- December 20, 2024
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Christina Borgmann with Matanzas girls wrestling coach Mike Fries. Borgmann won all 10 of her matches at the AAU Scholastic Duals in Orlando, and their team, Charlie's Angels Florida Pink, placed fifth in the Girls All-Star Division. Photo by Rachel Mills.
The Matanzas Pirates received their girls wrestling state championship rings on June 30. Courtesy photo.
Head Coach Mike Fries, right, and the The Charlie's Angels Florida Pink team pose after placing fifth in the Girls All-Star Division at the AAU Scholastic Duals. Eight Matanzas wrestlers were on the team: Christina Borgmann, who went 10-0 at the tourney, Tiana Fries, Gabby Proctor, Mariah Mills, Kendall Bibla, Brooklyn Watt, Ani Brown and Brielle Bibla, who graduated in June. Photo by Rachel Mills.
Kendall Bibla puts a headlock on her opponent in a match at the AAU Scholastic Duals in Orlando. Photo by Rachel Mills
Mariah Mills (left) faces off against an opponent from Missouri at the AAU Scholastic Duals in Orlando. Photo by Rachel Mills
Head Coach Mike Fries hugs daughter, Tiana, after a victory at the AAU Scholastic Duals at the Orange County Convention Center. Photo by Rachel Mills
Matanzas girls wrestling coach Mike Fries didn’t know that the National Wrestling Coaches Association recognized high school coaches of the year.
Fries, who led the Pirates to the 2023 state girls wrestling championship, has been named the NWCA Florida Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year. His staff — which includes boys coach TJ Gillin and assistant Jeremiah Marschka — was named the the Girls Assistant Staff of the Year.
Not one to rest on his own or his team’s laurels, Fries now has his sights set higher.
I never knew they named national coaches of the year. Now that I know, I want it.”
— MIKE FRIES, Matanzas girls wrestling coach
“Now that we got state coach and staff of the year, I want us to win section coaches of the year and compete for the overall,” he said. “So, all right, let’s repeat as state champs, and if we don’t do it then, maybe if we three-peat they’ll give it to us. I never knew they named national coaches of the year. Now that I know, I want it.”
In April, Fries was named the Florida Dairy Farmers-sponsored state Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year. With a group dominated by underclassmen, the Pirates won the title largely due to their preparation. They finished the season ranked 13th in the nation by USA Wrestling.
Since last year, Fries has been taking Matanzas and Legend Athletics club wrestlers to elite tournaments all over the country. During the high school season, he woke up at 3:30 each morning to watch matches of returning wrestlers who had placed at state the previous season. With that knowledge and his team’s extensive tournament experience, his wrestlers were ready for anyone they would face at state.
On June 21-23, the Pirate wrestlers continued their busy offseason schedule competing on Fries’ Charlie’s Angels Florida Pink team at the AAU Scholastic Duals tournament at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Eight Matanzas wrestlers joined other Florida elite wrestlers on the team. The team won seven of 10 dual matches to place fifth in the Girls All-Star Division.
The Pirates’ Christina Borgmann won all 10 of her matches to win the first-place medal at 125 pounds.
Tiana Fries (130 pounds) and Mariah Mills (110 pounds) each won seven of 10 matches and placed third. Brielle Bibla, who is headed to the University of Mount Olive to wrestle in college, went 6-2 to win a third-place medal in 135 pounds. Kendall Bibla (145) went 6-4.
Mainland’s Mya Hill (145) and Cheyenne Wigley (heavyweight), wrestling with the Orange City Titans in another division, each went 6-4 at the tournament.
On Friday, June 30, the Pirates received their state championship rings.
“The rings are beautiful,” Mike Fries said, thanking Matanzas Principal Kristin Bozeman for allowing the team to choose any style it wanted.
The Pirates have already begun their quest to add another ring to their fingers next year.
