Month: July 2016

Welcome to another edition of The Scouting Reports. Here, we take a spin through what the entire state of Florida has coming back. More information for you, the readers, is what we’re all about at Matmen.

I’ve heard about a few transfers locally (on the Northeast side) that supposedly have already taken place (two are noted here and one bigger shift, that will affect the next preview, just heard about it very recently), and a couple others that I’ve heard about that may be in process. What I hear about, and what I can report, are two very different things, however. And there are probably others that I haven’t even heard about yet. So if the information here is not 100% correct because of a transfer, it’s because it hasn’t been confirmed to me. Upon confirmation from a coach or from the kid transferring, I would be happy to correct the record — one of the pleasant upsides of doing these over the Internet as opposed to a newspaper-based format.

Pro Tip: This would be a good time to tell me you’re officially transferring. You’ve got some time — either a few hours or a few days, as these will all be done before the end of the month — to let me know via DM in Twitter or Facebook instant message or at nefloridamatmen@gmail.com.

1A-District 3

2015-16 team finish: 1. Clay. 2. Yulee. 3. West Nassau. 4. Baker County. 5. Raines. 6. Westside. 7. Bishop Snyder. 8. Fernandina Beach.
2014-15 team finish: 1. Yulee. 2. Westside. 3. Baker County. 4. West Nassau. 5. Fernandina Beach. 6. Bishop Snyder. 7. Raines. 8. Jackson. 9. Paxon.
2013-14 team finish: 1. Bishop Snyder. 2. Yulee. 3. Fernandina Beach. 4. West Nassau. 5. Forrest (now Westside). 6. Baker County. 7. Raines. 8. Jackson. 9. Paxon.

(All individual records are Matmen-generated except for Yulee)

Baker County (Glen St. Mary)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-17th at region. 2015 — 16th at region. 2014 — 16th at region, T-69th at states.
Individual returners: Cole Cushman (junior, 23-7 at 113, district 4th); Jordan Johnson (junior, 15-18 at 126, district 3rd); Devon Cole (junior, 16-14 at 132, 1 match from regions); Earl Starling (junior, 6-8 at 145, district 3rd); James Burnett (junior, 12-16 at 160, 1 match from regions); Blake Dicks (junior, 20-15 at 170, district 3rd); Jestin Canterbury (senior, 12-19 at 285, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: Sydney Williams (14-13 at 106, district 3rd); Shelbie Martin (13-15 at 120, 1 match from regions); Robbie Martin (17-12 at 138, district 4th); Caleb Griffin (13-11 at 152, district 4th); Corey Paine (28-8 at 220, district runnerup, 1 match from states).
Program strengths: Numbers. Baker has just about as many kids that saw lots of time during the regular season as those who suited up for the Wildcats for the districts. Six juniors return, and they could form a solid nucleus for the next two seasons.
Program needs: Off-season wrestling was a critical need. That’s started to be addressed with the Baker County Youth Wrestling program. Wildcats could use at least one highly competitive IBT event that will help prep them for the challenges of the post-season.
Why Florida should know about the Wildcats: Baker County had its second year without a state qualifier, advancing three wrestlers to Day 2 at Florida High, as Cushman and 2016 graduate Griffin both reached the consi quarters along with Paine, who made it to the consi semis. All three Wildcats were 2-2 at Region 1, and all of them had losses to eventual state qualifiers.

Bishop Snyder (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 25th at region. 2015 — T-12th at region, T-59th at states. 2014 — 7th at region, T-16th at states.
Individual returners: JP Vilonueva (sophomore, 7-28 at 113, 1 match from regions); Brenden Bizier (senior, 27-17 at 132, district 3rd); Johnathan Bokros (sophomore, 5-30 at 138, 1 match from regions); Thomas Graden (sophomore, 6-29 at 145, 1 match from regions); Azim Hameed (senior, 26-9 at 160, district champ, 1 match from states); Mark Morante (sophomore, 4-28 at 220, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: None.
Program strengths: Rebuilding effort after schedule change forced several Cardinals out of wrestling has been slow going, but progress is happening. Having everyone return next year, and return to the sport next year, will be a big boost for all of the Cardinals.
Program needs: Youngsters do need more mat time, with a mixture of all levels of competition. Snyder schedule has evolved toward that
Why Florida should know about the Cardinals: Hameed came as close as a wrestler can get to states without qualifying, falling just a takedown short of the show in a 4-3 consi-semi loss to Godby’s Cornelius Brown. He spent a great deal of time working this off-season to prepare to get to states this coming March.

Clay (Green Cove Springs)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 1st at region, state runnerup (Lake Highland Prep). 2015 — 1st at 1A-District 5, 3rd at 1A-Region 2, 9th at states. 2014 — 1st at 1A-District 5, 2nd at 1A-Region 2, 4th at states.
Individual returners: Louie Gagliardo (sophomore, 45-8 at 106, district champ, region runnerup, state 5th); Chris Merring (senior, 35-8 at 113, district champ, region champ, state runnerup); Dylan Taylor (sophomore, 40-15 at 120, district champ, region runnerup, state 6th); Keath Sawdo (senior, 36-14 at 145, district champ, region champ, state 5th); Connor Green (junior, 35-17 at 152, district champ, region 3rd, state 6th); Garrett Weseman (junior, 15-22 at 160, district 4th); Abbott Taylor (sophomore, 19-12 at 182, district champ, region runnerup); Kaleb Collins (senior, 39-7 at 195, district champ, region champ, state 3rd).
Key additions: Max Beavor (junior, 170, 3A-District 1 3rd place); Kurt Jackson (junior, 195, 2A-District 3 runnerup, 2A-Region 1 4th place).
Key losses: Dale Browning (49-6 at 126, district champ, region champ, state 3rd); Derek Miller (42-6 at 132, district champ, region champ, state CHAMPION); Julian Summa (41-8 at 138, district champ, region champ, state 4th); Caleb Steinmetz (38-14 at 170, district champ, 1 match from states); Jeremy Beaulieu (16-4 at 220, district champ, region 3rd, 1 match from state podium); Roland Samec (30-7 at 285, district champ, region 3rd).
Program strengths: Holds one of the, and arguably the, premier traditions of any wrestling team in the coverage area, with one of, if not the, most vocal and supportive fan bases in Florida. Has one of the deepest benches in the coverage area and certainly deepest in the district, and the kids who’ve transferred make the overall group just that much stronger.
Program needs: Injured wrestlers need to be fully healed up and most are on the way to that, with some already drilling after in-between-season surgeries.
Why Florida should know about the Blue Devils: Florida already knows about the Blue Devils. It’s probably still too much to expect this group to compete with Lake Highland Prep, but Clay should close the gap a little bit more in March, even with six district champs (including four state placers, one a champion) graduated.
Here’s a breakdown of each Clay state qualifier (including the newest Blue Devil who also was there):
Gagliardo — Went 3-2 in taking fifth at states, reaching the semis behind a first-round 8-4 decision over Tampa Prep’s Ben Buhler, and quarterfinal fall over Astronaut’s Carson Kirk, and then fell in the semis to eventual state champ Ryan Chauvin of Lake Highland, 11-2. Buhler got back the first-round loss in the consi semis, downing Gagliardo 8-6, but he rallied to defeat Suwannnee’s Brandon Trask, 8-2, in the fifth-place match.
Merring — Pinned his way through to the finals, with falls over Chaminade-Madonna’s Joseph Scirghio (first round), Astronaut’s Louis Cortez (quarters) and Lemon Bay’s Albert Werden (semis) before taking a loss via major decision on Saturday night to Lake Highland’s Noah Castillo, 15-7.
Dylan Taylor — Was 3-3 (all losses to placers) in taking sixth, with a first-round forfeit over Rockledge’s Austin Lashure, then fell 7-3 in the quarters to eventual finalist Dre Neely of Avon Park. He then decisioned Evangelical Christian’s Jason Meyer (8-6) in consi round 2 and Lely’s Eric Garcia (4-3) in the consi quarters, the state meets’ “blood round,” to earn his podium spot. He then fell 9-0 in the consi semis to Region 1 rival William Pickren of Arnold (more on him a little later) and then to Somerset’s Colby Singletary, 11-3, in the fifth-place match.
Sawdo — Like Gagliardo, Sawdo was 3-2 (both losses to placers) and reached the semis in taking fifth. He opened the tournament with a first-round fall over Lemon Bay’s Zack Dagg, and followed that up with a 9-1 major over Bishop Moore’s Bradley Kata in the quarters. Sawdo then lost by tech fall in the semis to Tampa Prep’s Anthony Artalona and again in the consi semis in sudden victory to Cardinal Gibbons’ Osani Ley, 3-1. Sawdo rallied with a sudden-victory win of his own for fifth, edging American Heritage-Plantation’s Dominick Venturi 10-8.
Green — Was 3-3, with all losses to placers, including a first-round major at the hands of Bishop Moore’s Ryan Violette. Green then rattled off three wins on the back to secure a podium effort, pinning Lemon Bay’s Josh Washington (consi rd 1), 7-6 decision over Trayvon Taylor of Admiral Farragut (consi rd 2) and a fall over Southeast’s Jonathan Locke (blood round). Green then sustained losses to Indian Rocks’ Michael Gingras (12-3 in consi semis) and to Somerset’s Juan Vernaza (9-8 in the fifth-place match).
Abbott Taylor — Went 1-2 at states (both losses against placers), with a first-round decision, 6-0, over McKeel Academy’s Luke Schwartz. Taylor then dropped a narrow 8-7 quarterfinal loss to Coral Springs Charter’s Kevin Soltis, and then lost by fall in consi round 2 to Coconut Creek’s Benson Dorvil.
Collins — Was 4-1 in taking third, reaching the semis along the way. On the front side of the bracket, Collins pinned Coral Springs Charter’s Jon Moltimer in the opening round and Hernando’s Abel Terkovich in the quarters, falling in the semi to multiple-time state champion Ryan Thomas of American Heritage-Delray Beach, 12-7. Collins then pinned Moltimer a second time in the consi semis, and decisioned Florida High’s Cam Brown (more on him in a few days), 7-3, for third place.
Jackson — Competing for Middleburg in 2A, Jackson was 0-2 at states, both losses by fall, against Goleman’s Ivan Martinez in the first round and Sunlake’s Ronnie Estep in consi round 1.
Browning — Closed his high school career with perhaps his best state tournament, losing only in the quarters to finalist Connor Kirk of Astronaut by fall. He had a forfeit win over Coconut Creek’s Tarique Dailey, and on the backside decisioned Admiral Farragut’s Noah Farrelly (8-7) in consi round 2, pinned Dunbar’s Trevor McDaniel in the consi quarters, Raines’ Jaquan English (see more below) in the consi semis and Avon Park’s Jose Pontinela for third.
Miller — Had bonus points in three of his four wins that secured the title, with a tech fall over Space Coast’s Jason Amato (round 1), falls over Somerset’s Daniel Valledor (quarters) and over Lake Highland’s Kai Bele (semis). In the final, he decisioned Tampa Prep’s Ashton Habeil, 11-4, to close out a spectacular tournament run that earned him the Florida Times-Union’s Wrestler of the Year honor.
Summa — Reached the semis in going 3-2 at the tournament, with a first-round fall over Dunbar’s Dayton Hutchins and then a 13-8 quarterfinal win over Somerset Canyon’s Alyis Mursuli. Summa then fell in the semis to Key West’s Caleb Ashe, 4-2, but rallied with a 2-0 win in the consi semis over Lake Highland’s Max Cosmides. Mursuli got some measure of revenge for the quarterfinal loss, however, winning 6-4 in the third-place match.
Beaulieu — Was 2-2 at states (both losses to placers), with one win on each side of the bracket. He pinned Mater Lakes’ Cole Schwartzberg in the first round, but then took an 11-9 quarterfinal loss against Dunbar’s Judas McKenzie. Beaulieu rallied with a consi round-2 fall over Berkeley Prep’s Sam Chadwick to get to Saturday, but then lost to Atlantic’s Matt Whitehouse, by an 8-3 count in the blood round.
Samec — Went 5-1 at states, with his loss coming in the quarterfinals via fall against multiple-time state champion Dante Jiovenetta of Coral Shores. Samec opened the tournament with a fall over Astronaut’s Javohn Maravolo in the first round, and on the back side of the bracket, made sure he got to the podium with a fall over Lemon Bay’s Mike Morales and 4-1 decision over Region 1 rival Jacob Marin of Wakulla (more on him in a few days). He then pinned Berkeley Prep’s Laurence Grundy in the semis and outlasted Tenoroc’s Kristopher Bozeman in sudden victory, 10-8.

