Mater Lakes caps historic season for wrestling program; Bethel, White win girls titles

It was a historic yet bittersweet night Mater Lakes.

The Bears won the Class 1A state championship - its first-ever IBT (individually-bracketed tournament) title just two months after winning their first Duals state title.

Mater Lakes rolled up 212 points, beating second-place Zephyrhills Christian (149) by 63 points.

The Bears were part of the first South Florida sweep of the three classifications since 2000, as Mater Lakes, South Dade (3A) and Somerset Academy (2A) all won state titles.

Mater Lakes placed six wrestlers in the championship matches and five came away with state titles, including Kellen Mesina (113), Keagan Mesina (120), Ethan Tran (126), Kalias Nazario (165) and Damian Soto (190). Christopher Greene finished as state runner-up at 132.

“This team has been around for four and five years. It’s been the same group of guys,” Mater Lakes coach Brandon Neifeld said. “We should have won last year but we lost a tough one at the end. This year we just knew it was going to be our year and it’s been incredible.”

But the joyous evening took a bit of a nose dive when Soto, a senior, landed on his back and neck area in the championship match with Cardinal Gibbons freshman Peter Mocco. The match was immediately halted and Soto was taken off the mats to seek medical attention. Soto was declared the winner after Mocco was disqualified as his move was ruled to be illegal.

“He was somewhat conscious. They said we have to board him and take him off,” Neifield said.

GIRLS’ WINNERS

Winning state titles for the girls were: Abigail Gonzalez (110) Southridge, Willow White (120) South Dade and Mya Bethel (North Miami). It was the fourth state title for Bethel.

Bethel and White both finished their seasons unbeaten.

“I had to go all out,” Bethel said. “It was a good fight from the girls but at the end of the day there is only one, and that is me.”

Finishing second for the girls were: Zoe Delgado (110) Florida Christian and Isis Severe (North Miami).

As a team, South Dade finished tied for second with Brooksville Hernando with 106 points. Flagler Palm Coast led all girls teams with 150 points.

Other top finishers - Third: Beyonce Espinosa (South Dade) 115, Shamari Smith (South Dade) 140, Kenzie Barrett (South Dade) 235; Fifth: Arianna Ruiz (Mater Lakes), Eysis Estes-Brinson (Palmetto) 130,A`Niyah Leon-Goodrich (Southridge) 135; Sixth: Francesca Lara (Palmetto) 140, Geraldine Honore (South Dade) 145, Camila Halaby-Bravo (Southwest) 235; Seventh: Tessa Diaz (Doral) 190; Eighth: Kamora Willis (Coral Gables) 135.

This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 8:43 AM.