The Miami Herald > Sports

Sports

  • Logout
  • Member Center
    •

WRESTLING | SOUTH DADE

South Dade hopes to continued wrestling dominance

The Bucs have a new gym, where the perennial powerhouse hopes to continue rewriting the record books.

From left, South Dade wrestlers Wilson Metellus, Kendrick Sanders, Earl Hall and Willie Wiggins make up one of the nation's best programs.
Buy Photo
From left, South Dade wrestlers Wilson Metellus, Kendrick Sanders, Earl Hall and Willie Wiggins make up one of the nation's best programs.
PATRICK FARRELL / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

AT A GLANCE

KEY MEETS

Friday-Saturday: Dodd Duals at Homestead.

Dec. 6: Dade Christian tournament.

Dec. 6: Okeechobee tournament.

Dec. 12-13: Santaluces Classic in Lantana.

Dec. 12-13: Western Classic in Davie.

Dec. 12-13: Florida Christian Christmas Invitational.

Dec. 19-20: District 16 Duals at South Dade.

Dec. 29-30: Zac Jarzynca tournament at Oviedo.

Jan. 2: New Year's Classic at Archbishop McCarthy.

Jan. 9: Tournament of Champions at Lake Mary.

Jan. 10: District 13 Duals at Norland.

Jan. 16-17: GMAC tournament.

Feb. 2-7: Districts.

Feb. 13-14: Regionals.

Feb. 19-21: State championship at The Lakeland Center.

2007-08 STATE

CHAMPIONS

Class 3A: South Dade.

Class 2A: Brandon.

Class 1A: Fort Myers Riverdale.

PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS

South Dade (8): 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008.

Southridge (7): 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1999, 2000.

Norland (3): 1965, 1966, 1968.

Palmetto (3): 1974, 1976, 1996.

Carol City (2): 1969, 1970.

Coral Park (2): 1967, 1973.

Monsignor Pace: 2000.

North Miami Beach: 1994.

TOP RETURNING WRESTLERS

Eric Chandler, Braddock, Sr.: Eric Chandler hopes to make it three state titles in his four-year career after a state runner-up finish last season.

Gabe Chandler, Braddock, Sr.: Gabe Chandler finished fourth at state last season, but hopes to return to the form he had when he won it in 2006.

Henry Chirino, American, Jr.: Finished fourth at state and is the top returning heavyweight in Dade.

Earl Hall, South Dade, So.: Transferred from Homestead after winning a state title as a freshman in the 103-pound weight class.

Julian Martinez, Monsignor Pace, Sr.: Finished state runner-up at 171 pounds in Class 1A last season.

Wilson Metellus, South Dade, Sr.: Posted a 53-3 record as a state runner-up, and is the No. 6 nationally-ranked wrestler in his weight class heading into the season.

Rey Parrado, Goleman, Sr.: Dade's returning state champion in the 140-pound weight class hopes to make it two in a row.

Jake Rio, Columbus, Sr.: Rio placed third at state, but hopes to improve upon it this season and lead the Explorers to a strong finish.

Kendrick Sanders, South Dade, Sr.: A two-time state and junior national champion, Sanders is ranked one of the top wrestlers in the country overall.

Didley Weche, Monsignor Pace, Sr.: Won a state championship at 152 in Class 1A and hopes to repeat this season while leading Pace to its first team title since 2000.

Willie Wiggins, South Dade, Sr.: One of four nationally-ranked Bucs' wrestlers who will try to lift South Dade to its second consecutive team championship.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Mike Abadin, Columbus, Sr.; Matthew Barrera, Miami Springs, Sr.; William Bell, Southridge, Jr.; David Castillo, American, Sr.; Henry Chirino, American, Jr.; Emilious Davis, South Miami, Sr.; George Gulesian, Columbus, Sr.; Kevin Guzman, Miami High, Sr.; Armani Harris, American, Jr.; James Laguerre, Krop, Sr.; Quintavian McPherson, South Dade, Jr.; Luis Montalvo, South Dade, Sr.; Louis Nodar, Columbus, Sr.; Jonathan Olivera, Southwest, Jr.; Allen Pena, Columbus, Sr.; Wilfred Perez, Sunset, Jr.; Brett Phillips, Palmetto, Sr.; Uxsunn Ramirez, Southwest, Sr.; Jake Rio, Columbus, Sr.; Ricky Rodriguez, Belen, Sr.; Leo Santibanez, Jr.; John Sennett, Monsignor Pace, Sr.; Antonio Starr, Hialeah-Miami Lakes, Sr.; Mauricio Villanueva, South Dade, Sr.; Travus Webster, South Dade, Sr.

