Two Somerset Academy wrestlers win individual titles to highlight Broward at state

The opportunity for Broward County to come home with at least one individual state champion quickly became slim pickings.

That was until seventh grader Bas Diaz of Somerset Academy took care of Alexandro Mas of Cardinal Gibbons in the 132-pound championship match in Class 1A at the Silver Spurs Arena on Saturday.

Diaz, who is just 14 years old, used his strength to dictate the match as he defeated Mas by a 10-5 decision.

With the victory, he became the second seventh grade-state wrestling champ in Florida High School Athletic Association history. The first to it was Chase Singletary in 2012.

“This is amazing,” said Diaz. “I worked my whole life for this since I was four. My fundamentals made the difference.”

Diaz (42-6) just out to a big lead and kept Mas (48-6) from gaining an advantage to get back into the match.

“He’s driven by his family and God,” said Somerset coach Joe Blasucci. “He works hard every day. He does the right things on the mat and in the classroom. He trains to the be the best he can be.”

Not to be overlooked, Somerset Academy’s Sean Concepcion also won his first state title defeating Blake Coleman of Citrus 7-2 in the 182-pound division.

“I just tried my best and giver my all,” said Concepcion. “I kept tying him up because he was strong as hell. I thought I dominated the match.”

Three fell one win short of state titles.

Tyler Cabral of Cardinal Gibbons lost at 113-pounds in the 1A final, Darian Estevez of Somerset lost to Noah Castillo of Lake Highland Prep at 152-pounds 5-1 , and Somerset’s Nicholas Benton lost in a 6-3 decision at 220-pounds.

Pettineo stepping down at Gibbons

Cardinal Gibbons head coach Frank Pettineo stepped down as head coach following the state championship.

Former Gibbons wrestlers Jamel and Jamal Morris will officially take over the program. The twins both wrestled for Frank Pettineo and graduated from Gibbons in 2017.

Jamal won three state titles and Jamel one while at Gibbons. They also helped the Chiefs to state championships in 2011 and 14. Both were All Americans at North Carolina State.

Former Plantation wrestling coach Tom James and Nate Richardson, a former coach at Chaminade-Madonna and Miramar were named 2020 inductees into the Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

State Championship results

Class 1A

113: Luck (MEIS) d. Cabral (CG) 5-2; 132: Diaz (SOM) d. Mas (CG) 10-5; 152: Castillo (LHP) d. Estevez (SOM) 5-1; 182: Concepcion (SOM) d. Coleman (CITR) 7-2; 220: Kaplan (LHP) d. Benton (SOM) 6-3.

Consolation Results

Class 3A

195: Johnson (MANA) p. Deluna (CB) 1:51.

Class 1A

106: Williams (JEBE) d. N. Yancey 9-4; 120: Caban (SOM) p. Hatchman (WAKU) 4:27; 126: ; 138: F. Tal Shahar (AHD) t.p. J. Yancey (CG) 18-3; 145: Lewy (CG) d. Wilson (WAKU) 10-2; 160: Isola (LHP) d. Taylor (CSC) 5-1; 195: Miranda (SOM) p. Haigler (FLHI) 1:41; 285: Love (ROCK) d. Black (CG) 3-0.

Semifinal results

Class 1A

106: Rivera (LHP) d. N. Yancey (CG) 4-1; 113: Cabral (CG) p. Gustilo (UNCH) 4:35; 120: Mojena (TP) d. Caban (SOM) 12-1; 132: Mas (CG) d. Ferrer (MALA) 17-9; Diaz (SOM) d. Mojena (TP) 2-1; 145: Rivera (LHP) d. Ley (CG) 9-3; 152: Castillo (LHP) d. A. Chitty (CSC) 14-5; Estevez (SOM) p. Roberts (WAKU) 5:48; 160: Pritz (HERN) d. Taylor (CSC) 3-1; 182: Concepcion (SOM) d. Brinkman (LHP) 3-1; 220: Benton (SOMA) d. Tyre (CLAY) 15-5; 285: Barnett (KW) p. Black (CG) 1:32.