What a wrestling career for this North Miami standout. Plus 4 sets of siblings shine at state
North Miami senior wrestler Mya Bethel just completed a remarkable high school wrestling career where she went undefeated in four seasons (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) at 104-0.
Bethel won the GMAC title four times, the district title four times, the region title four times and the state championship four times—a feat that cements her legacy as the most dominant high school female wrestler in Florida.
Her success on the mat is equally matched by her dedication in the classroom, where she maintains a 3.5 weighted GPA, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence.
Bethel is ranked No.1 nationally in girls’ wrestling, an achievement that speaks to her hard work, resilience and unmatched talent.
Band of brothers and sister
At the 2025 FHSAA IBT State Wrestling Championships in Kissimmee, the top five scorers of 80 teams represented at state in Class 3A were from Miami from Region 4-3A (1. Homestead South Dade, 2. Miami Southridge, 3. Southwest Miami, 4. Miami Palmetto, 5. Miami Columbus).
With so much talent in Region 4-3A, including record-setting team state champ South Dade (20 state titles), the region is nicknamed “The Region of Doom.”
As for individuals or should I say siblings, the Solis brothers (senior Elvis and freshman Jovani) won state titles for the third consecutive season. Elvis undefeated in 2025 at 49-0 and Jovani at 49-1 for 3A state champ South Dade. The past two seasons (as a 7th and 8th grader) Jovani won state for Pembroke Pines Somerset, which won state in 2024 in 1A. As a freshman, he joined his brother this season at South Dade. Somerset is 6th-12 grade, and South Dade is 9th-12th grade.
The Sainz brothers at 2025 2A state champ Somerset made history at state. Tristan, a junior with a 45-1 record, and Michael, a senior unbeaten at 27-0, each won state titles. Younger brother, Carlos, an 8th grader at 126, was runner-up at state at 33-8. That marked the first time three brothers reached the FHSAA state finals in the same year. Caio Sainz joins the team next season as a 6th grader.
The Mocco brothers won state titles last season. This season Michael, a junior, won again, his third consecutive state championship for Cardinal Gibbons, while going undefeated at 43-0. Peter, who won state last season as an 8th grader for Coral Springs Charter, was runner-up at state at 190 this season at 48-2 for the Chiefs. Coral Springs Charter is 6th-12th grade, and Cardinal Gibbons is 9th-12th grade.
Not to be outdone, the brother/sister tandem of Willie and Willow White of South Dade combined for an undefeated season. Willie, a senior, went 57-0 with a state title for the boys’ state champs, and state champ Willow, a junior, was 39-0 for the girls’ state runners-up.
Undefeated/Nearly Undefeated
Local state champion wrestlers who finished the season undefeated or with one loss are:
BOYS: 3A: 120 Fr Jovanni Tovar (Southridge) 47-0. 132 Fr Illia Kyryianenko (South Broward) 41-0. 138 Fr Jovani Solis (South Dade) 49-1. 144 Sr Elvis Solis (South Dade) 49-0. 165 Sr Willie White (South Dade) 57-0. 175 Jr Connor Bonney (Palmetto) 34-0. 285 Jr Ryan Miret (Southridge) 28-0.
2A: 150 Jr Tristan Sainz (Somerset) 45-1. 175 Sr Michael Sainz (Somerset) 27-0.
1A: 215 Jr Michael Mocco (Cardinal Gibbons) 43-0.
GIRLS: 110 Fr Abigail Gonzalez (Southridge) 35-1. 120 Jr Willow White (South Dade) 39-0. 155 Sr Mya Bethel (North Miami) 20-0.
Note: South Florida swept the team state titles in the boys’ division - South Dade (3A), Somerset (2A), Mater Lakes Academy (1A). In the girls’ division, South Dade was runner-up.
Softball
Braddock, Doral Academy and Miami High are undefeated early in the softball season. Archbishop McCarthy, Coral Springs Charter, Coral Reef, Palmer Trinity and Plantation American Heritage each have one loss.
Doral beat American Heritage 9-0, and Coral Springs Charter edged Coral Reef 1-0, and American Heritage edged West Broward 3-2.
