OAKLEAF – Oakleaf High wrestling coach Wes Champ has had to figure out the head coaching regimen pretty quickly as a first year coach for the Knights and with a handful of strong upperclass wrestlers, hopes to peak at the right time for the upcoming district and region tournaments set for February.

“Our new kids are coming along, but our core guys are pretty strong,” said Champ, who got a six win, three loss effort at the Flagler Duals Invite on January 14. “Rosano is doing awesome at 13-0 with Ethan Gustillo building a strong shot at a district top four finish.”

In last year’s district 1-3A matchups, Rosano lost in the 106 final to Fleming Island’s Albie Snedaker, who this year has suffered a season-ending injury, then finished as runnerup in region 1-3A to Freedom High’s Marcus Jean-Baptiste.

At the 3A state championship meet, Rosano lost to Jean Baptist in the consolation quarterfinal 4-3.

“Ryan has improved a lot about his game this year with an eye on a strong state meet finish,” said Champ. “He’s going to be a solid contender.”

Champ liked Gustillo as a region prospect with Vince Karl at 126, a region qualifier at 120 last year, Isaiah Graham at 160, Donovan Gray at 152, and Trenton Carroll at 145 all good candidates to get out of districts.

Karl lost to Fleming Island’s Jacob Sandoval at districts in the semifinals, but battled back to get fourth and advance to regions where he won one match, but faced off and lost to Sandoval a second time in the consolation early rounds.

Gustillo got roughed up in the 126 districts, lost his first match, then lost to Trace Insalaco of Flagler Palm Coast, who is now at Fleming Island High School.

At 138,Carroll finished 0-2 at districts.

“He’s our most improved this year,” said Champ. “He could make a stab at a region spot.”