Five local teams win state cheer titles. Plus wrestling honors, basketball, soccer
West Broward and Western won state titles in Class 2A, and Cardinal Gibbons, Downtown Doral and St. Brendan won in Class 1A during the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading State Championships at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
That marks three consecutive state titles in cheerleading for Western, which placed first in Small Co-ed. West Broward won state for the seventh time (2011, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2026). The Bobcats were first in Extra Large Non-Tumbling.
Doral Academy was a runner-up in Class 2A in Medium Varsity.
St. Thomas Aquinas qualified for the state finals from regionals for the first time in the program’s four-year history. The Raiders competed in the Small Co-ed division for the first time, finishing fourth at state.
In Class 1A, St. Brendan finished first in Large Varsity, giving the Sabres their 10th state championship in the program’s history.
Downtown Doral took first in Large Non-Tumbling, and Cardinal Gibbons captured a state title, after finishing second last season in Extra Large Non-Tumbling.
For the Dolphins, this marked the first state title in the program’s history and first of any team at the school.
The Chiefs qualified for state by placing third at the Region 4 Tournament at South Fork High School in Stuart. Downtown Doral was runner-up at regionals to region champ Dillard. Doral Academy, St. Brendan, West Broward and Western won region titles, too.
State and Region Champion St. Brendan: Allison Estevez, Ava Diaz, Bianca Miro, Captain Ceci Castro, Danielle Perez, Elysabet Yanes, Eva Martinez, Gabrielle Davis, Gia Guerrero, Giada Semeraro, Giulianna Hernandez, Isabella Alonso, Jillian Rodriguez, Luna Sixto, Lydie van Hemert, Martina Barth, Megan Martin, Captain Mia Bella Hernandez, Mia Gras, Ariana Santana, Olivia Riverol, Sarah Bencomo, Sienna Othon, Sophia Ocque, Stella Mata, Veronica Hutner. Head Coach Victoria Sicre and assistant coaches Ana Alvarez and Veronica Salazar.
State and Region Champion West Broward: Adelaila Cabrera, Nylah Harper, Andrea Lopez, Meadow Scott, Hailey Sarmiento, Ariana Aguirre, Antonella Chiarella, Livia Dewoskin, Mia Dewoskin, Emma Fernandez, Olivia Tirone, Melanie Zimmerman, Emily Chetram, Alexa Millan, Andrea D’Ribeaux, Marley Chacon, Isabella Gonzalez, Bristol Booth, Maren Berthelotte, Kennedi Moore, Camila Fuentes, Peyton Chatman, and alternates Shiva Shavit, Nia Cabrera, Mia Cleary, Faith Delgado. Coaches Danielle Culbertson, Amber San Angelo, Corey Jackson.
State and Region Champion Western: Janiyah Rochez, Talia Quintana, Journey Bet, Angelina Caccavale, Myla Friend, Jaleah McDogle, LaiLani Almodovar, Zoe King, Giuliana Caglianone, Jayden Mennella, Emily Harris, Brooklyn Ricker, Olivia Deveza, Demi Boulanger, Stella Cooperman, Adriana Ribotti, Evelis Valencia, Kimora Toledo, Nyla Curry, Halle Rivera, Haley Bass, Elior Levi, Synai Holmes, Johnny Bustamante and Liel Levi. Coaches Carrie Norton, Joey Bayron and Kristi Warren.
State Champion Cardinal Gibbons: Angelina Avila, Emma Bello, Gianna Cammarata, Sofia Castronovo, Olive Dettor, Rumiana Dimitrova, Ellison DiSanto, Autumn Dreibelbis, Leah Faison, Londyn Freed, Nina George, Natalia Gonzalez, Isabella Gonzalez, Ava Hall, Abby Klein, Giselle Kramer, Mia Lepera, Melodi Lewis, Whitney Linder, Dennison Machul, Mackenzie Midgett, Ruby Miller, Taylor Moceri, Morgan Moyano, Leia Naar, Haneita Palmer, Mila Panahi, Aubrey Storelli, Sofía Vera, Jaelyn Wanes, Hayli Wolfe, Coach Julie St. Thomas.
