Local Wrestlers Compete In Regionals At Park Vista

Wellington’s Justin Henry takes down his opponent in the 132-pound category.

Wrestlers from the Class 3A, Region 3 gathered at Park Vista High School on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24 to compete in the regional tournament.

Sixteen schools participated in the two-day event, including Wellington, Palm Beach Central, Royal Palm Beach and Seminole Ridge high schools. The top three places qualify for the state tournament. More than 30 area grapplers qualified for the regional tournament.

The Wolverines have been a dominating force on the mat in recent years and took the regional title with a total of 207 points. In all, the Wolverines had nine state qualifiers.

Wellington also had four regional champions: Chris Difiore in the 106-pound weight class, Justin Henry in the 132-pound class, Jaren Abramson in the 138-pound class and Eric Saber in the 182-pound weight class. Abramson claimed his 100th pin during the tournament, and Saber earned his 101st pin.

Royal Palm Beach had one regional champion with Bryan Canedo in the 220-pound weight category. Benjamin Asher was the second-place finisher in the 152-pound class.

Seminole Ridge’s 170-pound wrestler Mitchell Clark qualified for the state tournament as well, placing third in his weight class.

All of the wrestlers in the top three places qualified for the state tournament this weekend at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, with the Wolverines being heavily represented.

Other state qualifiers for Wellington are as follows: Jesse Weinberg, 113-pound class, second place; Tony Widrig, 120-pound class, second place; Robert Saldarriaga, 126-pound class, third place; Cameryn Townsend, 145-pound class, third place; and Ryhan Montes, 160-pound class, third place.