2A-3: New coach, same goal for Fletcher
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Fletcher is under new leadership with Paul Schloth taking over as the head man and he’s got a full line-up of experience that should produce a second consecutive title for the Senators.
Wrestlers to watch: #2-160: Ahmahd Denmark (Lee); #2-220: Ethan Hollenbach (Fletcher); #3-285: Ray Bolden (Westside); #5-152: Joel Rodriguez (Fletcher); #6-220: Craig Harper (Lee); #9-132: Lynden North (Englewood); #11-182: Jarrett Maritato (Ponte Vedra).
1. Fletcher
Coach: Paul Schloth (First year)
Recent district results: 2020: 1, 2019:3-3A1, 2018:5-3A1, 2017:3-3A1, 2016:9-3A1, 2015:7-3A1, 2014:4-3A1, 2013:2-3A1, 2012:2-3A1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Tyson Petrie 15-7, RQ, D2; Stone “Hunter” Rockhill 16-6, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Ana Bradshaw, Sr., 21-5, RQ, DC; Ryden Ashmore, Jr., 12-13, RQ, D2; Josh Daltro, Jr., 5-8, RQ, D3; Gabriel Daltro, Sr., 21-11, RQ, DC; Kaden Solomon, Jr., 5-8, RQ, D3; Joel Rodriguez, Sr., 27-6, SQ, RC, DC; Michael Strong, Sr., 18-5, RQ, D3; Ethan Hollenbach, Sr., 20-2, SQ-BR, R2, DC; Toby Matson, So., 7-15, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Cole Obrian; Elija Purdy
2020-2021 season outlook: After being with the team as an assistant last season, Schloth takes over full-time this year as the team continues to learn the new system. Everybody in the team is on the same page heading into the season and the top wrestlers have great drilling and practice partners.
Coach speak: “The potential is there with solid senior leadership and basically one year under our belt together. I feel as the season progresses, the team and individuals will show marked improvement and confidence.”
2. Lee
Coach: Ricky Hicks
Recent district results: 2020: 2, 2019:8-3A1, 2018:6-3A1, 2017:8-3A1, 2016:7-3A1, 2015:6-2A3, 2014:9-2A3, 2013:8-2A2, 2012:8-2A2
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Ricky Hicks, So., 30-16, RQ, D2; Jamal Burkes, Jr., 35-12, RQ, D2; Ty’Juan Jones, Sr., 33-14, RQ, D3; Ahmahd Denmark, Sr., 40-4, 2nd, RC, DC; Keshawn Waters, Sr., 31-14, RQ, D4; Craig Harper, Sr., 35-10, SQ, R3, D2.
3. Ponte Vedra
Coach: Josean Gonzalez (3 years/ 18-26, 104-97)
Recent district results: 2020: 3, 2019:5-2A4, 2018:6-2A4, 2017:6-2A4, 2016:5-2A4, 2015:6-2A4, 2014:6-2A4, 2013:10-2A3, 2012:5-2A3
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Alex DeAlmeida 32-7, SQ, R3, DC; Ethan Baur 24-7, SQ, R3, D3; Stephen Kowitski, 13-21; Jackson Shewey, 20-13; Harlan Nikolov, 17-14.
Notable returning wrestlers: Aiden Taylor, So., 9-15, RQ, D3; Julian Villegas, Jr., 17-19, RQ, D4; Michael Stephens, Jr., 13-15, RQ, DC; Jarrett Maritato, Sr., 43-18, SQ, R4, D3; James Richie, 6-10; Grady Dolan, 2-6; Joseph Sinder, 5-5; Andrew Hissam, 6-16; Cyrus Ferraro, 4-15; John Whitley, 10-16; Joseph Skinner, 12-12; Zachary Underwood, 5-12; Luke Calamari, 6-12; Xavier Agatep, 3-12; Christopher Stewart, 4-14; Aiden Boss, 2-11; Cynthia Kowitski, 2-8; Olivia Richie, 8-9; Josie Sagasser, 5-6; Alysha Ammerman, 0-2.
2020-2021 season outlook: The team is young heading into the season with Rett Maritato being the leader of the squad as it looks to keep improving to peak in the postseason.
Coach speak: “I think our strength is our returners experience from last year. We wrestled a challenging schedule and I know they will come back stronger and better prepared for the upcoming season.”
4. Englewood
Coach: Joseph Stetzer
Recent district results: 2020: 6, 2019:2, 2018:4, 2017:4, 2016:5, 2015:7, 2014:7, 2013:5-2A2, 2012:9-2A2
Last state champion: Derrick Mason, 1995 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer):
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Raequan Staples, Sr., 27-12, RQ, D3; Lynden North, Jr., 39-4, RQ, DC; Rasean Rayam, So., 14-33, RQ, D4; Sam Howard, Sr., 24-5, RQ, D4; Darryl Sam, Sr., 26-15, RQ, D2; Melvin Wiggins, So., 21-17, RQ, D4.
5. Westside
Coach: Chris McNealy
Recent district results: 2020: 5, 2019:6-1A3, 2018:5-1A3, 2017:3-1A3, 2016:6-1A3, 2015:2-1A3, 2014:5-1A3, 2013:7-1A4, 2012:10-1A4
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Angelo Philpot 50-7, 5th, R2, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Deshawn Reaves, So., 18-25, RQ, D4; Olleon Hickmon, So., 10-8, RQ, D2; Nathan Williams, So., 21-24, RQ, D4; Donovan White, Sr., 16-23, RQ, D4; John Merritt, Sr., 38-12, RQ-BR, D3; Ray Bolden, Sr., 39-5, SQ, R2, DC.
6. First Coast
Coach: Tanner Tenopir
Recent district results: 2020: 4, 2019:9-3A1, 2018:9-3A1, 2017:10-3A1, 2016:10-3A1, 2015:5-3A1, 2014:6-3A1, 2013:5-3A1, 2012:8-3A1
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Devante Wyatt 42-7, SQ-BR, R3, D2; Hakeem Culberson 27-7, RQ, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Josiah Mossor, Sr., 37-3, RQ-BR, DC; Grayson Peterson, Sr., 22-7, RQ-BR, D3.
7. Stanton Prep
Coach: Forrest Wheeler
Recent district results: 2020: 7, 2019:6, 2018:7, 2017:6, 2016:7, 2015:9, 2014:8, 2013:2-2A2, 2012:3-2A2
Last state champion: Robert Drummond, 1998 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Liam Salem, Sr., 13-11, RQ, D4.
8. Terry Parker
Coach: Andrew McCrary
Recent district results: 2020: 8, 2019:4, 2018:6, 2017:5, 2016:6, 2015:8, 2014:6, 2013:6-2A2, 2012:5-2A2
Last state champion: Shomari Rozier, 1990 (171)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ashley Saddler 34-11, RQ-BR, D2; Darius Farmer 21-17.
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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