State Champ and Region Runner-Up Downtown Doral: Camila Albarran, Isabella Alvarez, Pierangela Araujo, Fabiola Arevalo, Amanda Barbieri, Julia Barbosa, Brooke Coronel (captain), Nicole Ferraz, Arturo Guevara, Emma Hernandez, Flavia Lopez, Milan Massiani, Fabrizio Mastropasqua, Paulina Menon, Noa Molero, Samantha Pinilla, Arianna Rando, Alexia Rey, Zoe Tamayo. Coaches Maria Franco, Patricia Moreno, Christian Gil, Santiago Leon.
State Runner-Up and Region Champion Doral Academy: Lunarose Andino, Nicole Ariza, Giuliana Blandon, Salma Cedeno, Christabella Del Rosario, Emily Fernandez, Ashley Gomez, Maria Gonzalez, Valeria Grieco, Sophia Llanes, Jezebelle Martin, Carla Ochoa, Mia Suita, Daniella Tejeda, Jaelyn Velez, Ana Gonzalez, Kendall Guimbard, Khloe Castillo, Taylor Ariza. Coaches Gio Smith, Alex Ariza and Yeraldine Orozco.
State Finalist and Region Champion Dillard: Heaven Edwards, Niylah Santiago, Kamauri Hagan, Jakayla Rucker, Shakayla Pope, D’Erica Hamilton, Jariah Wright, Taylor Prince, Jada Brown, Jadavea Thorpe, Anasia Gaines, Amari Dennard-Striggles, Paris Hall, Chelsea Randolph, Davionah Snell, Emorie Mason, Jalisia Jackson, Mi’Nyah Lee, Ja’ziyah Lee. Head Coach Ernest Merrell.
FHSAA STATE RESULTS: Local Teams: Class 2A: Small Varsity: 3. Cooper City. Medium Varsity: 2. Doral Academy. Small Non-Tumbling: 6. Stoneman Douglas. Large Non-Tumbling: 4. Dillard. Extra Large Non-Tumbling: 1. West Broward. Small Co-ed: 1. Western, 4. St. Thomas Aquinas. Class 1A: Medium Varsity: 3. Lourdes. Large Varsity: 1. St. Brendan. Small Non-Tumbling: 4. LaSalle, 6. Key West. Medium Non-Tumbling: 6. Archbishop McCarthy. Large Non-Tumbling: 1. Downtown Doral, 4. Calvary Christian. Extra Large Non-Tumbling: 1. Cardinal Gibbons.
Wrestling
The Broward County BCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame announced its inductees for 2026.
They are: Coach Tom Davis. Coach Thomas Harrison, Coach Henry Jackson, wrestler Kenny Boyd, wrestler Mardell Gabriel, wrestler Sal Guerriero, wrestler Kevin Jacques, wrestler Nick Limperis.
They will be honored at the BCAA Wrestling Tournament.
More wrestling
Fourth Annual Boca Raton Joe Bonnie Invitational
Team results: 1. Champ Aubrey Rogers 157.5; 2. Boca Raton 155.5; 3. Olympic Heights 114; 4. South Broward 112; 5. Barbara Goleman 99; 6. Atlantic 90; 7. Cypress Bay 77.5; 8. Deerfield Beach 75.5; 9. Monarch 74.5; 10. The Bolles School 70; 11. William T. Dwyer 65; 12. Park Vista 55; 13. Pine Crest 54; 14. St. Thomas Aquinas 52; 15. Stoneman Douglas 50; 16. Cardinal Newman 49; 17. Spanish River 46; 18. American Heritage School 12.
Individual results: 106: 1. Maddox Williams of Olympic Heights; 2. John Petrescu of Barbara Goleman; 3. Breckan Fee of St Thomas Aquinas; 4. Jackson Barmby of Boca Raton.
