Recruiting News

South Dade Runs The Show At State Wrestling

KISSIMMEE – As we head into the final day of the 2023 Florida High School Wrestling Championships at the Silver Spurs Arena, South Dade has simply left no doubt who the best team in Florida is.

The Bucs have an overwhelming 95 point lead on second place Southwest Miami and will send six wrestlers into the 4 p.m. finals.

Head Coach Vic Balmeceda and his team continued an over two decade dominance in the sport and have accomplished everything possible.

With only Brandon and its total five decade dominance of the sport ahead of South Dade’s legacy, this team has combined veterans and youth to put another stamp on this amazing program.

1A IS STILL A RACE

While the Bucs have relaxed since the first round, Class 1A has been a dogfight with three schools still very much in the race for a state title.

Head Coach Joe Blasucci and Pembroke Pines Somerset, who won two years ago, lead with 148 points, but last year’s state champions Jensen Beach (136) and upstart Naples First Baptist (123.5) still pose a threat.

Somerset has four in the finals – while Jensen Beach will feature three in the finals and First Baptist has five.

All Somerset has to do is win and everything will take care of itself.

2A is also an exciting two team race with defending state champion Lake Gibson and Punta Gorda Charlotte within striking distance with wrestlers still remaining.

GIRLS FEATURE A NUMBER OF LOCALS

As much of the attention was on what is going on with the boys, the girls also had a solid tournament as North Miami and South Dade had an outstanding showing.

The Pioneers have two in the finals – including unbeaten defending state champion Mya Bethel – while I-Cart Galumette (110 pounds - North Miami), Analy Banuelos 115 pounds – Miami Braddock), unbeaten Gabriela Caro (125 pounds – Parkland Douglas), Sofia Delgado (140 pounds – Miami Coral Park) and Yoseline Perez (235 pounds - South Dade) all making the finals as well.

3A

1 South Dade, 207.5

2 Southwest Miami, 112

3 Kissimmee Osceola, 79

4 Naples Palmetto Ridge 70

5 Valrico Bloomingdale 51.5

6 Weston Cypress Bay 51

7 Ganesville Buchholz 50

8 Lutz Steinbrenner 44.5

9 Harmony 42

10 Doral Academy 41

3A FINALS

106

Andrew Punzalan (Cypress Bay) vs. Nathaniel Overman (Bloomigdale)

113

Christian Vazquez (Doral Academy) vs. Tyler Washburn (Palmetto Ridge)

120

Luis Acevedo (South Dade) vs. Blaine Taranto (Venice)

126

Ethan Vugman (BHartram Trail) vs. Colin Bradshaw (Steinbrenner)

132

Cavarius Liddie (Gainesville Buchholz) vs. Danny Martinez (Southwest Miami)

138

Elvis Solis (South Dade) vs. Aaron Lanster (Miami Beach)

145

Misha Arbos (South Dade) vs. Anderson Heap (Kissimmee Osceola)

152

Alexander Solo (Fort Myers Riverdale) vs. Cooper Haase (Kissimmee Osceola0

160

Cordell White (South Dade) vs. Adrian Ochoa (Southwest Miami)

170

Lawrence Rosario (South Dade) vs, Roman Garcia (Palmetto Ridge)

182

Franklyn Ordonez (Southwest Miami) vs. Dominic Joyce (North Port)

195

Kason Nichols (Gainesville Buchholz) vs. John Roberts (Vero Beach)

220

Sawyer Bartelt (South Dade) vs. Jonathan Fraga (Southwest Miami)

285

Austin Foye (Palmetto Ridge) vs. Nelson Toro (Harmony)

2A

1 Lakeland Lake Gibson 129.5

2. Punta Gorda Charlotte 121

3 Fleming Island 109

4 Tampa Jesuit 84

5 Cape Coral Mariner 52

6 Brandon 51.5

7 Palm Bay Heritage 48

8 Winter Springs 46.5

9 Satellite

10 Bradenton Braden River 45.5

2A Finals

106

Lando Quiroga (Merritt Island) vs. Roberto Rodrigues (Brandon)

113

Camren French (Charlotte) vs. Roman Lermer (Tampa Jesuit)

120

Alexander McMiller (Satellite) vs. Christian Fretwell (Lake Gibson)

126

Maximus Brady (Cape Coral Mariner) vs, Dominick Smith (River Ridge)

132

Jayce Paridon (Fleming Island) vs. Kevin Kerns (Deltona)

138

Draven McCall (Tampa Jesuit) vs. Lucas Giles (Naples Barron Collier)

