By David Volz
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School wrestling team has achieved success this season after earning second place out of 16 teams at the Coral Springs Duals for a 10-2 record.
Held at Coral Springs High School on January 12-13 the Fort Pierce Central High School wrestling team won first place.
Team leaders include Roco Duygulu, the boys’ team captain, who wrestled at 106 pounds and was undefeated at the duals. David Leiva, 120 pounds, Jimmy Messmer, 126 pounds, and Jackson Zajkowski, heavyweight, were all undefeated at the duals.
Gaby Caro, the captain of the girls’ wrestling team, has wrestled two matches at the duals and remains undefeated this season.
According to Coach Kenny Gendason, Caro played an instrumental role in establishing the MSD girls’ wrestling program and even won a state championship last year. As a senior, she has an impressive 4.7 GPA. Gendason added that she is a serious and skilled wrestler encouraging other girls to join the team.
While Caro is a tough competitor, she is also caring and respectful. “When wrestling, it’s important to be confident but not overconfident,” Caro said.
The boys’ team is young, but if the athletes come to practice every day, they will improve. The girls’ team has good potential, according to Gendason.
Coral Springs High School Coach Dan Jacob was disappointed with his team. The Colts were 8-2 at the duals but lost to American Heritage and Western. “Our team is young and will improve, but our wrestlers could have been scrappier,” he said.
The leading Colts wrestlers are Chase Martin, Jaylen Brown, and Shai Keery, the captain. “If everyone comes to practice every day and works hard, the team will improve,” said Keery.
Coral Springs Charter Coach Eric Perez said the Panthers gained valuable experience during the duals.
According to Perez, Preston Lindsay, a junior, is the top wrestler on the team and was 9-0 at the meet. His season record is 36-7. He is also ranked seventh in the state at 144 pounds. Lindsay is a junior at Charter. “We beat Monarch and Dillard. Some of our wrestlers could not participate because they were sick,” said Perez.
All wrestling teams are preparing for the district competition held in mid-February.
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