Wrestlers of the Week - So far this season

BY BRANT PARSONS — The Wrestlers of the Week feature is one of my favorite things to work on during the season, but it also can sometimes be left behind.

This season, as part of Kabra Wrestling, I had intended for it to be part of our premium service, Kabra+, but then life happened and with rankings taking the first priority, we missed out publishing some Wrestlers of the Week.

I’ve been able to catch up on a lot of things this week while being quarantined with COVID (I’m starting to feel better on my seventh day) and that means I will finally publish all of the Wrestlers of the Week that I picked for each week.

These will be for all readers, but next week’s might appear back on Kabra+. We’ll see :)

Congratulations to all who have earned this honor so far this season.

Note: The normal process is that nobody can win more than once (there’s one exception this season so far) and most weeks, a team is only represented once by a wrestler (the Knockout again the exception).

Week 6

TOW: Somerset - In the closet race you can have and still get a winner, the Panthers edged Clay by .5 to win the team title at their Scuffle tournament this weekend.

106: Lincoln Sledzianowski (Somerset) - The eighth grader continued to claim the Kabra Wrestling rankings with an unbeated performance at the Scuffle.

113: Andres DiGrigoli (First Baptist) - Another eighth grader coming up big at the Scuffle, he knocked off #2-1A in the final.

120: Adrian Morales (South Dade) - Topped defending state champion Christian Guzman in their district duals battle.

126: Anderson Heap (Kissimmee Osceola) - Defeated Andrew Austin 7-6 in the finals of the Cradle Cancer.

132: Colson Elliott (Gulf Breeze) - Was undefeated in district duals and the Joe Bees on the week.

138: Cooper Haase (Osceola) - The two-time state champion dominated his way to a Cradle Cancer title.

145: Brandon Cody (The Master's Academy) - Edged the #2-1A wrestler 3-1 to take home the Ships title at Palm Bay.

152: Nick Hejke (Mosley) - Became the all-time wins leader in his county.

160: Omer Barak (AHDB) - Won the Stallion Slam with four pins in the first period.

170: Riley Orr (Fort Pierce Central) - Took home first place at the Cradle Cancer in an absolutely stocked weight class.

182: Kyle Grey (Lincoln Park) - What a Top 13 battle in the finals at the Ships at Palm Bay.

195: Chris Griel (Palm Harbor University) - Has been battling all over the state all season long and won first place at the Cradle Cancer.

220: Robert Tyre (Clay) - Knocked off the top-ranked wrestler in Class 1A to win the Somerset Scuffle.

285: Adrian Sans (SWM) - Went 4-0 to win the Stallion Slam at American Heritage-DB.

Girls LW: Gabrielle Tedesco (Lake GIbson) - Followed up a Knockout title with a win at McKeel.

Girls MW: Jennah Mustafa (Lake Wales) - Won her second tournament of the season with a Wildcat crown.

Girls HW: Lilly Yambor (Gateway) - Earned second title win in three tournaments with first place finish at Lady Rams Tournament of Champions.

Week 4/5

TOW: Tampa Jesuit - Rode four champions to a dominating team win at the presitgious Knockout Christmas Tournament.

106: Gabriel Tellez (SW Miami) - The Eagles sophomore started the Knockout finals with a win for the Sunshine State.

113: Matthew Neman (Fleming Island) - Won first place at the Hammer Invitational at Oakleaf.

120: Ryan Mooney (Jensen Beach) - The junior's fourth place finish at the Knockout was the best finish by a Florida wrestler.

126: Michael Palermo (Cardinal Gibbons) - Helped lead Gibbons to the title with an undefeated performance at Bobby Stanley Duals.

132: Braden Basile (Tampa Jesuit) - When you win the Knockout, you get a second WOW mention.

138: Thomas Crook (Tampa Jesuit) - Battled tough with Cooper Haase for the win at the Knockout.

145: Jack Crook (Tampa Jesuit) - Secured a Knockout title with a win over top-ranked Van Hoecke in the finals.

152: Zach Weilder (Cypress Bay) - Went 5-0 at the Bobby Stanley Duals with three ranked wins.

160: Brendon Abdon (Lake Gibson) - Scored one of the thrilling wins of the finals with a come-from-behind victory at the Knockout.

170: Frank Solorzano (Lake Gibson) - Tito defeated three Top 4 Florida wrestlers including the #2 and #3 wrestler in 2A on his way to winning a Knockout title.

182: Alex Smith (Yulee) - Took home first place at the Maryville Invitational in Tennessee.

195: Sergio Desiante (Tampa Jesuit) - Won the Knockout and helped Tigers win team crown.

220: Sawyer Bartelt (South Dade) - Made his first appearnce of the season count with a dominating performance at the Knockout.

285: Ethan Vergara (Mater Lakes) - Top Florida finisher at the Knockout.

Girls LW: Juliana Diaz (Dr. Phillips) - Reversed a loss from before holidays while winning the Knockout.

Girls MW: Kaily Rees (Freedom) - Won the Knockout in convincing fashion for the Patriots.

Girls HW: Alyssa Favara (Palmetto Ridge) - Nationally-ranked and a Knockout champ too.

Week 3

TOW: Freedom girls - They topped Dr. Phillips and other top teams for a huge tournament win at Hagerty.

106: Vincent Biondoletti (Coral Shores) - Won a title down in Key West.

113: Matthew Velasco (Somerset) - Longhorn Rotary champ.

120: Chrsitian Guzman (Columbus) - Won weight class at Key West with three Top 15 wrestlers.

