Wrestlers from Key West, Marathon and Coral Shores participated in the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships on Feb. 12 at Miami Coral Park High School. When the final bout was complete, two Keys athletes had their cards punched to the next round of action, which will take place at the Region 4 tournament on Feb. 21 at South Dade Senior High.
Key West’s Maria Holushko and Marathon’s Autumn Wolfe earned automatic bids to regionals by finishing in the top four places at districts. Holushko was the runner-up in the 140-pound competition while Wolfe placed fourth at 105.
Key West’s Wenxin Yu (115) was fifth while Nalani LaBeet (110) and Emily Nolasco (105) both finished in sixth place in their weight classes. Though they did not advance automatically, there is still a chance for wrestlers finishing fifth and even sixth to win a berth to regionals when other districts do not have four qualifiers in a weight class. Those qualifiers are determined after all four districts in Region 4 have concluded their championships.
While the girls were at districts, Key West’s boys hosted Coral Shores for their Senior Night. The Conchs put on a strong performance while honoring their seniors, with wins from Jake Ferguson (126), Kyle Condella (138), Michael Guzman (165) and Sandy Horn. Horn won via decision and the rest pinned their opponents. Aristerne Richardson (106), Josiah Gonzales (113), Kascper Kowalik (215) and Gionni Fernandez (285) all picked up wins via forfeit.
Hurricane winners were Sebastian McCoy (120), Gavin Matheis (132), Jeremiah Ortiz (144), Nathaniel Tristram (150), Sterling Keefe (157) and David Beltran (175).
For the gentlemen, the next stop is the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships. This year’s event will be held in Key West where the Conchs hope to defend the title they have held since 2008. Joining Key West and Coral Shores will be athletes from Marathon’s inaugural wrestling team and the rest of District 16’s Miami teams on Feb. 20.
Key West’s Sanford Horn works the leg of Ricardo Mack in their 190-pound bout. 
Coral Shores’ Sebastian McCoy gets a grip on Key West’s Zander Font in their 120-pound contest Feb. 13. 
Prometheus Delacerda uses his head to elude a pin by Gavin Matheis. Matheis won late in the third period. 
Coral Shores’ 132-pounder Gavin Matheis lifts Key West’s Prometheus Delacerda in their Feb. 13 bout. 
Jake Ferguson of Key West puts the squeeze on Coral Shores’ Joseph Barroso. 
Marathon’s Autumn Wolfe holds up her fourth-place district medal, which provides her a sure spot at regionals. JENNIFER SEARCY/Contributed