Fernandina Beach
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 28th at region. 2015 — 24th at region. 2014 — 6th at region, T-52nd at states.
Individual returners: Joseph Helm (senior, 25-5 at 152, district runnerup), Trevor Dubose (senior, 160, 0-2 at districts); David Sturgis (junior, 4-11 at 195, district 4th); potentially Robbie Elefterion (class unknown, 220, 0-2 at districts).
Key losses: Rafael Charriez (14-14 at 126, 1 match from regions).
Program strengths: Pirates still have talent in the lineup and are looking, most likely, at coaching cohesion into a third year.
Program needs: Numbers have dropped and team will need an influx of new blood to continue to try to compete in duals. Program also needs to reach out to the Jacksonville area and compete in a couple more events to get more mat time.
Why Florida should know about the Pirates: Fernandina Beach did not have presence at Florida High and Region 1 in the second day of the tournament, as Helm had its only victory with a first-round fall.

Raines (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 10th at region, T-34th at states. 2015 — 21st at region, T-70th at states. 2014 — 19th at region, T-59th at states.
Individual returners: Anthony Haynes (junior, 21-17 at 113, district 3rd); Joseph Haynes (senior, 32-12 at 120, district 3rd, region 3rd); Jaquan English (junior, 51-9 at 126, district runnerup, region 3rd, state 6th); Dondre Stephens (sophomore, 10-24 at 182, district 4th); Jahcoassy Leo (senior, 23-11 at 195, district runnerup).
Key losses: Travaris Shanks (18-17 at 285, district 3rd).
Program strengths: Coaching staff is a quiet strength for this program in the heart of the inner city. Athleticism across the board is top-notch. The schedule this school wrestles takes the Vikings all over Florida to seek out strong competition, and it showed up in Raines’ best showing at states in the past four years.
Program needs: Numbers continue to be an issue, as the program takes a back seat to strong football and track programs located on school grounds (could be augmented with Andrew Jackson kids coming over due to changes in Jacksonville magnet schools). There’s been some off-season work, but not as much across the board as the coaching staff would want to see.
Why Florida should know about the Vikings: Joseph Haynes was 1-2 at states, with both of his losses coming against state placers in the first round and consi round 2, but took an 8-5 win over Immokalee’s Gabriel Ramirez in consi round 1. English got on the podium at 126, reaching the semis with falls over Booker T Washington’s Kenny Lopez (first round) and Anclote’s Alex Roberds (quarters), but then lost in the semis to eventual champion Joe Silva of Lake Highland Prep, with subsequent losses to Clay’s Browning in the consi semis and to Florida High’s Bryan Metcalf (more on him a little later on) in the fifth-place match.

West Nassau (Callahan)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 12th at region, T-47th at states. 2015 — 9th at region, 25th at states. 2014 — 18th at region, T-55th at states.
Individual returners: Jake Blount (junior, 33-10 at 113, district runnerup, region 4th); Jacob Hulbert (sophomore, 17-25 at 120, district 4th); William Tharpe (junior, 28-10 at 138, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Levi Mumford (junior, 20-15 at 152, 1 match from regions); Chance Terrell (junior, 13-8 at 160, district 3rd); Daniel Boylan (junior, 15-17 at 195, district 3rd); Blake Hodges (senior, 23-15 at 220, district 3rd).
Key losses: Daniel Hill (24-15 at 170, district runnerup); John/Owen Evans (14-17 at 182, district runnerup).
Program strengths: Program continues to make upticks over the past couple of seasons, with newcomers making it stronger each season, and that has shown in their improved district position. The Warriors have been to the state tournament each of the past three seasons and should have multiple kids there in 2017.
Program needs: Schedule is getting stronger, but could continue to get better. Off-season work was in some short supply, at least against in-state competition (given their location, they might be seeing south Georgia kids).
Why Florida should know about the Warriors: Blount was West Nassau’s lone representative at states, going 1-2 in the event with a second-period fall over Somerset Academy’s Christopher Riley. Blount lost by fall in the quarters and then injury-defaulted in consi round 2 to Jupiter Christian’s Eric Barnes.

Westside (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 16th at region, 72nd at states. 2015 — T-12th at region. 2014 — 23rd at region.
Individual returners: Isaac Parker (senior, 16-16 at 113, 1 match from regions); Malik Hardison (sophomore, 15-16 at 126, district 4th); Keyvonta Broadwater (senior, 16-21 at 132, district 4th); Delmontae Davis (senior, 29-11 at 145, district runnerup); Matthew Gathright (sophomore, 23-15 at 152, 1 match from regions); John Jones (junior, 15-19 at 170, 1 match from regions); Tariq Hookfin (senior, 30-10 at 285, district runnerup).
Key losses: Caleb Gibbs (38-10 at 160, district runnerup, region 3rd, 1 match from state podium).
Program strengths: Wolverines were in the hunt for area ranking early in the season, were ranked in Florida Times-Union poll in late December. Numbers have gone up consistently and new faces continue to enter the lineup and make impacts. Have done a decent amount of off-season work.
Program needs: Schedule needs to improve in order to push the better wrestlers to new heights (a Disney Duals appearance in off-season would as well). Wolverines will want to either sustain success they had in December, for the entire season, or build toward it.
Why Florida should know about the Wolverines: Of the returners, only Hookfin got to Day 2 at Florida High, but lost in the consi quarters there. Only 2016 graduate Gibbs got out to states, where he was 2-2, with both losses to eventual placers. Gibbs decisioned Coral Shores’ Lazaro Rodriguez, 8-5, in the first round and then fell in the quarters to Tampa Prep’s Leonardo Tarantino (3rd, finalist in 2015) by fall. He rallied on the back side for an 8-5 win over Key West’s Josh Hettel to get to Saturday, but then took a loss by DQ against Northside Christian (St. Petersburg)”s Kamen Wilmington in the “blood round.”

Yulee
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-14th at region, T-42nd at states. 2015 — 7th at region, T-59th at states. 2014 — 15th at region, T-69th at states.
Individual returners: Gavin Loring (sophomore, 106, district runnerup); Dylan Youmans (senior, 120, district runnerup); Zach Watson (senior, 126, 1 match from regions); John Parker (senior, 138, district 3rd); (possibly) David Dry (no school year noted on Track, 145, district 4th); Grant Stanish (sophomore, 152, district 3rd); Dylan Dial (senior, 160, 1 match from regions); Kris Maxie (junior, 170, district 4th); (possibly) Michael Crawford (no school year noted on Track, 195, 1 match from regions); TJ Holton (senior, 220, district 4th); McKenzie Lewis (junior, 285, district 4th).
Key losses: RJ Adams (182, district runnerup, region 3rd, 1 match from state podium).
Program strengths: Hornets have a ton of returners off a team that would win more than a few districts’ titles. Not many losses due to graduation, unusual for a deeper program. Coaching staff is consistently good and youth program is well-established.
Program needs: Schedule needs upgrading for a team with area top-10 capability. We saw a little more diversity in some of the dual event, but another strong IBT in the region would be particularly helpful.
Why Florida should know about the Hornets: None of the Yulee returners got past Day 1 at Florida High last year, with only the graduated Adams doing so (he actually lost in the first round and then didn’t lose again at regions in taking third). At states, that seemed to be the same path, as Adams lost 7-4 in the first round to Sarasota Military’s Dalton Burton, but then won twice on the back side to get to Saturday, with a fall over Miami Jackson’s Tarivis Williams in consi round 1 and over Satellite’s Christopher Ralston (#2 statewide at 195) in consi round 2. However, Crystal River’s Edward Bennis kept Adams off the podium, taking an 8-4 blood-round victory.

Welcome to another edition of The Scouting Reports. Here, we take a spin through what the entire state of Florida has coming back. More information for you, the readers, is what we’re all about at Matmen. We’ve got three “out-of-area” teams in 3A left to do, but these are nearby teams along the Orlando corridor and obviously have a significant impact in Region 1 of 3A. We can only highlight returners from last year based on post-season performances and we can only know so much about transfers. If someone out-of-area was hurt or just didn’t compete, I just won’t know about it (regardless of what may be or have been posted on other forums). One new wrinkle for this year. We’re focusing less on the individual histories of each wrestler and focusing more on their matches with local kids, and we’ll have a couple of tidbits on each team to show that focus.

3A-District 4

2015-16 team finish: 1. Freedom. 2. Timber Creek. 3. Boone. 4. Cypress Creek. 5. Oak Ridge. 6. University. 7. Winter Park. 8. Colonial.
2014-15 team finish: 1. Freedom. 2. Timber Creek. 3. East River. 4. Boone. 5. Cypress Creek. 6. Evans. 7. University. 8. Colonial. 9. Winter Park. 10. Oak Ridge.
2013-14 team finish: 1. Freedom. 2. Timber Creek. 3. Cypress Creek. 4. Boone. 5. East River. 6. University. 7. Oak Ridge. 8. Winter Park. 9. Colonial. 10. Evans.

Boone (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 5th at region, T-30th at states. 2015 — T-19th at region, T-60th at states. 2014 — 24th at region.
Individual returners: Jayden Bradshaw (junior, 47-12 at 106, district runnerup, region 3rd); Andrew Fletcher (junior, 43-12 at 113, district 3rd); Parker Chamblin (senior, 20-21 at 120, 1 match from regions); John Nelson (junior, 27-23 at 126, district 4th); Jackson Mendoza (senior, 38-15 at 152, district runnerup); Daniel Bass (junior, 31-11 at 195, district 3rd); Jason Angel (junior, 3-13 at 220, 1 match from regions).
Why knowing about the Braves matters: Boone is trending the right way up the district, region and state ladders. Bradshaw, who lost to District 1’s Alex Barie of Sandalwood in the first round of regions, later pinned another District 1 wrestler, Albie Snedaker of Fleming Island, for third place. At states, Bradshaw was 1-2, decisioning St. Thomas’ Christian Arechabaleta 5-2 in round 1. He lost in the quarters to Osceola’s Malyke Hines by tech fall in the second period, and then was eliminated by Snedaker, 6-4, in consi round 2. 2016 graduate Jonathan Gomez (160) finished sixth at states after taking third at regions, where he decisioned District 1’s Erik Kverneland of Buchholz 3-1 in the quarters and on the back side downed Fletcher’s Owen Beining, 7-1, and Flagler Palm Coast 2016 graduate Eric Vigo, 3-1, for third place. At states, Gomez was 2-3, reaching the semis, where he lost by tech fall to eventual champ Giovanny Bonilla of Osceola. Another 2016 Braves graduate, Jude Moore (170) took fourth at regions, where he pinned District 1 2016 graduate Gerald Rushing of Buchholz in the first round and lost by fall to Fleming Island grad John Martorano in the semis. Moore was 2-2 at states, just one match short of the podium, falling in the quarters to eventual finalist Jarred Hardinger of Sarasota.

