Unveiling the 2023-24 Volusia-Flagler All-Area Boys Wrestling Team

Volusia-Flagler area wrestlers enjoyed plenty of individual success during the 2023-24 season.

Thirteen boys from five teams qualified for the state championships. That included Matanzas’ Jordan Mills, who polished off an undefeated senior campaign with a 2A title. Overall, 10 locals placed inside the top eight in their weight classes.

Flagler Palm Coast and New Smyrna Beach each put five competitors into the state tournament. The Bulldogs finished 11th at the 3A level, and the Barracudas tied for 14th in 2A.

The Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the athlete of the year nominees for boys wrestling. The winners will be announced during the live show on Monday, June 3, at the Ocean Center.

The show is presented with the support of Halifax Health.

During the live show, athletes of the year in 30 state-sanctioned sports will be honored. In addition, top teams, coaches and overall athletes will be honored as will a Courage Award winner. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Details on how additional tickets can be obtained will be available soon.

For more information about the show and to opt into email updates, visit its website and follow it on Facebook.

The Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department through our School Spirit Contest. Details on how to vote for your school will be coming soon.

Let’s check out the team.

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Nominees

Carson Baert, Flagler Palm Coast (144 pounds): As a junior, Baert placed fourth in Region 1-3A and qualified for the state tournament. He tallied a 37-11 record.

Jonathan Bruner, New Smyrna Beach (138): Bruner secured eighth place at the 2A state meet, closing his junior campaign with a 22-7 record.

Kelton Howard, Flagler Palm Coast (165): The senior wrapped up his high school career with a seventh-place finish at the 3A state tournament and a 41-6 record.

Ethan Laupepa, Flagler Palm Coast (215): Laupepa collected a Region 1-3A title and 42-4 record as a senior, slotting seventh at the 3A state meet.

Jordan Mills, Matanzas (190): Mills was perfect as a senior, picking up district, regional and 2A state championships on his way to 52-0.

Kyle Nilsson, New Smyrna Beach (215): As a junior, Nilsson took third in Region 1-2A to move on to the state bracket. His final record: 45-10.

MJ Smokes, DeLand (285): The senior solidified his status as one of the state’s best heavyweights. He claimed fourth place in 3A and possessed a 31-5 record.

Toryion Stallings, Flagler Palm Coast (132): The senior clinched a Region 1-3A championship, then captured fourth place at states. He had a 45-4 record.

Aidan Sutton, New Smyrna Beach (150): The senior, who went 42-11, placed sixth at the 2A state meet.

Trey Twilley, Flagler Palm Coast (126): Bursting onto the scene with a 41-11 record as a freshman, Twilley nabbed sixth place at the 3A state championships.

Sawyer Vanrider, New Smyrna Beach (190): The senior ended his high school career with a 44-7 record in his last go-round and was the 2A state runner-up.

Kyle Yasses, Deltona (138): As a senior, Yasses notched seventh place at the 2A state meet. He racked up a 44-13 record.

Other Athletes of Note

Tyler Bracero, DeLand (120): Bracero finished with a 37-11 record, qualifying for the Region 1-3A Tournament.

Brandon Calidonio, Flagler Palm Coast (175): Calidonio tallied a 31-11 record and muscled his way to the Region 1-3A Tournament.

Joseph Dailey, Flagler Palm Coast (106): Dailey moved on as far as the Region 1-3A meet. He had a 21-17 record.

Joshua Folsom, DeLand (157): Folsom went to the Region 1-3A Tournament and finished with a 39-10 record.

Mathias Franz, DeLand (150): As a senior, Franz amassed a 20-9 record.

Michael Fries, Matanzas (144): A Region 1-2A Tournament qualifier, Fries went 32-17.

Jeremiah Garcia, Mainland (132): Garcia qualified for the Region 1-2A bracket and put up a 35-9 record.

Doyvonne Leadon, Flagler Palm Coast (150): Leadon, with a final record of 29-15, went to the Region 1-3A Tournament.

Merrick Miller, New Smyrna Beach (144): Miller was a 2A state qualifier after taking fourth place in Region 1-2A. His record: 31-11.

Mason Obama, Matanzas (165): The junior wrestled to a 36-16 record and qualified for the Region 1-2A Tournament.

Jamison Pinyan, Mainland (157): Pinyan sped to a 22-14 record as a senior.

William Sites, Seabreeze (126): The junior compiled a 26-10 record and advanced to the Region 1-2A Tournament.

Top Coach

David Bossardet, Flagler Palm Coast: In Bossardet’s second season as head coach, his Bulldogs put forth the top local finish among regional and state meets. They ranked third in Region 1-3A and 11th at the 3A state championships. Bossardet coached five state qualifiers and four state placers.

Honorable Mention

DeLand: David Birdsey, Ben Morris, Garrett Perkins, Peyton Senez

Deltona: Jovanni Carraturo, Kyle Kerns

Flagler Palm Coast: Melique Joseph, Ronden Ricks, Raheem Rolle

Mainland: Elliot Moore, Isaac Simien, Aiden West

Matanzas: Douglas Crutchley

New Smyrna Beach: Richard Crunkilton, Isaiah McCloud

Pine Ridge: Benjamin Torres

Seabreeze: Evan Bobak, Luke Cloer, Aidan Hedge, Caden Robbins

University: Carlito Betancourt, Seth Cruz, Kaiden Olavarria

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia-Flagler All-Area: Meet the 2023-24 Boys Wrestling Team