OB Football Showcase. Girls’ wrestling regionals. Key West titles. State weightlifting and more

As much of a hotbed for high school football talent as Miami-Dade, Broward and even Palm Beach counties have been through the years, that usually means a lot of it slips through the cracks, and many kids wind up going unnoticed.

Once again, the Orange Bowl Committee has decided to do something about it as St. Thomas University will be the site for the Annual Orange Bowl Florida High School Football Showcase, presented by Baptist Health.

This year’s event will occur on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at STU, 16401 NW 37th Ave., in Miami Gardens.

The Orange Bowl Florida High School Football Showcase is a free one day event that will bring together Florida high school seniors and educational institutions in Division II, III, and NAIA programs from across the country.

The Orange Bowl will also host a Florida High School Basketball Showcase, presented by American Airlines which will occur Saturday, March 11 at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie.

Since 2017, more than 350 showcase participants have attended showcase colleges and have been awarded more than $7 million in total scholarship aid to study and play football at NCAA Division II, III and NAIA schools. All NCAA Division II, III, and NAIA head football coaches have been invited to attend the showcase. Volunteer high school coaches and administrators are needed.

To be eligible to participate in the football Showcase, student-athletes must be graduating high school seniors who have not accepted a scholarship offer from a NCAA Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision) program. In addition, they must meet the following academic qualifications:

Earn a 2.5 GPA or higher in 16 Core Courses AND earn an SAT score of 920 (math and verbal only) or higher; OR have a composite ACT Score of 18 or higher or a sum score of 68 or higher.

To be eligible to participate in the basketball showcase, student-athletes must be a graduating high school senior or a high school junior who has not accepted a scholarship offer from a college basketball program.

For more information about the Showcase and to register, you can visit Orangebowl.org/showcase.

---By Bill Daley

South Dade wins girls’ region title

The South Dade girls’ wrestling team won the FHSAA Region 4 title at Wellington High School.

The Bucs scored 136 points to finish first of 50-plus teams represented.

North Miami was runner-up at 94 with Mater Lakes Academy third at 91 and Mater Academy fifth at 77.5. Key West was seventh at 63, Doral Academy eighth at 58, Norland ninth at 53 and Coral Park rounding out the Top 10 at 48.5.

North Miami second

With eight wrestlers, the North Miami girls’ team placed second during the Region 4 tournament in Wellington.

The North Miami girls’ wrestling team was second at the FHSAA Region 4 Championships.
The North Miami girls’ wrestling team was second at the FHSAA Region 4 Championships.

All of the eight wrestlers won matches to help the Pioneers, coached by John Severe, earn the runner-up trophy.

Three of the eight qualified for state, which is March 2-4 at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.

I-Cart Galumette, who won a region title, became the new No.1 ranked wrestler at 110-pounds in the state.

Mya Bethel won her second consecutive region championship and is still undefeated in her career at 155 pounds.

Isis Severe took third at 120 pounds to become a two-time state qualifier.

Mater Lakes Academy excels

With just five wrestlers, Mater Lakes Academy finished third at the girls’ Region 4 tournament in Wellington. Four of those wrestlers qualified for state.

They are: Arianna Ruiz (7th gr), Alena Rik (Fr.), Janice Quiroa (Sr.), Sofia Ferran (Jr.).

Arianna Ruiz, Alena Rik, Janice Quiroa, and Sofia Ferran of the Mater Lakes Academy girls’ wrestling team qualified for state at the regional tournament in Wellington.
Arianna Ruiz, Alena Rik, Janice Quiroa, and Sofia Ferran of the Mater Lakes Academy girls’ wrestling team qualified for state at the regional tournament in Wellington.

Rik won an individual region title at 145 pounds. Ruiz, a 12-year-old, was runner-up at 120. Quiroa at 135 and Ferran at 110 each placed third for the Bears, coached by Brandon Neifeld.

On the boys’ side, Mater Lakes Academy was second at the District 15-1A Tournament at Somerset Academy in Pembroke Pines.

The Bears celebrated five district champions. They are: Mason O’Dell (106), Anthony O’Dell (120), Eric Hodge (138), Kalias Nazario (152) and Damian Soto (220).

Regionals are Friday and Saturday at Cardinal Gibbons.

