Gabriel, Solorzano lead group of Polk winners on 1st day of state wrestling

KISSIMMEE — Several Polk County wrestlers won their first-round matchup and advanced to the second day of the 2023 IBT Wrestling State Championships Thursday at the Silvers Spurs Arena.

Auburndale junior wrestler Nate Gabriel (285, 32-4), a two-time state qualifier, a district, regional and county champion, won a 4-1 decision over Lincoln’s Ryder Luck in the Class 2A first round on Thursday in the 2023 FHSAA IBT Wrestling State Championships at the Silver Spurs Arena.

Gabriel was among the Polk County wrestlers who advanced to the second day of the wrestling tournament.

“It feels good. I feel more comfortable, (and) it feels great,” Gabriel said. “Last year I was younger and I wanted to win it all. This year, now I’m older, and I still want to win it all. But this year, I know I can actually win it all. I got better. I put in the work – all that good stuff.”

Lake Gibson’s Frank Solorzano (182, 47-2), a five-time state placer and the No. 1 wrestler in his class, didn’t waste any time after pinning Archbishop’s Matthew Rojas in 2:41. Solorzano used that first takedown to take control of Rojas, and helped Lake Gibson tie for first place as a team with 36.5 points; Fleming Island is also in first.

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Solorzano said. “I’m just taking it one match at a time. I have some of the best coaches in the state of Florida, (and) some of the best trainers in the state of Florida, and I feel like I’m prepared. (I will) just take it one day at a time – one match at a time. … (I just need to continue to) take shots, and like I said one day at a time, then go back, watch some film … and we’re back to it tomorrow (Friday) again.”

Mulberry senior wrestler Mayangelie Colon (115, 22-4) pinned Tampa Bay Tech’s Jayla Jones in 1:59. Colon, who last year placed fifth in state and placed second at the Lake Mary tournament, used Jones’ adrenaline against her, eventually winning the Class 1A girls’ first round.

“In this match I feel proud. I put a lot of work in," Colon said. "It was all worth it – all the tough practices. I got to get out of my own head. I get really nervous, and anxious, and it doesn't do (any) good for me. My hands start to get cold. It’s all (just) about my mentality. I gotta keep it up. … I’m really excited that the girls’ wrestling program has been flourishing all throughout the state, and everybody has been (doing) a lot of hard work). It’s just really exciting.”

Helping the girls wrestling program in Florida, and of course Lake Gibson, is senior wrestler Gabby Tedesco, a two-time district and region champion, a state runner-up and a Fargo All-American. Tedesco (105, 7-0) pinned Dillards’s Taniayah Gosier in 40 seconds, as she used a front headlock and numerous takedowns to win.

“I’ve been training very hard for this moment. I don’t want to be stuck in the moment like I was last time I fell short,” Tedesco said. “I’m more determined. I practiced way more than I did last year. I have a lot more technique now. I’m ready for the state title.”

Also gunning for a state title is Tedesco’s brother, Gaetano (132, 45-11), who won by a 3-1 decision over Smyrna Beach’s Jonathan Bruner. Gaetano, who was bleeding from his forehead after his victory, waited for a perfectly-timed V block against a tall and lengthy Bruner.

“It means a lot, because last year when I came here, my first match I lost (and) I let it get in my head. This year I want to start off strong,” Gaetano Tedesco said. “I worked so hard to get here. I want to show everyone how hard I worked, and how much I deserve this.”

Other Polk County Class 2A boys’ wrestlers won their first-round match and advanced to day two are: Lake Gibson’s Elijah Lowe (113, 42-10)  pinned Miami Norland’s Rahsaan Robinson in 56 seconds; Lake Gibson’s Christian Fretwell (120, 33-4) pinned Manatee’s Luke Arthur in 4:23; Lake Gibson’s Colt Brown (226, 45-7 pinned Manatee’s Jeson Carbajal in 4:33; Lake Gibson’s Ny’Travious Walker (138, 30-7) won a 6-3 decision over Heritage’s Gabriel Ferreira, Lake Gibson’s Hayden Whidden (145, 29-4) pinned Chiles’ Cooper Hill in 5:11; Lake Gibson’s Gianni Maldonado (152, 52-4) won by technical fall over South Fork’s Brayden’s Hogg; and Lake Gibson’s Jace Brownlow (170, 37-10) won by major decision over Manatee’s Mason Miller.

The following Class 3A boys’ wrestlers won their first-round match: George Jenkins’ Roderick Brown (106, 49-8) won by technical fall over Creekside’s Alexavier Panganiban; George Jenkins’ Timothy Peoples (170, 45-7) won by a 5-0 decision over William T Dwyer’s Crradoo DeSantis; and George Jenkins’ Landon Walters pinned Dr. Krop’s Nathan Adras in 2:51;

In Class 1A action, McKeel’s Owen McNabb (170, 50-3) pinned Evangelical Christian School’s Derek Washington in 2:27 and Tenoroc’s Darian Gillins (220, 57-1) won by a 3-1 decision over Jensen Beach’s Tobby Rooney.

In other Class 1A girls’ first-round action, Auburndale’s Rylee Christmas (235, 8-1) pinned Admiral Farragut’s Grace Vernine in 3:48, Lake Wales’ Jennah Mustafa (145, 33-2) pinned Canterbury’s Claire O’Donnell in 20 seconds and McKeel’s Alexia Davis (170, 21-8) won by major decision over Palmetto Ridge’s Jasmine Toomer.

The second day of state is set for 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Silver Spurs Arena.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Gabriel, Solorzano lead group of Polk winners on 1st day of state wrestling