Florida Wrestling: A Growing Powerhouse on the National Scene
The state of Florida is rapidly cementing itself as a dominant force in the world of wrestling. From grassroots youth programs to elite high school and girls’ wrestling teams, Florida has risen to prominence, consistently making waves on the national stage.
Building from the Ground Up
Florida’s strength in wrestling begins with its exceptional youth programs. Clubs and academies across the state are dedicated to developing young talent, instilling fundamentals, and fostering a love for the sport. These programs not only prepare wrestlers for high school competition but also provide a solid foundation for success at the national level. The steady growth of these programs has been pivotal in producing wrestlers who can compete with the best in the country.
High School Wrestling: A National Contender
Florida high school wrestling continues to rise, with athletes achieving incredible milestones. The most recent example is Michael Mocco from Cardinal Gibbons High School, who has brought national recognition to the Sunshine State. Mocco’s list of accomplishments is astounding—he won a UWW age-group World Championship, showcasing his talent on the international stage, and followed it up with a victory at the prestigious Walsh Jesuit Ironman Tournament in Ohio, widely regarded as the toughest high school wrestling tournament in the nation.
Florida wrestlers are consistently placing at national tournaments like the Super 32, Grappler Fall Classic, and Fargo, proving that they can hang with the best wrestlers from traditional powerhouse states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa.
The Growth of Girls’ Wrestling
Florida isn’t just excelling in boys’ wrestling—girls’ wrestling is experiencing phenomenal growth as well. With more schools adding girls’ programs and increased opportunities to compete, Florida girls are making their mark on the national stage. Standouts like Mya Bethel (North Miami HS), ranked #2 in the nation at 155 pounds, and Grace Leota (Hernando HS), ranked #5 at 190 pounds, are just a few examples of the state’s talent pool.
The state is also producing dominant wrestlers who shine at events like the Super 32 and the Grappler Fall Classic. Juniors like Julianna Caisse (Riverdale HS), who placed first a few months ago in both freestyle and folkstyle at the Super 32 Early Entry Qualifier, are elevating the profile of girls’ wrestling in Florida.
Clubs Are The Key
With more wrestling clubs and academy’s popping up across our state, kids are getting introduced to the sport of wrestling at very young ages. When we start them at 5 or 6 years old we get them ready to compete at high levels by the time they are in middle school. Many of these kids will wrestle FHSAA as middle schooler’s by attending a K-12 school. This allows them to compete at the high school level even though they are still only in 6th, 7th or 8th grades. It is not uncommon to see middle school kids winning HS state titles. Usually, this happens in the 1A classification because most of the K-12 schools are smaller and compete in 1A. Regardless, a state champ is a state champ no matter which classification it happens to be in. Normally, after they finish their 8th grade year they’ll transfer to the high schools they are zoned for to finish out their high school careers in 9th through 12th grades. Some will stay at their K-12 schools, but usually we see them transfer after middle school.
The Future is Bright
The trajectory of Florida wrestling is nothing short of inspiring. The state’s wrestlers are not only competing but thriving at the highest levels of the sport. With the continued growth of youth programs, high school teams, and girls’ wrestling, Florida is poised to remain a major player on the national wrestling scene for years to come.
Florida wrestling has gone from being underappreciated to being undeniably competitive. The future of the sport in the Sunshine State is bright, and it’s clear that Florida is here to stay as a wrestling powerhouse.