Kabra Wrestling’s Wrestlers of the Week - Weeks 4-5
BY BRANT PARSONS — Each week during the season, Kabra Wrestling likes to showcase wrestlers who had a special performance the week before.
The only criteria that we try to meet is that we only recognize a team one time each week and the goal is to not have any repeat honorees.
Congratulations to all who were named to the Kabra Wrestling WOTW team for Weeks 4-5.
Wrestlers of the Week
Winter Springs’ Elijah Penton after winning the 170-pound final at the Knockout Christmas Classic. (Brant Parsons/Kabra Wrestling)
Boys
Team: South Dade: The Bucs were dominant in winning the Knockout Christmas Classic, the hardest and deepest wrestling tournament in the southeast.
106: Andrew Punzalan (Cypress Bay): Knockout champion scored two clutch wins on the second day to take title.
113: Derrick Williams (Bay): The 27-0 junior went 8-0 at the Beast of the Beach.
120: Alexander McMiller (Satellite): Won the Palm Bay Ships tournament.
126: Addison Breeding (Weeki Wachee): Went 5-0 with two ranked wins at the Bulls Duals.
132: Jaime Rodriguez (Columbus): Finished 8-0 at the Bobby Stanley Duals.
138: Thomas Gernhart (Brandon): Solid season continued with a 5-0 performance at Bulls Duals.
145: Anderson Heap (Kissimmee Osceola): Along with teammate Cooper Haase, won a Knockout title.
152: Roberto Cuartero (Bishop Kenny): Earned the top spot at the Hammer Invitational.
160: James Baltutis (Charlotte): Went 9-0 at the Bobby Stanley Duals to lead Charlotte.
170: Elijah Penton (Winter Springs): Became the lowest seed to ever win a Knockout Christmas Classic title.
182: Frank Solorzano (Lake Gibson): Earned his second career Knockout title.
195: Brian Burburija (Countryside): Took home the title in one of the hardest weight classes at the Knockout.
220: Sawyer Bartelt (South Dade): The Iowa State commit won his third Knockout title by dominating the field at Silver Spurs.
285: Caleb Rodriguez (First Baptist-Naples): After reaching the finals at the Knockout, Rodriguez went 5-0 at the Bulls Duals with a win over a top 3 wrestler.
South Dade’s Yoseline Perez competes in the 235-pound final at the Knockout Christmas Classic. (Brant Parsons/Kabra Wrestling)
Girls
Team: Matanzas: Finished fourth as a team at The Wonder Woman in Missouri. The team finished with four placers in the deep event.
100: Isabella Wall (Niceville): Earned a second-place finish at the Queen of the South.
105: Mackenzie Allcroft (Fort Pierce Central): Was 4-0 while winning the Brown IBT.
110: Helena Alcantar (Gulf Breeze): Won all her matches at the Gulf Shores Scuffle by pin.
115: Analy Picado (Braddock): Dominated a returning state champion in the final of the Knockout.
120: Angel Williams (Wewahitchka): Finished in fourth place at the Queen of the South.
125: Christina Turner (Sarasota Military): Was the top Florida finisher at the Knockout Christmas Classic.
130: Claire Betz (Lincoln Park): The senior continued her strong season with a win at the Brown IBT.
135: Aireaana Gavere (Milton): Won the title at the Queen of the South and Girls Gulf Shores Scuffle.
140: Kendall Bibla (Matanzas): One of four Matanzas wrestlers to place fourth at The Wonder Woman, along with Christina Borgmann, Tiana Fries, and Brielle Bibla.
145: Katherine Stewart (Bartram Trail): Battled Knockout champion Jennah Mustafa tough and placed third in the tournament.
155: Mya Bethel (North Miami): Last year's state champion has not missed a beat and was impressive while winning the Knockout.
170: Alysha Josue (Westwood): Was dominant in all her matches at the Brown IBT.
190: Tanihya Wilson (Bayside): Earned a spot in the final of the Knockout before falling to top-ranked Cheyenne Cruce.
235: Yoseline Perez (South Dade): Won the Knockout with an impressive performance in a loaded weight class.
Past winners
Week 3
Boys
Team: Mater Lakes: Edged Cardinal Gibbons to take the top spot at the 5th Annual GillisStrong Invitational and won the Battle of the Bears dual with defending Class 3A state duals champion Palmetto Ridge.
106: Matthew Newman (Fleming Island): Stayed undefeated on the season with a win at the Corey Hill Memorial.
113: Tyler Washburn (Palmetto Ridge): Won a battle of No. 1s in the final at Key West.
120: Jordan Escarra (Cypress Bay): Finished in first place in the Key West Invitational.
126: Jaden Weisgal (Brandon): The freshman improved to 16-1 on the season with a dominating performance at the Bradenton Battle.
132: Khalil Esquire (Miami Beach): Continued his torrid start to the year by beating the top two seeds en route to a title at GillisStrong.
138: Nicholas Yancey (Cardinal Gibbons): Prevailed in one of the tightest finals of the weekend, edging a top 2 wrestler in sudden victory to win at GillisStrong.
