Osceola Kowboys state champ shines in Knockout
Four Orlando area wrestlers placed in the top six of their weight class in the prestigious Knockout Christmas Classic boys wrestling tournament hosted by Kissimmee Osceola High School.
That’s a badge of honor considering the event drew teams from eight states and included 48 individual state champions. Eight reigning state title teams participated Monday and Tuesday at Silver Spurs Arena in an event that also included a record-setting girls division.
The top local boys finisher was Osceola state champ Cooper Haase in the 138-pounds weight class. The junior finished runner-up to three-time state champ Tom Crook of team champion Tampa Jesuit in a 3-1 decision. Crook and Haase are in different classifications and are two of the 35 Florida wrestlers who came into the tournament ranked No. 1 in their weight class by KabraWrestling.com.
The Kowboys were also the highest finishing area team in the loaded tournament, scoring 69 points to place 22nd.
Brandon Cody of The Master’s Academy finished sixth at 145 pounds, while Davis Deal of Winter Springs and Ethan Gomez of Hagerty faced each other for fifth place at 170 pounds. Deal defeated Gomez 5-1.
In the Girls Knockout Classic on Monday, there were no team scores but multiple local wrestlers shined in a tournament that set records for the number of competitors in the first season of FHSAA championship status.
Freedom had two girls win their weight class and two others finish runner-up. Kailey Rees won at 125 pounds, pinning Osceola’s Paris Martinez in the final. The Patriots also had Josie Kaminski finish fourth in that weight class.
Freedom’s other champ was Kiara Brin at 235 and Rotchiva Clermont and Leashiam Cotto placing third and fourth in that class for almost a clean sweep.
Keyla DeLeon (135) and Salexa Lontoc-Ortiz (190) also were runners-up for Freedom.
Dr. Phillips had three girls place in the top four with
Juliana Diaz winning at 115 pounds, defeating Cameron Galvin of Freedom in a 3-0 decision. Victoria Ceballos placed runner-up at 100 pounds for the Panthers and DP’s Amy Etienne finished third at 155.
Timber Creek’s Madison Waltz was the 140 champ ahead of Oseola’s Brianna Espinosa.