Key West extends record run

The host Key West boys’ wrestling team, coached by Chaz Jimenez, won the District 16-1A title.

The Key West wrestling team won its 16 consecutive district title, a school record in any sport.
The Key West wrestling team won its 16 consecutive district title, a school record in any sport.

This marks the wrestling program’s 14th consecutive district team title, extending the school record for most consecutive district titles in a sport.

The Conch had nine individual district champions, and 13 qualifying for regionals, which are Friday and Saturday at Cardinal Gibbons.

District 16-1A at Key West High School: 1. Key West 256; 2. Florida Christian 184; 3. Westminster Christian 130; 4. Killian 93; 5. Keys Gate 75; 6. Coral Shores 69; 7. Miami Sunset 63; 8. South Miami 50; 9. Riviera Prep 15.5.

106: 1. Joshua Sanchez of Miami Killian; 2. Dylan Munz of Westminster Christian School; 3. Christopher Blanco of Florida Christian School; 4. Skylar Fosshage of Key West; 5. Carlos Aroque of Keys Gate; 6. Steven DeRobertis of Coral Shores.

1st Place Match: Joshua Sanchez (Miami Killian) 40-5, Jr. over Dylan Munz (Westminster Christian School) 24-14, 7th. (Fall 1:19).

113: 1. Leonardo Trejos of Florida Christian School; 2. Fredvon Mitchum of Miami Killian; 3. Sebastian McCoy of Coral Shores; 4. Andres Linares of Westminster Christian School; 5. Prometheus Delacercla of Key West; 6. Isaiah Cuellar of Keys Gate.

1st Place Match: Leonardo Trejos (Florida Christian School) 23-3, Fr. over Fredvon Mitchum (Miami Killian) 21-7, Fr. (Fall 3:23).

120: 1. RJ Linares of Westminster Christian School; 2. Lazaro Diaz of Key West; 3. Vincent Cortina of Riviera Preparatory School (Coral Gables); 4. Bryson Harrison of Florida Christian School; 5. Jose Flores of Keys Gate.

1st Place Match: RJ Linares (Westminster Christian School) 26-15, Fr. over Lazaro Diaz (Key West) 26-22, So. (Fall 3:23).

126: 1. Abram Canet of Key West; 2. Raymir Cadavid of Miami Sunset; 3. Matthew Davila of Keys Gate; 4. Brandon Rodriguez of Miami Killian.

1st Place Match: Abram Canet (Key West) 29-18, So. over Raymir Cadavid (Miami Sunset) 20-7, Jr. (Dec 13-9).

132: 1. Dostmukhammad Bakhtiyorov of Key West; 2. Austin Rodriguez of Florida Christian School; 3. Kevin Faife of Miami Sunset; 4. Devin Smith of Coral Shores; 5. Joeshiya Morales of South Miami; 6. Jayden Giscomb of Keys Gate.

1st Place Match: Dostmukhammad Bakhtiyorov (Key West) 44-10, Jr. over Austin Rodriguez (Florida Christian School) 4-1, Jr. (Fall 0:16).

138: 1. James Searcy of Key West; 2. Finn McDonough of Coral Shores; 3. Adrian Gutierrez of Westminster Christian School; 4. Gabriel Reina of Florida Christian School; 5. Erick Santa Cruz of Keys Gate; 6. Sean Crawford of Miami Killian.

1st Place Match: James Searcy (Key West) 22-18, So. over Finn McDonough (Coral Shores) 29-12, Fr. (Dec 11-9).

145: 1. Alfredo Corrales of Key West; 2. Landyn Munz of Westminster Christian School; 3. Jose Martinez of Florida Christian School; 4. Jayden Angel of Coral Shores; 5. Elijah Amnicki-Echeza of Miami Sunset; 6. Andy Leiva of Keys Gate.

1st Place Match: Alfredo Corrales (Key West) 35-13, So. over Landyn Munz (Westminster Christian School) 22-7, Fr. (Fall 4:00).

152: 1. Dylan Sweeney of Miami Killian; 2. Dylan Gonzalez of Florida Christian School; 3. Justin Tran of Key West; 4. Mihalov Bellevue of Keys Gate; 5. Nathan McMorris of Miami Sunset; 6. Kevin Mayea of South Miami.

