- November 23, 2024
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When Matanzas took to the mat for the very first time, the high school has not yet been completed, so the Pirates — only ninth and 10th graders — wrestled at Indian Trails Middle School. The Pirates won their first meet, against Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and, 12 years later, they’ve just celebrated their 200th program win.
Matanzas went into the Hollingsworth Duals this past weekend at Seabreeze with 198 wins. After getting past New Smyrna Beach 46-36 to draw one more win closer, the Pirates blew out Jones High School 72-12.
“My guys have always worked hard for every win,” said head coach John White, who has coached the Pirates since the beginning. “I’m very thankful for all the support I’ve gotten from my family, administration and my wrestling family. Without them, I would not have been able to reach this milestone.”
Before taking over the Matanzas coaching position, White assisted Flagler Palm Coast’s former wrestling coach Steve DeAugustino, who now serves as the Bulldogs’ athletics director.
“I always knew I wanted to be head coach,” White said. “After four years as his assistant, I felt I was ready. I got that break when Flagler County opened Matanzas.”
DeAugustino, on White and Matanzas reaching 200 program wins, said, “He earned it. He’s always been a good coach. I hope I was able to help him in some form. But, the guy is dedicated to what he does. He was dedicated to FPC, when he was here. That’s just the kind of person he is.”
Hollingsworth Duals: The Pirates went 3-2 against Atlantic (lost), Jones (won), NSB (won), Seabreeze (won) and West Orange (lost.)
Chris Mixon and Ethan Goodman were the only Pirates to go 5-0 on the day.
Say that again: “The guy is dedicated to what he does. He was dedicated to FPC, when he was here. That’s just the kind of person he is.”
STEVE DEAUGUSTINO, Flagler Palm Coast Athletics Director, on Matanzas coach John White’s accomplishment