▪ American 14, Hialeah Gardens 3: Amer: Winning Pitcher Chloe Bacallao 3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K; P Mia Harrison 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 K; Jamerikal Darden 4-4, 3 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI; Trinity Echevarria 3-3, 3 2B, RBI; Mia Harrison 2-3, 2B, BB, HR, R, 3 RBI; Ashley Ramon 2-2, 2B, 2 BB, 4 R; Solange Aleman 2-2, 2B, 2 R, RBI; Chayla Wright 1-1, 2B, HBP, 2 R, RBI. HG: Krystina Martinez 2-3, R; Delania Aleman 1-1, HR, BB, R, 3 RBI. Amer 6-2, HG 2-3.
▪ Archbishop McCarthy 16, Coral Glades 0: Winning Pitcher Sienna Garcia 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 8 K; Alexis Nightingale 2-3, 3B, SF, R, 3 RBI; Krista Confesssore 2-2, 2B, NBP, 2 R, RBI; Izabel Baron 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, 4 R, 3 RBI; Angie Sanchez 1-3, 2B, R, 4 RBI; Sienna Garcia 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI; Lydia Springer 1-2, HR, R, RBI. AM 5-1.
▪ Braddock 20, Southridge 2: Winning Pitcher Veronica De La Torre 5 K; Emely Ramirez 3-3; Braelen Cintron 2-2; Veronica De La Torre 2-2; Emily Cancio 2-2. Brd 4-0.
▪ Cardinal Gibbons 4, Boca Raton Spanish River 0: Winning Pitcher Lydia Berent CG, 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K; Skylar Flack 1-3, R, 2 RBI; Lydia Berent 2-3, 2B, R; Jess Chu 1-3, RBI. CG 5-2.
▪ Coral Reef 11, Palmetto 0: Winning Pitcher Erin Zambrano 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K; P Quinley Wylie 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K; Avery Clegg 2-3, R, RBI; Charlotte Diedrick 1-2, 2 RBI; Brianna Fields 1-4, HR, 2 R, RBI; Erin Zambrano 1-2, R, 2 RBI; Chloe Junco 2-3, 3N, R, RBI. CR 6-1.
▪ Coral Springs Charter 1, Coral Reef 0: The Panthers scored the winner in the top of the fifth as Addi Michel drove in Sophia Bertorelli. CSC: Winning Pitcher Sophia Bertorelli 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 11 K; Courtney Wahlbrink 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K, Save; CR: P Quinley Wylie 4.2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K; P Erin Zambrano 2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K; Brianna Fields 2-3. CSC 4-1, CR 5-1.
▪ Coral Springs Charter 6, Stoneman Douglas 1: CSC: Winning Pitcher Courtney Wahlbrink 4 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 8 K; P Sophia Bertorelli 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 6 K; Bree Martinelli 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Addi Michel 2-3, R; Courtney Wahlbrink 1-3, 2 RBI. SD: Myah Boleen 2-3. CSC 7-1, SD 3-4.
▪ Doral Academy 9, Plantation American Heritage 0: Leading 2-0, the Firebirds scored seven times in the bottom of the third. Winning Pitcher Camilia Diaz 5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 13 K; Megan Villazon 2-2, 4 RBI; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 2-2, R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 2-2, HBP, 2 R; Sarah Breaux 1-3, 2B, R, RBI. Dor 5-0, AH 8-1.
▪ Ferguson 17, South Dade 2: Ferg: Winning Pitcher Ashley Barroso 4 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K; Amaya Santamaria 3-3, 3B, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI; Nathalia Salvat 0-0, 4 R, RBI; Bianca Lugaro 1-2, 2 R; Andreaneliz Rivera 1-2, 2 R; Ashley Barroso 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI. SD: R.Eichler 1-2, 2B, RBI. Ferg 5-2.
▪ Fort Lauderdale 7, Cypress Bay 5: Behind 2-0, the Flying L’s scored four times in the bottom of the fifth. Cypress Bay responded with three runs in the top of the sixth, but Fort Lauderdale answered with three more in the bottom of the inning. FtL: Winning Pitcher Kylie Keenan CG, 7 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 9 K; Quinn McFadden 2-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Taniyah Hicks 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Kylie Keenan 3-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI; Sophia Quesada 2-2, 2 R. CB: Jordyn Munger 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; Allena Dinneen 2-3, 2B, 2 R; Julia Gabante 2-4, RBI. FtL 6-2, CB 3-5.
