Gibbons’ Mocco brothers, Somerset’s Sainz are Broward Boys Wrestlers of the Year
For Cardinal Gibbons’ Michael and Peter Mocco, and Somerset Academy’s Tristan Sainz, wrestling is in their blood.
Their fathers have academies where their sons have developed into some of the most dominant wrestlers statewide and nationwide in recent memory.
And it’s a big reason all three were untouchable this season, putting together undefeated seasons on their way to state championships.
In recognition of those feats, the Mocco brothers and Sainz are the Miami Herald’s Boys’ Co-Wrestlers of the Year.
Michael Mocco capped one of the most dominant careers in Broward County history with a 54-0 season and his second unbeaten campaign in a row, ending his high school career at 244-6.
Mocco, a University of Iowa signee, also added another state title in the 285-pound class (making four consecutive state titles) to a decorated resume that includes two U.S. Junior National championships as well as a U.S. Open title and a U17 world title.
“Getting that second undefeated season was definitely a goal for me,” Michael Mocco said. “To do it alongside my brother was really cool. We have a good dynamic. We’re obviously closer than most since we’re brothers. He pushes me and I push him to be better.”
Mocco and his brother train with the Mocco Wrestling Academy at the American Top Team facility under the tutelage of their father, Steve, an Olympian and two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion.
Peter, a sophomore, has come a long way as well, and added to a growing list of accolades with a 55-0 state championship season in the 215-pound weight class. It was his second state title after Peter won another as an eighth-grader at Coral Springs Charter.
Peter is also a three-time Fargo All-American and won the U.S. Junior National Championship last July.
“We just dominated the year and left no doubt and didn’t have too many worries,” Peter Mocco said. “It helps and it’s kind of priceless having a brother like him by your side and he’s always dominant and wrestling at a high level. He’s taught me to have confidence on the mat.”
Sainz, a senior, is no slouch himself.
He’s the latest sibling in his family to accomplish great things on the big stage after going 34-0 and winning his second consecutive Class 2A state championship in the 157-pound weight class. Sainz was 150-15 in his high school career (missing the 2023-24 season) and never finished lower than second at state aside from that sophomore season when he was out with an injury.
His younger brothers, Caio and Carlos, were also state runners-up this season, and collectively they helped Somerset Academy win district and regional titles and finish second in Class 2A at both the state duals and individually-bracketed tournaments.