1st Place Match: Maddox Williams (Olympic Heights) 21-6, over John Petrescu (Barbara Goleman) 23-12, Sr. (TF-1.5 4:39 (18-0)). 3rd Place Match: Breckan Fee (St. Thomas Aquinas) 14-5, Fr. over Jackson Barmby (Boca Raton) 16-12, Fr. (Fall 0:26).
113: 1. Tyler Metellus of Monarch; 2. Pedro Spindola of Spanish River; 3. Andrew Makeev of The Bolles School; 4. Aron Sicignano of Park Vista.
1st Place Match: Tyler Metellus (Monarch) 37-0, Jr. over Pedro Spindola (Spanish River) 17-2, Sr. (Dec 2-0) 3rd Place Match: Andrew Makeev (The Bolles School) 12-3, Fr. over Aron Sicignano (Park Vista) 15-10, So. (Fall 1:00).
120: 1. Everett Stephens of Aubrey Rogers; 2. Maxwell Goldin of Monarch; 3. Mathew Vota of Boca Raton; 4. Timothy Carroll of Stoneman Douglas.
1st Place Match: Everett Stephens (Aubrey Rogers) 23-3, Jr. over Maxwell Goldin (Monarch) 19-2, Fr. (Fall 1:38). 3rd Place Match: Mathew Vota (Boca Raton) 29-12, Sr. over Timothy Carroll (Stoneman Douglas) 28-7, Jr. (MD 20-8).
126: 1. Lukah Zherka of Aubrey Rogers; 2. Jancarlos Delacruz of Barbara Goleman; 3. Johnnel Leiva of Stoneman Douglas; 4. Jonathan Carrero of Cypress Bay.
1st Place Match: Lukah Zherka (Aubrey Rogers) 23-4, Jr. over Jancarlos Delacruz (Barbara Goleman) 21-9, So. (Fall 1:44). 3rd Place Match: Johnnel Leiva (Stoneman Douglas) 20-13, Fr. over Jonathan Carrero (Cypress Bay) 18-7, Fr. (Fall 3:28).
132: 1. Bekim Zherka of Aubrey Rogers; 2. Jason Ciano of Cardinal Newman; 3. Murad Ramadan of Boca Raton; 4. Long Nguyen of Deerfield Beach.
1st Place Match: Bekim Zherka (Aubrey Rogers) 15-3, Jr. over Jason Ciano (Cardinal Newman) 20-5, So. (TF-1.5 1:50 (15-0)). 3rd Place Match: Murad Ramadan (Boca Raton) 29-8, So. over Long Nguyen (Deerfield Beach) 32-13, Sr. (MD 13-4).
138: 1. Damien Zherka of Aubrey Rogers; 2. Vincient Williams of St. Thomas Aquinas; 3. Ryan Fain of Olympic Heights; 4. Blake Mansito of Barbara Goleman.
1st Place Match: Damien Zherka (Aubrey Rogers) 17-4, Jr. over Vincient Williams (St. Thomas Aquinas) 13-5, Sr. (Fall 1:30). 3rd Place Match: Ryan Fain (Olympic Heights) 29-8, over Blake Mansito (Barbara Goleman) 10-4, Jr. (Inj. 3:12).
144: 1. Ivan Kyryianenko of South Broward; 2. Javin Taylor of Boca Raton; 3. Simon Gelman of Olympic Heights; 4. Joe Tuso of Stoneman Douglas.
1st Place Match: Ivan Kyryianenko (South Broward) 19-0, Sr. over Javin Taylor (Boca Raton) 19-4, So. (TF-1.5 5:40 (18-3)). 3rd Place Match: Simon Gelman (Olympic Heights) 4-1, over Joe Tuso (Stoneman Douglas) 24-7, So. (Dec 8-1).