1st Place Match: Dylan Sweeney (Miami Killian) 30-6, 8th. over Dylan Gonzalez (Florida Christian School) 17-7, So. (Fall 1:45).

160: 1. Ryan Sezumaga of Westminster Christian School; 2. Mason Harrison of Florida Christian School; 3. Rohan Rosado of South Miami; 4. Morgan Sukion of Key West; 5. Terrell Jones of Miami Killian; 6. Ray Scuderi of Coral Shores.

1st Place Match: Ryan Sezumaga (Westminster Christian School) 40-8, Sr. over Mason Harrison (Florida Christian School) 20-8, So. (MD 11-2).

170: 1. Alexander Marcotte of Key West; 2. Romello Aldridge of Keys Gate; 3. Michel Fernandez of South Miami; 4. Lucas Gasco-Guterro of Florida Christian School; 5. Ian Gonzalez of Westminster Christian School.

1st Place Match: Alexander Marcotte (Key West) 24-11, So. over Romello Aldridge (Keys Gate) 13-11, So. (Fall 1:27).

182: 1. Elijah Miranda of Key West; 2. Julian Valdes of Westminster Christian School; 3. Daniel Mainade of Florida Christian School.

1st Place Match: Elijah Miranda (Key West) 31-14, Sr. over Julian Valdes (Westminster Christian School) 29-15, Sr. (Dec 7-1).

195: 1. Weston Andrews of Key West; 2. Tim Gallardo of Florida Christian School; 3. Derek Regalado of South Miami; 4. Jack Hill of Coral Shores.

1st Place Match: Weston Andrews (Key West) 26-18, Sr. over Tim Gallardo (Florida Christian School) 13-4, Jr. (Fall 2:50).

220: 1. Ralph Riche of Key West; 2. Alexei Ramirez of Florida Christian School; 3. Alexander Alaniz of Miami Sunset.

1st Place Match: Ralph Riche (Key West) 40-10, Jr. over Alexei Ramirez (Florida Christian School) 10-9, Jr. (Fall 0:54).

285: 1. Andre Otto of Key West; 2. Jordan Diaz of Miami Sunset; 3. Deuron Thomas of Miami Killian.

1st Place Match: Andre Otto (Key West) 15-2, Sr. over Jordan Diaz (Miami Sunset) 20-10, So. (Fall 0:47).

State weightlifting

Emma Van Arman of AIE Charter School in Miami Springs placed third in Olympic Lifting in the 139-pound division of Class 1A during the FHSAA State Girls’ Weightlifting Championships at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

Emma Van Arman of AIE Charter School placed third at state.
Emma Van Arman of AIE Charter School placed third at state.

She was Broward/Miami Dade’s top finisher in Class 1A of all weight divisions.

Emma Van Arman of AIE Charter School placed third at state.
Emma Van Arman of AIE Charter School placed third at state.

In the 119-pound division, Hannah St. Gerard of Doctor’s Charter in Miami Shores was seventh.

Basketball playoffs

BOYS: Region 4-7A Semifinal: Columbus 68, Doral Academy 29: A stifling defense allowed Doral just nine second half points in the rout. The Explorers play Deerfield Beach on Friday in a region final.

Col: Boozer, Cayden 20; Hueso, Nicholas 5; Miranda, Angelo 1; Bess, Garyn 2; Boozer, Cameron 22; Noriega, Kevin 5; Fragela, Benny 6; Abdullahi, Malik 7. Dor: Ortega, Maximo 13; Hernandez, Gabe 10; Martinez, Orlando 2; Nunez, Martin 4. 3-Pters: Boozer, Cayden 3, Boozer, Cameron 3, Noriega, Fragela 2, Abdullahi. Rebs: Boozer, Cam. 16,

Tennis

GIRLS: Flanagan 7, Hallandale 0: Singles winners: Maribel Caraballo (2-0); Luciana Marcano (1-1); Natalia Marcano (1-1); Kylie Solorzano (2-0); Abrie Thompson (2-0). Doubles: Maribel Caraballo/Kylie Solorzano (1-1); Luciana Marcano/Natalia Marcano (2-0). Flan (2-0).