OUTLOOKS -- CLASS 3A

1. SOUTH DADE (Coach Victor Balmaceda, 16th year, 169-11). Last year: 24-0 (State champions). Top wrestlers: Kendrick Sanders (145), Sr.; Earl Hall (103), So.; Wilson Metellus (135), Sr.; Willie Wiggins (215), Sr.

2. AMERICAN (Coach Ron Osorio/Yoemniz Baez, 2nd year at AM, 8th overall). Last year: 14-1 (4th at state). Top wrestlers: Leo Santibanez (140), Jr.; Armani Harris (125), Jr.; Henry Chirino (HWT), Jr.; Chris Perez (135), So.

3. COLUMBUS (Coach Jim Husk, 4th year at COL, 41st overall, 690-80-4). Last year: 22-1 (15th at state). Top wrestlers: Jake Rio (130), Sr.; George Gulesian (135), Sr.; Louie Nodar (130-135), Sr.; Mike Abadin (215), Sr.

4. BRADDOCK (Coach Saul Tejada, 15th year, 186-49-4). Last year: 11-6 (13th at state). Top wrestlers: Eric Chandler (125), Sr.; Gabe Chandler (119), Sr.; Randy Pineyro (140), Sr.; Fernando Baltodano (135), Sr.

5. SOUTHWEST (Coach Joel Mendez). Last year: 27th at state. Top wrestlers: Uxsunn Ramirez (140), Sr.; Oxsunn Ramirez (145), Sr.; Jonathan Olivera (119), Jr.

6. PALMETTO (Coach David Soderholm). Last year: 23-4. Top wrestlers: Brett Phillips (171), Sr.; Juan Alonzo (125), Sr.; Seth Ponce (189), Sr.; Enrique Prinelles (135), Sr.

7. SOUTHRIDGE (Coach Ken Johnson, 4th year). Last year: 10th at state. Top wrestlers: William Bell (145), Jr.; Tramone Williams (160), Sr.; Julius McCray (HWT), Jr.

8. SUNSET (Coach Moises Rivera, 18th year). Last year: 15-11 (23rd at state). Top wrestlers: Wilfred Perez (140), Jr.; Christopher Vega (130), Jr.; Franklin Espinosa (119), Jr.; Daniel Araque (112), Sr.

9. MIAMI HIGH -- Last year: 37th at state. Top wrestlers: Kevin Guzman (112), Sr.

10. KROP -- Top wrestlers: James Laguerre (215), Sr.

11. GOLEMAN (Coach David Labi). Last year: 17th at state. Top wrestlers: Rey Parrado (140), Sr.; Abe Vidal (145), Sr.; Keven Fernandez (152), Jr.; Alex Gonzalez (125), Jr.

12. VARELA (Coach Emilio Condis, 7th year at VAR, 10th overall). Last year: 16-8. Top wrestlers: Danny Lozada (160), Sr.; Chris Molina (152), Jr.; Ricky Lopez (130), Sr.; Oliver Murad (119), So.

13. MIAMI SPRINGS (Coach David Ryan, 25th year). Top wrestlers: Matthew Barrera (119), Sr.; Joel Duran (135), Sr.; Tavares White (152), Sr.; Francis Aguilar (189), Sr.

14. NORTH MIAMI BEACH (Coach Severe, 3rd year, 25-12). Last year: 14-8. Top wrestlers: Osnit Holozier (171), Jr.; Miller Cherenfant (160), Jr.; Luckner Philogene (145), Jr.; Querby Laveau (119), Jr.

15. HIALEAH (Coach Carlos Ponce, 2nd year, 4-11). Last year: 4-11. Top wrestlers: Daniel Clavijo (215), Jr.; Jhonar Gonzalez (130), Jr.; Jose Balboa, Jr.

