27/01/2025
STATE CHAMPIONS!
Jesuit wrestling, ranked No. 2, knocked off No. 1 Lake Gibson, No. 4 Somerset Academy, and No. 3 Charlotte in succession to win the Class 2A State Duals title today in Kissimmee!
It is the 4th team State Championship for the Tigers, following a State Duals crown in 2020 and State Tournament titles in 2022 and 2024, all under head coach Sal Basile.
It started Friday with the 1 v. 2 showdown against Lake Gibson, and pins by Anthony Rametta (285) and Brock Glover (113) catapulted Jesuit to a 40-21 win.
The semifinal this morning v. the defending Class 1A State Champ, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy, featured a huge comeback. Trailing 22-9, the Tigers were sparked by Zach Leto's last-second triumph at 106 that launched Jesuit to 6 victories in the final 7 matches en route to a nailbiting 34-28 win.
In the final v. Charlotte, the Tigers rocketed out of the gate with 5 straight wins, including a trio of pins by K.J. Vazquez (157), Draven McCall (165) and Robert Bossowski (190). Jesuit clinched the 59-13 win a few matches before Mason Basile (150) officially closed it out with a major decision and the celebration began.
Also winning matches for the Tigers this weekend were Malachi Ortiz, Reid Yakes, John Alvarado, Jayden Bowles, Aidan Garrity, Macho Mendez, and Xavier Albo, who was sensational in an OT win over the No. 1-ranked 144-pound wrestler, Jaiden Oliver of Lake Gibson.
This is the first of two opportunities for Jesuit wrestling to win a team State Championship this season. In March, the Tigers will try to defend their State Tournament crown from last season.
Congratulations, Tigers!