GIRLS: Palmetto 7, MAST 0: Ameia Sorey d. Sofya Vinagrodouva 8-1; Mia Sorrentino d. Michaela Tarazona 8-2; Brooke Revuelta d. Ashania Martinez 8-1; Madeleine Chellas d. Nila Nahuz 8-5; Alessia franco d. Mariana Mazzotta 8-0; Ariana Gil d. Annika Risvaer 8-2. Doubles: Ameia Sorey/Stephanie Hylton d. Sofya Vinagrodouva/Michaela Tarazona 8-0; Brooke Revuelta/Alessia Franco d. Mariana Mazzotta/ Nila Nahuz 8-0. Plm (2-0).

GIRLS: Riviera Prep 5, MAST 2: RP: No.2 Leyla Kilgour won 8-2; No.3 Maria De La O won 8-6; No.4 Isabella Paradisi won 8-0. Doubles: No.1 Sasha Kilgour/Leyla Kilgour won 8-3; No.2 De La O and Paradisi won 8-4. RP (3-0)..

BOYS: Flanagan 6, Hallandale 0: Singles winners: Andres Leon (1-1); Manuel Ayebah (2-0); Melvin Ayebah (2-0); Sebastion Cordero (2-0). Doubles: Andres Leon/Manuel Ayebah (1-1); Melvin Ayebah/Sebastion Cordero (1-1). Flan (1-1).

BOYS: Palmetto 7, MAST 0: Stefan Correa d. Alessandro Sanchez 8-2; Michael Larionov d. Sebastian Felice 8-3; Cason Campbell d. Pablo Lopez De Ayala 8-5; Matteo Sama d. Gianluca Sanchez 8-1; Alessio Guarino d. Patrick Westring 8-0; Paul Sasso d. Nicola Ibrichimov 8-0. Doubles: Stefan Correa/Michael Larionov d. Alessandro Sanchez/Sebastian Felice 8-6; Matteo Sama/Alessio Guarino d. Pablo Lopez De Ayala/Gianluca Sanchez 8-2. Plm (2-0).

Softball

Colonial Christian 10. Somerset Academy South-Homesetad 0: WP Emily Friman (1-0) CG, 10 K, 2 2B; Joselyn Walsh 2 2B, 2 RBI; Zoe Friman 1B, 2 RBI. CC (1-0).

Destiny Polles, a 7th grader on the Colonial Christian softball team.
Destiny Polles, a 7th grader on the Colonial Christian softball team.

Baseball

High School Baseball Network Tournament: Doral Academy 8, Miami Christian 0: Sebastian Berrios 2-3, HR, 2 RBI; Gabe Milano 1-2, HR; Robert Rodriguez 1-3, HR, RBI; WP Frank Menendez 5 IP, 5 K, 0 ER. Doral Academy ranked 15th nationally, Miami Christan ranked 53rd.

Sunset 28, Booker T. Washington 1: Ángel Santiago 2-2, HR, 2B; Miguel Gonzalez 2-2, HR.

Western 6, Coral Springs Charter 0: WP Alex Pena (1-0), 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 6 K; LP Aiden Tarshis (0-1); SV Tyler Jenkins (1), 3 IP, 0 R, 3 K, 1 H; Daniel Ortega 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; Eddie Urdaneta 1-3, 2B, R.

Lacrosse

GIRLS: Cardinal Gibbons 16, Archbishop McCarthy 10: Adriana Sandola 5 saves; Destynie Huynh 5 goals, 1 turnover; Game Ball recipient Jenna Haupert 4 goals, 11 draw controls, 5 turnovers/interceptions; Kylie Taylor 3 goals, 3 assists, 2 turnovers/interceptions; Ashley Brooks 3 goals, 2 assists, 2 draw controls, 4 turnovers/interceptions; Audrey Kurdziel 1 goal, 3 draw controls, 2 assists, 1 turnover; Victoria James 6 turnovers/interceptions.

BOYS: Cooper City 13, Taravella 10: Offense: Rex Kotzen 5 goals; Jack Keffer 6 goals; Drew Chin 1 goal; Max Gwaltney 1 goal; Logan Doherty 5 ground balls. Defense: Goalie Logan Ratjar 5 saves; Zane Jimenez 5 ground balls. CC (3-0).

Submit sports results

For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade, if you have varsity results along with top performers and their stats for this column, email hssports@miamiherald.com.

Baseball, flag football, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo and more spring sports.

They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online.

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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone

jvarsallone@miamiherald.com

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