KISSIMMEE – With high school boys and girls wrestling programs coming south from at least 10 states and throughout Florida, the annual Knockout Christmas Wrestling Classic did not disappoint this past weekend at the Silver Spurs Arena.
What has become an event that attracts top-flight programs and individuals showcased plenty of talent.
The college event had an opportunity to watch Florida-bred coaches Scotti Sentes (Campbell), Chris Bono (Wisconsin) and Obe Blanc (North Dakota State University) and Tim Flynn (West Virginia) who brought their teams south to get out of the cold weather and bring their teams south, showcasing major college wrestling the Sunshine State
The high school tournament was so stacked with talent that it featured nine state champions as well as 27 State Place winners and All Americans.
SOUTH FLORIDA MAKES A SOLID SHOWING
With head coach Vic Balmaceda and his South Dade Bucs finishing third (169), Miami-Dade and Broward Counties left this year’s event feeling good about what they accomplished against some of the best teams in the nation.
In addition to South Dade, Southwest Miami (144.5), Mater Lakes Academy (118.0) and Miami Southridge (111.0) were among the top 10 best.
State power Pembroke Pines Somerset (90.5), Miami Christopher Columbus (64.0) and Doral Academy (28.5) also made some noise.
Here are how local boys did in the event:
106
4th Place - Lazaro Soto of Southwest Miami
120
1st Place - Jovanni Tovar of Miami Southridge
6th Place - Rocco Ruiz of Christopher Columbus
132
3rd Place - Dillon Smith of Southwest Miami
6th Place - Christopher Greene of Mater Lakes Academy
138
2nd Place - Jovani Solis of South Dade
144
1st Place - Elvis Solis of South Dade
150
3rd Place - Tristan Sainz of Somerset
157
5th Place - Eric Hodge of Somerset
165
1st Place - Willie White of South Dade
175
4th Place - Evangelo Mercado of Southwest Miami
215
2nd Place - Myron Mendez of Southwest Miami
3rd Place - Damian Soto of Mater Lakes Academy
5th Place - Christian Soto of Miami Southridge
285
4th Place - Daguy Massillon of South Dade
The boys’ event was won by Georgia powerhouse Camden County (261.5) with Oklahoma state champion Tuttle in second with 178 points.
“Every year we raise the bar,” said longtime tournament organizer/director Rick Tribit. “Bringing in the colleges was certainly something that put this event over the top. Only wished more fans would have realized how impressive it was to have those schools here on top of all the other great wrestling we had.”
FLAGLER PALM COAST WINS GIRLS’ EVENT
Palm Coast Flagler Palm Coast took home the girls’ team title with 196 points – just ahead of South Dade (166) and North Miami (80).
100
3rd Place - Paola Perez of Mater Lakes Academy
110
2nd Place - Abigail Gonzalez of Miami Southridge
115
2nd Place - Beyonce Espinosa of South Dade
120
1st Place - Willow White of South Dade
2nd Place - Zoe Delgado of Florida Christian School
3rd Place - Arianna Ruiz of Mater Lakes Academy
125
1st Place - Rachel Silva of Florida Christian School
2nd Place - Kitelynn Oliver of South Dade
130
3rd Place - Isis Severe of North Miami
145
4th Place - Geraldine Honore of South Dade
155
3rd Place - Alena Rik of Mater Lakes Academy
190
2nd Place - Tessa Diaz of Doral Academy
4th Place - Joveline Joseph of North Miami
235
4th Place - Naomi Arias of Doral Academy
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