- January 8, 2025
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The Flagler Palm Coast girls wrestling team solidified itself as the team to beat in the March 6-8 state tournament by winning the Knockout Christmas Classic and the Cradle Cancer Invitational during winter break.
“I consider the Knockout a mock state tournament because of the level of competition,” FPC coach David Bossardet said. “But our girls know the big picture. They don’t crown state champions in November or December. They crown them in March. They are good group of girls who work hard everyday, and that makes my job easier.”
Joslyn Johnson (105 pounds), Mariah Mills (110), Christina Borgmann (130) and Kendall Bibla (170) won titles at the Knockout on Dec. 20-21 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, which is the same venue as the state championships.
Tiana Fries (145) placed second, Ana Vilar (135) placed third and Alexa Calidonio (155) placed fourth at the Knockout.
Mills, Borgmann, Vilar, Calidonio and Bibla all won their weight classes at the Cradle Cancer Invitational in Jensen Beach on Jan. 3-4, while Alisha Vilar (140) and Fries placed second and Juliana Mills (100) placed sixth. On the boys side, Kevin McLean (113) placed third and T.J. McLean (120) placed fourth.
Mariah Mills, ranked 18th in the nation in her weight class, improved to 16-0 on the season at the Cradle Cancer Invitational, while Borgmann, ranked 10th in the nation, improved to 19-0.
Johnson is ranked fifth nationally at 105 pounds. She avenged her only loss of the season in the Knockout final, defeating seventh-ranked Camdyn Elliott of Gulf Breeze, 3-1. Johnson defeated Elliott in the state championship match last season.
There are three girls (in the 105-pound weight class, including FPC's Joslyn Johnson) ranked in the top 10 in the country, who are all in the same region of the same state. To me that’s unheard of.
— DAVID BOSSARDET, FPC wrestling coach
“They have wrestled seven times and there never has been a back-to-back winner,” Bossardet said. “There are three girls (in the 105-pound weight class) ranked in the top 10 in the country (also including Ponte Vedra’s Erin Rizzuto), who are all in the same region of the same state. To me that’s unheard of.”
Johnson defeated Rizzuto in the Knockout semifinals with a 13-10 overtime decision. Johnson did not wrestle in the Cradle Cancer Invitational.
Mariah Mills upset 10th-ranked Abigail Gonzalez of Miami Southridge, 9-8 in overtime, in the 110-pound Knockout final.
“That was the most anticipated match of the tournament,” Bossardet said. “It was the first time they were both in same weight class, so it was good for the sport of wrestling. It was a very exciting match from a fan’s standpoint. From a coach’s standpoint, the match went our way. We need to make adjustments to beat that girl when it matters, and Mariah will tell you that too.”
Not to be outdone, the FPC boys won the District 2-3A dual tournament on Dec. 18 at University High in Orange City. The Bulldogs defeated Sanford Seminole (78-3), DeLand (53-20) and Gainesville Buchholz (49-18). FPC hosts the four-team regional duals at 6 p.m. Jan. 16, which will also include district runner-up Buchholz. Last season, the Bulldogs also defeated Buchholz in district but lost to the Bobcats at regional.
“I think they’ll make adjustments in their lineup and we’ll make adjustments in our lineup,” Bossardet said. “We know we’ll have to be ready to go.”
The boys are back in action with a home match at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, against Mainland.
Three middle school wrestlers in the Flagler Wrestling Club placed at the Knockout Youth Christmas Classic. Joseph Foalima won the 14U 149-pound title. Jayden Mills placed second in the 12U 117-pound class. Jacob Hald placed fourth in the 14U 106-pound class. And Buster Bossardet placed third in the 14U 119-pound class.
