KISSIMMEE – When wrestling begins on this afternoon (12:30) at the Silver Spur Arena at Heritage Park, it will kick off three days of the best competition in the state.

As 1A, 2A, 3A and girls compete for a coveted team state title, there will also be 169 individual wrestlers from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties who have a chance to win multiple titles – including Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons’ heavyweight Michael Mocco, who will be going for his fourth straight championship before heading off to the University of Iowa next year.

STATE WRESTLING SCHEDULE

Florida High School Wrestling State Championships Schedule

Thursday, March 5 – Saturday, March 7, 2026

Thursday, March 5

11:00 a.m. Weigh-ins

12:30 p.m. Championship Round 1 begins for ALL CLASSES and BOTH GENDERS

4:00 p.m. Consolation Round 1

Friday, March 6

8:00 a.m. Weigh-ins

9:15 a.m. Championship Round 2

Follow Consolation Round 2

2:00 p.m. Championship Round 3 (Semifinals)

Follow Consolation Round 3

Saturday, March 7

8:00 a.m. Weigh-ins

9:30 a.m. Consolation Semifinals

Follow Consolation Finals

4:00 p.m. Florida High School Wrestling State Championship Award Ceremonies

Follow Finals Matches Begin Immediately Following Conclusion of Ceremonies

Admission: $11.00 per session if purchased in advance via Ticketmaster, and $14.00 if purchased day of, plus any applicable service fees. Multi-session tickets are available.

Parking: $15.00 (all proceeds retained by Venue)

Live Webcasts: NFHS Network

In addition to Mocco, there are other area wrestlers going for milestones this weekend:

Also going for a fourth title will be Jovani Solis (3A, 144, Homestead South Dade.

Going for 3^rd State Championship will be Jovanni Tovar (3A-120, Miami Southridge).

Area wrestlers looking for a second title will be Lazaro Soto (3A,120, Southwest Miami), Kellen Mesina (1A-126, Mater Lakes Academy), Elijah Castanon (1A-132, Miami Christian), Keagan Mesina (1A-132, Hialeah Mater Lakes), Guillermo Jaramillo (3A-132, Homestead South Dade), Illia Kyrylanenko (3A-138, Hollywood South Broward), Armand Williams (3A-150, Homestead South Dade), Tristan Sainz (2A-157,  Pembroke Pines Somerset), Tyree Graham (3A-165, Homestead South Dade), Kalais Nazario (1A-165, Hialeah Mater Lakes), Connor Bonney (3A-175, Miami Palmetto), Mateo Martinez (2A-190, Pembroke Pines Somerset) and Peter Mocco (1A-215, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons - Coral Springs Charter School, 2024).

GIRLS WRESTLING

Going for a second will be Zoe Delgado (140, Miami Florida Christian).

LOCAL WRESTLERS ARE HEADED TO STATE

Each year, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties send numerous wrestlers to the state tournament with winning a state title or placing an objective.

With powerhouse South Dade among the best every year, first year head coach Humberto “Duck” Reyna looks to add to the growing number of state titles after picking up his first dual championship back in January.

While the Bucs have dominated 3A, last year’s 1A state champions, Miami Mater Lakes and head coach Brandon Neifeld are also a favorite to bring home another crown to south Florida.

While 2A is going to be very competitive, head coach Joe Biasucci and his Pembroke Pines Somerset program are fresh off a regional title last weekend and will be a force.

South Dade’s girls are a team to watch for the title with several key competitors having a chance to win titles for the Lady Bucs.

Here is a look at those Miami-Dade and Broward competitors going to Kissimmee, starting on Thursday:

