3A-16: No. 1 South Dade favored in state’s toughest district
Two top two teams are in the top district in Class 3A along with the No. 7 team in the country. South Dade should win another district crown and there are wrestlers throughout this district that will be battling for the top spot on the podium in March.
Wrestlers to watch: #1-106: Christian Guzman (Miami Columbus); #1-120: Danny Martinez (SW Miami); #1-132: Sebastian Melguizo (SW Miami); #1-152: Cordell White (South Dade); #1-170: Joshua Swan (South Dade); #2-113: Adrian Morales (South Dade); #2-126: Robert Dusendang (SW Miami); #2-145: Adrian Neco (South Dade); #2-182: Sawyer Bartelt (South Dade); #2-195: Jeremiah Mauras (SW Miami); #3-106: Gabriel Tellez (SW Miami); #3-132: Alex Couto (South Dade); #3-195: Creig Silimon (South Dade); #4-113: Kevin Placer (SW Miami); #4-160: Jadiel Siverio (South Dade); #5-132: Gavin Buck (Miami Columbus).
1. South Dade (#1 in 3A)
Coach: Vic Balmeceda (28 years)
Recent district results: 2020: 1, 2019:1, 2018:1, 2017:1, 2016:1, 2015:1, 2014:1, 2013:1, 2012:1
Last state champion: Alex Couto, 2020 (120), Bretli Reyna, 2020 (145), Joshua Swan, 2020 (152)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jose Gonzalez 49-11, 2nd, R2, D2; Bretli Reyna 50-3, SC, RC, DC; Steven Villalobos 56-5, 2nd, RC, DC; Bryan Valdes 46-15, 6th, R2, D2; Daniel Espino-Delgado 40-15, SQ, R2, D3; Jalen Durham 15-8; Alejandro Gonzalez 36-17, SQ, R2, D2; Tanavieous Shropshire 40-11, 5th, RC, D2; Jose Paez 32-11, RQ, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Adrian Morales, Jr., 54-8, 3rd, RC, D2; JanCarlos Rivera, Sr., 37-14, SQ, R3, D2; Alex Couto, Jr., 52-10, SC, RC, D2; Keith Crouse, Sr., 19-7; Adrian Neco, Sr., 55-8, 2nd, RC, DC; Cordell White, So., 52-8, 3rd, RC, DC; Joshua Swan, Sr., 45-2, SC, R3, DC.
New wrestlers: Sawyer Bartelt, Fr., 37-5, 2nd, RC, DC (Transfer from Doral Academy); Luis Acevedo, Fr.; Joshua Aviles, Fr.; Gavin Balmeceda, Fr.; Creig Silimon, Sr., 53-15, SQ-BR, R3, DC (Transfer from Key West); Misha Arbos, So.; Jadiel Siverio, Sr., 27-7, SQ-BR, R3, DC (Transfer from Coral Park).
2020-2021 season outlook: The Bucs are favorites to win an eighth straight team state title and fourth consecutive dual meet state title.
Coach speak: “We have a great mixture of experienced studs who have been to the ‘big show’ and brought back hardware along with some young Bucs hungry to continue the dynasty and create a legacy of their own.”
2. Southwest Miami (#2 in 3A)
Coach: Mick Arteaga (Fourth year, 76-6)
Recent district results: 2020: 2, 2019:1-3A15, 2018:1-3A15, 2017:1-3A15, 2016:1-3A15, 2015:1-3A15, 2014:1-3A15, 2013:2-3A15, 2012:2-3A15
Last state champion: Danny Martinez, 2020 (113), Sebastian Melguizo, 2020 (126)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Daniel Cabrera 47-15, 5th, R2, D2; Sebastian Montero 46-15, RQ, D2; Gabriel Perez 49-15, SQ, R3, D3; Leo Garcia 48-20, SQ, R3, D3; Adrian Vidaud 55-3, 2nd, RC, DC; George Llanes 63-10, SQ-BR, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Kevin Placer, Jr., 54-9, SQ, R3, D3; Danny Martinez, So., 68-0, SC, RC, DC; Nikolas Utset, So.; Sebastian Melguizo, Sr., 62-3, SC, RC, DC; Lester Martinez, So.; Favian Oliva, Jr.; Adrian Ochoa, So., 28-18; Brandon Moreno, Sr., 43-22, SQ, R2, D3; Josue Fernandez, Sr.; Angel Cervantes, So.; Jeremiah Mauras, Sr., 65-10, 5th, RC, DC; Adrian Sans, Jr., 43-22, RQ, D3.
New wrestlers: Robert Dusendang, Sr., 48-6, 4th, R3, D3 (Transfer from Columbus).
2020-2021 season outlook: Two state champions return and both will be looking to be the first two-time champion for the school since the 1970s. The Eagles were second in the state last season for the first time since 1972 and should battle well to retain that spot this season with a nice collection of veteran talent and youth in the lineup.