150: 1. Nestor Colaire of Atlantic; 2. Timotheos Nikolopoulos of Cypress Bay; 3. Sean Stern of Boca Raton; 4. Adrian Rodriguez of Park Vista.
1st Place Match: Nestor Colaire (Atlantic) 21-1, Sr. over Timotheos Nikolopoulos (Cypress Bay) 17-5, Sr. (Fall 1:59). 3rd Place Match: Sean Stern (Boca Raton) 31-10, Sr. over Adrian Rodriguez (Park Vista) 23-8, So. (Dec 10-3).
157: 1. Jacob Lobis of Pine Crest; 2. Kyle Jensen of Cypress Bay; 3. Kingston Grunt of Boca Raton; 4. Cristian Sanchez of South Broward.
1st Place Match: Jacob Lobis (Pine Crest) 26-5, Sr. over Kyle Jensen (Cypress Bay) 15-4, Jr. (Dec 8-2). 3rd Place Match: Kingston Grunt (Boca Raton) 28-8, Sr. over Cristian Sanchez (South Broward) 6-5, So. (Fall 1:42).
165: 1. Andrew Chen of Pine Crest; 2. Elias Enzner of Olympic Heights; 3. Jayden Cunningham of South Broward; 4. Paul Kramer of Spanish River.
1st Place Match: Andrew Chen (Pine Crest) 18-4, Jr. over Elias Enzner (Olympic Heights) 25-7, (SV-1 6-3). 3rd Place Match: Jayden Cunningham (South Broward) 16-3, Sr. over Paul Kramer (Spanish River) 13-6, Sr. (Fall 1:39).
175: 1. Jacob Bacon of Aubrey Rogers; 2. Lucas Comora of The Bolles School; 3. Anthony DeVito of Boca Raton; 4. Schadrac Tienna of Deerfield Beach.
1st Place Match: Jacob Bacon (Aubrey Rogers) 23-3, Sr. over Lucas Comora (The Bolles School) 15-4, So. (TF-1.5 2:19 (17-2)). 3rd Place Match: Anthony DeVito (Boca Raton) 27-13, So. over Schadrac Tienna (Deerfield Beach) 23-6, Sr. (Fall 0:50).
190: 1. Bryce Johnson of William T. Dwyer; 2. Gianmarco Perdomo of Barbara Goleman; 3. Jamar Dean of Atlantic; 4. Aaron Gadivia of South Broward.
1st Place Match: Bryce Johnson (William T. Dwyer) 26-3, Sr. over Gianmarco Perdomo (Barbara Goleman) 28-11, So. (TF-1.5 2:00 (17-1)). 3rd Place Match: Jamar Dean (Atlantic) 5-4, Sr. over Aaron Gadivia (South Broward) 14-10, Fr. (Fall 3:15).
215: 1. Brett Bearden of The Bolles School; 2. Brenden Howard of Boca Raton; 3. Collin Everington of William T. Dwyer; 4. Angel Raymond of South Broward.
1st Place Match: Brett Bearden (The Bolles School) 11-0, So. over Brenden Howard (Boca Raton) 30-9, Sr. (Fall 1:02). 3rd Place Match: Collin Everington (William T. Dwyer) 14-2, Jr. over Angel Raymond (South Broward) 13-7, Sr. (Fall 3:57).
285: 1. Raymundo Romero of Park Vista; 2. Christopher Coleman of Deerfield Beach; 3. Diddier Carrillo Castillo of Monarch; 4. Roger Valeus of Atlantic.
1st Place Match: Raymundo Romero (Park Vista) 23-5, Sr. over Christopher Coleman (Deerfield Beach) 38-3, Sr. (Dec 2-1). 3rd Place Match: Diddier Carrillo Castillo (Monarch) 33-4, Sr. over Roger Valeus (Atlantic) 19-3, Sr. (Dec 1-0).
Basketball
Noah Lara is having an outstanding season for the Coral Park boys’ basketball team.
