Over the years, football players have searched for sports to keep them in shape and sharp in the off season. One of those sports has been wrestling.
While the numbers have dwindled in the past decade, there are still some quality two-way athletes making an impact.
As 115 south Florida wrestlers get set to compete for state titles this weekend at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, an eye will be peeled to a pair of local football prospects who have more than done their part on the wrestling mat.
As many football prospects have advanced to Friday’s first round at 10 a.m., one Miami-Dade and one Broward heavyweight will be in the spotlight.
For Dr. Krop senior Isaac Joseph, the quest for a 3A state title will be tough, but something that this impressive prospect has been working for over the past four years.
While he awaits word on a college scholarship on the football field, this 30-1 standout advanced to Kissimmee with a second period pin over North Miami’s Clarouly Meca, wrapping up a regional title.
The road to that state title will indeed be challenging, and one that will need everything to go right.
The field is packed with unbeaten Wilkinson Saul (37-0) of Boca Raton Olympic Heights, who handed Joseph his only loss, Palm Harbour University’s Grant Gelazin (43-11) and top rated Curtis Ruff (7-0) from Sanford Seminole standing in his way.
“I have worked hard for this opportunity,” said Joseph. “I am excited about my future on the football field, but have to also credit what has happened in wrestling to my success in football.”
While Joseph’s football future is still uncertain, Tyreak Sapp, St. Thomas Aquinas first year wrestling standout’s future on the gridiron is much clearer.
One of the top defensive tackle prospects in the country, this University of Florida commitment gets a chance to wrestle for a state title a year after learning the sport by competing against current University of Kentucky lineman Jake Pope, who battled Sapp last season and got him ready for this year’s run.
Last Saturday, when he beat Teo Richards of Riviera Beach Suncoast, he wrapped up his first ever Regional crown and heads to the 2A state championships with a 23-4 record.
With Christopher Campbell (35-7) of Naples Barron Collier, unbeaten (43-0) Lakeland star Willie Lampkin and Tyler Moss (39-4) of Tallahassee Lincoln providing the competition, the road will indeed by tough.
“Ever since I started wrestling, it’s something that I loved,” Sapp explained. “I learned a lot last year, and with some tremendous coaches, have picked up a lot of valuable experience.”
In additionto Joseph and Sapp, south Florida will boast a number of elite competitors this coming weekend.
REGIONAL RESULTS
Somerset Pines, Cardinal Gibbons and Coral Springs Charter Hold Their Own In 1A
While American Heritage Delray won the Region 4-1A title, area programs Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and Coral Springs Charter all finished strong in Jensen Beach:
No. 1 - American Heritage-Delray Beach 244; 2. Somerset Academy 240; 3. Jensen Beach 195; 4. Cardinal Gibbons 191; 5. Coral Springs Charter 99.5; 6. Mater Lakes 94; 7. Key West 84; 8. American Heritage-Plantation 68; 9. Miami Sunset 49; 10. Monsignor Pace 36; 11. Miami Jackson 35; 12. Clewiston 34; 13. Miami Edison 32; 14. Miami Northwestern, Slam Academy 30; 16. Westminster Christian 28; 17. Stranahan 24; 18. Coconut Creek 15; 19. Lincoln Park 13; 20. Miami Springs, Washington 10; 22. Coral Shores, Riviera Prep, St. Andrews 6; 25. Cardinal Newman, Jupiter Christian, Pinecrest Prep 3.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Southridge and Hialeah Miami Lakes Fall Short in 2A
While Okeechobee took home the Region 4-2A title, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, Miami Southridge and Hialeah-Miami Lakes all boasted champions and made a push this past weekend.
No. 1 - Okeechobee 156; 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 147; 3. Miami Southridge 145; 4. Heritage 134.5; 5. Hialeah-Miami Lakes 132; 6. Suncoast 101.5; 7. Sebastian River 66.5; 8. Viera 64; 9. Archbishop McCarthy 51; 10. Bayside 49; 11. Fort Lauderdale 48; 12. Belen Jesuit, Melbourne, Miami Norland 47; 15. Mater Academy 46; 16. Miami Killian, Port St. Lucie 45; 18. Eau Gallie 43; 19. Fort Pierce Westwood 42; 20. McArthur 29; 21. Sebring 22; 22. South Fork 15; 23. Hollywood Hills 12; 24. American 10; 25. Oakland Park Northeast 7; 26. Dillard 6; 27. Boyd Anderson, Homestead 5.
