South Dade accomplishes mission of redemption by winning state wrestling duals title

Mission accomplished.

South Dade wrestling returned to the FHSAA Duals Wrestling State Championships and avenged its loss from a year ago to capture its fifth Duals state title after knocking off Kissimmee Osceola, 44-9, in the title match on Saturday at Osceola High School.

At one point, South Dade held a 33-0 lead against Osceola, which holds a roster chucked full of individual state champions.

“This was with an exclamation point,” South Dade head coach Victor Balmeceda said. “We went against their best kids, their two-timers and their three-timers, and we were right there in those matches until the very end.

“I knew our team was good enough to win, but to also be there with the best-of-the-best, is great. You’re not going to shut a team out like Osceola. Their studs are studs. They have nationally ranked kids.”

The Buccaneers have now won 22 state wrestling state championships, which includes 17 Individually Bracketed Tournaments (IBT) and five Duals under Balmeceda.

South Dade was dethroned as the 3A Duals state champions a year ago after losing a semifinals duel to eventual state champions Palmetto Ridge, 39-26.

South Dade had 10 wrestlers return to the lineup who were part of the loss last year, which included senior 195-pound defending state champion Ansel Cervantes.

“We had to work harder to get this back,” Cervantes said. “I am really happy we won this. I now have won two titles with this team.”

South Dade had eight wrestlers finish with 3-0 records at the Duals, which included Bryan Morales, Luis Acevedo, Tyree Graham, Elvis Solis, Cordell White, Chris Sanchez, Cervantes and Sawyer Bartelt.

“We used last year’s loss as motivation this past year,” Bartelt said. “Especially this past two or three weeks. We have been pushing really hard in the room and weight room.”

South Dade advanced to the 3A finals by routing DeLand 67-12 in the semis and almost shutting out Cypress Bay 68-3 in the quarterfinals.

“Now the hardest part is bringing them down off this cloud they are on and getting them focused for the state series and IBTs. But I can’t be happier than I am now,” Balmeceda said.

Osceola reached the finals by edging Fort Pierce Central 38-30 in the semis and holding off Palmetto Ridge 45-29 in the quarterfinals.

In 2A action, Lake Gibson defeated Fleming Island 37-19 to become three-peat state champions at the Duals.

In 1A, Jensen Beach repeated as Duals champions after turning back Zephyrhills Christian 57-12 in the championship match.

Lake Gibson advanced to the 2A finals after topping Charlotte 40-28 in the semifinals on Saturday and routing Springstead 63-12 in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Fleming Island reached the finals after pasting Merritt Island 51-19 in the semifinals and beating Miramar 47-27 in the quarterfinals.

Jensen Beach reached the finals by knocking off Suwannee 49-19 in the semis and beating Mater Lakes Academy 42-25 in the quarterfinals.

Zephyrhills Christian reached the finals by beating Hernando 45-32 in the semis and Naples First Baptist 42-35 in the quarterfinals. It was the first appearance in the finals for Zephyrhills, which has enrollment of 160 students.