Despite missing several key wrestlers and forced to forfeit two matches, Mater Lakes Academy scored some big wins over their toughest rivals during the Coral Park Holiday Duals tournament, which took place the weekend of December 15.
The Bears compiled a 6-2 record for the first month of the season following the round robin.
Their rivals, Mater Academy and Coral Gables, stood in their way but Mater Lakes crushed the competition.
Senior Cole Schwartzberg (220-pound division) and junior Omar Armengol (132 pound division) led the Bears with an 8-0 record during the weekend tournament.
Junior David Alvarez (195) and junior Danny Rodriguez (195) both finished 4-0, while freshmen Justin Zerbinati (106) finished with a 6-2 record.
Their teammates, Rafael Alvarez, Steve Altamirano, Luis Blanco, Ethan Vergara, Gonzalo Perez, Jorge Rodriguez and Douglas Boutemy, also scored key wins for Mater Lakes Academy.
But the Bears had to forfeit two matches as the tournament came down to the wire.
Omar Armengol defeated state ranked Jonathan Ley in an overtime thriller to help the Bears clinch the victory, and eighth grader Vergara and freshman Perez emerged victorious with big upset wins as well. Other notable wins over state ranked opponents include wins from Schwartzberg, Altamirano, Alvarez, and Boutemy.
The Bears next match is on January 4 in the inaugural FHSAA District Duals at Somerset Academy in Pembroke Pines.