One of the most prestigious high school wrestling tournaments in the nation returns to the Silver Spurs Arena for the 14th Annual Knockout Christmas Classic this weekend.
More than 60 teams from nine different states are slated to participate in boys, girls, and youth divisions. This year’s event features 27 teams that finished in the top three of their respective state tournaments, including eight state team champions.
Those champions include national powers Camden County (Georgia Class 6A champions) and 27-time FHSAA (IBT and Duals combined) state champion South Dade, defending Class 3A state champions. The Florida 2A (Somerset) and 1A (Mater Lakes) state champions will also compete.
“Without question the Knockout is one of the top high school wrestling tournaments in the nation,” former Osceola head coach and tournament director Rick Tribit said. “Many of the top teams in the southeast will be here and the field features more than 50 defending state champions— many of them are multi-time state champions.”
Overall, the event will feature 18 different wrestlers currently ranked in the Top 50 in Sports Illustrated’s national rankings. The 190-pound weight class will have a showdown of four of those wrestlers as Camden County’s Ryder Wilder is ranked No. 6 in the nation, and Raymond Shaw (Lakeland George Jenkins), Xander Dorsett (Ola, Ga.) and Kyle Gallo (Zephryhills Christian, Fla.) are all ranked in the honorable mention (No. 3150) category.
Three top-50 wrestlers could clash at 165, as Dallas Russell of Jefferson, Ga. is ranked No. 6 nationally; with No. 19 Jaelen Culp (Indian Head, S.C.) and Kalias Nazaro (Mater Lakes, Fla., Honorable Mention) are also in the bracket. The 157 class has a potential showdown of No. 30 Brock Weaver (Camden, Ga.) and Tampa Jesuit’s Kawayran Vasquez (HM).
Anthony Mills (Mill Creek, Ga) is the highest ranked wrestler scheduled to compete at the Knockout (No. 2 nationally) at 126. Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons’ Michael Mocco is No.3 at 285 pounds; while his brother Peter Mocco is ranked No. 21 at 215.
Other National Top 50 wrestlers slated to participate include Laz Soto (Miami Southwestern, 120), Jovani Solis (South Dade, 138), Billy Hamilton (Ringgold, Ga.), Mason Basile (Tampa Jesuit, 140), and Armand Williams (South Dade, 150).
The youth tournament begins Friday at 8 a.m. Girls high school begins at 9 a.m. with the boys’ tournament beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Youth final starts at 1 p.m. For the boys’ tournament, the rounds of 64, 32 and 16 will be contested on Friday. Saturday’s schedule will have both the boys and girls’ tournament picking up at 8:30 a.m. with quarterfinals, semifinal and placement matches. The girls’ championship round is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday; with the boys’ championship at 3:30 p.m. The Finals will be contested on a raised stage. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. both days.
The Knockout Classic is not the only wrestling action on tap for this weekend. On Saturday, Harmony High School will host its annual Longhorn Rotary Classic beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sixteen teams are scheduled to compete and admission is $12 for Adults and $6 for students.
Despite missing two starters, Harmony finished second last week at the Fit2Win Ryan Vaught Memorial last weekend behind host Palm Harbor. The Longhorns champions included freshman Adriel Rodriguez (106), Nathan Lyttle (120), and Nevan Irving (132). At 150, senior Nathan Barnett fell behind 7-0 in his final match against state thirdranked Trevonte Burgess but rallied back to a 9-9 tie before losing on an escape at the buzzer. The Longhorns finished the tournament with three champions, two seconds, and one third place finish.
