UPDATE: The Jensen Beach High School boys wrestling team has just secured a remarkable fifth-place finish at the Class 2A IBT state championships held on March 7, 2023, at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. Despite the absence of their star wrestler, Sebastian Degennaro, a four-time state champion now competing at the University of Oklahoma, the Falcons showcased their resilience and talent on the state stage.
With a total of 77.5 points, the Falcons finished just 21.5 points behind fourth-place Charlotte and 11.5 points ahead of sixth-place North Fort Myers. Head coach Tom McMath praised his team’s performance, stating, “They balled out.”
Leading the charge was freshman sensation Kane Drake, who made an impressive debut at the state level, finishing as a runner-up in the 120-pound weight class. Drake fought valiantly against more experienced competitors, ultimately losing to Eric Bush from Riverdale by a third-round pin. “I really had no clue I’d get this far,” Drake admitted, reflecting on his unexpected journey to the finals.
Drake began the tournament with a commanding 21-8 decision over Lincoln junior Juan Torres and followed that up with an 18-1 technical fall victory against East River senior Isaiah Rivera. His standout moment came in the semifinals, where he secured a 6-1 decision against Gulf Breeze senior Garrett Ferguson. “It was a nice, tough, hard match with some scrambling,” Drake noted.
Despite the loss in the finals, Drake concluded his inaugural season with an impressive 41-7 record. Having recently committed to wrestling after exploring various sports, he expressed his passion for the sport: “I just love how hard wrestling is. It’s like no other sport.”
Joining Drake on the podium, fellow Falcons Sair Lopez (126), Tyson Reyes (215), and Blake Elder (285) also achieved third-place finishes in their weight classes. Lopez capped off his freshman season with a 36-6 record after pinning Gulf Breeze’s Ryder Cohen with just 36 seconds remaining in their match. Reyes, finishing his junior year at 26-2, won via a third-period fall against Braden River’s Freedom McDaniel. Elder ended his high school career at an impressive 52-5 after a medical-withdrawal victory over Clay’s Jayshawn McLeod.
Coach McMath expressed immense pride in his team’s dedication and performance, stating, “The season is a grind sometimes, but we show up at this tournament. I’m just super proud, super grateful for our program and our kids.”
In other state championship results, Fort Pierce Central’s Skyler West (138) secured a fourth-place finish at the Class 3A state championships, with a remarkable 59-4 record this season.
The Jensen Beach Falcons continue to demonstrate their strength in the wrestling arena, proving that they are a formidable force even in the face of challenges. Expect to see more from these athletes as they aim for even greater heights in the upcoming seasons.