▪ Key West 15, Ransom Everglades 0: Winning Pitcher Ryleigh Harnish 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 5K; Aaliyah Mcleod 1-1, 2 R, 2 RBI; Shylo Sanchez 1-3, 2 R, 2 RBI; Tavyn Gage 1-1, 2 R, RBI; Chloe Kongos 1-2, R, 2 RBI; Vera Rodger 1-1, 2 R, RBI; Skye Sterling 1-1, 2 R, RBI. KW 4-2.
▪ Miami High 6, Cedar Key 0: Winning Pitcher Kourtneiy Jones 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K; P Amelia Fields 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K; Alyssa Jackson 1-3, 2B, R, RBI; Naomi King 1-3, 3B, R, RBI; Marliey Robinson 1-3, 2B, R, RBI. MH 7-0.
▪ Miami Springs 15, Westland Hialeah 3: Winning Pitcher Yeselin Salas 2 IP, 3 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K; Amanda Torres 3-3, 3 2B; 2 R, 3 RBI; Khrystine Gil 2-2, HR, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Ashley Cabrera 1-2, R, RBI. MSp 2-5.
▪ Palmer Trinity 10, Miami Country Day 2: Winning Pitcher Emmy Cerda 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 15 K; Mela Fajardo 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; Hailey Rodriguez 3-4, 2 R, RBI; Ella Lithgow 1-2, 2 RBI; Gina Marie Pineda 1-4, 2 RBI. PT 5-1.
▪ Plantation American Heritage 3, West Broward 2: Trailing 2-1, the Patriots scored twice in the bottom of the sixth. AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez CG, 7 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K; Mia West 2-3, R; Bria Villano 1-3, HR, R, RBI; Brooke Gleicher 1-1, 2 BB, RBI; Samantha Santana 1-2, BB, R; Emma Griffith 0-3, RBI. WB: P Cheyanne Chaffin 6 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K; Alivia Artanis 2-3, 2B, R; Jayla Castillo 2-3, RBI; Cheyanne Chaffin 0-3, RBI. AH 7-0, WB 5-2.
▪ Westminster Academy 8, Loxahatchee Seminole Ridge 7: Trailing 6-3, the Lions (6-1) scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Lacrosse
▪ BOYS: Palmetto 10, NSU University 5: Scotty Gould solid defense, 7 ground balls and forced 2 turnovers to earn Player of the Game honors; Lucas Bauza 3 goals; Lucas Funcia 2 goals, 4 assists; Goalie David Cohn stopped 10 of 15 shots. Plm 6-3.
Boys’ volleyball
▪ Columbus d. Southwest 16-25, 25-18, 25-21, 27-25: Lucas Riva 18 kills, 13 digs, 1 ace; Daniel Rubi 11 kills, 10 digs; Matias Claure 9 kills, 3 blocks; Dante Muñecas 9 kills, 4 blocks; Matthew Fernandez 16 digs, 4 assists; Marco Blavia 14 digs. Col 4-0.
▪ Homestead d. MAST 25-17, 25-17, 25-22: Gilbert Reyes 4 kills, 3 service points, 3 digs; Justin Gonzalez 3 kills, 3 digs; Pablo Ruiz 2 kills, 1 ace, 6 digs, 100-percent passing rating. Hst 1-2.
▪ Reagan d. Greater Miami Academy 25-13, 25-15, 25-12: Michael Perez 13 kills, 3 assists, 2 blocks; Yeison Gonzalez 7 kills, 4 digs, 10 serve received; Diego Requena 27 assists, 4 kills, 5 digs; Diego Cobena 5 kills, 5 serve received, 5 digs, 2 aces; Gabriel Arias 2 kills, 4 aces; Santiago Mejias 12 digs, 8 serve received, 3 assists, 2 aces. Rea 4-0.
Soccer
The ballot for the 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Soccer and Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year state awards includes South Florida coaches and players.
