1A-15: Somerset loaded up to go for state title
Somerset has put together a team that can and will compete for a state title this season. In a lot of other districts, Mater Lakes Academy would be a district crown chaser and even with Somerset being a solid favorite here, MLA will have plenty of wrestlers going deep into March too.
Wrestlers to watch: #1-152: Darian Estevez (Somerset); #1-182: Sean Concepcion (Somerset); #2-132: Chase Gillis (Somerset); #2-138: Skyler Caban (Somerset); #2-160: Bas Diaz (Somerset); #4-285: Ethan Vergara (Mater Lakes Academy); #5-113: Matthew Velasco (Somerset); #5-285: Matthew Jimenez (Somerset); #6-113: Dylan Garcia (Mater Lakes Academy); #7-120: Elivs Solis (Somerset); #7-132: Azakin Sejour (Mater Lakes Academy).
1. Somerset Academy (#3 in 1A)
Coach: Joe Blasucci
Recent district results: 2020: 1, 2019:1, 2018:1, 2017:1, 2016:1, 2015:1, 2014:1, 2013:2-1A14, 2012:2-1A14
Last state champion: Bas Diaz, 2020 (132), Sean Concepcion, 2020 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Darian Diaz 42-17, 5th, R3, DC; Caleb Casas 48-13, 5th, R3, DC; Daniel Miranda 54-8, 3rd, R2, DC; Nicholas Benton 63-3, 2nd, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Elivs Solis, Fr., 19-3, RQ, DC; Bas Diaz, 8th, 42-6, SC, RC, D2; Skyler Caban, Sr., 15-2, 3rd, RC, DC; Chase Gillis, Sr., 51-9, SQ-BR, R2, DC; Christian Estrada, Sr., 22-17, RQ-BR, D2; Darian Estevez, Sr., 49-6, 2nd, RC, DC; Sean Concepcion, Sr., 51-6, SC, RC, DC; Matthew Jimenez, Jr., 46-18, SQ, R2, D2.
New wrestlers: Mathew Velasco, So., 35-7 (Transfer from Cardinal Gibbons); Christian Fretwell, 8th (Transfer from Admiral Farragut); Josh Oyeneye, Sr., 19-8, RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer from West Broward).
2020-2021 season outlook: Last year’s runners-up are positioned perfectly to take the top spot in this year’s Class 1A race. Three impact transfers join eight returning region qualifiers.
Coach speak: “We are ready to improve on last year’s runner-up performance.”
2. Mater Lakes Academy (#11 in 1A)
Coach: Brandon Neifeld (8 years, 140-35)
Recent district results: 2020: 2, 2019:2, 2018:2, 2017:3, 2016:3, 2015:3, 2014:6, 2013:7
Last state champion: Nicholas Luna, 2019 (120)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Orestes Ferrer 52-7, 4th, R2, DC; Eric Temes 57-5, 2nd, R3, DC; Jorge Rodriguez 40-22, RQ, D2; Reynaldo Rivera; Dairon Mollinedo 10-7, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Malikai Badilla, Fr., 29-20, RQ, D2; Luis Arboleda, So., 33-21, RQ, D3; Luis Bellon, 8th, 22-16, RQ-BR, D2; Armaldo Alvarez, Sr., 33-22, RQ, D3; Kevin Delgado, Jr.; Jesse Diaz, Sr., 12-10, RQ, D2; Achilles Rocha, 8th, 24-13, RQ-BR, D2; Matthew Cruanes, Sr., Inj.; Mateo Moreno, Sr., 15-17, RQ, D2; Branden Marrero, So., 6-10, RQ, D4; Ethan Vergara, Jr., 51-12, 5th, R3, DC.
New wrestlers: Dylan Garcia, Jr., 19-6, RQ, DC (Transfer from South Broward); Azakin Sejour, Jr., 25-11, SQ, R4, D2 (Transfer from Miami Pace).
2020-2021 season outlook: The Bears are loaded with young talent that will make some noise this season. A top ten finish in the state is in the cards and if some of these athletes can peak even higher, Mater Lakes Academy could move up that state placings by the end.
Coach speak: “With only four seniors on a roster of over 50 middle and high school athletes, the outlook is extremely bright for our program.”
3. Monsignor Pace
Coach: Frank Pelegri
Recent district results: 2020: 3, 2019:3, 2018:3, 2017:2016:5, 2015:4, 2014:2, 2013:1, 2012:1
Last state champion: Alex Perez, 2016 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): James Guerrier 24-10, RQ, D3; Azakin Sejour, Jr., 25-11, SQ, R4, D2 (Transfer to Mater Lakes).