CLASS 1A

1. MONSIGNOR PACE (Coach Frank Pelegri). Last year: 6th at state. Top wrestlers: Didley Weche (152), Sr.; Julian Martinez (171), Sr.; John Sennet (215), Sr.; Ronnie Dickens (145), Sr.

2. BELEN (Coach Fidel Albelo). Last year: 21st at state. Top wrestlers: Ricardo Rodriguez (103), Sr.; Esteban Gomez (112), Fr.; Jhon Pistorino (145), Sr.

3. WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN (Coach Scott Babun, 3rd year, 17-15-2). Last year: 5-12-1. Top wrestlers: Alberto Salabarria (140), So.; Sam Levi (189), Sr.; Nat Pritchett (HWT), Sr.; Alex Noonan (215), Sr.

BY ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ

a1fernandez@MiamiHerald.com

Willie Wiggins said there will be a big change surrounding the South Dade wrestling program this year.

Wiggins was referring to the new gym.

The team is still as dominant as ever.

''When you'd walk in [the old gym] for a match, it was rowdy and you could feel the history everywhere,'' Wiggins said. ``This gym is huge and you could have a big crowd cheering you on. I feel like it's up to us this season to start writing the history of the new one.''

A year after winning its first state title in five seasons, and defeating national powerhouse Brandon to end the longest winning streak in the nation in any high school sport, South Dade features a roster that includes four nationally ranked wrestlers, including defending state champions Kendrick Sanders and Earl Hall, who transferred from Homestead.

''I don't believe we're way ahead of everyone else,'' South Dade coach Victor Balmaceda said. ``We had a strong team with a lot of experience and nationally-ranked wrestlers last year. Whenever you have guys like these that have earned that respect by competing in tournaments across the country, people will say that you're better than the rest. But we still have to go out there and prove it.''

After winning a Miami-Dade-record eight state championships in 14 seasons, the Bucs will have a better chance than ever to showcase their talent this season.

South Dade will wrestle in a new facility that can hold up to 2,326 fans (the old gym held about 500) and it plans to hold several tournaments.

The first could be one of the most exciting of the season, when the Bucs play host to their District 16-3A rivals Dec. 19-20. The main attraction is a dual meet between South Dade and Brandon High, a rematch of last year's contest, when South Dade defeated Brandon while ESPN filmed its documentary on Brandon's 459-match winning streak.

CONTINUED SUCCESS

''I'm really excited about every part of our schedule,'' said Wiggins, who placed fourth at state last season and enters the season ranked 18th nationally in his weight class by Wrestling USA. ``What we did last year can't be topped.

``We're just trying to keep that success going.''

South Dade lost two of the most talented wrestlers in its history to graduation in three-time state champion Tico Baez and two-time state champion James ''Rat'' Williams. But even though it will have to contend with talented teams such as American, Columbus, Braddock and Southwest, South Dade has the depth to make the race to state lopsided in its favor again.

Sanders, a two-time Greco-Roman national champion and two-time state champion with a career high school record of 133-6, will try to win another title in the 145-pound division.

Senior Wilson Metellus, a two-time state runner-up, is ranked sixth and a favorite to win the 135-pound division. Wiggins will try win the state title in the 215-pound class.

Sanders and Metellus are being recruited by top colleges such as Nebraska, Rutgers and Hofstra.

Hall's arrival gives South Dade a state title contender at the 103-pound weight class, where he went undefeated last season as a freshman. He enters the season ranked ninth nationally.

TOP CONTENDERS

The key to winning another team championship, however, will depend on the team's contenders in nearly every other weight class.

Senior Mauricio Villanueva was a state runner-up last season and likely will battle former state champion Gabe Chandler of Braddock at 119. Senior Luis Montalvo placed third at 160 last season, as did junior Quintavian McPherson at 112.

The Bucs also have Travus Webster (189) and Shawn King (171), as well as a handful more freshmen and sophomores who will have a shot to advance to state.

''I want them to always be confident, but there's a thin line I try to keep them from crossing where they become too confident,'' Balmaceda said. ``The nationally-ranked guys can only get you so many points. The key will be our young kids to very well and carry us to a championship.''

The Miami Herald

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

Comments (0)

Top Searches: Obituaries | Horoscopes | Lottery | Calendar

  • More Sports

  • Videos

  • Quick Job Search

Enter Keyword(s) Enter City Select a State Select a Category