They are: 7A: Liam Ulinski (Stoneman Douglas) SR CB 3 goals; Justin White (Cypress Bay) SR CB; Manuel Benen (Doral Academy) SR M 10 goals, 3 assists; Thomas Calonge (Columbus) SR M 1 goal, 1 assist; Coach Christian Chacon (Stoneman Douglas) 12-3-2; Coach Pamela McDonald (Doral Academy) 13-8-3 State Final Four; Coach Colin Ilgner (Cypress Bay) 12-5-3; Coach Kameron Clark (Columbus) 13-7-4.
6A: Chase Carroll (St. Thomas Aquinas) SR F 12 goals, 11 assists; Lucas Velazco (South Broward) SR M 9 goals, 10 assists; Tommy Visintini (Miami Beach) SR M 11 goals, 2 assists; Leonardo Pinera (Braddock) SR F 9 goals, 9 assists; Coach John Walsh (St. Thomas Aquinas) 17-7-3; Coach Manuel Soutullo (Braddock) 12-3-3; Coach Phillippe Dupont (Miami Beach) 16-4-2; Coach Lionel Brown (South Broward) 19-2; Coach Richard Pierre-Louis (Miami Beach) 16-4-2.
5A: Mike Milford (Coconut Creek) SO M/F 7 goals, 4 assists; Logan Hall (Pembroke Pines Charter) SR F 20 goals, 14 assists; Gonzalez Civil (North Miami) SR F 18 goals, 1 assist; Coach Brandon Wray (Coconut Creek) 14-3-2; Coach Marc Lue Young (Pembroke Pines Charter) 18-1-2 State Final Four.
4A: Chase Hermann (Pompano Beach) SR M 6 goals, 9 assists; Cory Edwards (Somerset Academy) JR F/M 25 goals, 20 assists; Gabriel Vinderman (Mourning) SR GK 10-1-2, 10 SHO, 0.492 GAA; Gaspar Fernandez (Belen Jesuit) SR M 7 goals, 7 assists; Gabriel Zapata (Mater Lakes) SR F 20 goals, 12 assists; Coach James Elder (Pompano Beach) 9-12-1; Coach Lance Lass (Somerset Academy) 15-6-2; Coach Daniel Tomassi (Mourning) 10-4-2; Coach Tanger Mendonca (Belen Jesuit) 15-6-6 Regional Finalist; Coach Davide Favaro (Mater Lakes) 23-2-1 State Runner-up.
3A: Luigi Olivieri (Cardinal Gibbons) SR M 6 goals, 6 assists; Raul Leyva (NSU University) JR F/M 17 goals, 11 assists; Alexander Naranjo (Miami SLAM) SR F/M 11 goals, 2 assists; Jorge Gouvea (Gulliver Prep) SR M 12 goals, 10 assists; David Derk (American Heritage) JR GK 11-4-1, 3 SHO, 0.681 GAA; Coach Eric De Sousa (Somerset Academy) 10-7-2 Regional Finalist; Coach Rafael Ferreiro (Cardinal Gibbons) 10-8-1; Coach Josue Arguijo (Miami SLAM) 14-6-3; Coach Scott Davidson (Gulliver Prep) 19-3-2 State Final Four; Coach Thiago Oliviera (NSU University) 16-4-1 Regional Finalist; Coach Victor Sanchez (American Heritage) 12-4-3 State Champion.
2A: Jorge Garcia (Chaminade Madonna) JR M 7 goals, 8 assists; Miguel Petter (Divine Savior) SR SW 21 goals, 2 assists; Cristian Garcia (Florida Christian) SR F 22 goals, 7 assists; Gabriel Suarez (Westminster Christian) JR M/F 17 goals, 7 assists; Coach Jared Ray (Chaminade Madonna) 6-5-1; Coach Santiago Botero (Divine Savior) 6-7-3; Coach Josh Kirk (Westminster Christian) 13-6-1; Coach Fernando Hernandez (Florida Christian) 11-9-3 State Final Four; Coach Arie Berti (Scheck Hillel) 17-2-1 Regional Finalist.