145

Keith Cole (Palm Bay Heritage) vs. Hayden Whidden (Lake Gibson)

152

Brandon Cody (Tampa Jesuit) vs. Gianni Maldonado (Lake Gibson)

160

Christopher Minto (Cape Coral Mariner) vs. Gage Wiggins (Bradenton Braden River)

170

August Batson (Port Orange Atlantic) vs. Elijah Penton (Winter Springs)

182

Michael McCarthy (Satellite) vs. Jessey Coral (Bradenton Braden River)

195

Nathaniel Box (Charlotte) vs. Brian Burburija (Clearwater Countryside)

220

Cael Newton (Charlotte) vs. Dylon York (New Smyrna Beach)

285

Nate Gabriel (Auburndale) vs. Ryder Luck (Tallahassee Lincoln)

1A

1 Pembroke Pines Somerset, 148
2 Jensen Beach, 136
3 Naples First Baptist, 123.5
4 Miami Mater Lakes Academy, 106.5
5 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 87
6 Englewood Lemon Bay, 78
7 Melbourne Palm Bay, 65
8 Brooksville Hernando, 63.5
9 Live Oak Suwannee, 49
10 Yulee 44
 

1A Finals

106

Mason O’Dell (Miami Mater Lakes) vs. Jake Austin (Somerset)

113

Derrick Williams (Panama City Bay) vs. Jovani Solis (Somerset)

120

Jonathan Moder (Naples First Baptist) vs. Sebastian Degennaro (Jensen Beach)

126

Ryan Mooney (Jensen Beach) vs. Matthew Velasco (Somerset)

132

Tristan Saenz (Somerset) vs. Gavin Nolan (Clearwater Central Catholic)

138

Mikade Harvey (Palatka) vs. Nicholas Yancey (Cardinal Gibbons)

145

Jewell Williams (Jensen Beach) vs. Michael Kensey (Naples First Baptist)

152

Dylan Fox (Jensen Beach) vs. Kalias Nazario (Miami Mater Lakes)

160

Gavin Patton (Naples First Baptist) vs. Kendrick Hodge (Somerset Academy)

170

Koen Hoffman (Englewood Lemon Bay) vs. Kyle Grey (Lincoln Park Academy)

182

Christian Aiden Moder (Naples First Baptist) vs, Chase Alden (Lemon Bay)

195

Alex Smith (Yulee) vs. Michael Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons)

220

David Mercado (Panama City North Bay Haven) vs. Damian Soto (Miami Mater Lakes)

285

Devin Williams (Hernando) vs. Caleb Rodriguez (Naples First Baptist)

Girls

1 Palm Coast Matanzas 104.0
2 Orlando Freedom 90.0
3 Apopka 48.0
4 Kissimme Osceola 48.
5 North Miami 47
6 Middleburg 44
7 Key West 41.5
8 South Dade 40
9 Jacksonville Bartram Trail 37
10 Brooksville Hernando 34

Finals

105

Adrianna Barrientos (Oakleaf) vs. Gabby Tedesco (Lake Gibson)

110

Jazlyn Diaz (Fort Myers Riverdale) vs. I-Cart Galumette (North Miami)

115

Analy Bauelos (Miami Braddock) vs. Cameron Galvin (Orlando Freedom)

120

Christina Birgmann (Palm Coast Matanzas) vs. Milani Borrelli (Orlando Lake Nona)

125

Gabriela Caro (Parkland Douglas) vs.Christina Turner (Sarasota Military Academy)

130

Aireena Gavere (Milton) vs. Brielle Bibla (Matanzas)

135

Gaby Perez (Fort Pierce Central) vs. Lucy Maris (Satellite)

140

Sofia Delgado (Miami Coral Park) vs. Ailee Briggs (Key West)

145

Katherine Stewart (Bartram Trail) vs. Kendall Bibla (Matanzas)

155

Mya Bethel (North Miami) vs. Emiliana Martinez (Kissimmee Gateway)

170

Salexa Lontoc-Ortiz (Orlando Freedom) vs.Grace Leota (Brooksville Hernando)

190

Cheyenne Cruce (Middleburg) vs. Shannon Briggs (Key West)

235

Kinea Moore (Gulfport Boca Ciega) vs. Yoseline Perez (South Dade)

For the past 55 years – 36 as a public address announcer, we have spent plenty of time on wrestling mats throughout the state of Florida. From dual meets to district, regionals and state tournaments, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school wrestling teams. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..