Colonial (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-27th at region, T-61st at states. 2015 — 31st at region. 2014 — T-33rd at region.
Individual returners: Zion Vargas (junior, 13-12 at 113, 1 match from regions); Daniel Landono (junior, 0-27 at 138, 0-2 at districts); Tyrese Williams (sophomore, 0-7 at 145, 1 match from regions); Khanh Dinh (senior, 160, 1 match from regions).
Why knowing about the Grenadiers matters: No returners with Week 2 experience in the post-season, but Colonial had its first appearance since 2013 at the state tournament nevertheless. 2016 graduate Jordan Wooten (132) was 1-2 at Kissimmee, losing by fall in the first round to eventual state champ Kizhan Clarke of Riverview. Wooten won 10-4 over Monarch’s Zain Cruz in consi round 1, but then was decisioned in consi round 2 by Region 1 rival Cole Mitchell of Winter Springs (more on him a little later on), 14-9. Wooten had finished third at Region 1, with an overtime quarterfinal win over 2016 Buchholz grad Tommy Howell and a loss by fall in the semis to Fleming Island graduate Xaiver Sampsel in matches against District 1 wrestlers.

Cypress Creek (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 20th at region. 2015 — T-25th at region. 2014 — T-15th at region, T-48th at states.
Individual returners: Branden Cuevas (junior, 11-9 at 106, district 4th); Michael Ortega (senior, 36-11 at 113, district runnerup); DJ Dean (junior, 42-10 at 120, district runnerup); Carlos Arce (senior, 26-14 at 126, district 3rd); Charles Duran (senior, 14-9 at 138, 0-2 at districts); Reggie Smith (junior, 31-17 at 145, district 3rd); Andres Uran (junior, 24-20 at 160, 1 match from regions); Fausto Mendez (senior, 28-22 at 195, 0-2 at districts); Uzochi Oparaji (junior, 40-6 at 285, district champ).
Why knowing about the Bears matters: No presence at states for Cypress Creek, but there were plenty of CCHS wrestlers who got to the second day of regions at Palm Coast, all of them losing their first matches on Saturday, including Ortega (lost by 1 point), Dean (lost by fall to eventual qualiifer), Arce (injury default loss) and Oparaji (had won twice to get to Saturday after losing in the first round).

Freedom (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 4th at region, 11th at states. 2015 — 4th at region, T-37th at states. 2014 — 6th at region, T-44th at states.
Individual returners: Marcus Jean Baptiste (senior, 44-11 at 106, district champ, region champ, 1 match from state podium); Smaill Saint Pierre (junior, 30-16 at 113, district 4th, 1 match from states); Earl Johnson (senior, 26-17 at 120, district champ); Brenden Maharaj (senior, 36-15 at 126, district champ, region runnerup); Stephon Halliburton (senior, 34-15 at 132, district champ, 1 match from states); Briso Aimable (senior, 44-13 at 152, district champ, region 4th); Colby Wang (senior, 18-24 at 160, district runnerup); Wesley Britos (senior, 11-16 at 170, district 4th); Darrell Wallace (senior, 182, district champ, region 3rd, state 6th); Justin Marotta (senior, 31-11 at 195, district runnerup).
Why knowing about the Patriots matters: Dominant presence in the district should only continue at Freedom, with 10 post-season starters all boasting region-qualifier credentials. At regions, Jean Baptiste had decisions over District 1 wrestlers John Johnson (Flagler Palm Coast, 5-1 in the first round), Fleming’s Snedaker (4-3 in semis) and Oakleaf’s Ryan Rosano (6-2 in the final). At states, Jean Baptiste was 2-2, with both losses to placers, falling in the quarters to eventual runnerup Chris Fragale of Palm Harbor University. Jean Baptiste eliminated Rosano in consi round 2, 4-3, to get to the blood round. At 126, Maharaj went 1-1 against District 1 at regions, winning 5-4 over Buchholz’s Gant Moore in the quarters and then later falling, 8-6, to Fleming Island graduate Tracy Davis in the final. At states, Maharaj was 0-2, losing by major decisions in both instances. Briso Aimable had just one region match against a District 1 opponent at 152, falling Buchholz’s Khauriee Sullivan in the quarters. At states, he was 1-2, with both losses to placers, including a first-round loss to third-place John Cruz of North Port. Wallace was 2-1 against District 1 at regions, with a first-round major over Oakleaf’s David Thompson, a loss by fall in the semis to Fleming Island’s Ryan Smenda, and a decision win in the consi semis over Flagler Palm Coast’s Steve Canidate, 5-3. In Kissimmee, Wallace found the most success among the Freedom returners, going 3-3, with all losses against eventual qualifiers. He was 1-1 against Region 1 opponents in the tournament, winning 5-2 over Hagerty graduate Curtis Duren in consi round 2 and losing to Smenda in the consi semis, 6-3. 2016 graduate Christian Rivera also placed sixth at states for the Patriots after winning the Region 1 title. Along the way to that title, Rivera majored Buchholz’s Ben Hogan in the first round and took a 5-4 UTB win over Fleming Island’s Paul Detwiler. Rivera then went 2-3 at states, making the semis and then falling to eventual state champ Grant Aronoff of St. Thomas. Finally, 2016 Patriots grad Kurtis Aimable also won at regions and got to Saturday night at Kissimmee. Aimable won by fall over Fletcher grad Dominick Belew in the first round at Palm Coast, and at states his only loss was to multiple-time state champion Ozzy Lugo of South Dade.

Oak Ridge (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-27th at region. 2015 — T-33rd at region. 2014 — T-33rd at region.
Individual returners: Matthew Augustave (sophomore, 14-15 at 106, district 3rd); JeanVoltai Faustin (sophomore, 8-12 at 113, 1 match from regions); Edgardo Telfort (junior, 8-11 at 126, 1 match from regions); Jean Leger (senior, 12-10 at 132, 0-2 at districts); Andrew Cheslock (senior, 8-12 at 195, 0-2 at districts); Keon Bush (junior, 12-10 at 220, district 4th).
Why knowing about the Pioneers matters: Oak Ridge has some substantial graduation losses to overcome (six post-season starters graduated this past spring) and none of the returners have winning experience at the region level based on last year’s tournament. Pioneers had one wrestler get to Day 2 at Palm Coast in 2016 graduate Angelo Talabert (152), who was also the only Oak Ridge wrestler to win a contested match. He lost by tech fall in the Region 1 quarters to Flagler Palm Coast’s eventual region and state finalist, Kaz Maia.

Timber Creek (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 14th at region, T-36th at states. 2015 — 6th at region, T-55th at states. 2014 — 9th at region, T-48th at states.
Individual returners: Corban Arana (junior, 19-13 at 113, district champ); Eleijah Bagley (senior, 12-11 at 126, 1 match from regions); Carlos Matos (junior, 21-11 at 138, district 4th); Jaime Santos (senior, 28-10 at 145, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Alejandro Florez (senior, 12-11 at 152, 1 match from regions); Brian Santiago (junior, 21-11 at 182, district 3rd); Jackson Saffold (senior, 28-4 at 195, district champ, region runnerup, state 4th); Archie Knight (senior, 19-14 at 220, district runnerup).
Why knowing about the Wolves matters: Timber Creek hung on to second in the district, but found themselves passed by Boone at the region level. Saffold was the Wolves’ lone Kissimmee representative, but had a pretty solid post-season run. At regions against District 1 opponents, Saffold decisioned Atlantic Coast’s Narek Stepanyan, 5-3, in the quarters, but later lost by fall in the final to Fleming Island’s Jason Davis. Saffold fell in the first round at Kissimmee to Cypress Bay’s Carlos Osterling (who would be eliminated later by Stepanyan), 3-1, but then wouldn’t lose again until the third-place match, where Davis picked up a second win in as many weeks, this time by a 6-4 decision.

University (Orlando)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 26th at region, T-71st at states. 2015 — T-25th at region. 2014 — 20th at region, T-35th at states.
Individual returners: David Munfus (sophomore, 8-13 at 120, 1 match from regions); Eddie Vazquez (senior, 126, district runnerup, region 4th); Emmanuel Arquerros (junior, 11-16 at 132, 1 match from regions); Joshua Pantoja (senior, 24-11 at 138, 1 match from regions); Ethan Rivera (junior, 8-7 at 145, 1 match from regions); Christopher Otero (senior, 18-10 at 152, 1 match from regions); Robert Marcillo (senior, 8-9 at 160, 0-2 at districts); Uziel Rivera (junior, 19-14 at 182, district 4th); Jon Powell (senior, 6-11 at 195, district 4th); Wals Edmund (junior, 13-13 at 220, district 3rd); Brandon Pureza (senior, 17-9 at 285, 0-2 at districts).
Why knowing about the Cougars matters: Vazquez was the only University wrestler to make it to the second day of regions, let alone states. He had a battle with Fleming’s Tracy Davis before falling in the quarters, 7-6, and then won three matches to get to the third-place match, where he lost, 10-0, to Buchholz’s Moore. At states, Vazquez had a brutal quarterfinal draw, losing by tech fall in the first round to eventual finalist Franco Valdes of Southwest Miami, and then again in consi round 1 by fall to Palm Harbor University’s Joe Capone. Vazquez’s opponents had a combined win total of 112.

Winter Park
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 34th at region. 2015 — T-33rd at region. 2014 — T-33rd at region.
Individual returners: Cayleb Buffaloe (sophomore, 9-24 at 106, 1 match from regions); Colson North (sophomore, 20-26 at 120, district 4th); Quentin Lee (junior, 27-17 at 138, district 3rd); Chapman Evans (junior, 17-24 at 145, 0-2 at districts); Brian Harris (senior, 11-31 at 182, 1 match from regions); Jackson O’Reilly (sophomore, 8-21 at 220, 1 match from regions); Elijah Clarke (sophomore, 6-29 at 285, 1 match from regions).
Why knowing about the Wildcats matters: Winter Park had just one victory on Day 1 at Palm Coast, as Lee picked up a consi round-1 win by decision for the Wildcats’ only point at Region 1.

Welcome to another edition of The Scouting Reports. Here, we take a spin through what the entire state of Florida has coming back. More information for you, the readers, is what we’re all about at Matmen.

I’ve heard about a few transfers locally (on the Northeast side) that supposedly have already taken place, and another one or two that I’ve heard about that may be in process. What I hear about, and what I can report, are two very different things, however. And there are probably others that I haven’t even heard about yet. So if the information here is not 100% correct because of a transfer, it’s because it hasn’t been confirmed to me. Upon confirmation from a coach or from the kid transferring, I would be happy to correct the record — one of the pleasant upsides of doing these over the Internet as opposed to a newspaper-based format.

Pro Tip: This would be a good time to tell me you’re officially transferring. You’ve got some time — either a few hours or a few days, as these will all be done before the end of the month — to let me know via DM in Twitter or Facebook instant message or at nefloridamatmen@gmail.com.

2A-District 4

2015-16 team finish: 1. Matanzas. 2. Creekside. 3. Bartram Trail. 4. Nease. 5. Ponte Vedra. 6. St. Augustine. 7. Paxon.
2014-15 team finish: 1. Matanzas. 2. Creekside. 3. Bartram Trail. 4. St. Augustine. 5. Nease. 6. Ponte Vedra.
2013-14 team finish: 1. (tie) Creekside & Matanzas. 3. St. Augustine. 4. Bartram Trail. 5. Nease. 6. Ponte Vedra.