1A: Hopeny Louis (Highlands Christian) SO F/M 25 goals, 4 assists; Juan Padilla (North Miami SLAM) SR M/F 14 goals, 12 assists; Daniel Yanes (Pinecrest) SR M 34 goals, 6 assists; Coach Erick Roque (North Miami SLAM) 10-7 Regional Finalist; Coach Davidson Loriston (Highlands Christian) 16-7-2 State Final Four.
Basketball
The ballot for the 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Basketball and Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year state awards includes South Florida coaches and players.
They are: 7A: Stephanie Vega (Doral Academy) Jr G 19.9 pts, 3.9 rebs, 2.4 asts, 1.6 stls; Coach Allison Bustamante (Doral Academy) 21-8 State Final Four; Coach Sam Baumgarten (Miami High) 18-11 Regional Finalist.
6A: Naya Hardisson (Southridge) Soph G 16.5 pts, 2.7 rebs, 4.2 asts, 2.2 stls; Coach Jason Hively (Nova) 22-6 Regional Finalist; Coach Nicholas Rodriguez (Southridge) 17-11 State Runner-up.
5A: Chamiah Francis (Booker T. Washington) Jr C/F 14.8 pts, 10.4 rebs, 2.3 asts, 2.0 stls, 1.7 blks; J’adore Hayes (North Miami) Jr C/F 25.4 pts, 20.5 rebs, 1.7 asts, 1.4 stls, 3.3 blks; Nykeria Flowers (Northeast) Sr G 19.2 pts, 3.4 rebs, 3.6 asts, 3.8 stls; Coach Jade Brown (Booker T. Washington) 20-6 Regional Finalist; Coach James Green (Blanche Ely) 17-8 Regional Finalist; Coach Lawrence Hanna (Northeast) 28-3 State Final Four.
4A: Jasleen Green (American Heritage) Jr G 18.9 pts, 3.3 rebs, 3.7 asts, 1.9 stls; Vanessa Vancott (Mater Lakes Academy) Soph G 31.8 pts, 7.1 rebs, 1.7 asts, 2.6 stls; Coach Frederick Bitondo (Mater Lakes Academy) 20-10; Coach Greg Farias (American Heritage) 21-9 State Runner-up.
3A: Evelyn Cortes (Monsignor Pace) Sr C/F 21.6 pts, 13.6 rebs, 1.5 asts, 1.9 stls; Isabella Sangha (Pine Crest) Jr F 27.5 pts, 11.7 rebs, 3.5 asts, 2.8 stls, 1.3 blks; Mikayla Brown (Gulliver Prep) Soph G 25.0 pts, 2.7 rebs, 1.0 asts; Jim’Miyah Branton (Miami SLAM) Sr G 15.5 pts, 8.4 rebs, 4.8 asts, 3.6 stls; Austin Peay commit; Alana Pinnock (Somerset Academy) Fr G/F 15.8 pts, 7.5 rebs, 4.3 asts, 4.4 stls, 1.4 blks; Coach Krystal Cabrera (Miami SLAM) 16-13 State Final Four; Coach Anthony McCutcheon (Somerset Academy) 20-8 State Final Four.
2A: Angelina Fernandez (Westminster Christian) Soph G 23.1 pts, 5.2 rebs, 1.4 asts, 2.9 stls; Ellie Perez (True North Classical) 8 th Gr 23.5 pts, 5.2 rebs, 2.4 asts, 7.4 stls; Markeli Jones-Tynes (Westminster Academy) Sr G 16.8 pts, 9.8 rebs, 4.9 asts, 3.5 stls; Coach Ochiel Swaby (Miami Country Day) 20-11 State Champion; Coach Shannon Walhoff (Westminster Academy) 22-8 Regional Finalist.
1A: Coach Mike Rios (Schoolhouse Prep) 17-9 Regional Finalist.
More basketball
The Orange Bowl Florida High School Basketball Showcase, presented by Memorial Healthcare System, is 8 a.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Davis Posnack JCC in Davie.
The event is free to high school juniors and seniors to showcase their hoop skills in front of coaches, representing 30-plus colleges and universities. Scholarships and/or financial aid can be awarded to more than 400 student athletes.
For info, go to:
https://www.orangebowl.org/basketballshowcase/
Send high school sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 12:19 AM.
