Led by Mocco’s dominant win, Cardinal Gibbons secures 20th BCAA wrestling championship
If the start of Micheal Mocco’s high school wrestling career at Cardinal Gibbons is any indication of his potential, Saturday’s final of the BCAA Championship was a preview of what’s to come.
Proof came quickly in Mocco’s 215-pound finale against Maxinot Mondesir of Miramar when the sophomore won by technical pin 25-9.
Mocco’s (32-2) victory was the last of five Gibbons winners on the night, leading the Chiefs to the school’s record 20th BCAA championship. Gibbons finished with 265 points, while Miramar finished second with 247.5 points.
“His work ethic is his strength because he trains year around,” Cardinal Gibbons coach Jamel Morris said. “He’s an all-around fundamental wrestler. The sky’s the limit for him. He’s looking to compete among some of the tops guys in the nation right now. He’s out there challenging himself and find what he needs to work on.”
Mocco was the Class 1A state champion at 195 pounds as a freshman, finishing his first year at the high school level with a 44-1 record.
“I grew up around wrestling as a kid. I picked it up early and have been wrestling ever since,” Mocco said. “I think there is no limit to how good I am. I’m going to keep getting better as the year’s go on. I’ve improved a lot since last year. I got bigger, smarter, and faster and my technique is better. The more time you put in has helped me.”
Mocco (32-2) advanced to the finals with a pair of pins, both under two minutes.
His brother Peter Mocco (8-0) an eighth grader at Coral Springs Charter was a winner at 190-pounds after defeating Jivari Milton of Miramar 4-0.
And as for the Miramar wrestling team, their second-place finish was the best since placing second to Cardinal Gibbons in 2006 with 179 points. The Patriots also finished second in 1981.
Including Mocco, the Chiefs individual champions were Frankie Florio (144), Bryan Picallo (150), Nicholas Lopez (157) and Dominic Pantuso (175).
Since the tournament began in 1965, Cardinal Gibbons has won 109 individual championships.
Douglas, Coral Springs Charter, and South Plantation each had two individual champions.
It was the first time in school history that Charter had multiple winners in the same year. Not only did the Paladins have two champions on Saturday, it was also the first time they had an individual champ when Jordan Knapper won at 103 pounds in 2001.
HALL OF FAME
The BCAA inducted six individuals into its Hall of Fame.
The inductees were longtime Coral Springs coach Dan Jacob (36 years with over 600 wins, 18 district titles and 3 regional titles); Henry Johnson, an assistant coach at Coral Springs; former Coral Springs wrestler John Moran (1994 undefeated state champion at 119 pounds; former McArthur wrestler Reggie Cook (1989 undefeated state champion at 145 pounds); former Cardinal Gibbons wrestler CJ Burke (2009 state runner-up at 135 and 2010 state champion at 135); and former Deerfield Beach wrestler Ravin Saaraweera (2000 state champion at 119 pounds).
RESULTS
Teams scores (Top 5): 1. Cardinal Gibbons 265; 2. Miramar 247.5; 3. South Plantation 232; 4. Douglas 156; 5. Western 148; Championship results - 106: Duygulu (MSD) p. Jenkins (SP) 2:47; 113: Charles (MIR) d. Shapiro (CB) 6-5; 120: Leiva (MSD) d. Brutus (MIR) 10-1; 126: Yagerman (NOVA) p. Messmer (MSD) 2:26; 132: Whitter (SP) d. Palermo (CG) 5-3; 138: Lindsay (CSC) t.p. Parker (CG) 17-2; 144: Florio (CG) p. Oyster (SP) 3:11; 150: Faris (WEST) d. Picallo (CG) by forfeit; 157: Lopez (CG) p. Hines (WEST) 4:58; 165: Baskir (SP) d. Simmons (CG) 14-12; 175: Pantuso (CG) d. Martinez (SB) 7-6; 190: Mocco (CSC) d. Milton (MIR) 4-0; 215: Mocco (CG) t.p. Mondesir (MIR) 25-9; HWT: Dickenson (SB) d. Taboada (WB) 8-5.
Consolation finals - 106: Perez (EVER) p. Martin (CS) 3:24; 113: Gonzalez (WEST) d. Madgey (SP) 9-3; 120: Morfa (WEST) d. Saint-velu (NOVA) 6-2; 126: Brownlee (MIR) p. Barrelo (CB) 5:46; 132: Regli (FTL) d. Claxon (FLAN) 9-0; 138: Nealy (MIR) d. Hightower (DILL) 8-7; 144: Bernot (MIR) p. Rosen (TARA) 2:44; 150: Harding (MIR) d. Buth (STA) 9-4; 157: Catala (WB) d. Rivas (MIR) 11-7; 165: Daniels (NOVA) d. Perez (WEST) 7-0; 175: Keery (CS) d. Rosenberg (SP) 5-3; 190: Emile (DILL) d. Kone (COOP) 8-0; 215: Thomas (FTL) p. Young (MCA) 2:38; HWT: Bell (SP) p. Moen (COOP) 4:44.
This story was originally published February 3, 2024 at 11:45 PM.