State finals preview
BY BRANT PARSONS — On Saturday, 56 individual state champions will be crowned at the FHSAA State Wrestling IBT Tournament.
The state finals are scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m.
I’ve decided to look at the actual championship bouts matchups and compare them with the picks I made in the season previews and test the powers of fate by making a championship pick in each after summarizing each finals quickly.
I wrote this on the patio of my hotel, so please forgive any picks I get wrong.
Kabra’s Picks
I don’t know if the prediction game has do-overs or not, so let’s not consider this a do-over of my picks from before the tournament but rather a slight scrubbing up of them.
Here’s how I did picking finalists:
Class 3A: 17/28
Class 2A: 20/28
Class 1A: 16/28
Girls: 22/28
So with me batting 67% so far, read this picks with caution and best of luck to each of the finalists on Saturday.
Class 3A
106: Gabriel Tellez (SWM) vs. Christian Vazquez (DOR)
Kabra’s Predictions: Tellez vs. Joshua Hartley (Palm Harbor University)
What actually happened: Vazquez surged in the third period to beat Tellez 8-4.
Saturday’s buzz: Knockout champion Tellez has a handful of wins over Vazquez this season.
The pick: Tellez
113: Tyler Washburn (PR) vs. Patrick Jones (WELL)
Kabra’s Predictions: Washburn vs. Jones
Saturday’s buzz: The final I wanted to see is going to take place. These two battled into overtime in the state duals and I've been salivating at the chance to see them meet again here.
The pick: Washburn
120: Ethan Vugman (BT) vs. Colin Bradshaw (STE)
Kabra’s Predictions: Christian Guzman (COL) vs. Vugman
What actually happened: I was told all about how tough Bradshaw was but I guess I had to see it in person to understand it.
Saturday’s buzz: Vugman and Bradshaw know each other and have been on the same team but Bradshaw was a year older and bigger then. Now they get to reacquaint themselves in the final here.
The pick: Vugman
126: Anderson Heap (OSC) vs. Sean-Michael Gonzalez (NOPO)
Kabra’s Predictions: Heap vs. Gonzalez
Saturday’s buzz: The final that I was convinced was inevitable is happening and its a rematch of Heap's 10-4 region final win.
The pick: Heap
132: Demertri Zertopoulis (PR) vs. Nicholas Romero (RIV)
Kabra’s Predictions: Jorge Gonzalez (WP) vs. Elvis Solis Jr (SD)
What actually happened: To be fair, this weight was hard to figure out all season, but Zertopoulis scored a 4-3 win over Gonzalez and Romero powered through a 6-3 win over Solis to get here.
Saturday’s buzz: I don't have a record of them meeting this season but that doesn't mean I'd be sure about my pick even if I did.
The pick: Romero
138: Nikolas Hernandez (RIV) vs. Cooper Haase (OSC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Haase vs. Danny Martinez (SWM)
What actually happened: Hernandez scored a huge win over Martinez in the semifinals and he'll face the two-time champion Haase as his reward.
Saturday’s buzz: Haase avenged his one-point win over Harmony's John McNichols with a convincing performance in the semifinals and he'll look to add another title Saturday.
The pick: Haase
145: Alexander Soto (RIV) vs. Brennen Van Hoecke (PR)
Kabra’s Predictions: Van Hoecke vs. Aiden Moore (BUCH)
Saturday’s buzz: Van Hoecke is arguably the best 145 pounder in the state and he'll finish a storied high school career with a title.
The pick: Van Hoecke
152: Adrian Ochoa (SWM) vs. Carson Miller (PR)
Kabra’s Predictions: Miller vs. Ochoa
Saturday’s buzz: Miller beat Alex Couto 1-0 in the semifinals and Ochoa pinned Zach Weidler.
The pick: Miller
160: Kamdon Harrison (HAG) vs. Gunner Holland (OSC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Roman Garcia (PR) vs. Cordell White (SD)
What actually happened: Holland topped White in the semifinals after losing a 7-2 decision during the season while Harrison beat Danny Diaz in the semis. Diaz topped Garcia in sudden victory in the quarters.
Saturday’s buzz: In the most topsy-turvy weight class in 3A, we could end up with a defending state champion winning it all again. Or not. Who knows?
The pick: Holland
170: Jabori Brown (TC) vs. Dominic Rodriguez (RIV)
Kabra’s Predictions: Rodriguez vs. Diogo Ramos Padlilha (WEST)
What actually happened: Brown topped Ramos Padlilha in the quarterfinals and then beat George Duncan in the semis.