(All individual records are Matmen-generated except for Paxon)

Bartram Trail (St Johns)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 10th at region, T-57th at states. 2015 — 14th at region, 46th at states. 2014 — 19th at region.
Individual returners: Nicholas Vugman (sophomore, 30-14 at 106, district runnerup, region 4th); Blake Swor (junior, 9-15 at 113, district 4th); Sean McDonald (sophomore, 14-26 at 120, district 4th); James Mueller (junior, 12-19 at 126, district 4th); Matthew Pickett (senior, 23-16 at 132, district champ, region 4th); Tristan McElhinney (sophomore, 2-6 at 138, 1 match from regions); Kevin Williams (senior, 26-13 at 145, district 3rd); Caleb Sutherland (junior, 3-6 at 152, 1 match from regions); Jacob Bennett (junior, 18-21 at 160, district runnerup); Brooks Harp (junior, 23-14 at 170, district champ); Kolton McDaniel (junior, 28-13 at 220, district runnerup); Christopher Anderson (senior, 10-16 at 285, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: Anthony Stith (24-11 at 182, district 3rd, region 3rd); John Wilson (33-15 at 195, district 3rd).
Program strengths: Year 3 with a solid coaching staff at the helm, and it’s paying off in lots of returning starters, a few of whom did some solid work this off-season. Schedule is pretty solid.
Program needs: Like many of the St Johns teams, Bartram could have done a bit better in terms of off-season work. I know Coach Parker will want to see the IBT finishes match up a bit more with the dual-meet results.
Why Florida should know about the Bears: Bartram Trail had three state qualifiers just two years after one wrestling writer tabbed the program as one of the sleeping giants in Northeast Florida. Vugman was 0-2 at Kissimmee, losing by fall to eventual finalist Ryan Rubenacker of Charlotte in the second period, and then taking a second loss by fall late in the match in consi round 1 against Jensen Beach’s Wyatt Kirkham. Pickett also went 0-2, with a loss by first-period fall in the first round to Lake Gibson’s Clayton Leach, and then fell in consi round 1 to Olympic Heights’ Nick Peglow, 11-3. Stith picked up the Bears’ points at 182, after losing by fall in the first round to eventual placer Jacob Figur of Sebring. He pinned Olympic Heights’ Troy Jaffy in consi round 1, and then lost by fall in consi round 2 to the state’s #2 ranked 182, Hillsborough’s Connor Knauer, in the second period.

Creekside (St Johns)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 5th at region, 20th at states. 2015 — 4th at region, T-47th at states. 2014 — 5th at region, T-51st at states.
Individual returners: Colin Brown (sophomore, 16-25 at 106, 1 match from regions); Jake Summers (sophomore, 21-14 at 113, district runnerup); Michael Eckman (senior, 0-7 at 120, 1 match from regions); Thomas Taylor (sophomore, 3-9 at 126, 1 match from regions); Brandon Dickman (junior, 48-9 at 152, district champ, region runnerup, state 5th); Trey Chesser (sophomore, 13-17 at 160, district 4th); Cory Grower (senior, 26-14 at 220, district champ, 1 match from states); Saul Storey (sophomore, 5-7 at 285, district runnerup).
Key losses: David Tyer (29-14 at 138, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Steven Stanton (31-13 at 145, district champ, 1 match from states); Jake Lockwood (15-18 at 170, district runnerup); Willy Lulias (33-14 at 182, district runnerup, region runnerup); Gus Fischer (49-6 at 195, district champ, region champ, state 5th).
Program strengths: Three straight top-five finishes at regions, and best showing at states since at least 2012, is proof enough that the program is firmly in place. Knights have been able to overcome sizable graduation losses each year and still succeed. Coaching staff puts together a solid schedule that pushes when needed and backs off when needed.
Program needs: I do wonder what greater off-season presence would do for the Knights in-season. Dickman has been working the circuit for two summers, was joined by Grower this off-season, but the rest of the returners — both post- and regular-season starters — needed the additional work as much, if not more.
Why Florida should know about the Knights: Creekside had three qualifiers at states and three others who were right on the doorstep. Dickman was 4-2 at states, both losses to placers, falling 9-5 in the first round to eventual finalist Christian Febus of Lake Gibson. From there, he secured his podium spot with wins over West Boca Raton’s Dimitri Naimi (8-5), Golden Gate’s Devin Price (14-6) and Palm Bay’s Dylan Perrow (5-4) before losing by fall in the consi semis to Olympic Heights’ Dan Georges. Dickman then took down Robinson’s Chad Heidt, 6-4, for fifth. Meanwhile, Lulias was 1-2 at Kissimmee, with both losses coming to placers — Gage Schield of Riverdale (3rd) by fall in the first round and to Matanzas’ Maverick Dennis (6th, more in a moment on him) 9-2 in consi round 2. Lulias won by injury default over Jensen Beach’s Cole Podaras in consi round 1. Finally, Fischer matched Dickman’s 4-2 record at 195, with both losses to placers. Fischer pinned Dillard’s Frederick Dixson in the first round, but then fell 8-4 to Fort Myers’ Najee Jacob in the quarters. Fischer then won twice on the back side to make podoum, downing Merritt Island’s Caden Norris, 8-6, in consi round 2 and then pinned Goleman’s Ivan Martinez. In the semis, Dixie Hollins’ Clifton Thomas edged Fischer, 7-6, but he rallied to decision Matanzas’ Jordin Castanheira (more on him in a moment), 3-1, for fifth.

Matanzas (Palm Coast)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 3rd at region, 26th at states. 2015 — 5th at region, T-30th at states. 2014 — 12th at region, T-39th at states.
Individual returners: Josh Bower (sophomore, 17-28 at 106, district 4th); Stone White (junior, 16-23 at 120, district 3rd); Lawrence Russo (sophomore, 23-21 at 132, district runnerup); Ian Eckert (sophomore, 3-7 at 145, 1 match from regions); Christopher Mixan (senior, 21-13 at 160, district champ); Paul Berent (sophomore, 6-9 at 220, district 3rd); Daniel Leonard (junior, 31-13 at 285, district 3rd).
Key losses: Rocky Samples (47-11 at 113, district champ, region runnerup); Carter Goodman (30-9 at 126, district champ); Tristan Kraus (53-11 at 138, district champ, region 3rd); Eddy Leon de la Cruz (42-14 at 152, district runnerup, region 4th); Maverick Dennis (52-9 at 182, district champ, region champ, state 6th); Jordin Castanheira (50-13 at 195, district runnerup, region 3rd, state 6th).
Program strengths: Progression up the region standings each of the past two or three seasons, were just a couple of extra wins away from a region title in 2016. Coaching consistency has been a strength for the Pirates. Some good numbers returning, most of whom will be around for at least two seasons.
Program needs: Sizable senior class departs, taking a lot of wins and post-season success along with it. Younger kids need to get on that level for Matanzas to stay on top of the district. Off-season work was a bit sparse at least on the tournament scene, but Pirate wrestlers are competing in the Mutiny Wrestling Club since April, which is an important improvement.
Why Florida should know about the Pirates: Mixan was Matanzas’ only returning wrestler to get to Day 2 at Chiles, falling 7-6 to eventual state qualifier Sergio Jordan of Ed White in the consi quarters. As for the 2016 kids who qualified, Samples was 1-2 at states, with both losses against eventual placers. He decisioned Jensen Beach’s Joey Tufo, 7-3, in the first round, and then lost in the quarters to eventual finalist Diamonte Perry of Lake Gibson, 12-3. In consi round 2, Tate’s Alex Porter (more on him a few days down the road) also won with a major, 14-6. Kraus also was 1-2 at 138, losing in the first round by fall to Dixie Hollins’ Coleman Bryant. Kraus rallied for an 8-3 win over Jensen Beach’s Devon McKinley, but then was eliminated in consi round 2 by fall to Belleview’s Jessen Hendrix. Leon de la Cruz was 0-2 at 152, with a first-round loss by fall to multiple-time state champion Julian Ramirez of Tampa Jesuit, and then fell in consi round 1 by fall to Jensen Beach’s Liam Martin. Dennis went 3-3 in finishing sixth, all losses to eventual placers, opening with a fall over Ida Baker’s Nick Richards in the first round, but then fell in the quarters, 5-4, against Belleview’s Malachi Ortiz. He then eliminated Creekside’s Lulias in consi round 2 and cemented his podium spot with a 9-5 decision over state #2 Connor Knauer of Hillsborough in the “blood round.” Riverdale’s Gage Schield decisioned Dennis, 9-7, in the consi semis and Sebring’s Jacob Figur took fifth with a 7-3 win. Finally, Castanheira also was 3-3 with all losses to placers at 195. He downed Merritt Island’s Norris, 2-1, in the first round, but then fell to Dixie Heights’ Thomas, 5-1, in the quarterfinals. He clinched his medal with a consi round 2 fall over Auburndale’s Cody Bush and 4-3 win in the blood round over Ed White’s Atyrus McDonald (more on him a bit later on), losing by fall in the consi semis to Fort Myers’ Jacob and then to Creekside’s Fischer in the fifth-place match.

Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 11th at region, T-44th at states. 2015 — 23rd at region, T-67th at states. 2014 — 18th at region, T-59th at states.
Individual returners: Sean Arnold (sophomore, 32-11 at 106, district 3rd, 1 match from states); Brenden Teaman (senior, 21-18 at 113, district 3rd); Dylan Martinson (senior, 37-14 at 120, district champ, region runnerup, 1 match from state podium); Jacob Sorgen (junior, 11-8 at 132, 1 match from regions); Paxton Threatt (junior, 2-13 at 138, 1 match from regions); Dalton Koike (senior, 37-9 at 145, district runnerup); Jarrod Case (junior, 14-14 at 160, district 3rd); Grayson Suggs (junior, 15-26 at 170, district 3rd); Jonathan Walter (senior, 11-26 at 285, district 4th).
Key losses: Tristen Lucessi (34-7 at 126, district runnerup, region runnerup).
Program strengths: Team loses almost no seniors and I think is keeping its coach for a third season, which from a continuity standpoint is always key. This program is one that is coming around to the upside of wrestling in the off-season. Has had a massive roster.
Program needs: Having such a large roster has downsides, because Nease often platoons in the regular season, costing some post-season starters some mat time.
Why Florida should know about the Panthers: Nease had two state qualifiers, a third (Arnold) fall just one match short and two more (Koike & Case) make it to Day 2 of regions. Martinson led the charge with a 2-2 effort at states, after losing in the first round by a 10-2 major to Lake Gibson’s Austin Hosegood. Two wins on the consi side got Martinson to Saturday, with a fall in consi round 1 over West Boca Raton’s Kevin Estevez and an injury-default win over Heritage’s Seth Adeclat. On Saturday, state-ranked #1 Kyle Irwin of Belleview edged Martinson, 6-5, in the blood round. Lucessi was 1-2 at 126 in Kissimmee, winning in double OT in the first round over Viera’s Darius Darr but then losing by fall to multiple-time state champion Kyle Norstrem of Brandon in the quarters. Lucessi then lost in consi round 2 to Middleburg’s Dylan Rossetti (more on him a little later on), 4-2.