126: Nicholas Yancey (Cardinal Gibbons) - Finished off a day weekend at Jupiter with a title.

132: Venumadhava Mirel (Buchholz) - Went 6-0 at the loaded Johnny Rouse Duals.

138: Rocco Vargas (Apopka) - Scored a thrilling come-from-behind finals win at the Bill Scott Invitational.

145: Reese Hibbard (Sarasota) - Knocked off a Top 3 wrestler to win the title at Bradenton Battle.

152: Rafael Romero (Anmerican Heritage-Delray Beach) - Won the Jupiter Invitational.

160: Connor Ivory (Cypress Bay) - Took home first place at GillisStrong that included a win over a third-ranked wrestler.

170: Jordan Mills (Matanzas) - Finished weekend 7-0 at the Johnny Rouse Duals.

182: Michael Mocco (Coral Springs Charter) - Began his season by going undefeated and winning the GillisStrong.

195: Keyshawn Campbell (Vero Beach) - The returning state placer made his season debut count with a tournament win at The Villages.

220: Okten Logue (Port Charlotte) - Won the Bradenton Battle.

285: Austin Foye (Palmetto Ridge) - Won the Key West Inviational with a Top 4 win in the finals.

Girls LW: Cameron Galvin (Orlando Freedom) - Won a battle of 1-2 in the finals of the Rouse.

Girls MW: Jada Llamido (Hagerty) - Opened up her season collection of win at home with a title in the Rouse.

Girls HW: Amy Etienne (Dr. Phillips) - Overcame a strong field to finish first at Rouse IBT.

Week 2

TOW: Clay - The Blue Devils easily topped the 34-team Kiwanis Invitational.

106: Julian Harvey (Wakulla) - Won the Capital City Classic.

113: Jayce Paridon (Fleming Island) - Punctuated a strong start to the season with a Danny Byron title.

120: Tyson Lane (Brandon) - Did not give up a point while securing a Captain Archer crown.

126: Andrew Austin (Charlotte) - Became the first ever Tarpons wrestler to win four career Captain Archer titles.

132: Kevin Kearns (Deltona) - Went 5-0 at the Battle of the Dunes.

138: Brennan Van Hoecke (Palmetto Ridge) - Placed third at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, one of the hardest tournaments in the country.

145: Danny Nini (Lake Highland Prep) - The Highlanders senior also placed third at Walsh.

152: Mateo Villalobos (Bonita Springs) - King's Classic champion.

160: Cordell White (South Dade) - Won a ridiculously loaded weight class at the Danny Byron.

170: Michael McCarthy (Satellite) - Finished in first at the William Nutter at Merritt Island.

182: Brian Burburija (Countryside) - Took home first place honors at his school's Fit2Win tournament.

195: David Mercado (North Bay Haven) - Won the Ryan Blackwell.

220: Morvens Saint Jean (FTM) - Won the Captain Archer over a big collection of Top 12 wrestlers.

285: Devin Williams (Hernando) - Topped talented Kiwanis field.

Girls LW: Kohana Martinez (Zephyrhills) - Won at title at the Ranch.

Girls MW: Teigan Slauson (Palm Harbor University) - Kicked her season off with a win on the Ranch.

Girls HW: Ferny Hernandez (South Dade) - Second straight weekend with a title after winning at Ponte Vedra.

Week 1

TOW: Southwest Miami - Went 5-0 at the Battle at the Beach with all five dual wins coming against Top 20 ranked opponents.

106: Seabastian Degennaro (Jensen Beach) - The freshman went 5-0 at the Battle at the Beach to start the season.

113: Tyler Washburn (Palmetto Ridge) - The defending state champion went 9-0 at the tough Gary Freis Duals.

120: Blaine Taranto (Venice) - Was 5-0 on Saturday at the Braves Duals with a Top 10 win.

126: Jamey Bruner (New Smyrna Beach) - Scored a Top 15 win while taking the top spot at the Clash of Titans.

132: Braden Basile (Tampa Jesuit) - Warmed up for this weekend's Walsh Jesuit Ironman with a title at the Ben Richards Memorial.

138: Aaron Lanster (Miami Beach) - Won an H-Town bracket that had three Top 10 wreslters in it.

145: William Belcher (East River) - Had a perfect Saturday to win the Barbara Pill Memorial.

152: Niko Huff (Sebastian River) - Began the season with a tournament win at the Kenny Pfeiffer Invitational.

160: Frank Diaz (Brandon) - Won the Jim Graves tournament to begin his senior season.

170: Joshua Sandoval (Fleming Island) - Pinned Top 5 opponent en route to a perfect weekend at the Border Wars IX.

182: Dominic Joyce (North Port) - The junior moved to top of the rankings at 182 after a perfect weekend at Gary Freis.

195: Cayden Bevis (Lincoln) - Scored a pin in a meeting of Top 5 wrestlers in the final at Cam Brown Classic.

220: Nathaniel Box (Charlotte) - Beat two ranked wrestlrs while going 7-0 and helping lead the Tarpons to a team title at the Gary Freis Duals.

285: Gabriel Jacas (FTPC) - The 220-pound state champion a year ago moved up to 285 and topped Adrian Sans (SWM) 7-2 in a battle of No. 1 wrestlers.

Girls LW - Clare Booe (Palm Harbor University) - Won one of the deeper brackets at Clash of Titans to start the first sanctioned girls season.

Girls MW - Anisah Paz (South Dade) - The sophomore burst onto the scene with a win at the Clash of Titans.

Girls HW - Kiara Brin (Orlando Freedom) - Defeated a Top 4 opponent to win the 235-pound weight class at Clash of Titans.