Saturday’s buzz: Rodriguez has bene the favorite to win this one all season and he'll complete that journey on Saturday.
The pick: Rodriguez
182: Dominic Joyce (NOPO) vs. Franklyn Fernandez (SWM)
Kabra’s Predictions: Joyce vs. Peyton Turner (NEWS)
What actually happened: Turner lost to Kason Nichols in the first round and has battled back to the consi semifinals and Fernandez topped Nichols and Marcelo Gonzalez in a tight semfinal.
Saturday’s buzz: Fernandez has proved me maybe the most wrong in Class 3A, but Joyce is on a mission this season.
The pick: Joyce
195: Chris Greil (PHU) vs. Ansel Cerventes (SD)
Kabra’s Predictions: Cerventes vs. Griel
Saturday’s buzz: This is the one I expected and its hard to say what will happen here. I'll go with my original pick, but the other guy could win just as easily.
The pick: Cerventes
220: Nelson Toro (HARM) vs. Sawyer Bartelt (SD)
Kabra’s Predictions: Bartelt vs. Ralph Sanchez (APK)
What actually happened: Toro avenged two losses this season with an arena-rattling sudden victory win over Sanchez in the semifinals.
Saturday’s buzz: Bartelt is one of the best wrestlers in the state.
The pick: Bartelt
285: Adrian Sans (SWM) vs. Gabriel Jacas (FTPC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Jacas vs. Sans
Saturday’s buzz: Jacas is 2-0 against Sans this season which gives him an edge but this should be a fun one between the 220-pound state champion and 285-pound runner-up from last season.
The pick: Jacas
Class 2A
106: Camren French (CHAR) vs. Roman Lermer (JESU)
Kabra’s Predictions: Lermer vs. French
Saturday’s buzz: Tampa Jesuit could win five individual state titles on Saturday to put the icing on their first IBT state team title, Lermer has three wins over French this season.
The pick: Lermer
113: Jayce Paridon (FI) vs. Maximus Brady (MARI)
Kabra’s Predictions: Paridon vs. Brady
Saturday’s buzz: The future is now with these two powerful freshmen who have a combined 111-2 record this season. Brady's two losses have come to potential state champions here, so would his third.
The pick: Paridon
120: Ryan Phillips (WS) vs. Tyson Lane (BRAN)
Kabra’s Predictions: Lane vs. Phillips
Saturday’s buzz: Lane is undfeated and has topped Phillips this season.
The pick: Lane
126: Darrell Tabor (BRAN) vs. Andrew Austin (CH)
Kabra’s Predictions: Austin vs. Lowden Ward (HOLL)
What actually happened: Ward lost in the quarterfinals to Jamey Bruner and will wrestle for 7th on Saturday. Tabor defeated Burner 6-1 to reach this spot.
Saturday’s buzz: Austin survived what might be his toughest test here with a 6-3 win over Alexander Exalant in the semis. He pinned Tabor to win his fourth Captain Archer title back in December.
The pick: Austin
132: Braden Basile (JESU) vs. Hayden Whidden (LG)
Kabra’s Predictions: Basile vs. Whidden
Saturday’s buzz: This is the final that I expected and that means we get to a see a rematch of a sudden victory meeting between the two from this season. Both wrestlers are looking to get past tournament disappointments from last year.
The pick: Basile, by a sliver
138: Gianni Maldonado (BRAN) vs. Christopher Minto (MARI)
Kabra’s Predictions: Minto vs. Joshua Gallo (SPR)
What actually happened: Big-match Maldonado shook off the cobwebs of his 11-9 defeat in the region semifinals to Gallo with a semifinal win at Silver Spurs.
Saturday’s buzz: Minto and Maldonado met at least twice this season with Minto only scoring a one-point win at Captain Archer. Can Maldonado work his big match magic again?
The pick: Minto
145: Blake Walker (LG) vs. Tom Crook (JESU)
Kabra’s Predictions: Crook vs. Walker
Saturday’s buzz: Walker can keep this from being a walk in the park for Crook and kept him close at the state duals, but this will be title No. 4 for Tom.
The pick: Crook
152: Jack Crook (JESU) vs. Tyson Mills (MAT)
Kabra’s Predictions: Crook vs. Isaac Church (CH)
What actually happened: Mills stunned Church in the first round of the tournament and rode that to a finals meeting with Jack Crook.
Saturday’s buzz: The Crook brothers should finish their storied high school careers with a pair of state titles - Jack will complete the pair.