145: Michael Kersey (First Baptist-Naples): The GillisStrong champion at 145 pounds, he defeated a returning state champion in the final.
152: DJ Richards (Mount Dora): The Florida newcomer took home first place at the 49th Annual Bill Scott Christmas Invitational.
160: Nathan Furman (Palm Bay): Took first place in a solid bracket at Bradenton Battle.
170: Kenneth Dean (Cypress Creek): Won the Longhorn Classic.
182: Jean-Emilio Pierre (South Planation): Was 4-0 with four wins by pin on his way to winning the GillisStrong.
195: Robb Philippus (Hudson): Champion at 195 pounds in Key West this weekend.
220: DJ Gillins (Tenoroc): Went 9-0 at the Polk County Duals with wins over three top 10 wrestlers and two top 3.
285: MJ Smokes (DeLand) The junior went 7-0 at Rouse Duals with seven six-point wins.
Girls
Team: Orlando Freedom: The defending state champions distanced themselves from the field at the Let Freedom Ring Girls IBT, the deepest in-season girls tournament the state has seen.
100: Kohana Martinez (Zephyrhills): The senior came out on top in one of the most solid weight classes at the Let Freedom Ring.
105: Kiera Partello (Barron Collier): The freshman won first place at GillisStrong.
110: Mariah Mills (Matanzas): The sophomore was commanding in winning her weight class at Orlando Freedom on Saturday.
115: Erin Rizzuto (Ponte Vedra): Went 4-0 win four pins to win the title at Let Freedom Ring.
120: Cameron Gallivan (Orlando Freedom): The defending state champion bumped up a weight to win a loaded weight class.
125: Blanca Cespedes (Riverdale): Can be counted as one of the biggest surprises at Freedom with the 18th-ranked Cespedes taking home the title.
130: Aurora Guadiana (Wellington): Champion at the GillisStrong Girls Tournament.
135: Callie Alfieri (Gulf): Scored four first-period pinfalls to win the 130-135 weight class at Lady Buccaneer.
140: Sofia Delgado (Miami Coral Park): Won the match of the night with a state final replay win over last year's state champion.
145: Carlee Morrison (Columbia): Finished in first place in the combined 145-155 at the Tiger Duals Girls Round Robin.
155: Mya Bethel (North Miami): The returning state champion continued to wrestle well with a win at Gillis.
170: Madelyn Driggett (Merritt Island): Won twice in the week, coming in first at Timber Creek mid-week and then topping the weight class at Skylar White on the weekend.
190: Reilly Branca (Clearwater): Went 4-0 to win the title at the Susan Duval Girls Bash.
235: Cheyenne Wigley (Mainland): Put herself out ahead of the weight class with a dominating performance at Orlando Freedom.
Week 2
Boys
Team: Charlotte: Edged Lemon Bay by 9 1/2 points in the always packed Captain Archer with three individual champions.
106: Nathaniel Overman (Bloomingdale): Went 6-0 at the Coach Kelly Memorial at Manatee with a win over the No. 1 wrestler in Class 1A.
113: Gabriel Tellez (SW Miami): Finshed atop a tough weight class at the Danny Byron.
120: Sebastian Degennaro (Jensen Beach): Placed seventh at the loaded Walsh Ironman in Ohio.
126: Jayce Paridon (Fleming Island): Went undefeated over the weekend to take home top honors at the Danny Byron.
132: Rey Ortiz (Harmony): Majored the defending state champion in the finals of the Fit2Win Invitational.
138: Eligh Rivera (Lake Highland Prep): Top finishing Florida wrestler at the Walsh Ironman. Was one of two LHP placers along with Ethan Mojena.
145: Clayton Mitchell (Oviedo): Went 5-0 at the Deltona Duals with five pins and started the Lions comeback when down 24-3 to Creekside.
152: Brandon Cody (Tampa Jesuit): Won his second straight tournament with a four pin performance at the Kiwanis Invitational.
160: Christopher Minto (Mariner): Named Outstanding Wrestler at the Captain Archer with an impressive performance.
170: Konner Stuttgen (Bonita Springs): Stayed unbeaten on the season with a first place finish at the King's Classic.
182: Nolan McKelvy (West Nassau): Finished in first place at the Westside Kiwanis Christmas Invitational.
195: Jakob Nowak (Lincoln): Won 3 of his 4 matches by fall on his way to a win at the Capital City Classic.
220: Landon Walters (George Jenkins): Fourth-ranked wrestler went 8-0 and scored an ultimate tie-breaker win against the No. 3 wrestler in Class 3A.
285: Peter Nesheiwat (Timber Creek): Took home first place in a stacked weight class at the Danny Byron.
Girls
Team: Kissimmee Gateway: Had five individual champions while winning the team title at the Pineda Invitational.
100: Kealonie Vega (Kissimmee Osceola): Made her season debut with an individual title in a deep weight class at the Own the Ocean IBT at Ponte Vedra.
105: Madelyne Bombardier (McKeel Academy): Won her weight class at the Grenadier Girls Grappler.