Paxon (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-26th at region. 2015 — 9th at 1A-District 3, 29th at 1A-Region 1. 2014 — 9th at 1A-District 3, 29th at 1A-Region 1.
Individual returners: Jack Donghit (sophomore, 126, 1 match from regions); Jamaari Mitchell (senior, 182, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: Aldwin Pontejos (132, district 4th); Garen Mauney (152, district 3rd); Pavan Guduri (170, district 4th); Pete Russell (195, 1 match from regions); Zachary Owens (285, 1 match from regions).
Program strengths: Wrestlers have a school environment that enriches them every day — smart wrestlers can learn more, faster. Paxon had solid turnout at regular-season IBTs.
Program needs: Numbers might be a significant problem for Paxon in 2016-17, even more so than they were this year. Nailing down who will coach the team — whether returning or new staff — earlier is a must, so that kids know what to expect early. Team does need to expand its schedule and get its kids more matches.
Why Florida should know about the Golden Eagles: Unfortunately, Paxon had no representation in the second day at Chiles. Mauney had the Eagles’ only victory at regions, with a major decision in consi round 1.

Ponte Vedra
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 25th at region. 2015 — T-25th at region. 2014 — T-25th at region.
Individual returners: Preston Turner (sophomore, 5-15 at 106, 1 match from regions); Bryan Reed (sophomore, 4-18 at 113, 1 match from regions); Jack Fox (senior, 13-13 at 126, district 3rd); James Stanton (senior, 21-14 at 132, district 3rd); Harrison Crowley (senior, 13-16 at 138, district 4th); Marshall Frye (senior, 3-8 at 145, district 4th); Troy Maritato (sophomore, 6-20 at 152, 1 match from regions); Taylor Montroy (senior, 20-11 at 285, district champ).
Key losses: Tony Giordano (25-10 at 120, district runnerup); Ricky Davis (12-12 at 170, 1 match from regions); Zach Gregory (13-15 at 182, district 4th); Cole Scott (4-16 at 220, district 4th).
Program strengths: Senior group has many years of starting experience. Coaching consistency across the board, combined with newer blood coming in at the assistant level. New batch of sophomores have provided the most new blood to the program since this year’s seniors were freshmen.
Program needs: This is the year for Ponte Vedra to make a move if it’s going to make a move, with five key returners in their final season. Schedule could stand some more matches, and some more tough ones.
Why Florida should know about the Sharks: Ponte Vedra had just one day-2 competitor at regions, and that was 2016 graduate Giordano, who went 2-2 at Chiles.

St. Augustine
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-21st at region, T-76th at states. 2015 — 21st at region, T-67th at states. 2014 — 15th at region, T-51st at states.
Individual returners: Nick Thomson (senior, 26-17 at 138, district 3rd); Marcus Petersen (junior, 4-12 at 145, 1 match from regions); Tracey Beshara (junior, 28-17 at 152, district 4th); Jacob Linden (senior, 11-12 at 160, 1 match from regions); Gabe Wentworth (junior, 11-27 at 170, 1 match from regions); Robert Zuzu (sophomore, 18-25 at 195, district 4th); Michael Bragalone (junior, 0-3 at 220, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: Kristopher Smith (45-8 at 106, district champ, region champ).
Program strengths: Yellow Jackets have had at least four consecutive years with at least some presence at states. Just one post-season starter is leaving, and there’s a solid number of regular-season starters also able to come back this fall, many of them with multiple years as starters. I like the young coaching staff at SAHS — it’s young, but aggressive and also nurturing of its kids.
Program needs: We have not seen as much off-season work from the St. Augustine kids as we would want, but that seems to be slowly changing. We saw the Yellow Jackets win a roundrobin meet in February; now, we need them to be entered in tougher invites.
Why Florida should know about the Yellow Jackets: Of St. Augustine’s returners, none of them were able to get to Day 2 at regions, but the Jackets did have one key team member win not only at districts, but at the region level as well in 2016 graduate Smith. States did not go so well, with two losses by decision — first to Christopher DePaola of Cape Coral in round 1 (8-2) and then to Liberty’s Anthony Lopez in consi round 1 (5-4), but Smith paved a path for what would be possible for this year’s wrestlers — and future ones — to achieve.

Welcome to another edition of The Scouting Reports. Here, we take a spin through what the entire state of Florida has coming back. More information for you, the readers, is what we’re all about at Matmen.

I’ve heard about a few transfers locally (on the Northeast side) that supposedly have already taken place, and one or two more that I’ve heard about that may be in process. What I hear about, and what I can report, are two very different things, however. And there are probably others that I haven’t even heard about yet. So if the information here is not 100% correct because of a transfer, it’s because it hasn’t been confirmed to me. Upon confirmation from a coach or from the kid transferring, I would be happy to correct the record — one of the pleasant upsides of doing these over the Internet as opposed to a newspaper-based format.

Pro Tip: This would be a good time to tell me you’re officially transferring. You’ve got some time — either a few hours or a few days, as these will all be done before the end of the month — to let me know via DM in Twitter or Facebook instant message or at nefloridamatmen@gmail.com.

1A-District 4

2015-16 team finish: 1. Bishop Kenny. 2. Bolles. 3. Menendez. 4. Episcopal. 5. University Christian. 6. Bradford. 7. Wolfson. 8. FSDB.
2014-15 team finish: 1. Bishop Kenny. 2. Bolles. 3. Menendez. 4. FSDB. 5. Wolfson. 6. Episcopal. 7. Duval Charter. 8. University Christian. 9. Providence. 10. Bradford.
2013-14 team finish: 1. Bishop Kenny. 2. Bolles. 3. University Christian. 4. Bradford. 5. FSDB. 6. Menendez. 7. Duval Charter. 8. Episcopal. 9. Providence. 10. Wolfson.

(All individual records are Matmen-generated except for Wolfson)

Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 8th at region, T-60th at states. 2015 — 6th at region, T-45th at states. 2014 — 8th at region, T-25th at states.
Individual returners: Jack Delaney (junior, 32-11 at 106, district champ, region 4th); Garrett Tirado (junior, 22-13 at 113, district runnerup); (potentially) Reid Venner (12-15 at 120, district runnerup); Andrew Slade (sophomore, 31-10 at 132, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Sid Madison (senior, 23-12 at 138, district runnerup); Joey Cusick (sophomore, 12-19 at 145, district 3rd); Jacob Williams (junior, 10-13 at 152, district 4th); (potentially) Nick Beenen (26-14 at 160, district runnerup); Paxton Driscoll (senior, 20-15 at 182, district 3rd); Addison Glisson (senior, 9-6 at 195, district runnerup); John Alexander (junior, 14-16 at 220, 1 match from regions); Josiah McCallum (junior, 33-12 at 285, district runnerup, 1 match from states).
Key losses: Kyle Black (25-11 at 126, district champ, region runnerup); Chris Freiha (10-17 at 170, district 3rd).
Program strengths: Deep roster with lots of returners, most of whom are not going to be seniors this fall.
Program needs: A tougher January tournament schedule would be helpful, if for no other reason than measuring-stick purposes.
Why Florida should know about the Crusaders: Bishop Kenny might not be able to be considered an underdog any longer, particuarly with at least 10 and potentially 12 returning post-season starters. Delaney was 1-2 at states, with both losses to state placers (10-5 loss to Suwannee’s Brandon Trask in consi round 2) sandwiching a 6-2 win over Somerset Academy’s Darian Estevez. Black was 0-2 at Kissimmee, with a 4-2 loss in consi round 1 to Booker’s Jeffrey Phillips. Expect Slade and McCallum (whose last match of 2016 went overtime with eventual state 3rd Roland Samec of Clay) both to be strong candidates to make the show this year.

Bolles (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 7th at region, T-51st at states. 2015 — 8th at region, T-32nd at states. 2014 — 12th at region, T-31st at states.
Individual returners: Josh Bono (freshman, 9-17 at 106, 1 match from regions); Dalton Posick (freshman, 10-17 at 113, district 4th); Julian Morris (freshman, 8-18 at 120, district 3rd); Bennett Zimmerman (junior, 18-16 at 126, district 3rd); KJ Fagan (sophomore, 14-15 at 132, district champ, 1 match from states); CJ Grimes (sophomore, 7-13 at 160, district 3rd); Forrest Andrews (senior, 15-10 at 170, district runnerup); Caleb Calhoun (senior, 15-10 at 182, district champ, 1 match from states); Rushton Roberts (junior, 17-13 at 195, district champ); Justin Mitchell (senior, 14-12 at 220, district runnerup); Mason Yost (junior, 4-18 at 285, district 4th).
Key losses: Gray Creed (24-11 at 138, district champ, 1 match from states); Conner Cronk (28-7 at 145, district champ, region 3rd); Michael Surenyan (24-14 at 152, district runnerup, region 4th).
Program strengths: Solid mix of younger and more-experienced talent returns (11 post-season starters) this fall. Solid schedule usually pays off in the end.
Program needs: Going to need some help in the key middlwweights, where a lot of career wins have graduated. Program would benefit from starting the road to Bolles’ fast finishes just a couple of weeks sooner.
Why Florida should know about the Bulldogs: Most Florida people know of Bolles’ football program; from a wrestling standpoint, that program is both a blessing (brings a number of solid kids to the wrestling team along with it) and a curse (keeps the wrestlers from putting much emphasis on December or even early January). No returning state qualifiers, but the Bulldogs had two right on the doorstep in Fagan — who looked dominant in winning districts — and Calhoun, who has the family pedigree in place. Bolles had two state qualifiers in 2015-16, with Cronk going 2-2 and losing to two placers in state champ Jake Brindley of Lake Highland and Osani Ley of Cardinal Gibbons (4th). Cronk decisioned Lely’s Kayhan Peksen 6-3 in round 1 and Florida High’s Jake Richardson 7-2 in consi round 2. Surenyan was 0-2 at 152, with a first-round loss by fall to eventual champ Erich Byelick of Lake Highland and then a second fall to Cardinal Gibbons’ Devon Nelson in consi round 1.

Bradford (Starke)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 22nd at region. 2015 — 30th at region. 2014 — 10th at region, 27th at states.
Individual returners: Adam Wilson (junior, 12-17 at 132, district 4th); Dylan Drow (sophomore, 13-10 at 138, district 3rd); Andrew Hetler (senior, 23-15 at 145, district 4th); Lane Gillenwaters (junior, 6-16 at 152, 1 match from regions); Clayton Rhoden (junior, 13-22 at 195, 1 match from regions); Eddie McCormick (senior, 23-11 at 220, district 4th).
Key losses: Jason Griffis (31-5 at 126, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Grayson Montgomery (8-10 at 182, 0-2 at districts).
Program strengths: Good nucleus of a dual-meet team, with six post-season returners and a few other regular-season starters that did not compete at the district tournament. Having the coaching staff return for a second season in 2015-16 was a plus.
Program needs: Beef up the dual meet schedule and add at least one, if not multiple, IBT events. Bradford has to travel more and wrestle tougher competition in order for the Tornadoes to get better.
Why Florida should know about the Tornadoes: None of the returning Bradford wrestlers got past Day 1 at regions, and just one pulled off the feat in Griffis.

