Members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas wrestling team with Debbi Hixon, the late wife of Coach Chris Hixon. [Photo courtesy MSD Athletics].
By: Matt Rothman
It may be a bit of a rebuilding year for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wrestling Team with only four seniors, but they are having a terrific season heading into Districts.
The Eagles are 13-4 and had two of those losses come in the final matches against Park Vista and Jupiter High School.
Leading the team has been Head Coach Ken Gendason, along with Assistant Coach Daniel Sanchez, who is a retired 32-year Sgt. Major with the United States Army.
Also helping bring talented wrestlers to the team is MSD Varsity Football Coach, Quentin Short.
MSD is very fortunate to be able to put players in all 14 weight classes. Leading the team this season has been senior Marcos Aguirre (160), and juniors Quinn Heller (152), and Josh Frais (Hwt) on the mat. Between the three of them, the trio has won 60 matches this season.
Other notable wrestlers this season has been Senior Guether Joseph (145) and Juniors Issac Briones (106), Donald Goldstein (120), Fenthon Aristhomene (132), and Freshman Lenny Cipolla (113 ). They have all done a fantastic job in dual matches for MSD leading to many wins for the Parkland school.
On the female side, Senior Sara Ochoa (152) is coming off a third-place finish last season in States and also placed just outside the top-ten in the nation for her weight class in the Fargo National Championship last summer out of 51 girls.
While the season is not over, Gendason could not be happier for the way his team improved all season and said whatever the outcome is, he was extremely pleased how this young team has competed all season long.
“Knowing we have four to five wrestlers that legitimately can make a run to the states will make it an exciting finish.”
Up next, the Eagles will prepare for the BCAA’s starting on Friday, January 31- February 1 at Pompano Beach High School. The district tournament will be February 22 at Park Vista High School and then Regionals on February 28-29.
The State Competition will be on March 6-7 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. The boys have to qualify for States while the girls have an open state championship.