The pick: Crook
160: Brendon Abdon (LG) vs. Frank Diaz (BRAN)
Kabra’s Predictions: Abdon vs. Penton (WS)
What actually happened: Diaz and Penton battled into overtime in their semifinal with Diaz winning in the tie-breaker 5-4.
Saturday’s buzz: Abdon will cement himself in Lake Gibson history with a third individual state title on Saturday night.
The pick: Abdon
170: Jordan Mills (MAT) vs. Cory Cannan (BC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Frank Solorzano (LG) vs. Josiah Jenkins (JESU)
What actually happened: Cannan scored a late takedown to take out Solorzano in the semifinals while Mills joined his brother in the finals with a sudden victory over Davis Deal in the semifinals. Deal topped Jenkins in the opening round before the Tampa Jesuit senior bowed out of the tournament with an 0-2 record.
Saturday’s buzz: If we've learned anything this weekend it should be to never underestimate the Mills brothers, but Cannan is the pick here.
The pick: Cannan
182: Jhoel Robinson (FI) vs. Brian Burburija (COU)
Kabra’s Predictions: Burburija vs. Dylan Deal (WS)
What actually happened: A pair of takedowns powered Robinson over Deal in the semfinals.
Saturday’s buzz: Burburija is one of our solid favorites and that hasn't changed.
The pick: Burburija
195: Cayden Bevis (LIN) vs. Sergio Desiante (JESU)
Kabra’s Predictions: Desiante vs. Bevis
Saturday’s buzz: This is the final we've been predicting most of the season and we'll get it on Saturday. They have not faced each other this season.
The pick: Desiante
220: Cedric Fairrow (FWB) vs. Derrick Mosley (RIDG)
Kabra’s Predictions: Fairrow vs. Mosley
Saturday’s buzz: Fairrow earned his second win of the season over Morvens Saint-Jean in the semifinal to set up this region final rematch.
The pick: Fairrow
285: Brainys Robles (LIB) vs. Jeremiah Jackson (KATH)
Kabra’s Predictions: Jackson vs. Toby Matson (FLT)
What actually happened: Robles scored a major decision win over Matson in the quarterfinals and then pinned Nate Gabriel to get here.
Saturday’s buzz: Jackson has been the favorite all season, owning the top spot here in the rankings but you can’t count Robles out after his journey to the final.
The pick: Jackson
Class 1A
106: Sebastian Degennaro (JB) vs. Jonathan Moder (FBN)
Kabra’s Predictions: Degennaro vs. Lincoln Sledzianowski (SOM)
What actually happened: Moder avenged an earlier loss this season with a come-from-behind win over Sledzianowski in the quarterfinals.
Saturday’s buzz: These two finalists know each other well because of the offseason circuit, but they haven't wrestled this season that we have record of. Degennaro has looked the part of the champ here all season and that shouldn't change here.
The pick: Degennaro
113: Andres DiGrigoli (FBN) vs. Gavin Nolan (CCC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Nolan vs. DiGrigoli
Saturday’s buzz: Nolan won their region final meeting 2-0 a week ago and that makes him the favorite here, but it's hard to go against anyone from First Baptist this weekend, they're planting themselves firmly on the mat with their performances.
The pick: Nolan
120: Max Brewster (SW) vs. Shaver Jackson (PB)
Kabra’s Predictions: Brewster vs. Ryan Mooney (JB)
What actually happened: Mooney lost a one-point to decision to De'Quon King, who then lost a one-point decision to Jackson.
Saturday’s buzz: Brewster has looked so tough this weekend and he's made me a huge believer.
The pick: Brewster
126: Tristan Sainz (SOM) vs. Nicholas Yancey (CG)
Kabra’s Predictions: Yancey vs. Jonny Dobbs (JB)
What actually happened: Sainz and Dobbs had one of the best semifinals of the day with a thrilling 6-4 sudden victory that produced one of the loudest moments in the arena.
Saturday’s buzz: Yancey owns a 3-2 win over Sainz so watch out for some fireworks here. Somerset coach Joe Blasucci told me early in the season that he thought Sainz could win a title - maybe he'll be propehtic.
The pick: Yancey
132: Frankie Florio (AHDB) vs. Ryan Duguay (JB)
Kabra’s Predictions: Ronald Theilacker (PB) vs. Dylan Garcia (MLA)
What actually happened: Duguay scored a hard-fought 7-4 win over Theilacker in the semifinals and Florio scored an 8-5 win over Mikade Harvey. My pick for the top half didn't place.
Saturday’s buzz: I don't have any record of their meeting and its hard to pick against someone peaking like Florio is, but Duguay has been my 2nd-ranked wrestler all sesaon and now he gets to prove that wrong by being a state champion.
