All-Area: Dan Williams, wrestler of the year

Monday, March 28, 2011
by Joseph Kairalla

Dan Williams had a great season as a junior in 2010, but it ended horribly.

The 160-pound wrestler for Dwyer qualified for the state tournament, but at the weigh-in, he missed weight by two-tenths of a pound and was unable to compete.

"No one to blame but myself and I felt like absolute crap, worse than dirt," Williams said. "I was so disappointed because I let myself down, and worse than that, my teammates down."

One good thing did come from that experience, however. It inspired Williams to work harder so he could dominate his senior season.

And dominate he did.

Still wrestling at 160, Williams finished 53-3, setting a Dwyer record for wins in a season. Along the way he captured the county championship, won the Raich Memorial tournament in Jupiter, and also captured the district and regional championships.

After successfully making weight at state this year, Williams battled his way to a fourth-place finish.

Missing weight last season wasn't the only thing that drove Williams to greatness this season.

"My teammates drove me every day to get better," Williams said. "I never would've had so much success without them."

Though Williams didn't win the state championship like he had hoped, he proved a lot to himself while accomplishing some special things on the mat.

"I proved that I'm able to overcome and learn from mistakes," Williams said. "I took a negative and turned it into a positive, which made me have a year I'll never forget."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Boomer Mears

Olympic Heights

Led the Lions to a second-place finish at the county tournament and a 12th-place finish in the Class 3A state competition.

FIRST TEAM

103 POUNDS

Jonny Freia

Olympic Heights, Junior

Won a county championship, took third at state and was 43-4 overall for the Lions.

112 POUNDS

Brian Radli

Jupiter, Junior

On pace to break county record for wins next year. Won county title and was fourth at state.

119 POUNDS

Daniel Mobili

Boca Raton, Junior

Rebounded from second-place finish at county to place sixth at the state meet.

125 POUNDS

Joey Ciacco

Park Vista, Senior

Won county championship and placed fifth at state.

135 POUNDS

Jid Gutty

Olympic Heights, Senior

Finished third at county but rallied to place fourth at state.

140 POUNDS

Ode Osbourne

Dwyer, Senior

Placed second in the county and fourth at the state tournament.

145 POUNDS

Jake Ferrara

Wellington, Senior

Battled injuries much of the season but still finished 30-4 and qualified for the state meet.

152 POUNDS

Jesse Stephanos

Jupiter Christian, Sophomore

Top sophomore in the area, won county championship and placed an area-best second at state.

160 POUNDS

Stone Desmond

Park Vista, Senior

State qualifier finished 44-4 and lost to Dwyer's Dan Williams in the county championship.

171 POUNDS

Dylan Arias

Olympic Heights, Junior

County champion was a solid contributor all season for the Lions.

189 POUNDS

Lawton Petit-Frere

Glades Central, Senior

Raiders' top wrestler won the county championship during a standout season.

215 POUNDS

Brandon Lustgarten

Wellington, Senior

County and regional champion, capped dominant season with fifth-place finish at state.

HEAVYWEIGHT

Karl Stanborough

Jupiter, Senior

Finished 55-5 and placed fifth at state, capping a standout career with the Warriors.

SECOND TEAM

103: David Morse, American Heritage Fr.

112: Steve Textor, Park Vista, So.

119: Nick Barrett, Park Vista, So.

125: Dillon Marcus, Palm Beach Central, Jr.

130: Josh Weinberg, Palm Beach Central, Sr.

135: Zach Katz, Wellington, Sr.

140: Israel Henry, Santaluces, Jr.

145: Carter Phillips, Boca Raton, Sr.

152: Tony Salone, Palm Beach Central, Jr.

160: Mike Kestner, Jupiter Christian, So.

171: Andrew Harris, Boca Raton, Sr.

189: Eliezor Perez, John I. Leonard, Sr.

215: Martavious Lewis, Atlantic, Sr.

285: Mike Kosoy, Olympic Heights, Sr.

285: Chris Escamilla, Park Vista, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

103: Eli Henry, Santaluces; Cody Francis, Park Vista; Pierce Beaubien, Seminole Ridge.

112: Sam Hargesheimer, Seminole Ridge; Anthony Mercadante, Benjamin.

119: Collin Melcher, Seminole Ridge; Trace Thome, Seminole Ridge.

125: Kyle Dilley, Boca Raton; Jeff Letizia, Olympic Heights.

130: Sam Wayatt, West Boca Raton; Brandon Smith, Dwyer; Andrew MacArthur, Jupiter; Tag Wilber, Jupiter Christian.

135: Caleb Cook, Cardinal Newman; Joel Degville, Olympic Heights.

140: George Berns, John I. Leonard; David Kestner, Jupiter Christian; Thomas Bertone, Jupiter.

145: Yacine Kermouche, Spanish River; Mitchell White, Park Vista; Collin Bachi, Wellington.

152: Brandon Mon, Boca Raton; Andre Williams, Dwyer.

160: Ricardo Kos, West Boca Raton; James Morden, Wellington.

171: Andres Rodriguez, Palm Beach Gardens; Prenel Jacquet, Atlantic; Mateo Londono, American Heritage; Nic Hall, Palm Beach Central.

189: Michael Saint-Surin, Atlantic; Jean Serge, Boca Raton.

215: William Pigeon, Palm Beach Gardens; Teddy Rosalva, American Heritage.

285: Bryce Gianangeli, Dwyer; Giancarlo Bennardo, American Heritage.

BEST OF THE TREASURE COAST

Jensen Beach: Mike Flemming, Mike Hess, Bryan Gonzalez, Jacob Smith, Ian Wiswell; Fort Pierce Central: Mikingson Marsaille, Luttere Eglaus, Paul Thibedeau, Alex Anderson, Kevin Carter; Fort Pierce Westwood: Scott Riker; Martin County: Steven Perets, Reid Karraker; Port St. Lucie: Brandon Erff, James Stanley, Nick Vinson. MVP: Jared Browning, Jensen Beach.