All-County Wrestling First and Second Teams
At many schools, winning a state championship would usually be enough for your local paper to name you its “Athlete of the Year.” But when it comes to Osceola County, it often gets you in the “others being considered” category.
That’s exactly what happened this year. Osceola High’s Cooper Haase is the Osceola News Gazette Wrestler of the Year, edging out teammates and fellow state champions Anderson Heap and Gunner Holland. But, there’s still room for them on the All-County Team.
Haase capped off a sensational 58-3 junior season by pinning three consecutive opponents, including Riverview’s Nikolas Hernandez in the Class 3A 138-pound final at the state tournament.
His resume also included district, regional and Orange Belt Conference titles and a second place finish in the prestigious Knockout Classic and won the Border Wars IX Tournament. Impressive wins include two victories over Harmony’s J.C. McNichols, who went 50-4 and finished fourth in the state.
“Cooper had another sensational year for us,” OHS Coach Jim Bird said. “He is a master tactician and no one works harder or studies opponents more. Despite all his successes, his only concern is getting better every day and that’s been the real key to his success. Being great is not good enough for him.”
Now wit h three state titles, Haase could join Osceola legend Fox Baldwin as the only wrestler in Kowboy history with four. Fellow champs Heap and Holland are sophomores and could tally multiple titles.
This year’s All-County Team:
106 pounds: Landon Trigueros, Poinciana. Jr.: A favorite to make it to the state tournament, a controversial injury call and DQ ended his season. Still it was an outstanding season for the OBC and district champion. Second Team: Talyn Fisk, Gateway.
113: Landon Davis, Harmony, Fr: Outstanding rookie year included an OBC and district title, third place in a tough regional and state tourney appearance. Second Team: Jorge Feliz Macias, Celebration
120: Carson Estrada, Harmony: There’s a bright future ahead of the OBC and district champion and state tournament qualifier. Second Team: Isfandier Sharipov, OHS
126: Anderson Heap, Sophomore, Osceola: Followed up a staterunner up finish at 113 as a freshman by pinning three opponents, including North Port’s Sean-Michael Gonzalez in the final, with a major decision in his other match at state. “I had a lot of confidence coming into the state meet and felt I stacked up pretty good against the guys in the bracket,” Heap said. “But I also remembered how bad I felt when I lost in the finals the year before. That really kept me focused this year.” Second Team: Rey Ortiz, HHS
132: Shawn McCallister, Harmony, Soph.: Another Longhorn “Super Sophomore” breezed through the OBC and District tournaments before qualifying for states with a third place regional finish and a 34-8 record. Second Team: Tyler Bullard, St. Cloud
138: Haase (see above). Second Team: JC McNichols, HHS
145: Melvin Ewen, Osceola, Sr.: One of just three seniors on this list, Ewen (33-17) finished sixth place finish at states. Defeated Harmony’ Kade Toner 5-4 in wrestlebacks at the state tournament to earn this spot. Second Team: Toner.
152: Chase McBroom, Celebration, Jr.: defeated Maverick Hauser 6-0 in the OBC tournament before winning a district crown. Earning a trip to states with a second place regional finish, McBroom rebounded from a first round loss to win three consolation matches to finish sixth and earn a 41-11 record. Second Team: Hauser, HHS
160: Gunner Holland, Osceola, Soph.: No other state champion lost more than five matches this year, so some may have thought Holland’s championship was a surprise after going 46-10. “It takes me a while to get from football to wrestling shape and I may lose a few in the regular season,” Holland said. “When it comes to states, I simply believe that I am going to win.” The OBC and district champ was second at regionals. At the state meet, in a bracket that included three wrestlers who owned victories against him, Holland won all four of his matches without allowing a single point. Second Team: Antonio Falotico, HHS
170: George Duncan, Osceola, Sr: Capped his career with sixth-place state finish. OBC and district champion and regional runner-up and a 20-7 record on the season. Second Team: Jacob Noid, Tohopekaliga
182: Bryan Gari, Osceola, Soph: An OBC and regional champion, Gari (26-19) lost in the blood round of regionals. Second Team: Chris Luyanda, THS
195: Aidan Cooper, Gateway, Jr: After winning the OBC title by pinning both is opponents at 195, Cooper (24-14) qualified for regionals with a third-place district finish. Second Team: Lucas Dapaixao, CHS
220: Nelson Toro, Harmony, Jr.: With a 3-1 overtime win over undefeated Ralph Sanchez of Apopka, Toro reached the 3A state finals. Although he lost to undefeated South Dade standout Sawyer Bartelt, Toro’s OBC, district and regional champion 47-3 season stood out. “Nelson was facing one of the best in the finals and although he lost, he still made him work for the win,” Coach Vic Lorenzano said of Toro’s final match against a wrestler with just one career loss. Second Team: Jomar Sanchez, OHS
285: Brainys Robles, Liberty, Sr.: An OBC and district champion and Region 2A-2 and state runner-up. Earned this spot with that and a 45-3 record. Second Team: Elijah VanSickle, OHS.
