Of the three independent programs that actually began competition and finished the 2021-22 regular season, just one had a full year.
That would be Destin, and the Sharks should — if last year is any projection — be fielding a full regular season of competition while competing in northwestern Florida events in 2022-23.
Last year’s group had six consistent members in its regular rotation. Unfortunately, as of the weekend before publication, we’re not certain how many of those wrestlers will return this year. However, bringing several wrestlers to both dual and IBT tournaments, throughout the course of the regular season, was a significant accomplishment for a fledgling program.
Ribault appears to be moving toward a third year of returning to wrestling; however, the Trojans will need both more events and more wrestlers if they ever plan to fit back into the FHSAA scheme.
Ribault had as many as seven wrestlers competing during the regular season, but the Trojans competed in just one dual in December, and, also, the Gateway Conference tournament in mid-January. While none had enough matches during the regular season to reach a listing in the capsules, the Trojans had at least six that could come back.
Two new programs are set to compete in 2022-23, both in Clay County, and one rebooted program will also join them as an independent. St Johns Classical Academy, based in Fleming Island, and Orange Park’s St Johns Country Day both will start first-year teams this year. In Deltona, Pine Ridge is restarting as a JV-only program for the 2022-23 season, with the hope of returning to FHSAA-sanctioned competition in 2023-24.
CAPSULES HERE: INDEPENDENT CAPSULES
North Florida Matmen 