1A BOYS

106

CLASS OF 2031 - Ryan Rojo, Miami Christian School, 9-2

2031 - Jason Goff, Florida Christian School, 21-6

2029 - Jack Cabrera, Mater Lakes Academy, 30-4

2031 - Parker Young, Miami True North, 37-9

113

2031 - Adrian Rojas, Miami Christian School, 26-5

2028 - Andres Garcia, Cardinal Gibbons, 39-6

2029 - Ronn Stephen Flores, Mater Lakes Academy, 26-13

2028 - Dylan Presman, Miami Carol City, 41-7

120

2028 - Jake Margolis, Mater Lakes Academy, 11-1

2027 - Logan Bajor, Cardinal Gibbons, 33-13

2028 – Miguel Ramirez, Miami SLAM Academy, 22-8

126

2026 - Kellen Mesina, Mater Lakes Academy, 36-2

2028 - Jake Arnesen, Cardinal Gibbons, 36-14

2030 - Case Gustafson, Miami Christian School, 15-5

2029 - Tristan Eril-Coto, Miami SLAM Academy, 20-8

132

2028 - Keagan Mesina, Mater Lakes Academy, 18-0

2030 - Elijah Castanon, Miami Christian School, 16-3

138

2027 - Christopher Greene, Mater Lakes Academy, 35-3

2027 - Skyler Barreto, Cardinal Gibbons, 29-8

2029 - Willie`d White, Miami SLAM Academy, 25-7

144

2028 - Bruce Li, Mater Lakes Academy, 31-4

2027 - Enzo Amado, Cardinal Gibbons, 24-8

2026 - Andy Diaz, Miami True North, 33-9

150

2028 - Mason O`Dell, Mater Lakes Academy, 32-4

2027 - Caden Cagiano, Cardinal Gibbons, 28-18

2029 - Sam Brown, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 19-15

157

2028 - Cesar Aguilar, Mater Lakes Academy) 24-11

2029 - Lucas Santiago, Miami True North, 29-6

2026 - Jacob Lobis, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 38-9

165

2026 - Kalias Nazario, Mater Lakes Academy, 21-0

2027 - Andrew Chen, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 27-6

2026 - Isaac Fayer, Cardinal Gibbons, 26-5

175

2027 - Brandon Simmons, Miami Carol City, 29-2

2028 - Brandon Valdes, Miami Killian, 16-6

2026 - Ethan Stone, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, 15-4

2026 - Ibrahim Gowon, Miami Central, 38-6

190

2026 - Darian Vargas, Mater Lakes Academy, 28-10

2027 - Juan Mars, Miami Central, 39-3

2028 - Braeden Silva, Florida Christian School, 30-8

215

2028 - Peter Mocco, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 51-0

2026 - Richard Lugo, Mater Lakes Academy, 17-8

2026 - Elijah Olowu, Miami Carol City, 30-13

285

2026 - Michael Mocco, Cardinal Gibbons, 50-0

2026 - Michealangelo Alvarez, Doral Ronald Reagan, 48-4

2A BOYS

106

2032 - Caio Sainz, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 39-7

2029 - Gavin Langley, Archbishop McCarthy, 33-10

2031 - Berri Ali Stvil, Mater Academy, 20-9

113

2026 - Gary Mendez, Mater Academy, 29-8

2030 - Cano Austin, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 30-9

120

2028 - Jacob Rhodes, Archbishop McCarthy, 31-10

2026 - Juan Perez, Everglades, 30-7

126

2027 - Christopher Smith, Archbishop McCarthy, 31-6

2029 – Berry Nasir Stvil, Mater Academy, 29-10

132

2029 - Lucas Barrios, Mater Academy, 23-2

2029 - Carlos Sainz, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 45-7

2028 - Deaven Montanez, Archbishop McCarthy, 36-12

138

2027 - Joseph Scott, Archbishop McCarthy, 35-7

2027 - Dylan Fernandez, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 44-7

144

2027 - Darion Shannon, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 44-7

2027 - Jayden Rivas, Miramar, 41-8

2027 - Andre Rossi, Archbishop McCarthy, 23-16

150

2026 - Andres Viera, Mater Academy, 29-9

2027 - Marlo Jimenez, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 35-16

157

2026 - Tristan Sainz, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 30-0

2026 - Charly Sainteus, North Miami, 28-3

165

2027 - Atticus Dye, Archbishop McCarthy, 35-5

2026 - Tyler Kelly, Deerfield Beach, 39-14

2028 - Sidney Katz, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 46-5

175

2026 - Adan Williams, Dillard, 32-15, Sr. (Fall 3:16)

