Big win for Mater Lakes over South Dade wrestling. Plus Douglas wrestling, Ransom water polo and more
In a battle of state champions, the visiting Mater Lakes Academy boys’ wrestling team upset powerhouse South Dade 42-25 in Homestead.
It marked the first dual match loss by South Dade since the semifinals of state duals in 2022 against Palmetto Ridge 39-26.
Ahead 27-22, Kalias Nazario scored a key pin (six points) for Mater Lakes Academy at 175 pounds, and then teammate Darian Vargas followed at 190 with a decision win (three points) to seal the historic victory.
Prior, Mater Lakes Academy and South Dade repeated as FHSAA State Duals team champions. Mater Lakes in Class 1A. South Dade in 3A. For South Dade, the Buccaneers collected their eighth FHSAA State Duals wrestling championship -- 28th overall when including FHSAA IBT state team titles. Mater Lakes Academy celebrated its third state team title at state duals.
Following the loss to Mater, South Dade won GMACs again.
Regular Season Match: Mater Lakes Academy 42, South Dade 25: 106: Jack Cabrera (MLA) pinned Ray Healy (6-0). 113: Bryan Morales (SD) pinned Bryan Flores (6-6). 120: Jake Margolis (MLA) pinned Jessie Zapata (12-6). 126: Kellen Mesina (MLA) pinned Jose Callava (18-6). 132: Keagan Mesina (MLA) dec. Kaleb Williams (21-6). 138: Chris Greene (MLA) dec. Guillermo Jaramillo (24-6). 144: Jovani Solis (SD) maj. dec. Bruce Li (10-24). 150: Armand Williams (SD) pinned Mason O’Dell (16-24). 157: Cesar Aguilar (MLA) dec. Cameron Hayes (27-16). 165: Tyree Graham (SD) pinned Chris Benzan (22-27). 175: Kalias Nazario (MLA) pinned Jonathan Moreno (33-22). 190: Darian Vargas (MLA) dec. Pablo Sifuentes (36-22). 215: Sebastian Morera (SD) dec. Richard Lugo (25-36). 285: Maximillian Garzaro (MLA) pinned Carido Loussaint (42-25).
More wrestling
It was a special night for the Douglas and Boyd Anderson wrestling programs, when the two teams competed at the Eagles Nest in Parkland.
Douglas honored its seniors: Haasini Vattikuti, Bryce Siddens, Jake Whitmore, Aaron Porudominsky, Isiah Anglade, and Adrian and Ariana Blanc.
More importantly, the Eagles helped the Boyd Anderson program, which recently reformed, after several years without it. Under the direction of Coach Osner Valmeus, the Cobras brought nearly 20 wrestlers to the match. In past years, when they had a team, they averaged around 8 or less per season.
At recent events, Douglas coaches noticed half of the members of the Boyd Anderson team did not have wrestling shoes. The Eagles wrestling program conducted a wrestling shoe drive for Boyd Anderson’s program. They donated 18 pairs of wrestling shoes and also made a monetary donation to benefit the Boyd Anderson wrestling program.
Water polo
The Ransom Everglades boys’ water polo team defeated 2025 state champ Westminster Academy 17-6.
Trailing 1-0, the Raiders took over the game, ending the first quarter leading 3-1, and from there, they never looked back.
An outstanding team effort led by junior Aston Gould with 5 goals, 4 assists; senior Jack Merrick with 4 goals, 3 steals; senior Oliver Friedland with 2 goals, 2 assists and 4 ejections drawn. Junior Leo Church-Schulman had 10 blocks to lead the defense with Jay Holly and Luke Jaffee.
Ransom Everglades, which improved to 6-0, will travel to the Ian Supra Memorial Tournament in Orlando on Feb. 27-28.
Baseball
Doral Academy 2, American Heritage Plantation 1: Christian Vasallo 4.1 IP, 2 H; 0 ER; WP Andy Espinoza 2.2 IP, 0 H; Louise Prieto 2-for-2, HR, RBI, R; Jaivyn Francois 1-for-2, HR, RBI, R. Dor 1-0.
Doral Academy 16, South Boward 0: Francisco Rodriguez 2-for-2, HR, RBI, R; Tyler Rodriguez 1-for-1, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R; Anthony Velasquez 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI; WP Matthew Paez 2 IP, 2 K. Dor 2-0.
Nike Tournament: Palmetto 11, Coral Reef 1: WP Gian Carlos Nemer; Sebastian Martinez 2 RBI, 1 R; Johnny Montes 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R; Christian Dixon 1-for-2, 2 RBI. Palm 1–0.
Softball
Braddock Preseason Classic: Braddock 14, LaSalle 5: WP Emely Ramirez 7 K; Emily Cancio 2-for-2, 2 R; Emely Ramirez 1-for-2, 3 R.
Tennis
GIRLS: Gulliver Prep 7, NSU University School 0: No.1 Hanna Matuk won 8-6; No.2 Valentina Donoso won 8-0; No.3 Siena Ringel won 8-1; No.4 Juliette leBona won 8-1; No.5 Maya Quintero won 8-0.
More water polo
The X Forza Stefano Water Polo Tournament is March 5-7 at the Pembroke Pines Charter School Pool.
This fundraising event helps teens (13-17) with cancer and their families, which is the mission of the Forza Stefano Charitable Foundation.
The annual event, in its 10th year, is named in honor of Stefano Dioguardi, a dedicated water polo player and captain of the Pembroke Pines Charter team, who died from Ewing’s Sarcoma.
It is one of Florida’s largest high school water polo tournaments.
Confirmed teams: St. Thomas Aquinas, Gulliver Prep, Miami Country Day, MAST Academy, Boca Raton, Seminole, Copper City, Ransom Everglades, Cypress Bay, Dr. Krop, Lake Mary, Boca Raton St. Andrew’s, Pembroke Pines Charter, Belen Jesuit, Riviera Beach Suncoast, Mater Lakes Academy, Orlando Boone.
Volleyball
High school volleyball teams will now be permitted to designate up to two libero players during each set, creating additional participation opportunities without needing to use a substitution.
The NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee was at its annual meeting Jan. 11-13 in Indianapolis. The rule change was reviewed and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Rule 6-4-2 was adjusted to allow for multiple liberos to be used by a team; however, only one libero can be in the game at a time. Prior to each set, a team may designate zero, one or two liberos on the lineup sheet.
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.
---
Compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM.
