While the name Brandon will always be associated with championship wrestling in the state of Florida for over five decades of dominance, the past two decades have belonged to South Dade.
Under the direction of head coach Vic Balmeceda and his assistants Humberto “Duck” Reyna and Markel Shropshire, this program continues to reload and win at an amazing rate.
On Friday and Saturday, the program competed in the state dual championships, and when Saturday evening rolled around at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, the Bucs had won their sixth dual meet crown and 26th overall. That total includes 20 IBT (individual) titles, heading into this year.
Their convincing win against Wellington was just another accomplishment for this program that continues to build solid youth programs and get them ready for a career in high school and the collegiate level.
Here is a look at some of the 2024-25 athletes who are paving the way:
106 – Prince Perry, Sr. 7-9
106 – Jose Callava, Fr., 23-5 #2
113 – Bryan Morales, Jr., 20-4, #2, State Champ (2024)
120 – Kaleb Williams, Jr., 28-7, #3, 3rd State, 2024
126 – Guillermo Jaramilo, Jr., 22-3, #3, 3rd State, 2024
126 – Cameron Haines, Fr., 25-8. #10
132 – Nathaniel Williams, Sr., 28-8, #3, State Runner Up, 2024
138 – Jovani Solis, Fr., 33-1, #1, 2 Time State Champion, 2023 & 2024
138 – Jordan Fearon, Jr., 5-2
144 – Elvis Solis, Sr., 28-0, #1, 2 Time State Champion, 2023 & 2024
150 – Armand Williams, So. 29-7, #4, 5th State, 2024
157 – Tyree Graham, , Jr., 30-4, #2, State Runner Up, 2024
165 – Willie White, Sr., 37-0, #1, 3rd State, 2024
165 – Jonathan Moreno, So., 16-3, #3, 5th State, 2024
175 – Matthew Abreu, Sr., 10-6
190 – Brandon Valdes, Fr., 11-5
215 – Jamie Freeney, Jr., 21-8, #6
285 – Daguy Massillon, Sr., 29-9, #5, State Qualifier
The Bucs opened the tournament with a convincing 66-3 win against Parkland Douglas. In the semifinals with Lakeland George Jenkins, they dominated again – setting up the finals against Wellington.
MATER LAKES WINS FIRST TITLE
They have been building toward winning a state title for several years, and this weekend, head coach Brandon Neifeld and his Hialeah Mater Lakes Academy program captured the 1A team title.
The Bears dominated the two-day competition with an impressive win against Naples St. John Neumann.
The victory will set the tone for the IBT individual championships next month at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
With assistants J.D. Ramsey, Mitch Li and Alex Noa leading the way this is now a program that is considered as one of Florida’s elites.
Here is a look at some of the talent that this team has boasted this season:
106 – Ron Stephens, 8th
106 – Ty O’Dell, Sr., #15
113 – Kellen Mesina, Jr., #1
120 – Keegan Mesina. Fr., #1
126 – Ethan Tran, So., #3
132 – Christopher Greene, So., #3
138 – Anthony O’Dell, Sr., #3
144 – Bruce Li, Fr., #4
150 – Mason O’Dell, Fr., #3
157 – Kenny Alvarado, Sr., #3
165 – Kalias Nazario, Jr., #3
175 – Richard Lugo, Jr.
190 – Darian Vargas, Jr., #20
215 – Damian Soto, Sr., #2
285 – Emiliano Solache, Sr., #10
In the opening round match against Key West, the Bears rolled to a 61-6 decision. That state semifinal contest against Merritt Island was indeed competitive, but they pulled away.
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