Wrestling Wins District - Twice

A new rule implemented in high school wrestling this year provides each team with two opportunities, in two different formats, to win a District championship.

Jesuit captured both.

In early January, the Tigers defeated Robinson in the final match of the new-this-year District Duals.  

Then on Saturday (Feb. 17) at Chamberlain High School, in the traditional-style District Tournament, the Tigers dominated. Jesuit captured the title for the 10th time in the past 12 years (and 2nd time in 3 seasons under head coach Sal Basile), outscoring runner-up Robinson 240-169 to win the 11-team District.

The Tigers featured five individual District champions Saturday: Luke Surak '18 (120 pounds), Ethan Basile '20 (145), Patrick Eberly '18 (170), Eli Davenport '18 (195), and Mason Arnold '21 (220).

District champions Surak, Basile, Eberly, Davenport, and Arnold.

All 14 Jesuit wrestlers placed in the Top 4 in their respective weight class on Saturday, with three finishing in 2nd place - Alfonso Vargas '20 (113), William McGill '19 (126), and Tim Eberly '20 (160); four finishing in 3rd Place - Jack McGill '20 (132), Aidan Gingell '20 (138), Miguel Coste '19 (152), and Ryan Nelson '19 (285); and two finishing in 4th - Nelson Howard '21 (106) and Andre Mortensen '20 (182).

Jesuit wrestling next will compete in the Region Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Brandon High School.

Wrestling was Jesuit's second District championship of the weekend. On Friday (Feb. 16) night at Jefferson, Jesuit basketball defeated Robinson 54-41 to win the District for the seventh consecutive year under head coach Neal Goldman.

Thierry Moliere '18, who missed 12 games in mid-season with an ankle injury, led the Tigers with 20 points. Next up for basketball: Jesuit (21-6) will host Lake Wales in a Region Semifinal on Thursday (Feb. 22) at the Tiger Palace at 7:00pm.