ORANGE PARK - Middleburg High wrestling coach Coll Robertson, in his fifth years with the Broncos, simply wants to take the team to the next level.

"We've grown to a team that no one was afraid of to a team that is capable of state titles," said Robertson, last year's district 2-2A champion over long time repeat champion Tallahassee Lincoln. "We got that district title with hard work, battled in the region and sent a handful of guys to the state tournament with good results."

Robertson's optimism is due to a returning class of seasoned veterans led by Porter Loveland, Nathan Harvey, Gavin Fisher and Micah Thomas.

"Wyatt Leduc was the leader of last year's team by far, but the rest of the team understands that this year we are not unknown," Robertson said. "We are here now, and we will be coming in expecting to dominate."

That being said, also in Class 2A, mainly the two districts in north Florida that comprise Clay County programs: District 2-2A-Middleburg and Ridgeview and District 3-2A-Clay, Fleming Island and Orange Park, will be challenges within the county that will fortify the post season numbers.

"We have one of the best scenarios here in Clay County with every team capable of beating every team kind of," Robertson said. "We don't have easy teams anymore because everyone works year-round to succeed. The sport has evolved so much that you have to bring your A game every day; at matches and also in practice."

Two guys Robertson liked as wild cards on the team are Bronco linebacker Sam Craven and returner Daniel Raines.

"Both guys are hungry and they want to prove that they belong," Robertson said.

Robertson looks to test his troops early with a trip to Osceola High's Christmas Knockout Tournament in late December (19, 20).

"It's a state meet level tournament with athletes from all over the country," Robertson said. "We want our guys to get beat up, learn from different styles and be seasoned by districts and regions. We will lose, but whether we lose fighting will be the difference."

Ridgeview coach Steven Inman had a crusty group of young wrestlers that had success up to regions, but Inman is gone and Mark DeToro, a Clay High state medalist in his day and also a veteran area coach at Oakleaf and Fleming Island, will take over the Panthers program. DeToro got Oakleaf a district title when there and was part of Fleming Island's decade long era of dominance with departed coach P.J. Cobbert.

For now, Cobbert is out at Fleming Island, and the Golden Eagles have to regroup from a legally tenuous season last year.

In the district 3-2A ranks, Clay High loses a handful of state medalists in Jacob Bucci, Aaron Stacy, Grady Glavin, Vonte Burke and Rylan Herrera and Hall of Fame coach Jim Reape, a 30-plus year tenure, will be looking to bolster his lineup.
One guy teaming up with Reape is former Osceola High five time state champion Fox Baldwin who was nabbed as a coach over the summer and brings a plethora of wrestling expertise to the Blue Devil's room.

"To have someone of his caliber of wrestling expertise in our room is a blessing," Reape said. "When he comes to practice, I give him our best guys."

Reape noted that Baldwin is not quite a permanent fixture yet but would welcome his prowess in the Blue Devil wrestling room.

"He came down to find a spot for one of his kids to wrestle, had a friend here and it went from a temporary visit to a possible permanent visit," Reape said. "I think he might be a great next coach if I decide to retire again. His presence would fit right into the Blue Devil wrestling tradition."

Baldwin left high school with 306 pins in 395 wins; still the national record and was a University of Virginia standout.

Two guys on the mat Reape will rely on will be Landon Martin and Drew Holmquist who both had a hard football season that had its ups and downs and now must reprogram their athleticism to the wrestling mat.

For Orange Park coach Tyler DeHart, also finishing off a tough football season, his leader is senior stater Terrion Butler, who comes back bigger and stronger.
In girls wrestling, Middleburg is stacked with a large group of returners led by a four-year friend group from Wilkinson Junior High history in Memphis Moses, Sarah Walsh and Lilly Bradshaw. The fourth of the group was two-time state champion Cheyenne Cruce, now in college. Middleburg also has former Clay High state champion Madisyn Blackburn as a coach for the girls team.