110: Sigrun Metzger (Crestview): Was victorious a battle of top 5 wrestlers in the final at the Ryan Blackwell.
115: Ariel Goble (Strawberry Crest): Was tops in her bracket at Colonial.
120: Christina Borgmann (Matanzas): Continued her strong start to the season with a second title, this one at the Rumble at the Ranch.
125: Brianna Pena (Sanford Seminole): Topped her bracket at the Grenadier Girls Grappler at Colonial.
130: Keyla DeLeon (Orlando Freedom): Knocked off the No. 2 wrestler in the weight class at the final of Own the Ocean.
135: Nehemie Gregorie (Apopka): Led the Blue Darters with a win in her bracket at the Grenadier Grappler.
140: Gaby Perez (Fort Pierce Central): Bested top-ranked wrestler in the final at Own the Ocean.
145: Zoe Williamson (South Lake): Took first place in a loaded weight class at Own the Ocean with four ranked wrestlers in the bracket.
155: Karla Ortiz (Westside): Own the Ocean IBT champion at 155 pounds.
170: Megan Preston (Wiregrass Ranch): Brought home titles in two events this week with wins at the Ranch and Grappler.
190: Emilia Riveira (Dr. Phillips): Triumphed in her bracket at Colonial.
235: Kinea Moore (Boca Ciega): Finished first at the Rumble at the Ranch with a top 10 win in the final.
Week 1
Boys
Team: Merritt Island: Three champions pushed the Mustangs to a tight team win at the Clash of the Titans.
106: Eli Jolicoeur (Suwannee): Won a battle between the now top two wrestlers in 2A-106 at the Border Wars X.
113: Frederick Mitchum (Miami Southridge): Avenged a late preseason loss with a 4-3 win in the final of the H-Town Throwdown.
120: Ethan Rivera (Lake Highland Prep): Was one of eight LHP champions at the Rumble on the Reservation.
126: Julian Montero (Doral Academy): Took first in a loaded bracket at the H-Town Throwdown.
132: Roman Maldonado (Palm Bay): Made his Palm Bay debut with a perfect 9-0 weekend at Bayside in the Barbara Pill Memorial.
138: Nicholas Romero (Riverview): Won a battle of No. 2s in the finals of the Ben Richards Invitational.
145: Jewell Williams (Jensen Beach): Was 5-0 on Friday and won a tight 6-4 bout in the championship dual that the Falcons won over SW Miami by a single point.
152: Cooper Haase (Kissimmee Osceola): Three-time state champion topped a loaded field at Rumble on the Reservation.
160: Enzo Gamba (Fernandina Beach): Won Border Wars X with a top five win in the final and a 9-0 record on the weekend.
170: Dylan Johns (Yulee): Kicked off the season with a 6-0 performance at the Cam Brown Classic.
182: Zach Weidler (Cypress Bay): Did not a have a single point scored on him in his win at the H-Town Throwdown, which included knocking off a then-No. 2 wrestler.
195: Dylon York (New Smyrna Beach): Began the season by taking the title in the Clash of the Titans.
220: Gregorio Herrera (Immokalee): After missing his junior season with a torn ACL, went 7-0 at Gary Freis Duals this past weekend.
285: Grabiel Rodriguez (Hollins): Was undefeated with a top five victory at the Osceola Seminole Duals.
Girls
Team: Boca Ciega: Kicked off the season with a strong team performance at the Princess Punchout.
100: Miabella Lopez (Orlando Freedom): The freshman kickstarted a team win at the Lady Braves Invitational by winning a deep weight class.
105: Gabriele Tedesco (Lake Gibson): Won the Lady Braves Invitational to start the season in the first girls weekend.
110: Emma Bauknight (Springstead): Earned a tight win in a top 5 battle at the Lady Braves.
115: Mayangeliw Colon (McKeel Academy): One of seven McKeel champions in the Lady Tiger IBT.
120: Sydney Bridenstine (Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek): The junior won the combined 130/135 at Princess Punchout and then was undefeated at the Hillsborough-Pasco Duals.
125: Kailani Barrientos (Oakleaf): Won battle of No. 1s in quarterfinals on way to win at Lady Clash of Titans
130: Brielle Bibla (Matanzas): Took first in a loaded weight class at Lady Clash of the Titans that had four returning state qualifiers.
135: Aubrianna Apple (Clay): Began the season with an impressive performance in winning first place at the Lady Clash.
140: Kristy More (Sunlake): Finished first at her school's Lady Bash to start the year.
145: Jennah Mustafa (Lake Wales): Won a loaded field at the Lady Clash that included three returning state placers.
155: Kaylie Collado (Poinciana): The junior won Lady Tiger IBT with a Top 10 victory in the final.
170: Grace Leota (Hernando): Won the Suncoast Lady Bash in her first tournament for the Leopards.
190: Cheyene Cruce (Middleburg): Prevailed in a battle of top 3 wrestlers to win the Lady Clash of the Titans.
235: Alyssa Nazario (Miami Beach): Champion at the Girls H-Town Throw Down.