2027 - Eli Diaz, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 48-8

2026 - Jordan Evans, Hollywood McArthur, 27-5

190

2026 - Mateo Martinez, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 53-5

2026 - Rubier Oliva, Miami Felix Varela, 43-5

2027 - Mike Jn Baptiste, Miramar, 30-15

215

2026 - Sage Suarez, Pembroke Pines Somerset, 47-8

285

2026 - Christopher Coleman, Deerfield Beach, 53-8

2026 - Guiyen Noel, Mater Academy, 7-2

3A BOYS
106

2027 - Michiah Gillins Jr., South Plantation, 39-1

2026 - Alejandro Ravelo, Southwest Miami, 50-12

2029 - Jai Diaz, Doral Academy, 30-11

2027 - Misael Guerrero, Homestead Senior, 27-9

113

2026 - Bryan Morales, South Dade, 25-7

2027 - Donovan Jenkins, South Plantation, 38-4

2027 - Tyler Metellus, Monarch, 47-2

2028 - Abigail Gonzalez, Miami Southridge, 8-4

120

2027 – Lazaro Soto, Southwest Miami, 56-0

2026 - Janmichael Broche, Miami Braddock, 30-10

2026 - Lincoln Derby, South Plantation, 34-4

2027 - Yeison Santana, Miami Southridge, 20-20

126

2029 - Dominic Rodriguez, Miami Christopher Columbus, 41-7

2028 - Jovanni Tovar, Miami Southridge, 45-2

2028 - Gary Jackson, Miami Palmetto, 34-8

2028 - Jose Callava, South Dade, 27-11

132

2026 - Guillermo Jaramillo, South Dade, 28-6

2027 - Sebastian Gonzalez, Southwest Miami, 43-14

2027 - Alfredo Cheang, Miami Southridge, 41-10

2026 - Davian Lopez, Hialeah Gardens, 28-11

138

2028 - Stefano Garcia, Miami Southridge, 32-4

2027 - Gregory Jackson, Miami Palmetto, 35-8

2028 - Illia Kyryianenko, South Broward, 10-1

2026 - Kaleb Williams, South Dade, 32-9

144

2028 - Jovani Solis, South Dade, 40-1

2028 - Ericson Coney, Miami Southridge, 41-15

2026 - Mateus Sgai, Doral Academy, 30-9

2026 - Aston Claxon, Flanagan, 42-6

150

2027 - Armand Williams, South Dade, 31-1

2027 - Nelson Hued, Southwest Miami, 47-14

2027 - Ricky Montalvan, Doral Academy, 35-10

2026 - Matthew Padgett, Miami Palmetto, 26-6

157

2028 - Tomas Campian, Christopher Columbus, 48-4

2028 - Imran Dzhabrailov, Miami Beach, 31-6

2026 - Didier Novoa, Southwest Miami, 51-8

2028 - Cameron Haines, South Dade, 31-17

165

2026 - Tyree Graham, South Dade, 52-1

2028 – Andres Rojas, Miami Southridge, 36-8

2026 - Drake Bonney, Miami Palmetto, 36-9

2027 - Julian Sierra, Christopher Columbus, 34-5

175

2026 - Connor Bonney, Miami Palmetto, 25-2

2027 - Jonathan Moreno, South Dade, 20-4

2026 - Xander Ortiz, Nova, 36-3

2027 - Chase Boyd, South Plantation, 33-9

190

2026 - Tedrick Lee, Christopher Columbus, 42-8

2026 - Maverick Lorminey, South Plantation, 39-6

2026 - Daniel Sanchez, Miami Southridge, 22-5

2026 - Damian Nunez, Hialeah Gardens, 36-12

215

2027 - Cristhian Soto, Miami Southridge, 26-4

2026 - Sebastian Morera, South Dade, 31-10

2026 - Anthony Romero, Southwest Miami, 51-12

2026 - Adam Cantu, Hialeah Gardens, 40-8

285

2028 - Gabriel Ortiz, Southwest Miami, 34-13

2028 - Alexander Urbina, Miami Palmetto, 28-12

2026 - Diddier Carrillo-Castillo, Monarch, 39-5

2028 - Gabriel Pena, Hialeah Gardens, 37-8

GIRLS

100

2029 – Paola Perez, Mater Lakes Academy, 27-2

2027 - Rebecca Marin, Doral Academy, 35-2

2027 - Lydia Gonzalez, South Dade, 26-6

105

2027 - Saryiah Ford, Miami SLAM Academy, 40-6

2027 - Tiffany Francisco, Davie Western, 29-4

2027 - Kimberly Picado, South Dade, 22-8

110

2027 - Victoria Sifuentes, South Dade, 17-9

2028 - Melanie Loynaz, Mater Academy, 31-5

2028 - Kaylee Padin, Western, 32-9

115

2031 - Melissa Gallo, Florida Christian, 26-2

2026 – Isabella Tellez, Doral Academy, 23-12

120

2026 - Kailea Villavicencio, Archbishop McCarthy, 18-2

2029 - Anabella Junco, Florida Christian School, 30-4

2027 - Carmen Moya, Miami Palmetto, 27-6

125

2028 - Arianna Ruiz, Mater Lakes Academy, 35-1

130

2026 - Willow White, South Dade, 27-1

2026 - Cameron Echeverria, Miami Beach, 24-7

135

2026 - Eysis Estes-Brinson, Miami Palmetto, 21-1

