Four Pirates crowned region champs

The Pirates have four region champs, and all four qualified for the state tournament this weekend.

“We went with only seven guys and ended up with four champs, which was a strong enough showing to get us our highest finish since I’ve been coaching at Fernandina Beach,” said Eric Kubatzke, head boys wrestling coach at Fernandina Beach High School.

The Pirates placed fourth out of 32 teams at the Region 1-1A tournament held over the weekend at Wewahitchka High School.

“The guys are wrestling great right now and are ready for the state tournament this weekend,” Eric Kubatzke said. “They are peaking at the right time this season.”

Cael Kubatzke won the 138-pound weight class. In the first round, he defeated Blake Young from Palatka by pin in 2:15. In the quarterfinal found, he beat Christian Johnson from Wewahitchka by pin in 2:14.

In the semifinal round, Cael Kubatzke beat Hunter Brown from Liberty County by pin in 3:59. In the finals, he defeated Brady Jackson from Wakulla by pin in 1:16.

Cole Misciagna is the region champ at 144 pounds. In the first round, he beat Samuel Basford from Marianna by pin in 1:20. In the quarterfinal round, he defeated Owen Parry from Rocky Bayou Christian by pin in 1:23.

In the semifinal round, Misciagna beat Aaron Robinson from Wakulla by technical fall 19-4, and in the finals, he defeated Rodney Barnett from Union County by pin in 48 seconds.

Enzo Gamba is the 157-pound champ. He beat Nicholas Periera from Bishop Snyder by in 56 in the first round. In the quarterfinal round, he defeated  Austin Ryals from Wakulla by pin in 1:01.

Gamba beat Ajani Zahira from Florida School for the Deaf and Blind by pin in 1:38 in the semifinal round. In the final, he beat Marshall White from Suwannee by decision 8-1.

Nolan McKelvy won the 175-pound weight class. He beat Zoltin Wilson from Freeport by pin in 2:13 in the first round. In the quarterfinal round, he beat Torynn Johns from Suwannee by pin in 3:08.

In the semifinal round, McKelvy defeated Calvin Ross from Wewahitchka by major decision 10-0. In the final, he beat Xander Hawkes from Florida High School by pin in 3:18.

All four qualified for the 1A state tournament at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, which runs through Saturday.

“All four of these wrestlers had outstanding performances at the region tournament,” Eric Kubtazke said. “In the 16 total match-es that these four wrestlers competed in, 13 were won by a pin, one by a technical fall, one by a major decision and one by a decision. 

“Prior to any pins being called, they collectively scored a total of 121 points and only allowed 10 points in total  to be scored against them.”

Tickets for the state tournament may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Silver Spurs Arena Box Office.