The sophomore is averaging 22 points per game and 9 rebounds a game, leading the Rams to a 13-9 record.
Recently, at the GMAC Tournament, Lara scored 22 points with 13 rebounds against Palmetto, one of the top teams in the state. He also had 18 points and 11 rebounds against Dade Christian.
Lara has 10 double-doubles this season.
More basketball
GIRLS: Palmer Trinity 49, Gulliver Prep 33: Esparza 19 pts, Nieves 8, Wright 14, Dawson 8, Rivero 2. 3-Ptrs: Esparza 2, Nieves 2, Dawson 2. Rebs: Wright 7, Sullivan 7. Stls: Esparza 4. Asts: Esparza 7. Blks: Sullivan 2. PT 17-5.
GIRLS: Palmer Trinity 62, Mater Lakes Academy 50: Esparza 20 pts, Nieves 5, Laria 16, Wright 18, Dawson 3. 3-Ptrs: Esparza 2, Nieves 1, Laria 2. Rebs: Wright 14. Stls: Esparza 4. Asts: Esparza 5. Blks: Laria 2. PT 16-5, MLA 13-8.
GIRLS: St. Brendan 50, TERRA 37: StB Luis 22, Perez 8, Patchen 7, Vidal 4, Dominguez 3, Acosta 2, Gonzalez 2, Lopez 2. T: Vega 17, Cherington 11, Haines 4, Castell 3, Rigali 2. 3-Ptrs: Luis 4, Cherington, Dominguez. Halftime: SB 22-19. StB 14-6, T 5-11.
GIRLS: St. Brendan 45, Key West 37: StB Perez 11, O. Lopez 9, Luis 7, Patchen 7, Acosta 5, Dominguez 4, Gonzalez 2. KW: Jo. Greene 10, Thompson 8, Barter 6, Gage 5, Ibodilloeva 4, Graham 2, Marius 2. 3-Ptrs: O. Lopez 2, Acosta, Barter, Greene, Patchen, Perez. Halftime: StB 27-22. StB 13-6, KW 3-11.
GIRLS: Schoolhouse Prep 61, Ransom Everglades 22: RE 11-6.
GIRLS: SLAM 36, Ransom Everglades 30: RE 11-5.
GIRLS: GMAC Tournament: North Miami 62, Ferguson 34: J’adore Hayes 21 pts, 29 rebs, 3 stls, 3 asts, 3 blks; Rayna Benoit 10 pts, 1 reb, 1 stl, 2 asts; Alijah Rene 7 pts; Shanieka Maxienat 3 pts, 3 rebs, 5 blks, 5 asts, 5 stls; Donnesha Morency 16 pts, 3 rebs, 6 stls, 6 asts; Landie Fleurenvil 4 pts. NM 13-6.
GIRLS: Mater Lakes 57, North Miami 43: NM: J’adore Hayes 31 pts, 15 rebs, 1 blk; Naima Garnes 7 rebs, 3 asts; Shanieka Maxienat 5 rebs, 1 ast; Rayna Benoit 2 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts; Donnesha Morency 3 pts, 5 rebs, 1 stl, 1 ast; Alijah Rene 2 pts; Lailah Willis 2 pts, 4 rebs. NM 12-6.
GIRLS: Northwestern 55, North Miami 45: NM: J’adore Hayes 31 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls, 5 blks, 1 ast; Rayna Benoit 7 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast; Donnesha Morency 2 pts, 3 rebs, 3 stls, 3 asts; Garnes Naima 3 pts, 5 rebs, 1 ast. NM 12-5.
GIRLS: North Miami 69, Goleman 46: Rayna Benoit 17 pts, 3 asts, 2 rebs, 1 stl; J’adore Hayes 29 pts, 10 rebs, 5 stls, 1 blk; Shanieka Maxienat 3 pts, 3 rebs, 2 blks; Lailah Willis 5 pts, 5 rebs; Alijah Rene 3 pts, 2 rebs, 2 stls, 1 blk; Rose Diedude 3 pts, 4 rebs, 2 stls. NM 12-4.
