Apopka’s wrestling team delivered one of its strongest postseason performances in recent years, finishing third overall at the district tournament in Windermere and far surpassing preseason expectations. 

Led by coaches James Harris, Brian Blocker and Janice Pedroza, the Blue Darters placed eight of their 11 wrestlers on the podium, a result that reflected the program’s growth, depth and resilience throughout the season. The third-place team finish marked a jump of five spots higher than projected entering the tournament. 

Marcus Young Jr. led the way for Apopka with a district championship at 190 pounds, capturing first place and setting the tone for the rest of the lineup. His performance anchored a balanced effort that saw contributions across nearly every weight class. 

Wyatt Rose battled his way to a fourth-place finish at 106 pounds, while Joel Rivera reached the finals at 120 pounds and earned silver. Julian Rivera followed with a third-place finish at 132 pounds, and Hector Santana matched that result with a third-place showing at 138 pounds. 

Uzziah Ockletree delivered another strong run for the Blue Darters, finishing second at 144 pounds, and Ian Hernandez secured fourth place at 150 pounds. Brandon Roberts added to the team’s medal count with a bronze at 215 pounds, rounding out a day filled with podium appearances for Apopka. 

Coach James Harris credited the team’s commitment and work ethic for the breakthrough performance. 

“We are proud of our achievements so far,” Harris said. “The wrestlers have continued to fight, grow, and push beyond expectations. Finishing third overall shows what hard work and belief can accomplish.” 

With districts now complete, Apopka turns its attention to the regional tournament in DeLand on Friday and Saturday. Preparation has shifted toward sharpening technique, maintaining conditioning and staying mentally focused as the level of competition rises. 

“It only gets harder from here,” Harris said. 

Apopka heads to DeLand for the regional tournament on Friday afternoon.