High School wrestling preview: Here are the top wrestlers, teams to watch in Polk County
Wrestling athletes need to train a specific way to be ready for the grueling season. And the campaign of takedowns, reversals and pins is finally upon us.
Led by National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach Daniel Walker, the Lake Gibson bunch is trying to add a fourth FHSAA state championship in 2021-22. With an exceptional finish in districts last season, George Jenkins is attempting to go through the process of becoming a consistent, great wrestling program.
Tenoroc heads into the year with high wrestling roster numbers that usually portend a dependable goal. Auburndale can take advantage of its experienced squad. And McKeel will defend the title of being the best team in District 11.
7 Wrestlers to Watch
BRENDON ABDON, Lake Gibson: The Braves returns three-time state qualifier and senior Brendon Abdon, who has won a Class 2A state championship the last two years. In 2019-2020, he won the state title at 138 pounds. Abdon is ranked No. 1 in the state at 152 pounds and is positioned 17th in the country. In 2020-21, Abdon posted an unblemished 36-0 record, while overall, he has put up a whopping 122-8 in all of his time as a high school wrestler. In November, he committed to Arkansas-Little Rock.
ALEX WALKER, Lake Gibson: Abdon's teammate, Walker has placed third in the state the last two years, while also placing second in 2A, Region 2. Walker is ranked No. 2 at 132. And just last season, he had a 28-3 record. The All-County wrestler committed to Reinhardt.
NATHAN PEOPLES, George Jenkins: At 195 pounds for George Jenkins, Peoples was victorious in two matches at the 3A state meet last season, including losing in the blood round, which is equivalent to the top eight. He was one match away from earning a medal. Peoples also nabbed second place in the Class 3A, Region 2 tournament and ended the season at 33-8. The senior is ranked third in the state at 195. Chris Griel of Palm Harbor is ranked No. 2, but Peoples beat Griel twice a year ago. Peoples is extremely physical, especially on top, while also being fast.
QUAN GREEN, George Jenkins: Last season, Green was one match away from qualifying for state and finished 27-15. The George Jenkins senior in the offseason has been working diligently to make sure he is in top condition for 2021-22. The wrestler is exceptional on his feet. Last season, he performed at 160 but moved to the 170-pound division this season.
BRANDON COLEMAN, Tenoroc: Coleman at 113 is a returning state qualifier, which he was able to do in his first fulltime year as a wrestler at Tenoroc. Compiling a 30-11 record in 2020-21, he was a district champion and is currently ranked 18 in Class 1A. Coleman last season was an All-County selection, too.
NICK HAWORTH, TENOROC: A transfer, Haworth is arguably one of the best wrestlers in the 170-pound weight class this season. Haworth last year qualified for state. Haworth went 40-10 and now has 105 career wins.
VISH WILLIAMS, McKeel: The McKeel senior last season claimed fourth in the state in Class 1A. At 152 pounds, was also the 1A-3 region champion, finished 45-5 and was an All-County selection.
Five Teams to Watch
LAKE GIBSON: As a unit, Lake Gibson is ranked No. 1 in the state in team dual standings, and No. 2 in the state in the IBT rankings. The Braves return five wrestlers who placed at state. The Braves, who went 19-0, were state champions in the duals tournament and finished third in the IBT state tournament.
"We should be up in the running for a state championship again," Walker said. "We're looking to repeat as state champions. That's our goal."
GEORGE JENKINS: After a 23-7 season in 2020-21, the Eagles return eight wrestlers, including two seniors. Last year, the 3A team finished second in districts duals and third in the IBT district tournament.
"We'll have a pretty good year, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the group," George Jenkins coach Gavin Osborn said. "Wrestling is a sport where you're not a butterfly. Your first year, you are a caterpillar, and before you know it, eventually you become that butterfly. Looking forward to seeing that."
TENOROC: The Titans finished the 2020-21 year at 19-9 in duals. The Titans qualified for the Class 1A state regional duals tournament, finishing in the top 32, and was runner-up in both the duals and IBT district tournaments. The school also qualified four wrestlers for the state tournament, and placed in the top 40 in the IBT rankings. This season, Tenoroc returns nine wrestlers, and there are 30 overall competing — both are firsts for the school.
"We feel pretty well-positioned from top to bottom at winning districts," head coach Anthony Cerullo said.
AUBURNDALE: Auburndale finished 18-9 last seoson and was the district duals runner-up for Class 2A. The Bloodhounds return most of their wrestlers. Auburndale head coach Antonio Thomas said his goal is to win some of the duals that were lost last season and to have all 14 weight classes ready to go.
"We'll be kind of young and kind of old, "Thomas said. "I think this year will be looking pretty fun for us."
MCKEEL: The Wildcats captured the 1A district title last season after beating Tenoroc. They had 10 wrestlers in the finals. Additionally, McKeel was the regional runner-up.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Wrestling, High School wrestling, Polk County, Lake Gibson, Tenoroc