The pick: Duguay
138: Jewell Williams (JB) vs. Andrew DeSola (AHDB)
Kabra’s Predictions: Williams vs. DeSola
Saturday’s buzz: I thought this weight was more a toss-up until I saw just how dominant Williams can be. Another Jensen Beach title to go with the likely team championship.
The pick: Williams
145: Azakin Sejour (MLA) vs. Brandon Cody (TMA)
Kabra’s Predictions: Cody vs. Nathan Furman (PB)
What actually happened: Sejour scored two takedowns in the final 32 seconds to beat Furman 6-3 and reach the final.
Saturday’s buzz: This will be their first meeting this season according to my notes and you could make an argument for each.
The pick: Cody
152: Robert Limperis (CG) vs. Michael Shannon (TMA)
Kabra’s Predictions: Mateo Villalobos (BS) vs. Dylan Fox (JB)
What actually happened: Villalobos lost to Limperis in the quarterfinals and ended up 1-2 in the tournament while Fox lost a decison to Tyson Musgrove before Shannon scored a major decision win over him.
Saturday’s buzz: Another final where I can't look at a previous meeting in my notes to make the decision. Maybe I should just flip a coin.
The pick: Limperis
160: Koen Hoffman (LB) vs. Kendrick Hodge (SOM)
Kabra’s Predictions: Hodge vs. Vish Williams (MCK)
What actually happened: Hoffman earned his second-straight 3-0 win in the tournamnet in the semifinals over Williams to reach this spot.
Saturday’s buzz: Hoffman owns a 4-2 win this season over Hodge.
The pick: Hoffman
170: Chase Alden (LB) vs. Christian Moder (FBN)
Kabra’s Predictions: Moder vs. Alden
Saturday’s buzz: Moder hasn't given up an offensive point this weekend and has also defeated Alden multiple times this season.
The pick: Moder
182: Joseph Nicolosi (AHDB) vs. Lance Schyck (LB)
Kabra’s Predictions: Schyck vs. Nicolosi
Saturday’s buzz: Schyck faced what might be his toughest test in the semifinals and eeked out a win over No. 2 Michael Mocco. Now he gets to face No. 3 Nicolosi in the finals.
The pick: Schyck
195: Zach Lewicki (KW) vs. Mikey Tal Shahar (AHDB)
Kabra’s Predictions: Tal Shahar vs. David Mercado (NBH)
What actually happened: Lewicki pinned Mercado in the quarterfinals and then blanked Matt O'Hara 3-0 to reach this spot.
Saturday’s buzz: Tal Shahar was one of my surest picks coming into the weekend and nothing has convinced me I should change it.
The pick: Tal Shahar
220: Robert Tyre (CLY) vs. Jamari Watson (RAI)
Kabra’s Predictions: Tyre vs. Watson
Saturday’s buzz: These two have wrestled to a close 11-9 decision, but Tyre also has a pinfall over Watson from last weekend.
The pick: Tyre
285: Ethan Vergara (MLA) vs. Carlos Geradino (PB)
Kabra’s Predictions: Jack Pyburn (BOL) vs. Matthew Jimenez (SOM)
What actually happened: I went against my rankings and my picks record paid for it. Vergara has been dominant in all three rounds and Gerardino outlasted Jimenez is an evenly-fought semifinal.
Saturday’s buzz: Vergara looks like the best heavyweight in 1A and will look to bring home his second state title, he and Gerardino didn't meet this season.
The pick: Vergara takes another championship ring with him to West Liberty. Go Hilltoppers.
Girls
100: Valarie Solorio (MOSL) vs. Gabriele Tedesco (LG)
Kabra’s Predictions: Solorio vs. Tedesco
Saturday’s buzz: Solorio has spent 3:39 on the mat this weekend and looks every bit the nationally-ranked wrestler she is. Tedesco's energy is intoxicating to watch when she wrestles and her skills earned her a spot here.
The pick: Solorio
105: Hailee Moder (FBN) vs. Clare Booe (PHU)
Kabra’s Predictions: Booe vs. Sigrun Metzger (Crestview)
What actually happened: I missed the mark on Moder after she finished third in the region and she's been on fire here.
Saturday’s buzz: Booe is still one of the best pound-for-pound girls wrestlers in the state and while Moder is the future, Booe is the better wrestler in the present.
The pick: Booe
110: Tianna Fries (MAT) vs. Sofia Ferran (MLA)
Kabra’s Predictions: Ferran vs. Fries
Saturday’s buzz: The two haven't wrestled this season and both have looked strong this weekend with five combined wins by pin by them.
