SEASON OUTLOOK

In the postseason, St. Thomas Aquinas and Nova join a district that includes Cypress Bay and Western. Strength in numbers for Lightning coach Patrick McNamara with 18 reserves returning and about 50 kids in the wrestling room.

Seniors Alex Dahl (145/152, region champ) and Walid Boggio (171, state qualifier) lead Cypress Bay. McNamara's son, Joseph, (Hwt, sixth at state), who tore his ACL during football practice, might miss the season.

Returning seniors Mike Mancino (140/145) and Juan Montoya (215) were close to reaching state last season. McNamara took seven to state last season, the most in his coaching career. One season at Flanagan, he had six advance.

Defending 3A region champ Coral Springs, coached by Dan Jacob, has an inexperienced team, but returning state qualifiers include Kerrey Charles (112), the first freshman in school history to make state, and seniors Jon Durand (135) and Akeem Barthol (145). Sophomore Curtis Boyette (103) and senior Ryland Adams (160) are two to watch.

Douglas coach Randy Miller likes the chemistry of his team, and the numbers are good with more than 40 kids. The Eagles replaced 10 of 14 starters last season, so they are building with many returnees in a district with Coral Springs.

Miami Herald All-Broward first-teamer Marcos Gomes (103, county, district, region champ) and junior Vinny Jiovenetta (152, district champ, county and region runner-up) lead Douglas. Coral Glades with senior Santiago Martinez (135, fifth at state) was added to the Coral Springs, Douglas, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Ely, Taravella district.

Miramar coach Nate Richardson Sr. speaks highly of 3A senior Derrion Pittman (189/215), who was second at district, fourth at county and fifth at region last season, as well as returning district champ Hector Perez-Pagan, who broke his arm before regionals. The Patriots are in a district with Cooper City and South Broward.

• Hollywood Hills moves into Class 2A. Junior Abraham Diaz was 19-8 at 152 a year ago, and senior Harry Hoffman (215) went 12-3. The Spartans will battle Broward and Miami-Dade teams at districts, including Stranahan.

Dragons coach Thomas Harrison returns the most wrestlers he's had since debuting in 2005. They are led by state qualifier Martavius Crocker (112, 25-6), Adam Ramos (145, 29-5), Trevis Strozier (119, 22-7), O'Carl Robinson (189, 23-8), Etienne Paul (140, 24-7) and Jeremy Campbell (130, 18-15).

Other top talent to watch: Richard Englar, Flanagan; Josh Goulet, Cooper City; Dominick Pierre, Calvary Christian. Other teams to watch: Cooper City, South Broward, Western.

KEY MEETS

Dec. 4: 14th Annual Cougar Invitational at Durant High in Plant City.

Dec. 11: 4th Annual Wildcat Wrestling Tournament at Western in Davie.

Dec. 11: Kowboy Kup Duals at Osceola High in Kissimmee.

Dec. 19: Barron Collier Duals at Barron Collier in Naples.

Dec. 28: Zac Jarzynka Memorial Ironman Tournament VIII at Oviedo High.

Jan 9: Jim Graves Wrestling Tournament at Brandon High School.

Jan. 15-16: Broward County Tournament at Coral Springs City Gymnasium.

Feb. 1-6: Districts.

Feb. 12-13: Regionals.

Feb. 19-20: State championship at The Lakeland Center.

Mar. 5: Broward vs. Miami-Dade All Star Event at Nova.

2008-09 STATE CHAMPIONS

Class 3A: Kissimmee Osceola; Class 2A: Brandon; Class 1A: Fort Myers Riverdale.