2026 High School Wrestling Honors: All-Area Teams and Wrestlers of the Year
The 2026 high school wrestling season has concluded, leaving a trail of record-breaking performances and hard-fought state titles. From the dominance in Florida’s coastal regions to the rigorous standards of national scholastic duals, the latest All-Area and All-Scholastic selections highlight the athletes who defined the mat this year.
Sarasota and Manatee County Standouts
In the Sarasota and Manatee County regions, the Herald-Tribune All-Area Wrestling Team recognized the top performers based on coach nominations and regional research.
Player of the Year: Blake Roulund
Senior Blake Roulund of Cardinal Mooney Catholic earned the title of Player of the Year. Competing in the 215-pound weight class, Roulund transitioned from football to wrestling full-time, resulting in a stellar 32-2 season. While he secured the Region 1A-3 and District 1A-11 championships, he finished as the Class 1A runner-up after a championship match loss to Cardinal Gibbons sophomore Peter Mocco, who ended the season undefeated at 55-0.
The First Team Elite
Several other athletes earned First Team honors for their exceptional contributions to their respective programs:
- Broc Dahlin (Bayshore): The junior in the 138-pound class set a new school record with 150 career wins. Dahlin captured the Manatee County, District 1A-11, and Region 1A-3 titles, eventually placing fourth at the state meet.
- Jacob Fuentes (Braden River): A senior in the 144-pound class, Fuentes won the District 2A-9 title and finished as the runner-up in both the Region 2A-3 and Class 2A meets.
- Porter Daniels (Palmetto): The sophomore competing at 132 pounds won both the Manatee County and District 3A-8 championships, finishing eighth at the state meet.
- Jeremiah Coleman (Bayshore): A junior in the 126-pound class, Coleman was the District 1A-11 champion and placed third in Region 1A-3 to qualify for the state meet.
Southwest Florida Girls Wrestling Excellence
The girls’ division saw significant achievement in Southwest Florida. According to the News-Press, Partello was named the 2026 Southwest Florida Girls Wrestler of the Year, capping her high school career by winning a state title.
Regional and National Recognition
Beyond the Florida coast, other regions have finalized their honors. The South Shore High School Wrestling All-Scholastic teams have also been announced, identifying the top male and female wrestlers of the year through community polls.
On the national stage, the AAU Wrestling Scholastic Duals Girls Nationals continue to set high standards for athlete eligibility. The All Star HS Division is specifically reserved for biological female athletes attending high schools within a particular AAU District during the 2025-2026 school year, with strict limits on the number of wrestlers allowed from adjoining districts on a single roster.
Key Takeaways: 2026 Wrestling Highlights
| Athlete | School | Achievement | Key Stat/Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Roulund | Cardinal Mooney Catholic | Player of the Year | 32-2 Record / Class 1A Runner-up |
| Partello | SW Florida | Girls Wrestler of the Year | State Title Winner |
| Broc Dahlin | Bayshore | First Team All-Area | 150 Career Wins (School Record) |
| Peter Mocco | Cardinal Gibbons | State Champion | 55-0 Undefeated Season |
As the 2026 season closes, these athletes have set a high benchmark for the next generation of wrestlers. The transition from other sports, as seen with Blake Roulund, and the breaking of long-standing school records underscore the growing competitive depth of high school wrestling.