2A-9: Dixie Hollins and Countryside to renew battle again
Dixie Hollins and Countryside battled hard last year for the district title and this year should be no different with each team returning a lot of talent from a year ago.
Wrestlers to watch: #4-160: Brian Burburija (Countryside); #5-182: Dante Montgomery (Dixie Hollins); #6-152: Michael McKenzie (Dixie Hollins); #7-220: Maikeli Tuinakauvadra (Osceola Fundamental); #8-138: Miguel Martinez (Pinellas Park); #9-195: Benjamin Cash (Pinellas Park); #10-113: Voshawn Baker (Dixie Hollins); #10-120: Lowden Ward (Dixie Hollins).
1. Dixie Hollins (#16 in 2A)
Coach: Nick Spatoro
Recent district results: 2020: 1, 2019:4, 2018:3, 2017:4, 2016:2, 2015:1, 2014:1, 2013:1-2A10, 2012:1-2A10
Last state champion: Henry Middleton, 1989 (103)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Luke Herold 33-7, RQ, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Lowden Ward, So., 34-6, SQ, R3, DC; Voshawn Baker, Jr., 36-7, RQ-BR, DC; Gyrland Calvin, Jr., 22-8, RQ, DC; Michael Farrelly, So., 19-16, RQ, D3; Ellyjah Fletcher, Sr., 26-15, RQ, D3; Aidan Albert, Jr., 33-11, RQ, D2; Michael McKenzie, Sr., 33-10, RQ-BR, DC; Trent Francis, Sr., 17-13, RQ, D4; Dante Montgomery, Sr., 38-8, RQ-BR, D2; Jericho Javier, Jr., 20-11, RQ, D2; Brennan Jenkins, Jr., 33-10, RQ, D3.
2. Countryside
Coach: Mark Prince
Recent district results: 2020: 2, 2019:4-3A8, 2018:7-3A8, 2017:4-3A8, 2016:6-3A8, 2015:4-3A7, 2014:5-3A7, 2013:5-3A7, 2012:5-3A7
Last state champion: Anthony Burburija, 2019 (195)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Ethan Grimes 44-15, RQ, D2; Stevie Chopek 53-4, 2nd, RC, DC; Chase Niles 41-15, RQ, DC; Desmon Marshall 55-9, SQ, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Kevin Nguyen, Sr., 35-18, RQ, D2; Robert Pierri, So., 20-14, RQ, D3; Luke Vickers, So., 30-14, RQ, DC; Alex Zhupa, So.; Tanner Campbell, Sr., 24-18, RQ, D3; Brian Burburija, So., 53-5, RQ-BR, DC; Rocco Simonelli, Jr., 13-10, RQ, D4; Nick Granata, Sr., 36-14, RQ, D2; Matt Kilian , So., 17-14, RQ, D4.
3. Pinellas Park
Coach: Taylor Nevitt
Recent district results: 2020: 3, 2019:5-3A8, 2018:3-3A8, 2017:9-3A8, 2016:8-3A8, 2015:6-3A7, 2014:4-3A7, 2013:5-3A8, 2012:7-3A8
Last state champion: Michael Falgoust, 2004 (130)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Nicholas Syms 50-6, 4th, R3, DC.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Charles Robbins, So., 13-14, RQ, D4; Austin West, Jr., 10-10, RQ, D4; Ryan Howard, Sr., 26-18, RQ, D2; Cobin Crawford, Jr., 31-13, RQ, D2; Miguel Martinez, Sr., 41-16, SQ, R4, DC; Christopher Fregapane, Jr., 17-11, RQ, D3; Dylan Chornboy, Sr., 23-15, RQ, D3; Benjamin Cash, Sr., 23-7, RQ-BR, DC.
4. Seminole Osceola
Coach: Dan Smalley
Recent district results: 2020: 4, 2019:6, 2018:8, 2017:6, 2016:7, 2015:4, 2014:4, 2013:4-2A10, 2012:2-2A10
Last state champion: David Walker, 1995 (215)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dominic Molfetas 30-8, RQ, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Matthew Rennie, Jr., 21-22, RQ, D3; Rylan Soto, Sr., 8-16, RQ, D4; Liam Poulin, Sr., 15-13, RQ, D3; David Jensen, Jr., 15-16, RQ, D3; Max Annand, Sr., 16-15, RQ, D4; Harrison Lathrop, Sr., 10-20, RQ, D4; Maikeli Tuinakauvadra, Jr., 40-8, SQ, R4, DC; Miguel Tosado, Sr., 24-12, RQ, D2.
5. Largo
Coach: Kurt Montanye
Recent district results: 2020: 5, 2019:9, 2018:10, 2017:10, 2016:9, 2015:9, 2014:8, 2013:2-2A10, 2012:4-2A10
Last state champion: Howard Hoffman, 135 (1996), Jason Taylor, 189 (1996)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Kai Reicheelt 36-7, RQ, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Diego Cuevas, Sr., 24-21, RQ, D4; Maurice Foster, Sr., 23-21, RQ, D3; Collin Shaw, Sr., 35-15, RQ, D3.
6. St. Petersburg Northeast
Coach: Robert Wilson
Recent district results: 2020: 6, 2019:5, 2018:4, 2017:1, 2016:4, 2015:3, 2014:6, 2013:6-3A8, 2012:6-3A8
Last state champion: Phil Rizzo, 1981 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dontario Norwood 29-7, RQ-BR, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Hunter Groen, Sr., 13-14, RQ, D4; Calvin Mead, Sr., 21-19, RQ, D3.
7. Seminole
Coach: Ed Weingart
Recent district results: 2020: 8, 2019:10-3A8, 2018:9-3A8, 2017:8-3A8, 2016:10-3A8, 2015:7-3A7, 2014:8-3A7, 2013:9-3A7, 2012:6-3A7
Last state champion: Mike Surette, 1985 (155)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Blake Olsen, So., RQ, D2; Daniel Robinson, Jr., RQ, D4.
8. Clearwater
Coach: Herbert Weller
Recent district results: 2020: 7, 2019:8, 2018:6, 2017:8, 2016:8, 2015:6, 2014:10, 2013:x, 2012:8-3A7
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): None
Potential notable returning wrestlers: James Bartles, Sr., 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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