Coach speak: “We are a very young team with lots of talent, spearheaded by a very experienced and accomplished group of seniors. The question isn’t if the freshman and sophomores will set up, it’s when.”
3. Miami Columbus (#7 in 3A)
Coach: Jim Husk
Recent district results: 2020: 3, 2019:2-3A15, 2018:2-3A15, 2017:2-3A15, 2016:2-3A15, 2015:3-3A15, 2014:3-3A15, 2013:1-3A15, 2012:1-3A15
Last state champion: Nicholas Werthy, 2013 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Diego Romero 44-12; Rafael Hueso 49-16; Robert Dusendang, Sr., 48-6, 4th, R3, D3 (Transfer to SW Miami).
Notable returning wrestlers: Christian Guzman, Jr., 57-9, 2nd, R2, DC; Ryan Rivero, Jr., 47-19, RQ, D4; Gavin Buck, Sr., 61-14, 5th, R4, D3; Van Huffman, Jr., 27-17, SQ, R4, D4; Dylan Mira, Sr., 58-14, RQ-BR, D4; Rocco D’ascoli, Jr., 26-13; Joshua Marquez, Sr., 28-14, RQ, D4; Gian Rodriguez, Sr., 30-11, SQ, R4, D3; Derrick Hart, So., 33-20, RQ-BR, D2.
New wrestlers: Aiden Gasper, Jr., 28-17, SQ, R4, DC (Transfer from AHDB).
2020-2021 season outlook: The Explorers are loaded with depth again this season.
4. Miami Braddock
Coach: Saul Tejada
Recent district results: 2020: 6, 2019:6-3A15, 2018:6-3A15, 2017:7-3A15, 2016:4-3A15, 2015:2-3A15, 2014:2-3A15, 2013:3-3A15, 2012:3-3A15
Last state champion: Alex Victor, 2016 (113)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer):
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jan Paul Piniero, Jr., 25-8, RQ, D3; Hector Zumbado, Sr., 17-9, RQ, D4; Frank Lopez, Sr., 17-16; Julian Rocha, Jr., 29-13, RQ, D3; Jason Munoz, Sr., 15-15, RQ, D4.
5. Miami Palmetto
Coach: Anthony Fadelle (Fourth year)
Recent district results: 2020: 4, 2019:3, 2018:3, 2017:4, 2016:3, 2015:3, 2014:3, 2013:2, 2012:2
Last state champion: John Rost, 2002 (135)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Charles Veliz 38-12, RQ-BR, D2; Destin Jones 47-8, SQ, R2, D2; Allan Quezada 47-9, RQ-BR, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Corey Gallivan, Sr., 40-13, SQ, R2, DC; Angel Fernandez, Sr., 27-25, RQ, D4; Nathan Budier, Sr., 24-20, RQ, D4.
2020-2021 season outlook: The Panthers graduated a bit part of the lineup last year but do return state qualifier Gallivan who has been working with a goal of the state podium in his site and should finish his high school career as the school leader in wins.
Coach speak: “This is a rebuilding year for the program. We will be loaded with 9th and 10th graders and our hoping to get Southwood Middle back up and running with Palmetto Middle to create a solid feeder pattern in the next couple years.”
6. Miami Coral Reef
Coach: Miguel Dominguez (8 years)
Recent district results: 2020: 5, 2019:4, 2018:4, 2017:5, 2016:5, 2015:4, 2014:4, 2013:4, 2012:5
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Justin Pujol 42-15, SQ, R3, D3; Nicholas Espinal 33-19, RQ-BR, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Anthony Madriz, Sr., 25-12, RQ-BR, D4; Christian Llauger, Sr., 37-8, RQ-BR, D2.
2020-2021 season outlook: Two senior leaders Llauger and Madriz stand out on a very young team.
7. Coral Gables
Coach: Thomas Hardy
Recent district results: 2020: 8, 2019:4-3A15, 2018:7-3A15, 2017:3-3A15, 2016:3-3A15, 2015:4-3A15, 2014:5-3A15, 2013:6-3A15, 2012:8-3A15
Last state champion: Marino Eatman, 2004 (HWT)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Sebastien Rodriguez 29-8, SQ, R3, D3.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Jose Cardenas, Sr., 32-16, SQ, R3, D4; Clarence Eldor, Sr., 10-8, RQ, D4.
8. Miami Ferguson
Coach: Monroe Owen
Recent district results: 2020: 7, 2019:7-3A15, 2018:4-3A15, 2017:5-3A15, 2016:7-3A15, 2015:6-3A16, 2014:5-3A16, 2013:6-3A16, 2012:3-3A16
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jensen Caceres 28-6, RQ, D2; Abraham Perez 35-9, RQ, D3.
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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