Middleburg got a first look at their competition with a third-place finish at the Flagler Rotary on Tuesday, Nov. 25 with Freedom first at 198.5, Viera second at 149.5 and Middleburg third at 114.5. Bradshaw was fourth at 100, Moses lost in her semifinal at 120 and in her consolation semifinal. Walsh lost in her semifinal at 130, Riley Toomey lost in her semifinal at 135 to the eventual champion and Cyndi Almonte lost in her semifinal to the eventual champion at 155. Kailey Baker, at 235, lost in her semifinal to the eventual champion.

In district 5-1A, Keystone Heights has coach Jon Rechtorovic taking over. Rechtorovic is a veteran Tennessee coach with state placers from McMinn Central High making the trip for the school who had their last state qualifiers in 2004.
Also in 1A, District 4-1A, St. Johns Country Day School has small numbers, but coach Hunter Hill is looking for some surprises. Howard Hill returns from state ranks after an injury late last year with Hill also returning region qualifier Israel Dejesus.

From Kabra Wrestling, Hill says: “While we don't have the numbers to be able to compete in a dual, we have some hammers that are going to do some damage at IBT with points.”

Kabra Wrestling's look at Middleburg High

Last season: Middleburg advanced 10 wrestlers to the district finals and won the team title by 38.5 points. After beating Lincoln 48-25 in the region semifinals, the Broncos fell to Clay in the region final. Lincoln and Middleburg finished in the top 10 in the state IBT with the Trojans placing ninth, seven points ahead of the Broncos.

Wrestlers to watch: Joseph Sneed (Middleburg, transfer from Ridgeview), Porter Loveland (Middleburg), Micah Thomas (Middleburg), Luke Rodriguez (Lincoln), Sean Blouin (Middleburg), Nathan Harvey (Middleburg), Juan Torres (Lincoln), Daniel Raines (Middleburg), Gavin Fisher (Middleburg).
The favorite: Middleburg. In what should be one of the more fun district battles, the Broncos just have a lot coming back.
Team to watch: Lincoln. The program is consistently in the race for top team in the district and this year will be no different.

Coach: Coll Robertson (5th as HC, 8th total at school)
Middleburg earned a much-desired team district title last season.
Notable losses (graduation/transfer): Wyatt Leduc, 54-5, 3rd, RC, DC; Colt Daigle, So., 17-9 (transfer to Clay)
Notable returning wrestlers: Nathan Harvey, Jr., 53-13, 3rd, RC, D2; Porter Loveland, Sr., 54-12, 3rd, R2, DC; Micah Thomas, Sr., 45-19, SQ, R3, DC; Sean Blouin, Sr., 43-21, SQ, R4, D2; Daniel Raines, Sr., 35-14, RQ-BR, DC; Jonathan Harp, So., 32-18, RQ-BR, D2; Terry Milam, So., 30-29, RQ-BR, D2; Christopher McKeel, Sr., 39-20, RQ, D2; Destin Watson, Jr., 23-27, RQ, D2; Keensdee Roseme, Sr., 23-17, RQ, D4; Gavin Fisher, Jr., 30-2.
New wrestlers: Joseph Sneed, Jr. (transfer from Ridgeview); Austin Brewer; Logan Roberson.
What Robertson says: “We have a big group of 11th/12th graders that all got 50+ matches this offseason. They’ve traveled to camps, clinics and tournaments all summer to prepare for this season.”

Who Robertson sees as his leaders: “Nate Harvey, Gavin Fisher and Porter Loveland are all three coming back as former state placers and Sean Blouin coming back as a returning state qualifier. And three that have really impressed me this whole offseason have been Destin Watson, Micah Thomas and Terry Milam. Those three specifically have put together a hell of an offseason.”

Outlook: The defending district champions are looking to be better this season as expectations continue to grow each season for the Broncos. The team is deep across the board with wrestlers who can achieve big things at the state IBT and a duals team that won’t have many easy weight classes to face.