BOYS: Senior Night: Belen Jesuit 75, Westland Hialeah 18: Alec Arnholt 26 pts, 4 asts, 7 rebs; Lucas Diaz 25 pts, 4 asts, 2 rebs; Lucas Hernandez 10 pts, 5 asts, 5 rebs; Lucas Baldor 10 pts, 2 asts, 5 rebs. Bel 19-5.
BOYS: Ransom Everglades 50, Palmer Trinity 44: RE 14-9.
BOYS: Pine Crest 65, Ransom Everglades 43: RE 13-9.
BOYS: Ransom Everglades 55, Keys Gate 44: Quinn Pegg 16 pts, 7 rebs; Dimitri Tatulishvili 22 pts, 12 rebs. RE 13-8.
BOYS: North Broward Prep 74, Ransom Everglades 24: RE 12-8.
BOYS: Westwood Christian 47, Archbishop Carroll 45: Jason Martinez 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals; Daniel Cabello 6 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists; Mayar Dhieu 6 points, 4 blocks, 7 rebounds. WC 10-7.
BOYS: Plantation 62, Westwood Christian 41: WC: Daniel Cabello 13 points, 6 assists; Julian Caragol 11 points, 4 rebounds; Jason Martinez 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals; Zamari Dewberry 8 points, 5 rebounds. WC 9-7.
BOYS: Miami High 56, Westwood Christian 48: WC: Julian Caragol 17 points, 5 rebounds; Jason Martinez 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists; Zamari Dewberry 10 points, 4 assists, 4 steals. WC: 9-6.
Soccer
The Cardinal Gibbons and Miami Beach boys’ soccer teams each had an impressive showing in respective district tournaments. Ransom Everglades is moving forward in boys and girls tournament play.
GIRLS: District 15-2A Quarterfinal: Carrollton 8, International Studies 0: Annabelle Block 2 goals, 1 assist; Valeria Cepero 1 goal, 1 assist; Natalia Taraboulos 1 goal, 1 assist; Mia Martell 1 goal, 1 assist; Maria Mercedes Stanham 1 goal; Stella Espinosa 1 goal; Cecelia Jereissati 1 goal. Carr 6-5-3.
GIRLS: District 15-2A Semifinal: Ransom Everglades 4, Carrollton 0: Stella Colombo 4 goals. RE 12-5.
BOYS: District 15-2A Semifinal: Ransom Everglades 5, Florida Christian 0: Jack Davies 1 goal; Lucas Piedrahita i goal; Justin Beckham 1 goal; Bryan West 1 goal; Sebastian Villamizar 1 goal; JJ Candib 1 assist; Landon Elfenbein 1 assist; Sebastian Daes 1 assist; Gkp Ryan Alesandro 8 saves, shutout. RE 10-6.
BOYS: District 13-3A Semifinal: Cardinal Gibbons 1, NSU University School 0: Henry Copelin winning goal; James Coszy assist; Gkp Gio Egizi shutout. CG 6-7-3.
BOYS: District 16-6A Semifinal: Miami Beach 3, Coral Park 0: Josmel Nunez 2 goals; Valentino Levy 1 goal; Gkp Kingsley Cospolite 14th shutout. MB 14-1-3.
BOYS: Cardinal Gibbons 1, Coral Springs Charter 0: Julian Crusliat winning goal; Henry Copelin assist; Gkp Gio Egizi shutout. CG 5-7-3.
BOYS: Coral Gables 4, Southwest 1: Gabriel Debritto 2 goals, 1 assist; Angel Figueroa 1 goal, 1 assist; Arthur Pedron 1 goal; Bryan Alonso 1 assist. CG 8-5-3.
Send sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity sports results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. You will be alerted when it will appear.
Also, some will be considered athlete of the week nominations.
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Compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 2:27 PM.