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Larry Delgado, So., 10-12, RQ, D4; Roberto Gilbert, So., 11-12, RQ, D4; Nathaniel Bernard, So., 8-13, RQ, D4; Peyton Joseph, So., 9-13, RQ, D4; Jhimmy Mesadien, So., 13-10, RQ, D4; Dudley Louissant, Jr., 20-13, RQ, D3; Huddleston Cottiere, So., 19-12, RQ, D4.
4. Miami Jackson
Coach: David Francis
Recent district results: 2020: 5, 2019:4, 2018:4, 2017:2, 2016:2, 2015:2, 2014:4, 2013:3, 2012:3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Franklyn Romero, So., 18-14, RQ, D4; Joshua Munoz, Sr., 30-12, SQ, R4, D2; Imhotep Vincent, Sr., 28-9, RQ, D3; Amenhotep Vincent, Sr., 29-9, RQ, D2; Andre Gibbs, Sr., 15-6, RQ, D4; Daniel Padron, Sr., 26-7, RQ-BR, D3.
5. Miami Northwestern
Coach: Vern Louis
Recent district results: 2020: 4, 2019:5-2A16, 2018:6-2A16, 2017:2-2A16, 2016:6-2A16, 2015:11-2A16, 2014:7-2A16, 2013:7-2A16, 2012:7-2A16
Last state champion: Joseph Ruffin, 1975 (119)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jonathan Vil 23-7, SQ-BR, R4, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Micah Johnson, So., 9-8, RQ, D3; Cornelius Toombs, So., 5-6, RQ, D4; Michael Marcillan, Sr., 19-7, RQ, D3; Jamie Pickett, So., 12-10, RQ, D3; Jordan Martin, Sr., 16-7, RQ, D3; Jeremiah Torrence, Sr., 8-6, RQ, D3.
6. Miami Springs
Coach:
Recent district results: 2020: 7, 2019:9-2A16, 2018:8-2A16, 2017:10-2A16, 2016:4-2A16, 2015:4-2A16, 2014:5-2A16, 2013:2-2A16, 2012:4-2A16
Last state champion: Nelson Perera, 1992 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dennys Hernandez 15-8, RQ, D3; Nathan Segovia 10-10, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Tyrell Fils, Jr., 4-12, RQ, D4; Joel Campusano, So., 5-12, RQ, D4.
7. Miami Edison
Coach:
Recent district results: 2020: 6, 2019:5, 2018:6, 2017:2016:8, 2015:9, 2014:9, 2013:6, 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Miogene Bien-Aime 12-9, RQ, D4; Carl Henry Pierre 30-6, SQ-BR, R2, DC; Brandon Smith 16-8, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Alex Joseph, Jr., 7-17, RQ, D3.
8. Hallandale
Coach: Reginald Smith
Recent district results: 2020: 8, 2017:2016:7, 2015:6, 2014:8, 2013:7-2A15, 2012:6-2A15
Last state champion: Davin Joseph, 2002 (275)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: None
The Season Preview
A lot goes into this preview.
It starts with compiling lists of wrestlers returning and those that have moved on from the sport. Along the way, I try to keep up with any transfer movement of athletes between wrestling programs.
In late summer, I start reaching out to coaches across the state for information. That time is also spent learning which programs will have new coaches and making contact with them to let them know what I do here.
In total between that first contact and this preview, I have sent a blank preview form to each coach up to three times in the hopes that they will have time to help me by informing about their team. This year, I also created a Google questionnaire in the closing weeks to create another way to get info. Nearly 20 coaches used that and I will be doing that again next season - starting earlier.
When I take this project on each year, I treat every team the same. I want information for all 385 teams, not just the top teams in each district.
This year I received information back from 135 coaches in the state. In a year with a pandemic, I will take that 35% and be grateful that so many found the time to enhance this preview.
The goal is to have the most updated information on which student-athletes are returning for each team. The teams that don’t respond still get the same coverage in the preview, but those are the ones most likely to not have the latest rosters to work from.
You can find capsules in each individual district preview.
Final standings have been predicted by myself based on the information listed in the preview. I take into account who is coming back, who has moved on and which teams have a tradition of having young wrestlers step up. I will be wrong on them.
And as always, team predictions are for entertainment purposes only and will be used for self-deprecation at the end of the season.
I am a one-man staff and handle editing also on a massive project like this. Please excuse any spelling errors or mistakes and they will be fixed swiftly if pointed out to me.
Let’s get this season started!
Preseason rankings
Florida Class 3A preseason individual wrestling rankings
Florida Class 2A preseason individual wrestling rankings
Florida Class 1A preseason individual wrestling rankings
Florida preseason girls individual wrestling rankings
Florida all-class individual wrestling rankings
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