Episcopal (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 9th at region. 2015 — 20th at region, T-70th at states. 2014 — 28th at region.
Individual returners: Kyle Hopkins (freshman, 37-9 at 106, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Reid Hampton (freshman, 22-21 at 120, district champ); Christian Rickey (senior, 42-12 at 170, district champ, 1 match from states); Freddie Dollison (sophomore, 11-26 at 182, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: Scott Dollison (43-5 at 220, district champ, region runnerup, state runnerup); Conor Chepenik (48-6 at 285, district champ, region champ, state runnerup).
Program strengths: Very strong, young and aggressive coaching staff. Schedule is, for the most part, an ambitious one for a program that is still mostly in its earliest stages. School serves as venue for one of the city’s thriving off-season programs.
Program needs: Numbers would be a big boost in improving the overall quality of the room, as Episcopal’s dual-team strength would come closer to its showings in IBTs.
Why Florida should know about the Eagles: All three of the Eagles’ returners that competed at regions made it to Day 2, with Hopkins going 3-2 and Hampton and Rickey each going 2-2. At states, Scott Dollison had an impressive run to the final, with a first-round fall over Key West’s Isaac Exilus, a 6-3 win over #2 Anthony Contegiacomo of Nature Coast in the quarters and third-period fall in the semis over Dunbar’s Judas McKenzie before falling 7-1 to Lake Highland’s Ben Goldin. Chepenik had two pins and a decision, falling Rockledge’s EJ Krajewski in the first round and Key West’s Jaden Glover in the quarters. He then edged Berkeley Prep’s Laurence Grundy before running into a points machine and multiple-time state champion in Coral Shores’ Dante Jiovenetta, falling 15-4 in the final.

Florida School for the Deaf & Blind (St. Augustine)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — No presence beyond districts. 2015 — 19th at region, T-66th at states. 2014 — 25th at region.
Individual returners: Tyre Singleton (senior, 8-19 at 138, 1 match from regions); Anthony Hoyt (junior, 9-17 at 195, 1 match from regions).
Key losses: None.
Program strengths: Dragons have continued to find new recruits for the varsity lineup, under tricky circumstances at best. Coaching staff has performed a yeoman-like job in working with so many youngsters. Although post-season returners are few, there are several others with decent regular-season experience.
Program needs: It has been difficult to keep roster members wrestling during the traditional “off-season” period. Group needs the kind of mat time it was getting two seasons ago, with more matches, to get more positive improvements from year to year.
Why Florida should know about the Dragons: FSDB was the only area team, on the Northeast side, to not advance any wrestlers to the second week of the post-season.

Pedro Menendez (St. Augustine)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 13th at region. 2015 — 10th at region, T-55th at states. 2014 — 24th at region, T-66th at states.
Individual returners: RJ Iglesias (sophomore, 34-22 at 113, district 3rd); Collin Tanner (junior, 19-32 at 138, district 4th); David Soule (junior, 20-21 at 145, district runnerup); Max Worthington (senior, 29-13 at 160, district champ); Alex Cathcart (junior, 4-13 at 170, district 4th); Carter Payne (sophomore, 7-10 at 182, 1 match from regions); Austyn Holsolmback (sophomore, 4-5 at 195, district 3rd);
Key losses: Limuel Mallari (42-19 at 106, district 3rd); Alex Wanner (11-9 at 126, district 4th); Avery Samples (50-10 at 152, district champ, 1 match from states); Joseph Phelts (18-5 at 220, district 3rd, 1 match from states); Jeansiel Candelaria (12-19 at 285, 1 match from regions).
Program strengths: Solid group of returners, plus a deep corps of reserves inside a program that is on much better footing, numbers-wise, than it was two years ago. Falcons have demonstrated they can be a particularly motivated group.
Program needs: New head coach, would be Falcons’ third in the previous three seasons plus this one. Another IBT event, particularly an elite one, would benefit Menendez when it comes to region-level competition in particular.
Why Florida should know about the Falcons: Despite a deep bench and a lineup that saw more matches than almost everyone locally, Menendez couldn’t quite push anyone over the hump and get to Kissimmee. 2016 grads Samples and Phelts got the farthest, with Worthington the lone returner that got to Day 2 at Florida High in 2016.

University Christian (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 20th at region, T-56th at states. 2015 — T-22nd at region, T-47th at states. 2014 — 3rd at region, 7th at states.
Individual returners: Cameron Wiley (sophomore, 16-13 at 106, district 4th); Daniel Porter (junior, 26-9 at 113, district champ, region 3rd); Phillip Wright (sophomore, 6-21 at 120, district 4th); Shane McManus (junior, 11-16 at 145, 1 match from regions); Derrick Stumph (sophomore, 16-16 at 152, district 3rd); Zachary Oakley (freshman, 4-12 at 160, district 4th).
Key losses: Michael Marshall (18-11 at 182, district runnerup).
Program strengths: Have a solid coaching hire in place with Brian Adkins, who runs the Duval Wrestling Academy at UCS during the off-season. A young group in the lowers will have two full seasons to grow together, as there are no rising seniors in the group that wrestled post-season in February.
Program needs: Will need some more numbers, particularly in the upper weights, but an established coaching presence could help secure that. Like Bolles, will be hampered somewhat by late arrival of football players to the winter season.
Why Florida should know about the Christians: Too early to wake up the echoes of UC’s prior glory in wrestling, but this year may determine if the Christians are up to the task in 2017-18. Porter was 1-2 at states, with a double-OT win over Miami Jackson’s Devon Smith, 4-3, but then lost in the quarters, 7-4, to Bradenton Christian’s Alan Morano and 6-1 in consi round 2 to Tampa Prep’s Aaron Mills.

Wolfson (Jacksonville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 29th at region. 2015 — 11th at region, T-32nd at states. 2014 — 21st at region, 39th at states.
Individual returners: Keayon Gray (sophomore, 106, 1 match from regions); Sai Hassalla (senior, 132, district 3rd); Keethan Seay (junior, 182, district 4th); Lance Schlecter (junior, 195, district 4th); Ronald Brunson (junior, 285, region 3rd).
Key losses: None.
Program strengths: Skill level is going up from season to season, particularly among returning wrestlers. Lower weights have some good numbers and Brunson is a diamond in the rough in terms of skill.
Program needs: Schedule needs more beefing up in order for Wolfpack to do any contending outside the city; even inside the city offers no cakewalks.
Why Florida should know about the Wolfpack: Hassalla was one scoring manueuver away from making it to the second day of regions after joining the team and wrestling varsity in his first season as a junior. All others for the Wolfpack were 0-2 at Florida High.

Welcome to another edition of The Scouting Reports. Here, we take a spin through what the entire state of Florida has coming back. More information for you, the readers, is what we’re all about at Matmen.

Regions 3 and 4 were already complete, and Region 2 is complete now with this post. So we’re going to begin the local reports there. Keep in mind that there are also three Orlando-area districts in 3A to run through as we enter into Region 1 this afternoon. We’re going to go in reverse order, meaning that we’ll start with the three District 4s and work our way backward.

I’ve heard about three transfers locally (on the Northeast side) that supposedly have already taken place, and a few others that I’ve heard about that may be in process. What I hear about, and what I can report, are two very different things, however. And there are probably others that I haven’t even heard about yet. So if the information here is not 100% correct because of a transfer, it’s because it hasn’t been confirmed to me. Upon confirmation from a coach or from the kid transferring, I would be happy to correct the record — one of the pleasant upsides of doing these over the Internet as opposed to a newspaper-based format.

Pro Tip: This would be a good time to tell me you’re officially transferring. You’ve got some time — either a few hours or a few days, as these should all be done before too much August time goes by — to let me know via DM in Twitter or Facebook instant message or at nefloridamatmen@gmail.com.

The bios for each local team are going to have some slight tweaks from the statewide ones (Districts 2-4 in 3A will be similar to what we’ve seen so far, and the out-of-area teams in 1A-District 5 will look the same as well).

We’ll have the previous three years of district standings broken out at the top. Each school will have its post-season stats noted. Individual returners will be noted with the same stats as noted for the out-of-area kids, albeit with my season records (where I have them, otherwise I will use what is reported). I will be adding the graduated kids (and the transferred kids, if those transfers are confirmed prior to publication). I will have a couple of quick thoughts about the program’s strengths and its greatest needs — that is a new feature — and then instead of “Why knowing about xxxx matters” there will be a “Why Florida should know about xxxx”.

1A-District 5

2015-16 team finish: 1. Crystal River. 2. Palatka. 3. North Marion. 4. Dunnellon. 5. Interlachen. 6. Eastside. 7. Trinity Catholic. 8. St. John Lutheran.
2014-15 team finish: 1. Clay. 2. Crystal River. 3. Palatka. 4. Eastside. 5. North Marion. 6. Villages. 7. Trinity Catholic. 8. Interlachen. 9. Dunnellon.
2013-14 team finish: 1. Clay. 2. Crystal River. 3. Villages. 4. Dunnellon. 5. North Marion. 6. Trinity Catholic. 7. Palatka. 8. Interlachen. 9. Eastside.

Crystal River
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 5th at region, 20th at states. 2015 — 7th at region, 39th at states. 2014 — 4th at region, T-36th at states.
Individual returners: Dalton David (senior, 38-6 at 106, district champ); Chase Bunts (senior, 46-15 at 113, district champ, region 3rd); Roderick Bruce (sophomore, 8-5 at 120, district champ); Jesse Stills (senior, 19-14 at 126, district 3rd); Josh Thorch (senior, 14-16 at 138, district champ); CJ Lawson (senior, 45-14 at 145, district champ); Mathew Vargulish (junior, 19-26 at 152, district runnerup); Cameron Fischer (junior, 22-23 at 160, district champ); Collin Miller (sophomore, 13-11 at 170, district runnerup); Brian Henderson (sophomore, 19-16 at 220, district runnerup); Jason Graham (senior, 285, district champ, region 3rd).
Why knowing about the Pirates matters: Was a curious team in the post-season not for winning districts — that was all but a foregone conclusion — but for a region performance with some points left on the table, with two district champs not competing in Titusville, the Region 2 host city last season. A good chunk of the Pirates’ region points came from 2016 graduates. Bunts was 1-2 at states, getting knocked out of the tournament by Region 1’s Larry Smith of Wakulla via third-period fall in consi round 2. Graham went 0-2 in the 285 bracket at Kissimmee, with a first-round loss by fall to Wakulla’s Jacob Marin. 2016 Pirate graduate Jaret Flynn (195) also was 1-2, with a 10-6 loss in consi round 2 to Indian Rocks’ Selbourne Steward. The Crystal River wrestler with the most success was 2016 graduate Edward Bennis, who was fourth at states. He fell 7-3 to 2016 Arnold grad Brian Girard, 7-3, in the quarters, then eliminated District 5 rival and 2016 Interlachen graduate in consi round 2 with a third-period fall and downing 2016 Yulee grad RJ Adams, 8-4, in the “blood round.” Bennis got a rematch with Girard in the third-place match, falling 7-2 in that one.

Dunnellon
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 15th at region. 2015 — 28th at region. 2014 — 14th at region, T-36th at states.
Individual returners: Trace Corne (sophomore, 12-13 at 160, district runnerup); Chase Evans (junior, 9-11 at 170, 1 match from regions); Chamberlain Kint (senior, 11-15 at 285, district 3rd).
Why knowing about the Tigers matters: Of the returners, none got to Saturday at regions. 2016 Dunnellon graduate Bryce Follett was a district champion and was one match short of states, while fellow grad Clayton Owens (220) also won a district title and got to Saturday.

