando earns four-peat | Tuesday recap
Riverdale celebrates winning a district title on Tuesday. (Courtesy of Riverdale Wrestling)
BY BRANT PARSONS — A week ago, Riverdale finished four points behind North Fort Myers in the LCAC team title race. The second-place finish left the Raiders motivated.
On Tuesday, Riverdale won its second-straight district title, winning the girls 1A-11 title with 185.5 points, 25.5 more than runner-up North Fort Myers.
“The team really pulled together today supporting each other,” Riverdale coach Danny Rodriguez said. “They had something to prove.”
And prove they did with three wrestlers winning district titles and six reaching the final.
Julianna Caisse picked up one of the biggest wins of district week in a battle of the top two wrestlers in the state at 140 pounds. The Riverdale junior beat Lemon Bay’s Ailee Briggs 7-4 to even their season series at one win apiece.
“Julianna’s had an amazing season so far and had a big win against Briggs,” Rodriguez said. “It was a huge confidence builder for the remaining season.”
Seniors Skyler Randolph (105) and Noelia Varela (145) also won individual titles for the Raiders.
“Skyler has had an amazing season and came in today and went straight to work while not feeling 100%,” Rodriguez said. “Her technique and confidence have been on point.”
Varela didn’t give up a point in her two matches, winning by a fall in the first minute and taking the final with an 18-0 technical fall victory.
“Noelia came today with a purpose. She is our biggest team pusher and leads by example and had an amazing final and dominant performance.”
Gabriella Delapaz (100), Jazlyn Diaz (105), and Blanca Cespedes (130) all reached the finals for the Raiders, who advanced eight wrestlers to the next week’s region tournament.
North Fort Myers had two champions with Emily Doolittle (100) and Gabriella Sergi (135) both earning spots on top of the podium.
Two-time state champion Milana Borrelli (125) began her quest for a third title with a district title for Venice and Charlotte’s Iyonna Ross (120) won her third career district title.
Also winning titles were Parrish’s Kaja Williams (115), North Port’s Bristol McManmon (110) and Clariza Pequeno (130), Bradenton Christian’s Kennedy Wright (155), Lakewood Ranch’s Francesca Bisordi (170), Braden River’s Karliana Artega (190), and Fort Myers’ Zahrah Ilias (235).
Hernando won its fourth district title in four years on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Hernando wrestling)
Defending state champion Hernando wins fourth crown
Hernando put on a dominating performance in the girls 1A-8 district at Anclote on Tuesday, winning a fourth consecutive district title while advancing all 12 of their wrestlers to next weekend’s region tournament.
The defending state champions had eight individual champions on the day as Emerson Webber (100), Keana Bush (110), Emma Bauknight (115), Daniela Espinal (125), Olivia Brown (140), Mariah Earl (155), Chloe Stinnett (170), and Grace Leota (190) all finished in first place in their weight class.
Runner-up Sunlake had three individual champions. Gabrielle Asabi (130), Malia Rezac (135), and Kristy More (145) each won a title for the Seahawks.
East Lake’s Phoenix Crane (105), Springstead’s Jasmine Serrano (120), and River Ridge’s Lahela Haney (235) all won individual titles.
It was the fourth career district title for Serrano, who has placed twice at the state tournament.
Crane’s win was her second title.
Four titles
Hernando’s Keana Bush celebrated both her 100th career win and her fourth individual district on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Bush family)
Naples makes history at CCAC
Naples won its first-ever CCAC team title on Tuesday and they did it without having a single individual conference champion.
The Golden Eagles placed 11 of its 13 wrestlers to earn their spot in history.
“Our wrestlers proved that every wrestler at every weight counts,” Naples coach Jeff Wesson said.
Click here to see the complete results (PDF)
On Today’s Schedule
The girls postseason continues with four district tournaments taking place across the state.
G1A-2: at Westside, 2:30 p.m.
G1A-3: at Middleburg, 3:30 p.m.
G1A-4: at Flagler Palm Coast, 2:30 p.m.
G1A-13: at Fort Pierce Central, 5 p.m.
Wednesday duals schedule
Bayside at Eau Gallie
Braddock at North Miami (Senior Night)
Celebration at Poinciana, 6
Coral Shores at Key West, 6
Cypress Lake at South Fort Myers, 6:30
Deerfield Beach, Nova at St. Thomas
Fort Myers at Mariner, 6
Hernando at Springstead (Senior Night)
Lake Nona at Davenport, 6 (Senior Night)
Lakewood Ranch at Braden River
Lecanto at Citrus, 6:30 (Senior Night)
Lincoln at Florida High, 6
Manatee at Charlotte, 7:30
McArthur at South Broward (Hollywood City Championship)
Oasis at Ida Baker
Palatka at Interlachen, 5:30 (Senior Night)
Stranahan at West Broward
TBD at Ocala Forest (Senior Night)
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.