Kabra Wrestling's look at Clay High

Last season: Clay and Ponte Vedra battled for the district title with the Blue Devils prevailing with their first title since 2022.
Wrestlers to watch: Landon Martin (Clay), Talan Babin (Ponte Vedra), Drew Holmquist (Clay), Michael Aker (Ponte Vedra), Daniel De Almeida (Ponte Vedra), Calvyn St. Clair (Clay), Zion Longmire (Fleming Island), Terrion Butler (Orange Park).
The favorite: Clay. With potentially nine region qualifiers back in the lineup, the Blue Devils look the part of the favorites, even after graduating three state placers.

Team to watch: Fleming Island. After a tumultuous season, there’s a new head coach in charge and he’s started the work on building this program up again.
Clay Blue Devils (#15 IBT, #8 Duals)
Coach: James Reape (30th as head coach, 33rd overall at Clay)
Assistant coaches: Julie Breindel Hill, Luke Frame, Warren Medlock, Jim Hoskinson, Dan Dominquez. Club Coach Fox Baldwin Jim Hoskinson
Last state champion: Robert Tyre, 2022 (220)
Notable losses (graduation/transfer): Jacob Bucci, 46-4, 3rd, RC, DC; Braden Glavin, 37-7, 6th, R2, DC; Vonte Burke, 31-10, 7th, R3, D2; Rylan Herrera, 36-6, SQ, R4, D2; Aaron Stacy, 34-5, RQ, D2.
Notable returning wrestlers: Landon Martin, Jr., 45-12, 4th, RC, D3; Drew Holmquist, Sr., 45-9, 5th, R3, DC; Tison Rivers, Sr., 24-11, RQ-BR, D3; Benjamin Mitts, Jr., 23-12, RQ, DC; Chris Graham, Sr., 28-12, RQ, D2; Damien Ruiz, So., 6-11, RQ, D3; Calvyn St. Clair, Jr., 28-22, RQ, D3; Anthony Isidro, Jr., 17-17, RQ, D3; Ryan Collins, So., 10-25, RQ, D4; Andrew Loveland, Sr.
New wrestlers: Colt Daigle, So., 17-9 (transfer from Middleburg); Calvin Wells, Jr. 14-6 (transfer from Fleming Island); Jayshawn McCloud, Sr.
What Jim Reape says: “We have a good mix of experience. It will be tough to replace the four state placers and their wins, but we should progress into a solid team.”
On duals goal: “Winter Springs is loaded; New Smyrna and Middleburg will be tough, but the only worthy goal is to get back to final four in duals.”
Outlook: The Blue Devils have a mix of returners, transfers and youth to keep pushing this program higher.

Kabra Wrestling's look at Middleburg girls wrestling (District 3-1A)

Last season: Middleburg finally got over the hump and earned their first girls district title after finishing second for three seasons. Also in the district is Oakleaf, with senior Kailani Barrientos dominating to a third-place finish last season.
The favorite: Middleburg. It took four seasons to win a first district title; it shouldn’t take long for the second.
Team to watch: Oakleaf. The Knights have some heavy hitters to push them toward the top.
Notable losses (graduation/transfer): Cheyenne Cruce, 37-4, 3rd, R3, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Lily Bradshaw, Sr., 34-18, SQ, R2, DC; Cyndi Almonte, So., 14-22, SQ, R4, DC; Sarah Walsh, Sr., 33-17, SQ, R4, D2; Toni Silcox, Sr., 22-14, RQ-BR, D2; Memphis Moses, Sr., 21-12, RQ-BR, D2; Sheila Almonte, Jr., 15-24, RQ, D3; Lorena Chaput, Sr., 14-23, RQ, D4.
New wrestlers: Fallon Dames, Fr.; Kara McKeel
MHS Coach Jamie Harrison (3rd season): “Our strength is experience. We’re now a senior heavy team.”
Outlook: The Broncos have been building for this season with a talented senior class and some young talent ready to immediately jump in.