The Somerset Academy boys wrestling team finished as the 2A runner-up at the FHSAA Dual State Championship at Osceola High School in Kissimmee from Jan. 23-24.
Somerset Academy crushed Dillard 70-6 in the first round and they defeated Mater Academy 46-21 in the second round. The Panthers cruised past Jensen Beach 49-24 in the third round and they rolled past Pace 50-19 in the state semifinal.
Lake Gibson defeated Somerset 39-16 in the 2A state final. In the state championship, Somerset’s Carlos Sainz (132 pounds) won by major decision (11-3), Darion Shannon (150) picked up a victory by decision (7-1), Tristan Sainz (157) earned a win by major decision (14-3), Eli Diaz (175) stepped up with a victory by decision (9-6) and Mateo Martinez (190) earned a win by decision (10-
6).
In the state semifinal, Somerset Academy individual winners included Avner Ayzerov (106) by decision (10-5), Carlos Sainz (132) by fall (6-1), Dylan Fernandez (138) by technical fall (16-1), Marlo Jimenez (144) by major decision (13-2), Shannon (150) by fall (8-3), Tristan Sainz (157) by fall (11-0), Sidney Katz (165) by fall (7-3), Diaz (175) by decision (17-11), Martinez (190) by fall (6-1) and Sage Suarez (215) by technical fall (16-0).
“We knew it was going to be close and we competed against a deeper team with a solid lineup,” Somerset Academy coach Joe Blasucci said. “We fought well against them. We were not perfect and we could have wrestled better. We have a young team and it’s something to build on. We have a tough and challenging schedule to help prepare our kids for March. We had lost this tournament last year and then won the IBT state championship so we are hoping to perform well in the end this year.”
South Plantation, Wellington fall short in 3A
The South Plantation boys wrestling team fell to powerhouse South Dade 53-24 in the 3A state quarterfinal.
South Dade captured the 3A championship with a 49-21 victory against Freedom. South Plantation’s individual winners against South Dade included Michiah Gillins Jr. (106 pounds) by fall (11-2), Naidreck Saint-Fleur (120) by fall (3-0), Maverick Lorminey
(190) by fall (4-3) and Jonathan Rogers (285) by fall (3-0).
South Plantation previously earned victories against Stoneman Douglas and Coral Springs to reach the third round.
The Wellington boys wrestling squad dropped a 44-23 decision to Freedom in the 3A state quarterfinal.
Wellington’s individual winners against Freedom consisted of Tyler Swinson (106 pounds) by major decision (15-4), Shawnley Clervoyant (113) by major decision (14-5), Nikolas Gray (157) by decision (7-1), Tyler Gray (165) by fall (6-3) and Mac Andrews
(190) by fall (3-1).
Wellington cruised to a victory against Dwyer in the opening round and the Wolverines also defeated Olympic Heights in the second round.
Cardinal Gibbons falls in 1A
The Cardinal Gibbons boys wrestling fell 54-21 to Mater Lakes during the second round in 1A. Cardinal Gibbons previously had a 59-22 victory against King’s Academy in the opening round. Mater Lakes captured the 1A championship with a 44-18 win against
Cocoa Beach.