1A-16: Youthful Key West ready to extend district reign
It’s not just one of my favorite spots in Florida, Key West also has a wrestling that just wins district crowns. This year should be no different for the Conchs who have returning talent and a wrestler in Max Ryan who could finish on the podium.
Wrestlers to watch: #3-220: Max Ryan (Key West); #7-145: Jaurice Seymour (SLAM Academy); #8-152: Joshua Cooper (SLAM Academy); #12-138: Michael Alvarez (Riviera Prep); #15-160: Miriel Tapia (Miami Sunset); #16-152: Ethan Ardavin (Westminster Christian); #18-120: Edgardo Hernandez (SLAM Academy); #18-285: Miles Morrison (Miami Sunset).
1. Key West
Coach: Chaz Jimenez (12th season)
Recent district results: 2020: 1, 2019:1, 2018:1, 2017:1, 2016:1, 2015:1, 2014:1, 2013:1, 2012:1
Last state champion: Maximo Llama, 2012 (145)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Devin Battle 26-16, RQ, D2; Ricardo Camay 44-11, SQ-BR, R4, DC; Patrick Barnett 32-7, 2nd, RC, DC; Creig Silimon, Sr., 53-15, SQ-BR, R3, DC (Transfer to South Dade).
Notable returning wrestlers: Cameron Carroll, So., 4-30, RQ, D4; Michael Balbuena, So., 13-11, RQ, DC; Colby Stewart, So., 11-29, RQ, D2; Alex Rodriguez, Jr., 8-31, RQ, DC; Bryson Johnson, Sr., 13-17, RQ, D2; Herlandy Leon, Sr., 24-24, RQ, D4; Will Andrews, Sr., 17-21, RQ, D4; Marques Williamson, Jr., 23-14, RQ, DC; Max Ryan, Sr., 44-13, SQ-BR, R2, DC.
2020-2021 season outlook: Three state qualifiers are gone including state-finalist Barnett, but there are always young wrestlers ready to step up for the Conchs and expect Ryan and Leon to lead that way this season.
Coach speak: “We have a very young team but look forward to seeing them grow this year and have success.”
2. SLAM Academy
Coach: Francis Aguilar
Recent district results: 2020: 2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Matisse Hunkler 22-12, RQ, D2; Joel Fils-Aime 23-9, RQ, D3; Anthony Hurtado 15-12, RQ, D3; William Guzman 21-8, RQ, D3; Anthony Alvarez 7-7, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Robert Morales, 7th, 19-17, RQ, D3; Giovannia Dummonds, Sr., 12-7, RQ, D3; Edgardo Hernandez, So., 12-4, RQ, DC; Jaurice Seymour, Sr., 14-2, RQ-BR, DC; Joshua Cooper, Sr., 15-3, RQ-BR, DC; Anthony Guido, So., 5-9, RQ, D4; Kevin Kinsman, Jr., 19-15, RQ, D3.
3. Miami Westminster
Coach: Jason Bonney
Recent district results: 2020: 6, 2019:2, 2018:2, 2017:2, 2016:6, 2015:3, 2014:4, 2013:4, 2012:2
Last state champion: Jason Goff, 1999 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Notable returning wrestlers: Drake Bonney, 7th, 21-24, RQ, D2; Connor Bonney, 7th, 9-28, RQ, D2; Justin Bloodworth, Sr., 26-23, RQ, D3; Ethan Ardavin, Jr., 15-4; Hayden Mulder, Sr., 27-14, RQ-BR, D3; Henry Benito , Sr., 28-12, RQ-BR, D2; Hector Aragon, So., 5-32, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Tyler Austin, Fr.; John Holly.
2020-2021 season outlook: The Warriors are young, but there is experience in the room and that should help the team move back up the district standings this season.
Coach speak: “Our strength this season is with our seniors and the Bonney twins.”
4. Miami Sunset
Coach: Luis Matos
Recent district results: 2020: 3, 2019:6-2A16, 2018:4-2A16, 2017:4-2A16, 2016:3-2A16, 2015:7-3A16, 2014:8-3A16, 2013:7-3A16, 2012:8-3A16
Last state champion: Michael Chinchilla, 2008 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Brent Alemany 25-3, RQ-BR, DC; Michael Stacker 17-17, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Matthew Moreno, So., 23-16, RQ, DC; Oscar Sevilla, Sr., 7-8, RQ, D2; Lucas Fonticiella, Sr., 23-10, RQ, D2; Kenneth Schmid, Sr., 27-11, RQ, D3; Miriel Tapia, Jr., 8-4, RQ-BR, DC; Ruben Estrada, Jr., 26-9, RQ, D2; Miles Morrison, Sr., 24-8, RQ, D2.
5. Coral Shores
Coach: Joe Biondoletti
Recent district results: 2020: 5, 2019:3, 2018:4, 2017:4, 2016:3, 2015:5, 2014:3, 2013:2, 2012:5
Last state champion: Dante Jiovenetta, 2016 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Nick Huerta, So., 2-12, RQ, D3; Nathan Ponterfract, Sr., 16-18, RQ, D4; Steven Wilsen, So., 8-14, RQ, D4; Austin Tudor, Jr., 17-17, RQ, D2.
6. Pinecrest Prep
Coach:
Recent district results: 2020: 7, 2018:3, 2017:5, 2016:5, 2015:6, 2014:6
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Anthony Portillo 4-7, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Mitchell Gonzalez, Fr., 3-5, RQ, D4; Ignacio Arjona, Jr., 3-9, RQ, D3.
7. Riviera Prep
Coach: Cameron Henry
Recent district results: 2020: 8, 2019:4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Michael Alvarez, Jr., 28-5, RQ-BR, DC.
8. Miami Washington
Coach: Chivas Davis
Recent district results: 2020: 6, 2019:6-1A15, 2018:5-1A15, 2017:2016:4-1A15, 2015:6-1A15, 2014:5-1A15, 2013:5-1A15, 2012:7-1A15
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Daniel Flores 9-11, RQ, D3; Rondell Pittman 12-4, RQ-BR, D2.
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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