It’s All South Dade In 3A
No surprise that state 3A powerhouse walked away with the Region 4-3A title once again this past weekend at Braddock High in Miami, but give credit to Southwest Miami, Cypress Bay and Doral Academy will all send plenty of competitors to Kissimmee:
No. 1 - South Dade 295; 2. Southwest Miami 230.5; 3. Cypress Bay 127; 4. Doral 116.5; 5. Columbus 97; 6. Miami Beach 79; 7. Miami Palmetto 67; 8. North Miami 64; 9. Miami Coral Park 55; 10. Coral Reef 45; 11. Coral Springs 44; 12. Coral Gables 39; 13. Dr. Krop 38; 14. Goleman 35; 15. Taravella 33; 16. Nova 28; 17. Western 27; 18. South Broward 26; 19. West Broward 23; 20. Cooper City 22; 21. South Plantation 20.5; 22. Braddock, Miramar 13; 24. Ferguson 12; 25. Miami, Monarch 8; 27. Flanagan 6; 28. Everglades, Hialeah Gardens 4; 30. Reagan 1.
HEADED TO STATE
Once again this year, south Florida will be well represented in Kissimmee – as 115 wrestlers advanced to the three tournaments:
1A
106
Nicolas Yancey (34-4), Freshman, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Payton Vargas (39-16), Freshman, Coral Springs Charter
113
Tyler Cabral (40-2), Junior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Joshua Munoz (30-10), Junior, Miami Jackson
120
Skyler Caban (11-1), Junior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Matt Palmero (23-5), Sophomore, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
126
Chase Gillis (49-7), Junior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Sazzad Mabud (31-8), Senior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
132
Bas Diaz (38-60, 7th Grade, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Orestes Ferrer (49-5), Senior, Mater Lakes
Alexandro Mas (39-2), Senior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
138
Darian Diaz (38-15), Senior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Azakin Sejour (24-9), Sophomore, Miami Monsignor Pace
John James Yancey (30-4), Senior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
145
Johnathan Ley (24-0), Sophomore, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Eric Temes (54-4), Junior, Mater Lakes
152
Alek Chitty (52-4), Junior, Coral Springs Charter
Darian Estevez (46-5), Junior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Daniel Korchensky (29-8), Sophomore, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
160
Caleb Casas (44-11), Senior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Jack Limperis (33-9), Senior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Terrell Taylor (47-4), Junior, Coral Springs Charter
170
Shane Cannon (45-8), Senior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Carl Henry-Pierre (28-4), Senior, Miami Edison
Joseph Whittaker (36-6), Senior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
182
Sean Concepcion (47-6), Junior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Ethan Wilson (41-17), Senior, Coral Springs Charter
195
Jeadan Kinlock (29-2), Sophomore, Plantation American Heritage
Daniel Miranda (49-7), Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
220
Nicholas Benton (60-2), Senior, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Jonathan Vil (21-5), Senior, Miami Northwestern
285
Jertavis Black (35-6), Junior, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
Matthew Jimenez (45-16), Sophomore, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy
Ethan Vergara (47-10), Sophomore, Mater Lakes
2A
106
Henry Amador (32-11), 8th Grade, Miami Belen Jesuit
Jasmine Godinez (25-8), Junior, Hialeah-Miami Lakes
113
Connor Hueck (52-9), Junior, Miami Southridge
120
Sean Inwasty (39-8), Senior, Miami Killian
Jaden Villalobos (35-10), Junior, SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
Michael Zunino (34-10), Junior, Hialeah-Miami Lakes
126
Favian Aldana (31-5), Senior, Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy
