Mater Lakes dominates on way to repeat boys’ 1A state wrestling championship

Mater Lakes Academy is on a roll.

Mater Lakes wasted no time winning another Class 1A wrestling state championship, rolling up 210.50 points and easily beating second place St. John Neumann by 46 points at the FHSAA Class 1A IBT wrestling state championships on Saturday at Silver Spurs Arena.

It was the second consecutive 1A IBT state title for Mater Lakes, and its fourth state title overall, having won the past two 1A Duals state titles.

Mater Lakes was so dominant, the state title was mathematically sewn up before any of the 14 finals matches were wrestled, which surprised Mater Lakes coach Brandon Neifeld.

“No, I thought it was going to come down to the finals to be honest,” Neifeld said. “But in the semifinals rounds, we went off. That’s where we created a big gap. I didn’t expect it to be like this.

“I would say we are stronger than last year. Our supporting cast guys really came through this weekend.”

Kellen Mesina (126) and Kalias Nazario (165) won individual state titles for Mater Lakes while Jack Cabrera (106), Keagan Mesina (132), Christopher Greene (138) and Bruce Li (144) finished as state runners-up.

Also for Mater Lakes, Mason O’dell (150), Cesar Aguilar (157) and Richard Lugo (215) finished fourth while Darian Vargas (190) placed fifth and Jake Margolis (120) placed sixth.

Also winning 1A state titles were Ryan Rojo (106) from Miami Christian, and siblings Peter (215) and Michael Mocco (285) from Cardinal Gibbons.

More 1A state medalists were: 113: Andres Garcia, Cardinal Gibbons, 5th, Dylan Presman, Miami Carol City Senior, 7th; 120: Logan Bajor, Cardinal Gibbons, 8th; 126: Case Gustafson, Miami Christian School, 4th; 132: Elijah Castanon, Miami Christian School, 3rd; 138: Skyler Barreto, Cardinal Gibbons, 5th; 165: Isaac Fayer of Cardinal Gibbons, 5th; 175: Brandon Simmons, Miami Carol City Senior, 5th.

SOMERSET STATE RUNNER-UP

Somerset Academy was forced to settle for second place for the second time this wrestling season.

Somerset was edged out by Lakeland Lake Gibson for the Class 2A state championship by six points, 179-173. The program also finished second to Lake Gibson at the state Duals tournament in January.

“I am so proud of this team because all year so many kids that were not the headliners showed up and stepped on the podium,” Somerset coach Joe Blasucci said.

In the process, Somerset crowned Tristan Sainz (157) and Mateo Martinez (190) as individual state champions while placing 10 wrestlers on the medal stand.

“I’ve never had 10 medalists, including on my state championship teams. This team broke the school record, and I am all about breaking records in my world. I have had some dominating teams and never had 10 placers,” Blasucci said.

Both Sainz and Martinez repeated as state champions.

“It’s great. I was injured, won, and so who cares,” Martinez said. ”When you are injured you have to expect everyone to come after you. It doesn’t matter because I had a chip on my shoulder. I had a lot of things against me, but I had faith and belief. So I am grateful.”

Sainz reached the state title match four consecutive years, but didn’t get his first title until his third trip to the state finals. This time, he made it look easy with a tech fall win against Casten Thacker from New Smyrna Beach.

“I knew I could do it because I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,” Sainz said. “Without God in my life, I wouldn’t be here right now. A lot of people say I make it look easy. But I worked hard to make it look easy.”

Also winning medals for Somerset were Caio (106) and Carlos Sainz (132) finishing second, Darion Shannon (144) finishing third, Dylan Fernandez (138) and Sidney Katz (165) placing fourth, Eli Diaz (175) sixth, Cano Austin (113) seventh and Marlo Jimenez (150) finishing eighth.

More state champions in 2A included Gary Mendez (113) and Lucas Barrios (132) from Mater Academy.

Also winning 2A medals: Jayden Rivas (144) Miramar, 8th; Andres Viera (150) Mater Academy, 7th; Charly Sainteus (157) North Miami, 4th.

This story was originally published March 8, 2026 at 7:48 AM.