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
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..