Eastside (Gainesville)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-18th at region. 2015 — 24th at region. 2014 — 30th at region.
Individual returners (using Track records): Roven Anonuevo (senior, 6-17 at 132, district 4th); Maxwell Tuchman (sophomore, 5-12 at 160, district 4th).
Key losses: Niknil Lamba (145, 13-5, district 3rd); Robert Taylor (152, 17-11 at district 3rd); Camilo Moraga-Lewy (182, 12-10, district 3rd); Kenneth Vance (195, 7-5, district 3rd).
Program strengths: Had a solid senior class graduate, with three 3-year starters (at least) in Taylor, Moraga-Lewy and Vance, plus an all-Cities performer in first-year starter Lamba..
Program needs: Numbers. With just two first-year returners coming back from the Eastside post-season lineup, Eastside is at a disadvantage even within its own city limits, let alone in the larger region.
Why Florida should know about the Rams: Eastside has struggled to keep numbers in the program and has not had a state qualifier since at least 2012. Finding first-year starters among upperclassmen was a promising beginning, but just a beginning. The real key is bringing in freshman starters with prior experience.

Interlachen
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 14th at region, T-47th at states. 2015 — 25th at region. 2014 — 21st at region.
Individual returners (using Matmen records): Cade Mason (junior, 25-15 at 132, district runnerup); Julian Rivera (sophomore, 5015 at 170, district 4th).
Key losses: Logan Hastings (182, 30-10, district runnerup, region 4th); Lance Hastings (195, 41-6, district champ, region 3rd).
Program strengths: The Hastings boys got Interlachen back in the state tournament after at least three years away. Region finish was the highest it’s been in the past four years. Interlachen has a solid coaching staff, but just hasn’t had that many kids to coach.
Program needs: Numbers. Just four post-season starters in the Interlachen lineup and there weren’t more than five or six kids in the lineup at any one point in the year.
Why Florida should know about the Rams: No returners with wins at the region level this past year. Logan Hastings was 1-2 at states, losing to two podium finishers in Coral Springs Charter’s Kevin Soltis (5th) and Crystal River’s Bennis (4th). His win was a 5-2 consi round-1 win over McKeel Academy’s Luke Schwartz. Lance Hastings also was 1-2 at Kissimmee, losing 9-3 in round 1 to Indian Rocks’ Steward, then winning by injury default over Marianna’s Nick English before losing by fall to Southeast’s Darrien Grant in the third period of consi round 2.

North Marion (Citra)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-20th at region. 2015 — 16th at region. 2014 — T-24th at region.
Individual returners (season records not available): Daveon Eason (sophomore, 126, 1 match from regions); Bryce Riggs (junior, 152, 1 match from regions); Isaiah Stafford (junior, 160, district 3rd).
Why knowing about the Colts matters: Like Interlachen, there no are no returners with wins at last year’s region tournament (Eastside had one forfeit victory, but no contested wins). 2016 graduates Willie James (170) was one match from the state tournament and Phillip Baer (285) got to Day 2 at Titusville.

Palatka
Other post-season stats: 2016 — T-18th at region. 2015 — 22nd at region. 2014 — 27th at region.
Individual returners (using Matmen records): Marcellus Metson (junior, 14-4 at 113, district runnerup); Isaiah Beauboeuf (junior, 9-14 at 132, district 3rd); Austin Beauboeuf (sophomore, 5-15 at 138, district 3rd); Branden Lee (sophomore, 10-29 at 145, district 4th); Jamar Danzler (senior, 12-31 at 152, district 4th); Jason Gullet (senior, 15-20 at 170, district 3rd); Kedrick Davis (junior, 26-14 at 182, district 4th); Bryan Smith (junior, 26-13 at 195, district 4th).
Key losses: Shade Ward (120, 24-12, district runnerup); Dean Lowe (126, 27-14, district runnerup).
Program strengths: Solid program numbers, plus a few key kids that will return that aren’t listed on the returner list here but saw plenty of time as starters during the regular season. Solid coaching staff in place. Schedule was very tough this past season.
Program needs: Panthers need experienced hands — probably coming from the upper weights in 2016-17 — to wrestle to full capability and break through to the show.
Why Florida should know about the Panthers: Still too many Crystal River returners to anoint Palatka as district favorites in 2016-17, but the Panthers should widen the gap between themselves and the rest of District 5 for the runnerup spot. Lowe got the farthest among the Panthers at region, falling just one match before states and winning three matches over the course of the weekend.

St. John Lutheran (Ocala)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 26th at region. First-year program in 2015-16.
Individual returners: Jordan Turner (senior, 4-1 at 138, district runnerup); .
Why knowing about the Saints matters: Turner was a one-man team in 2015-16 and was hurt during the district final against Crystal River’s Thorch, and did not compete at regions the following week.

Trinity Catholic (Ocala)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 23rd at region. 2015 — 17th at region, T-70th at states. 2014 — 28th at region.
Individual returners (season records not available): Collin Smith (senior, 113, district 3rd); Robert Castaneda (senior, 126, district 4th); Anthony Riggins (senior, 152, district champ).
Why knowing about the Celtics matters: Riggins was just one match short of states, and Smith got to Saturday at regions. Som despite the extreme lack of numbers, there’s still some talent in the lineup.

By SHANNON HEATON
North Florida Matmen
JACKSONVILLE — We see the resume that Isaiah Martinez has built in just two seasons with the University of Illinois and it’s easy to draw the conclusion that he is becoming the face of the sport.

That’s justified, but the young man known colloquially as `IMar’ has the same concerns that a lot of college juniors have: making money, moving his stuff to a temporary storage space, signing a lease for a new apartment, and getting ready for another year of school.

But most college juniors don’t have University World championships to look forward to and NCAA titles to defend. Nor do they get to travel the country to put on clinics, as Martinez made his first-ever trip to Florida this past weekend to serve as lead clinician at the River City Wrestling Factory’s clinic Saturday at Episcopal School of Jacksonville.

“This summer I’ve done eight or nine clinics. Nowhere near as many as last summer,” Martinez said. “This summer I wanted to focus more on freestyle, the international styles, to get ready for (University Worlds).

“I’d done clinics this year in Tennessee and Louisiana, but this was my first summer in the Southeast, first time I’d ever been here. (The timing of it) worked out well because I just got back from training in Colorado Springs and had time to do another clinic, and it was an opportunity to go somewhere I’d never been.”

After winning national titles for the Fighting Illini in both 2014-15 and 2015-16, building off a prep career in which he won three California state titles (noting here that California has a one-class system for wrestling), Martinez has become something he never expected to be when he began wrestling at age 4: an ambassador for the sport.

“What I’m seeing when I go to places outside California, or Pennsylvania, or Ohio or Illinois, is not a lack of talent,” Martinez said. “But there is a lack of wrestling culture. Kids don’t grow up like me wrestling at a very young age. Kids in high school don’t go to duals. In those (other) states, the stigmas of wrestling aren’t as apparent.”

They were not apparent on Saturday at Episcopal in what was undoubtedly one of, if not the most, successful clinics contested within the city. Between 70 and 80 campers — most of them high school-age but a few younger kids as well — came out for the clinic, and a lot of them lingered well after the camp’s conclusion for selfies, some personal time and encouragement from one of the USA’s best and a certain Olympic hopeful for 2020.

Campers from as far as Coconut Creek HS in Miami, from Brandon, from Arnold HS in the Panhandle, and a handful of kids from central Florida joined the mostly-local audience. Several north Florida coaches served as volunteer helpers as well.

“It’s unprecedented, the things I’ve been able to experience. The moments have been incredible. Now that I can be, I guess, an ambassador for the sport, I’ll just roll with it,” Martinez said. “Just try to be the best ambassador I can be.”

It’s a formula that has brought Martinez nothing but success thus far in his career, and where possible to echo it, is a formula that the campers Saturday can use to their own advantage — and by extension the sport’s culture — as well.

(EDITOR’S NOTE on 7/28/16: We actually have 13, and we’re waiting on details (photos) on two Oakleaf signees that would make it 15 collegiate wrestlers who’ve signed this year. This is a good problem to have, to have so many kids wrestling in college that it’s tough to keep them all straight!)

We’ve got 12 Northeast Florida Matmen-area wrestlers competing at the #NextLevel in 2016-17 that are starting new collegiate careers this fall. Plus the group of returners that are eligible to come back, we might have close to 20 kids.

Here’s the FULL list:

• Derek Miller, Clay (Iowa Western CC, NJCAA)
• Roland Samec, Clay (University of the Ozarks, NAIA)
• Kristopher Smith, St. Augustine (Northland Community Tech, NJCAA)
• Jonathan Shoen, Middleburg (University of Dubuque, NCAA Division III)
• Xaiver Sampsel, Fleming Island (Limestone College, NCAA Division II)
• Nick Hobday, Fletcher (2015 grad, Bacone College, NAIA)
• Kaz Maia, Flagler Palm Coast (Iowa Lakes CC, NJCAA)
• Marcus Zeighler, Columbia (Bacone College)
• Trevor Belden, Ridgeview (Huntingdon College, Division III)
• Evyn Insalaco, Flagler Palm Coast (Southeastern University, NAIA)
• Scott Dollison, Episcopal (Briar Cliff University, NAIA)
• Dylan Rossetti, Middleburg (St Andrews University, NAIA)
• Tracy Davis, Fleming Island (Southeastern)

Everywhere in Iowa in the winter months, the conversations are about wrestling. It’s one of, if not the hottest, the hotbeds of wrestling in America. And Middleburg’s Jonathan Shoen will be entering that hotbed, signing with the University of Dubuque, an NCAA Division III school.

As it stands now, among committed wrestlers, here are this spring and summer’s #NextLevel confirmed signees (I’ve heard about one more, but it hasn’t been confirmed to me yet):

EDITOR’S NOTE FRIDAY NIGHT: We were wrong in the headline, there were actually 10 at this point.

• Jonathan Shoen, Middleburg (University of Dubuque, NCAA Division III)
• Xaiver Sampsel, Fleming Island (Limestone College, NCAA Division II)
• Nick Hobday, Fletcher (2015 grad, Bacone College, NAIA)
• Kaz Maia, Flagler Palm Coast (Iowa Lakes CC, NJCAA)
• Marcus Zeighler, Columbia (Bacone College)
• Trevor Belden, Ridgeview (Huntingdon College, Division III)
• Evyn Insalaco, Flagler Palm Coast (Southeastern University, NAIA)
• Scott Dollison, Episcopal (Briar Cliff University, NAIA)
• Dylan Rossetti, Middleburg (St Andrews University, NAIA)
• Tracy Davis, Fleming Island (Southeastern)

Welcome to another edition of The Scouting Reports. Here, we take a spin through what the entire state of Florida has coming back. More information for you, the readers, is what we’re all about at Matmen. We’re starting with the completely out-of-area teams, as we just ran through each area team in the previous 3 months. The plan is to complete all 48 districts before most schools start. We can only highlight returners from last year based on post-season performances and we can only know so much about transfers. If someone out-of-area was hurt or just didn’t compete, I just won’t know about it (regardless of what may be or have been posted on other forums). One new wrinkle for this year. We’re focusing less on the individual histories of each wrestler and focusing more on their matches with local kids, and we’ll have a couple of tidbits on each team to show that focus.

3A-District 16

2015-16 team finish: 1. South Dade. 2. Southridge. 3. Palmetto. 4. Killian. 5. Coral Reef. 6. Homestead.
2014-15 team finish: 1. South Dade. 2. Southridge. 3. Palmetto. 4. Coral Reef. 5. Killian. 6. Ferguson. 7. Sunset. 8. Varela.
2013-14 team finish: 1. South Dade. 2. Southridge. 3. Palmetto. 4. Coral Reef. 5. Ferguson. 6. Killian. 7. Varela. 8. Sunset.

