1A-4: Clay’s district reign should continue
Clay’s district dominance isn’t going anywhere this year as the Blue Devils have in immensely talented team. There is some prized individual talent here too, with wrestlers from three other schools who will be competing for an individual state title in March.
Wrestlers to watch: #1-106: Jayce Paridon (University Christian); #1-132: Matthew Rodriquez (Ridgeview); #2-220: Garrett Tyre (Clay); #3-160: Cale Hoskinson (Clay); #4-113: Egan Gustilo (University Christian); #4-220: Jack Pyburn (Bolles); #5-195: Ethan Asbury (Bolles); #6-120: Gunner Ivey (Clay); #6-138: Tyson Riley (Bolles).
1. Clay (#7 in 1A)
Coach: James Reape (23 years)
Recent district results: 2020: 1, 2019:1-1A3, 2018:1-1A3, 2017:1-1A3, 2016:1-1A3, 2015:1-1A5, 2014:1-1A5, 2013:1-1A4, 2012:1-1A4
Last state champion: Peyton Hughes, 2018 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tazz Hampton 20-3; Luke Davis 36-16, SQ-BR, R3, DC; Tucker Reape 13-12, RQ-BR, DC; Isaiah Clifford 25-13, RQ-BR, DC; Jordan Bell 28-15, SQ, R4, DC; Joe Grelli 22-11, RQ-BR, DC; Derrek Mosley, Jr., 41-6, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer to Ridgeview).
Notable returning wrestlers: Maverick Rainwater, Jr., 22-11, SQ, RC, D3; Dalton Huckelberry, Sr., 28-20, RQ-BR, D2; Abdiert Escobar, Sr., 30-6; Aiden Mayo, Jr., 18-9, RQ, D3; Luke Boree, Jr., 35-15, RQ-BR, DC; Dominic Martin, So., 29-17, SQ, R3, D2; Cale Hoskinson, Sr., 51-7, 3rd, RC, DC; Garrett Tyre, Jr., 47-16, 5th, RC, DC; Madisyn Blackburn.
New wrestlers: Gunner Ivey, Fr.; Ethan Larsen (Transfer from Middleburg); Chandler Thomas; Gavin Rossow; J’den Bell; Cole Vaughn.
2020-2021 season outlook: Long-time coach Reape is back in charge of the program and there is state placer quality returning and an impressive group of accomplished freshmen joining the squad. District title number 22 in-a-row should be celebrated in February.
Coach speak: “We have the potential to be a very solid dual team. I think we can double the amount of state place winner this season.”
2. The Bolles School (#16 in 1A)
Coach: Matt Morris
Recent district results: 2020: 2, 2019:1, 2018:3, 2017:2, 2016:2, 2015:2, 2014:2, 2013:3, 2012:2
Last state champion: Max Tejada, 2012 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dalton Posick 30-10, RQ-BR, DC; Julian Morris 23-3, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jacob Witt, Jr., 36-11, SQ, R2, DC; Bryson Hubbard, Fr., 12-6, RQ, D3; Denny Vohs, Jr., 21-11, RQ, D3; Tyson Riley, Jr., 35-12, SQ, R3, D2; Skyler Malone, So., 15-15, RQ-BR, D3; Jackson Brill, So., 12-12, RQ, D3; Ethan Asbury, Sr., 23-11, SQ-BR, R2, D2; Jack Pyburn, Jr., 42-10, SQ, R2, D2; Cam Neal, Sr., 24-10, RQ, D2.
3. Ridgeview
Coach: Bart Rodriguez
Recent district results: 2020: 3, 2019:3-2A3, 2018:1-2A3, 2017:3-2A3, 2016:4-2A3, 2015:5-2A3, 2014:4-2A3, 2013:6-2A3, 2012:3-2A3
Last state champion: Jamarius Jackson, 2013 (132)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Shawn Tahir 30-21, RQ, D2; Gabriel Guzman 49-6, RQ-BR, DC; Spencer Robertson 26-13, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Blake Pu, So., 35-10, RQ-BR, D4; Robby Morris, So., 13-25, RQ, D4; Matthew Rodriquez, Sr., 66-1, 2nd, RC, DC; Ian Finnom, So., 30-17, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Derrek Mosley, Jr., 41-6, SQ, R3, DC (Transfer from Clay)
4. Wolfson
Coach: Scott Marabell
Recent district results: 2020: 4, 2019:5, 2018:6, 2017:4, 2016:7, 2015:5, 2014:10, 2013:9-2A2, 2012:7-2A2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Cameron Frison 29-12, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Liam Strange, So., 14-24, RQ, D4; Andrew Harbin, Jr., 14-14, RQ, D3; Max Lewallen, Jr., 20-15, RQ, D4; Emarre Campbell, Sr., 14-15, RQ, D4; Gavin Hill, So., 7-20, RQ, D4; Elijah Giles, So., 6-12, RQ, D2; Shydeim Deas, Sr., 11-15, RQ, D4; Tavion Ford, Sr., 9-5, RQ, D3.
5. Bishop John Snyder
Coach: Jeremy Mosley
Recent district results: 2020: 5, 2019:5-1A3, 2018:6-1A3, 2017:6-1A3, 2016:7-1A3, 2015:6-1A3, 2014:1-1A3, 2013:2-1A4, 2012:4-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer):
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Christian Villanueva, Sr., 19-12, RQ-BR, D2; Jamil Johnson, So., 5-19, RQ, D4; Clayton Beasley, Sr., 10-19, RQ, D2; Angel LeCointe, Jr., 18-9, RQ-BR, D3.
6. University Christian
Coach: Wes Champ (2 years/6 years overall)
Recent district results: 2020: 6; 2017:6, 2016:5, 2015:8, 2014:3, 2013:1-1A3, 2012:1-1A3
Last state champion: Josh Fox, 2012 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jackie Dinh 22-24, RQ, D4.
Notable returning wrestlers: Jayce Paridon, 8th, 50-12, 5th, R3, D2; Egan Gustilo, So., 54-8, 5th, RC, DC; Matthew Flores.
2020-2021 season outlook: The team is not deep but does star two eighth graders who should move up higher on the podium in Kissimmee come March.
Coach speak: “Our goal is getting quality matches over quantity for our small number of kids.”
7. Union County
Coach: Patrickk McDonald (2 years/10 years total)
Recent district results: Independent before this season
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Davalier Blocker; Allen McClellon; Jonathan Maldonado.
Notable returning wrestlers: Carson Rogers; Christian Simmons; Colin Barrett; Colin Hadlock; Danny Thornton; Ethan Shea; Ian Halfacre; Kale Waters; Robert Young; Mikah Wilson; Brandon Mecusker.
New wrestlers: Cade Vaughn; Caleb Crawford.
2020-2021 season outlook: The second-year program moves to 1A after competing last season as an independent. There are a lot of bodies in the wrestling room but are still developing experience in the sport.
Coach speak: “We are a young program. It will be interesting to see which way the chips fall.”
8. Baldwin
Coach: Immanuel Henderson
Recent district results: 2020: 7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Johnatan Santiago 14-13, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Taylor Davenport, So., 2-7, RQ, D4.
9. Bradford
Coach: Derrick Mitchell
Recent district results: 2020: 8, 2019:6, 2018:4, 2017:3, 2016:6, 2015:10, 2014:4, 2013:4, 2012:3
Last state champion: Casey Hines, 2009 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Austin Varnes, Sr., 8-7, RQ, D4.
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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Daily dual meet result updates","type":"text
Individual and team rankings updated each week","type":"text
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