Led by state champion Mason O’Dell and state finalists Kalias Nazario and Damian Soto, the Mater Lakes wrestling program sent 16 athletes (12 boys, 4 girls) to the FHSAA state championships this year. The boys placed fourth in the state Class 1A tournament, and the girls placed eighth in the state.
Mason O’Dell, an eighth-grader, won his title at 106 pounds to finish with a 48-3 record. Nazario, a freshman, was 2nd at 152 pounds and Soto, a sophomore, was 2nd at 220 pounds. Finishing third in their divisions for Mater Lakes were seventh-grader Arianna Ruiz and eighth-grader Ethan Tran. Also placing at the state meet were Malikai Badillo (5th, 132 pounds), Sofia Ferran (6th, 110 pounds), Alena Rik (6th, 145 pounds), Eric Hodge (7th, 138 pounds), Calogero Mazzrillo (7th, 170 pounds) and Anthony O’Dell (8th, 120 pounds). The Bears had five other athletes qualify for states: Janice Quiroa, Kellen Mesina, Emmanuel Celestin, Emanuel Nazco and Kevin Breton.
Shown in the photo provided by the school, from left: Kevin Breton; Calogero Mazzrillo; Kellen Mesina; Ethan Tran; Malikai Badillo; Emmanuel Celestin; Emanuel Nazco; Eric Hodge; Anthony O’Dell; Damian Soto; Kalias Nazario; Sofia Ferran; Mason O’Dell; Janice Quiroa; Arianna Ruiz and Alena Rik.