Coral Reef (Miami)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 15th at region, T-71st at states. 2015 — 19th at region. 2014 — 13th at region.
Individual returners: Pablo Diaz (sophomore, 19-25 at 106, district 4th); Samantha Smith (senior, 9-21 at 113, 1 match from regions); Qifeng Zhu (sophomore, 11-22 at 120, 1 match from regions); Brandon Maloney (junior, 15-18 at 126, district 4th); Zach Polumbo (junior, 6-13 at 132, 1 match from regions); Leonel Hernandez (junior, 13-26 at 138, district 4th); Matthew Porry (sophomore, 18-18 at 145, district 3rd); Leonard Wooten (junior, 25-19 at 182, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Timothy Whiddon (senior, 15-18 at 220, district 4th).
Why knowing about the Barracudas matters: No returning state qualifiers for Coral Reef, with Wooten losing in the first round and then winning three in a row to give himself a shot at Kissimmee. The Barracudas were represented there by 2016 graduate Jason Kaercher, who was 0-2 in the tournament, with no matches against Region 1 opposition.

Homestead
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 31st at region. 2015 — 2nd at 2A-District 16, 6th at 2A-Region 4, T-27th at 2A states. 2014 — 2nd at 2A-District 16, 3rd at 2A-Region 4, 16th at 2A states.
Individual returners: Travon Brown (junior, 9-9 at 106, 1 match from regions); Taderius Robinson (senior, 4-7 at 170, district 4th).
Why knowing about the Broncos matters: Moving into 3A was very much a downer for Homestead, which was beaten well out of sight even for fifth place and only scored two points at regions. 2016 graduate Jaelin De Lee had the Broncos’ only win at Region 4, with a first-round win by decision. Numbers are a very big problem for this program.

Killian (Miami)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 10th at region, 24th at states. 2015 — 20th at region, T-68th at states. 2014 — 22nd at region.
Individual returners: Ryan Boncamper (senior, 34-9 at 106, district runnerup, region runnerup, state 4th); Alejandro Torrez-Cortez (senior, 24-12 at 113, district 4th); Ryan Barrios (senior, 16-14 at 120, district 4th); Giancarlo Fuentes (sophomore, 11-12 at 126, 1 match from regions); Ryan Garcia (sophomore, 12-14 at 132, district 4th); Eric Torres (senior, 13-16 at 152, 1 match from regions); Alejandro Gil (junior, 10-21 at 160, district 4th); Marshal Sweet (senior, 27-8 at 182, district 3rd, region 4th); Giovanny Mentor (senior, 32-9 at 220, district runnerup, region runnerup, 1 match from state podium); Trayvonne Jackson (junior, 28-7 at 285, district 3rd).
Why knowing about the Cougars matters: Killian should be the favorite for third in 2016-17, with three returning state qualifiers. Boncamper lost in the first round to eventual finalist Chris Fragale of Palm Harbor, but then didn’t lose again until the third-place match. Along the way, he pinned Fleming Island’s Albie Snedaker in the second period of states’ blood round. Sweet was 0-2 at 182 at states, dropping a first-round loss by tech fall to eventual placer Steven Mercadante of Sarasota, with no Region 1 matches. Mentor was 2-2 at 220, dropping a first-round 4-3 decision to eventual finalist Raimello Jackson of Wekiva; that was his only match against a Region 1 wrestler.

Palmetto (Miami)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 16th at region, T-45th at states. 2015 — 8th at region, T-30th at states. 2014 — 9th at region, T-60th at states.
Individual returners: Carlos Flores (senior, 15-13 at 106, district 3rd); James Findlay (senior, 19-10 at 113, district runnerup, 1 match from states); William Barrows (senior, 9-7 at 120, district 3rd); Jonathan Gonzalez (senior, 4-7 at 126, 1 match from regions); Cardeionte Wilson (junior, 25-9 at 132, district runnerup); Raftain Cain (sophomore, 3-16 at 145, district 4th); AJ Turner (sophomore, 5-7 at 170, 1 match from regions); Eric McCarthy (junior, 1-13 at 182, 1 match from regions); Keneth Spiller (senior, 10-14 at 285, district 4th).
Why knowing about the Panthers matters: Findlay led the charge among the Panthers’ returning wrestlers, but it was 2016 Palmetto graduate Romoan Chester (152) who picked up their points at states, going 2-2 and finishing one match short of the state medal podium. Chester lost to eventual state champion James Nereim of Winter Springs in the quarters, 12-3, but rallied in consi round 2 with an 11-3 major over Region 1’s Nick Sala of Oviedo.

South Dade (Homestead)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 1st at region, state CHAMPIONS. 2015 — 1st at region, state CHAMPIONS. 2014 — 1st at region, state CHAMPIONS.
Individual returners: Elijah Varona (senior, 60-2 at 106, district champ, region champ, state champion); Arie Reyes (senior, 54-11 at 113, district champ, region 4th); Peter Webb (junior, 46-9 at 120, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Christian Morales (junior, 14-7 at 126, district runnerup); Brevin Balmeceda (sophomore, 59-5 at 132, district champ, region 3rd); Joel Ramirez (senior, 29-11 at 138, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Todd Perry (sophomore, 46-11 at 152, district champ, region 4th); Corey Harvey (junior, 37-8 at 182, district champ, region champ); Chei Hill (senior, 195, district champ, region champ); Jason Geffrard (senior, 21-7 at 220, district 3rd, 1 match from states); Kyron Taylor (senior, 285, district champ, region champ).
Why knowing about the Buccaneers matters: Still the pre-eminent 3A team in Florida, and with seven returning state qualifiers (plus three that were just a match away), South Dade is still well-positioned to dominate the 3A scene again in 2016-17. Here’s a summary of the state qualifiers’ weekends:
Varona — Controlled the bracket to bring home the state championship without seeing any Region 1 wrestlers, but won three times against Region 2 kids, including 6-2 in the semis over Osceola’s Malyke Hines and 11-4 in the final over Palm Harbor’s Fragale.
Reyes — Went 1-2 at states, with a first-round loss by major against 2016 Lake Mary graduate Jeremiah Costen, 10-1.
Balmeceda — Lost only in the semis to runnerup John Locksmith of Osceola, 6-5, in an absolute war. He’d edged Winter Springs’ Cole Mitchell in the quarters, 3-2, then got one more match against Region 1 in the third-place battle, decisioning 2016 Fleming Island graduate Xaiver Sampsel, 2-0.
Perry — Was 0-2 in the state tournament, with no matches against Region 1 competition.
Harvey — Went 0-2 at states, with a 4-3 loss in double OT in the first round. Harvey was knocked out of the tournament by Region 1’s George Schanck with a late third-period fall in consi round 1.
Hill — Had two pins and two decisions en route to the state championship at 195, with two wins over Region 1 opponents. He decisioned Atlantic Coast’s Narek Stepanyan, 8-5, in the first round, and later pinned Fleming Island’s Jason Davis in the second period of the semifinals, winning the title with a 5-2 decision over SW Miami’s Adolfo Sotolongo.
Taylor — Like Hill, won twice by fall and twice by decision, pinning Region 4 rival Kyle Mann in the second period to take the championship. Taylor decisioned Region 1’s Tahj Glemaud, a 2016 Dr Phillips grad, by a 1-0 count, and then similarly downed 2016 Atlantic Coast graduate DeAngeles Harris in the semis, 7-4, to get to the final.
Ozzy Lugo (2016 Buccaneer grad, 145) — Scored bonus points at every round of the tournament, taking the final by fall in 1:09 over Orlando Freedom 2016 graduate Kurtis Aimable. Lugo’s only non-fall also was against a Region 1 wrestler, as he majored 2016 Winter Springs grad Xavier Maxwell, 10-2, in the quarters.
Aaron Flores (2016 grad, 160) — Flores lost in the quarters by fall to Osceola 2016 graduate Giovanny Bonilla, and then didn’t lose again until the third-place match. Flores pinned Region 1’s Kendrik Koller of Apopka in the first period of the first round.

Southridge (Miami)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — 2nd at region, state runnerup (South Dade). 2015 — 4th at region, 6th at states. 2014 — 6th at region, T-28th at states.
Individual returners: Sebastian Sanchez (senior, 29-8 at 113, district 3rd); Alberto Mendoza (senior, 31-15 at 132, district 3rd, 1 match from states); Anthony Kinsey (senior, 49-7 at 138, district champ, region champ, state 3rd); Johnny Lovett (sophomore, 27-15 at 145, district runnerup, 1 match from states); Luis Rios (senior, 46-10 at 160, district champ, region champ, state 5th); Zachery Mickle (junior, 10-12 at 182, district 4th); Darius Hamilton (senior, 44-1 at 220, district champ, region champ, state 3rd); Melchisede Juedy (senior, 37-12 at 285, district runnerup, region runnerup, state 6th).
Why knowing about the Spartans matters: In just about every other region or class, a lineup like Southridge’s would bring home much more championship hardware. Even still, the Spartans should return enough firepower to pull together a top-five team finish next year, if not repeat as runners-up. Like South Dade, here’s a summary of Southridge qualifiers’ state performances:
Kinsey — Lost a tight 7-6 semifinal to Gateway’s Justin Camacho, and that was his only loss of the tournament. Kinsey’s lone win against a Region 1 foe was in the quarters, when he downed Winter Springs’ Dimitri Alicea, 11-6.
Rios — Reached the semis, where he lost to Region 1’s Max Wohlabaugh by fall in the first period. Rios also had a first-round win over a local competitor, decisioning 2016 Flagler Palm Coast grad Eric Vigo, 6-3. In the fifth-place match, Rios downed 2016 Boone graduate Jonathan Gomez, 3-1.
Hamilton — Dominated all wrestlers in his path but one in finishing third. Hamilton decisioned DeLand’s Raymond Hauerty, 12-5, in the first round, but then found himself on the wrong end of domination in the semis against Region 1 and eventual state champion Dylan Meeks of Dr Phillips, who pinned Hamilton in the third period.
Juedy — Went 3-3 in the tournament, with two of those three losses coming in double overtime. Juedy was 1-1 against Region 1, decisioning Winter Springs’ TJ Boyd 2-0 to clinch his podium spot, but then lost by fall in the second period of the consi semis against AC’s Harris.
Randy McCray (2016 Spartan grad, 120) — Brought home the state championship with three successive wins over Region 1 wrestlers. McCray majored 2016 DeLand grad Omar Garcia, 16-6, in the quarterfinals, then decisioned 2016 Lyman graduate Jake Semrad, 8-4, in the semis. In the title match, McCray held off Flagler Palm Coast’s Michael DeAugustino, 5-3, for the state win.
Jordan Marshall (2016 grad, 126) — Closed out a second state title in style, with a fall in the finals over SW Miami’s Franco Valdes. Marshall majored Buchholz’s Gant Moore, 15-5, in the first round, in his only Region 1 match of the weekend.
Marcos Perez (2016 grad, 152) — Went 2-2 in the tournament, losing in the quarters. He had no Region 1 opposition during the weekend.

Varela (Miami)
Other post-season stats: 2016 — no postseason results per FHSAA. 2015 — 26th at region. 2014 — 17th at region, T-52nd at states.
Individual returners: None.
Why knowing about the Vipers matters: Hopefully this program can reboot successfully.

Beach Rats Wrestling Club’s Narek Stepanyan represented the Matmen coverage area on Thursday, going 2-2 at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals tournament in freestyle, contested at the Fargodome in Fargo, ND.

Here’s the rundown on Stepanyan’s matches:

195: Narek Stepanyan (Beach Rats) tf. Jacob Olson (Minnesota), 15-5. Stepanyan p. Keith Barclay (Indiana), 1:26. Brandon Whitman (Michigan) tf. Stepanyan, 10-0. Noah Ryan (Minnesota) tf. Stepanyan, 10-0.