The pick: Ferran
115: Lourdes Macias (WEST) vs. Cameron Galvin (FREE)
Kabra’s Predictions: Galvin vs. Macias
Saturday’s buzz: Galvin has been steady and hasn't given up an offensive point this weekend while Macias has won two thrilling matches - a back-and-forth with McKeel's Margo Menge and a Sudden Victory over Erin Rizzuto.
The pick: Galvin
120: Brielle Bibla (TOCR) vs. Juliana Diaz (DP)
Kabra’s Predictions: Bibla vs. Diaz
Saturday’s buzz: Two nationally-ranked girls in the finals - this is still one of the matches we are looking most forward to.
The pick: Diaz
125: Gabriela Caro (DOU) vs. Kailey Rees (FREE)
Kabra’s Predictions: Rees vs. Aubrianna Apple (CLY)
What actually happened: Apple lost to Lucy Maris who then lost to Gabriela Caro. The first-year wrestler from Douglas scored three big wins to reach the final against Rees.
Saturday’s buzz: I've enjoyed getting to cover and talk to Rees but that's not why I'm picking her. It's because she's one of the best in the state.
The pick: Rees
130: Kaylee Easter (WEWA) vs. Madisyn Blackburn (CLY)
Kabra’s Predictions: Blackburn vs. Easter
Saturday’s buzz: Blackburn is an unofficial defending state champion and the Knockout and other girls tournaments this season.
The pick: Blackburn
135: Tydaisa Mack (NOMI) vs. Gabriella Perez (TC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Perez vs. Mack
Saturday’s buzz: These two met in the region semifinals and it was Perez who scored a 7-5 win and that's enough to give her to nod here. But it's a very small nod. This one should be close.
The pick: Perez
140: Sofia Delgado (MCP) vs. Olivia Richie (POV)
Kabra’s Predictions: Jada Llamido (HAG) vs. Richie
What actually happened: Delgado and Llamido battled hard in the semifinals with the Coral Park sophomore riding a first period takedown to a 3-2 win and finals appearance.
Saturday’s buzz: I'd love to have a stat or note here to help preview this, but Delgado didn't hit our radar until she finished third at the GMAC. She's shown she can be a giant killer, can she do it again on Saturday night?
The pick: Richie
145: Lilly Lutrell (TFRE) vs. Tasha Matkovich (ANCL)
Kabra’s Predictions: Jennah Mustafa (LAWA) vs. Teigan Slauson (PHU)
What actually happened: I was all sorts of wrong on this pick. Lutrell defeated Slauson in their semifinal meeting with a severly hobbled Slauson taking an injury default down 12-2 and finishing sixth in the state. Matkovich is another who flew under Kabra's radar but has been untouchable so far this weekend.
Saturday’s buzz: Lutrell finished fourth in the unofficial girls state tournament last season so that experience might be the difference, though we are honestly still learning about the Anclote senior.
The pick: Matkovich
155: Mya Bethel (NOMI) vs. Chloe Shull (TC)
Kabra’s Predictions: Bethel vs. Shull
Saturday’s buzz: This final almost didn't happen with Shull turning a 9-1 deficit into a win with a late pin in the third period of her semifinal. Can she pull off another thrilling win? She may need to.
The pick: Bethel
170: Henlee Haynes (MOSL) vs. Hayeni Costa (CEL)
Kabra’s Predictions: Ferny Hernandez (SD) vs. Costa
What actually happened: I knew this was a bold pick when I made it and I proved to be really wrong with my pick. Hernandez jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Haynes because she turned a 5-point move from the bottom as time expired in the first period and then put the bout away in the second.
Saturday’s buzz: Costa has been a treat to watch this weekend, but I'm not making another "bold" pick here, I'm going with the favorite.
The pick: Haynes
190: Alyssa Favara (PR) vs. Megan Preston (WIRA)
Kabra’s Predictions: Favara vs. Preston
Saturday’s buzz: Favara is nationally-ranked and looked every part of it in Kissimmee. Preston scored a thrilliing overtime win in her opening round match against No. 5 Cheyenne Cruce and hasn't looked back.
The pick: Favara
235: Andrea Smith (OP) vs. Kiara Brin (FREE)
Kabra’s Predictions: Smith vs. Brin
Saturday’s buzz: I wouldn't have made a ton of money with this pick in Vegas because most everyone would have had this meeting. Can Brin ride some of her team's state title magic to a first place finish here? Or will Smith finish her career by dominating an upper weight in Florida again?
The pick: Smith