Michael Sarron (47-6), Senior, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
132
Ethan Wigutow (21-10), Sophomore, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
138
Frank Messina (46-13, Junior, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Rhys Willenborg (31-13), Senior, SW Ranches Archbishop McCarthy
145
Cyrus Williams (47-6), Junior, Miami Southridge
152
Quiton Johnson (45-15), Sophomore, Miami Southridge
160
Lance Fields (40-6), Senior, Miami Norland
182
Gian Espinal (36-9), Junior, Hialeah-Miami Lakes
195
Noah Lusk (32-7), Senior, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Dedric Marshall (55-0), Junior, Miami Southridge
Zideen Ruiz (36-10), Junior, Hialeah-Miami Lakes
220
Anthony Mingarelli (38-9), Senior, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Alexys Rodriguez (23-7), Junior Miami Killian
285
Tyreak Sapp (23-4), Junior, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
Antwon Singleton (35-7), Senior, Hialeah-Miami Lakes
3A
106
Christian Guzman (54-8), Sophomore, Miami Christopher Columbus
Julian Montero (43-15), Freshman, Doral Academy
Adrian Morales (50-7), Sophomore, Homestead South Dade
Kevin Placer (53-7), Sophomore, Southwest Miami
113
Livan Curbelo (37-14), Junior, Doral Academy
Aaron Lanster (39-3), Freshman, Miami Beach
Danny Martinez (64-0), Freshman, Southwest Miami
Jancarlos Rivera (36-12), Junior, Homestead South Dade
120
Omar Corrales (47-6), Junior, Doral Academy
Alex Cuoto (48-10), Sophomore, Homestead South Dade
Robert Dusandang (45-4), Junior, Miami Christopher Columbus
Corey Gallivan (39-11), Junior, Miami Palmetto
126
Ryan Anderson (35-7), Junior, Deerfield Beach
Brandon Arocha (45-16), Freshman, Doral Academy
Gavin Buck (57-12), Junior, Miami Christopher Columbus
Jose Gonzalez (46-10), Senior, Homestead South Dade
Sebastian Melguizo (58-3), Junior, Southwest Miami
132
Daniel Cabrera (43-13), Junior, Southwest Miami
Van Huffman (26-15), Sophomore, Miami Christopher Columbus
Adrian Neco (52-7), Junior, Homestead South Dade
Justin Pujol (42-13), Senior, Miami Coral Reef
138
Whinston Perez (27-10), Senior, Davie Nova
Edward Punzalen (60-2), Senior, Weston Cypress Bay
Jadiel Silvero (25-5), Junior, Miami Coral Park
Cordell White (48-7), Freshman, Homestead South Dade
145
Roger Arocha (40-11), Junior, Doral Academy
Erik Perez (61-7), Junior, Weston Cypress Bay
Gabriel Perez (48-13), Junior, Southwest Miami
Bretli Reyna (46-3), Junior, Homestead South Dade
152
Sawyer Bartelt (34-4), 8th Grade, Doral Academy
Marshall Carroll (34-8), Senior, Miami Beach
Brandon Moreno (43-20), Junior, Southwest Miami
Joshua Swan (41-2), Junior, Homestead South Dade
160
Leo Garcia (48-18), Senior, Southwest Miami
Destin Jones (46-6), Senior, Miami Palmetto
Nicholas Oganezov (45-8), Senior, Weston Cypress Bay
Steven Villalobos (53-4), Senior, Homestead South Dade
170
Jared Courson (52-6), Junior, Weston Cypress Bay
Daniel Garland (44-9), Senior, Doral Academy
Bryan Valdes (43-12), Senior, Homestead South Dade
Adrian Vidaud (52-2), Senior, Southwest Miami
182
Juan Blandino (44-10), Senior, Weston Cypress Bay
Jose Cardenas (32-14), Junior, Coral Gables
Daniel Espino-Delgado (39-13), Senior, Homestead South Dade
George Llanes (61-8), Senior, Southwest Miami
195
Christian Deluna (58-8), Senior, Weston Cypress Bay
Alejandro Gonzalez (35-15), Junior, Homestead South Dade
Jeremiah Mauras (61-8), Junior, Southwest Miami
Sebastian Rodriguez (29-6), Senior, Coral Gables
220
Jared Campbell (44-11), Sophomore, Weston Cypress Bay
Edensky Phele (39-7), Junior, North Miami
Gian Rodriguez (30-9), Junior, Miami Christopher Columbus
Tanaveius Shropshire (37-9), Senior, Homestead South Dade
285
Joshua Frais (35-6), Junior, Parkland Douglas
Isaac Joseph (30-1), Miami Dr. Krop
Clarouly Meca (35-6), Senior, North Miami
Knikos Richardson (37-7), Senior, Miami Beach
Charles Williams (23-9), Senior, Miami Coral Park