2026 - Shamari Smith, South Dade, 16-5

2030 - Juliett Morales, Mater Lakes Academy, 28-5

140

2029 - Zoe Delgado, Florida Christian School, 24-2

2027 - A`Niyah Leon-Goodrich, Miami Southridge, 28-7

145

2026 - Alena Rik, Mater Lakes Academy, 21-2

2026 - Lineshka Joseph, North Miami, 21-5

155

2026 - Viktoriya Devochkinn, North Miami, 21-2

2026 - London Yelder, Sunrise Piper, 6-1

2029 - Mariia Gulakova, Mater Lakes Academy, 27-9

170

2026 - Ariana Blanc, Douglas, 31-3

2026 - Amaris Echezarreta, South Dade, 24-6

2026 - Jada Haughton, Dr. Krop, 22-2

190

2027 - Arheanna Bryan, Taravella, 27-0

2027 - Makayla Ocean, Archbishop McCarthy, 24-5

2028 - Amirah Williams, South Dade, 19-8

2026 - Latoya Sylvestre, South Broward, 25-5

235

2029 - Zeinab Mourad, Douglas, 22-0

2028 - Kenzie Barrett, South Dade, 23-4

2027 - Camila Halaby-Bravo, Florida Christian School, 18-6

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MOCCO FAMILY FROM DECEMBER’S KISSIMMEE KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENT

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Dave Brousseau

FORT LAUDERDALE – For much of the past 20 years the St. Thomas Aquinas girls’ basketball team had struggled to find a solution how to defeat Nova.

Friday night in a Class 6A regional final the Raiders rallied from an 11-point third quarter deficit to earn a 60-56 victory and a berth to the FHSAA state semifinals on March 12 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Aquinas will face George Steinbrenner at 11 a.m. with a state championship game at stake.

Aquinas (20-8) will attempt to win a fifth state championship in six seasons. They won four consecutive titles from 2021-24.

Sophomore guard London Thomas scored a game high 27 points to rally her team into position for a win.

Nova senior Jaelynn Housey dropped a pair of free-throws with 34.3 seconds remaining in regulation that tied the score 56-56.

Senior guard Ronneisha Thomas, who had missed six weeks due to a broken left hand, sank a clutch 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds left for a 59-56 lead. Laila Barnett sealed the win on a free throw with 3.6 seconds left.

“Got to be poised,” said Thomas on her clutch 3-pointer. “I worked on that shot before the game every day in practice. When the moment came, I just had to knock it down.”

The Raiders defense played a big part in the comeback after trailing 45-34 in the third quarter. They held Nova (23-5) scoreless during a six-minute stretch, all the while Thomas scored 18 second half points.

“This was a big-team effort for the win,” said Thomas. “We had to stick together and keep pushing. We had worked too hard to be best team in the state. We had to get back at Nova to get to Jacksonville.”

The Raiders cut their double digit third quarter deficit to within 45-40 entering the decisive fourth quarter 

Dating back to 2006, Nova leads the all-time series 23-3. Aquinas had won three consecutive games against the Titans until a four-point loss in the BCAA Big 8 final on Jan. 31.

“We just didn’t execute down the stretch,” said Nova coach Jadon Hively. “The girls gave a great effort but just didn’t execute. We just didn’t hit some shots that we needed to get.”

Housey had 14 points for the Titans, while Ke’Mora Evens led the team with 15 points. Ya’Niyah Young added 13 points. 

 Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Dave Brousseau

FORT LAUDERDALE – Early into the third quarter of the Class 6A regional final the defending state champion St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team saw its lead shrink to five points at 39-34 against Miramar.

Consider that a short time threat.

The Raiders changed the narrative, regained momentum as they would go on to punish the Patriots 77-43.

It was the seventh time this season that St. Thomas won games by 30-plus points or more.

