Monroe County wrestlers made a strong showing again in the 2023-24 season, claiming a treasure trove of hardware and earning numerous titles across the state.
Coral Shores finished the season in fifth place at the FHSAA 1A District 16 Championships held in their own gym thi s year. The ’Canes had a pair of wrestlers earn silver medals at the event and continue to have strong performances, especially in the lighter weights. Key West brought home its 15th consecutive district championship in 2024 with eight individual wrestlers striking gold and all 13 athletes qualifying for regionals. Four wrestlers made an appearance at state and one athlete medaled at the event, further solidifying the dynasty Key West wrestling has become.
Wrestler of the Year
Ralph Riche, senior
Key West, 285 pounds
Key West’s Ralph Riche dominated South Florida in two weight classes in as many years. Winning nearly every invitational he entered, Riche secured hardware and bracket cards all season long. When the postseason rolled around, Riche won the FHSAA District 16 1A championship and went on to claim a runner-up medal at regionals. His second-place finish qualified him for his second state championship appearance. Last season, he captured a fifth-place medal at 220 pounds; this year he did the same at 285. Riche amassed an impressive 45-8 record and led his team by example, putting in the work to be one of the best wrestlers in Conch history.
Sebastian McCoy, sophomore
Coral Shores, 113 pounds
Coral Shores’ Sebastian McCoy wrestled his way to a winning 25-20 record during his sophomore campaign, earning a silver medal at districts and a bid to regionals. With two years of eligibility remaining, McCoy has everything it takes not only to make it to the big show, but also to win a medal in the coming seasons.
Steven DeRobertis, sophomore
Coral Shores, 106 pounds
Hurricane sophomore Steven DeRobertis earned a solid 23-18 record this season, striking silver at the Key West Invitational and fourth at the SFCA King’s Classic. In the postseason, DeRobertis captured the district runner-up medal, paving the way for an exciting future for the ’Canes.
Jason Flynn, senior
Key West, 150 pounds
Flynn completed his final season for the Conchs with a record of 18-8. Those wins included a first-place tournament berth at the Key West Invitational as well as a district gold medal to end his senior campaign in style.
Alfredo Corrales, junior
Key West, 157 pounds
Completing his junior season with a 56-10 record, Key West’s Alfredo Corrales racked up the wins. He destroyed the brackets and claimed first-place finishes at the Key West Invitational, Somerset Scuffle, Beardown Duals and the Falcon Invitational. He won district gold in the postseason to set the tone for his upcoming senior campaign.
Dostmukhammad Bakhtiyorov, senior
Key West, 144 pounds
Key West’s Dost Bakhtiyorov secured a district championship this season, then placed fourth at regionals. The senior’s performance there qualified him for the state championship meet. This season, he amassed a 44-15 record, which included wins in the Key West Invitational, where he was third and the Beardown Duals, which he won in undefeated fashion.
James Searcy, sophomore
Key West, 138 pounds
Wrestling to an impressive 36-14 this year, James Searcy won multiple events, including the Key West Invitational, Falcon Invite and the FHSAA District 16 Championship. With two more seasons of eligibility to develop, Searcy is already a force to be reckoned with.
Abram Canet, junior
Key West, 134 pounds
With a 45-24 record this season, Key West’s Abram Canet made a name for himself on mats across the entire state. In the postseason, Canet was district champion, fourth at regionals and qualified for the state meet to cap off a stellar junior season.
Prometheus Delacerda, sophomore
Key West, 126 pounds
Prometheus Delacerda completed his second season with the Conchs collecting hardware and amassing 16 wins. The hardworking sophomore placed second at the Key West Invitational and third at the Falcon Invite. He culminated his season with a bronze medal at districts.
Sheyla Figueira, junior
Key West, 100 pounds
Key West’s Sheyla Figueira is the only Lady Conch thus far to qualify for the state meet two times. The talented junior won silver at districts, bronze at regionals, and went 19-12 this season. Figueira collected several of those wins at the Beardown Duals, where she claimed first place, and the Lady Indian Invitational, in which she was second. With another season of eligibility left, Figueira is poised to continue breaking records and blazing trails for future Lady Conch wrestlers.
Natalie Arguello, senior
Key West, 135 pounds
Key West’s Natalie Arguello grappled her way to an 18-11 record this season. Arguello won a bronze medal at districts, qualifying her for the regional event for the second time in as many years. Arguello was the Lady Indian Invitational champion and won first place at the Beardown Duals, going undefeated in her matches.
Tristan Yokoyama, senior
Key West, 215 pounds
Senior strongman Tristan Yokoyama was a steady force on the mats this season. After placing second at the Key West and Falcon Invitationals, Yokoyama went on to secure a district championship at 215 pounds for the Conchs, helping to earn them another district team championship in the process.
Photos by DOUG FINGER, GRACE ANDREW and MARK HEDDEN