St. Thomas (26-4) advances to a state semifinal game against Tampa Sickles at 1p.m. at the University of North Florida on March 12. Two more victories would give the Raiders back-to-back state titles for the first time in school history.

“I think we just settled down little bit,” said Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. “We’ve been hyped about this game all week long. Second half we got into a little foul trouble, switched our defense and we were able to come through.” 

Clarence Westbrook Jr., Drake Sandi, Kellson Sandi and Xavier Pink collaborated to help the team create distance themselves and the Patriots.

Westbrook led all scorers with a game-high 22 points, while Drake Sandi added 18 points, Kellson Sandi 17 points and Pink 13 points. In the fourth quarter alone, the Raiders outscored Miramar 28-4 and 40-18 in the second half.

“We talked about staying composed if they made some runs,” said Drake Sandi. “We weren’t worried because we’ve been here before. Once we chipped away and had the ball in our favor so that’s all.”

Pink came off the bench with Nate Accius and Zane Elliott in foul trouble to contribute nine of his 13 points in the second half.

“We were giving up easy baskets that we shouldn’t have,” said the senior forward. “We truly just played the game of basketball. We did nothing crazy and kept it simple.”

In the BCAA Big 8 championship on Jan. 31, St. Thomas edged Miramar 68-60. It was the second time in the past 20 years St. Thomas swept Miramar in the same season.

The Patriots (21-9) were led by Ronald Germielle, a 6-11 junior power-forward with 15 points with eight coming when the Patriots cut into the Raiders lead in third quarter.

The Raiders never trailed only once in the game midway through the first quarter despite Miramar being held to two baskets. The Patriots did make 9 of 12 free throws however.

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

One of the most popular radio shows of its kind heads toward the middle of February with another impressive show on Monday night.

Six guests once again filled the two hours as the South Florida High School Sports Show once again presented some interesting topics.

Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.

The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.

The program, which has run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.

Here is a look at the way Monday night went:

As the Florida Gators begin spring football practice today under new head coach Jon Sumrall, fans will be anxious to see if he and his staff can return this program to its winning ways. Kevin Brockway from the Gainesville Sun talked about the team and immediate future.

KEVIN BROCKWAY ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/kevin-brockway-gainesville-sun-e1b64

When Plantation American Heritage wrapped up the girls’ state soccer championship last week, it was the fourth consecutive title for the Lady Patriots as they finished No. 1 in Florida and one of the best in the country with an 18-0-1 record and will return plenty of talent for next season. Head Coach Cindy Marcial talked about the team and more.

CINDY MARCIAL ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/coach-cindy-marcial-head-girls-soccer-coach-plantation-american-heritage-73565

The University of Miami players just wrapped up a week at the NFL Combine as they look toward the Pro Day at the end of the month. While they prepare for the next step in their career, the new Miami Hurricanes entered campus with hopes of being in the same position one day as Adam Lichtenstein of the South Florida Sun Sentinel spoke about.

ADAM LICHTENSTEIN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/adam-lichtenstein-south-florida-sun-sentinel-talking-hurricanes-football-d7ab4

Coming off a national championship game against Indiana and a 13-win season, head coach Mario Cristobal spoke about what it takes to not only get to the elite level, but stay in that position. The Hurricanes return plenty of talent, bring in some key pieces from the Portal and have perhaps the best recruiting class – top to bottom – that they have ever had.

COACH MARIO CRISTOBAL ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/mario-cristobal-miami-hurricanes-football-head-coach-83388

Through the Florida Coaches Coalition, getting coaches paid more money for what they do to teach and cultivate young men and women, is going to be an ongoing endeavor. With the aid of booster clubs in local communities, the dream of getting salaries at a level where they are across the country is an objective they have been working toward for five years. Dr. Andrew Ramjit, Executive Director, joined the program to speak about what can be done to help coaches succeed. He also spoke the coaching clinic held this past weekend in Lake Mary.

DR. ANDREW RAMJIT ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/dr-andrew-ramjit-florida-coaches-coalition-44261

Anthony and Michael Yero created 305Sportss to follow and promote athletes from this area of the country who have made south Florida, Miami-Dade in particular, one of the best places for athletic talent in the country. From football to track and field, basketball and other events, the “Sports Brothers” will put you on the map with nearly one million followers. Last week they were at the NFL Combine and came back with some amazing footage and stories.

ANTHONY YERO ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/anthony-yero-305sportss-6669e

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL).

Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..