The Cowboys wrestling team traveled to Lemon Bay to wrestle for a team district title. After a tough first two matches for the Cowboys, Loirel Lopez, Julian Martinez, and Zach Mann got the Cowboys to an 18 to 12 lead with three pins.

Not to be out done the Manta Rays matched them with two pins of their own to tie the dual.

Freshman Jayden Arriaga and senior Austin Bell pulled through for a pin and decision to put the Cowboys up by three with four matches to go. After a double forfeit, we got back at the 195-pound weight class and took a tough loss before Justin Connell scored a huge pin to bring the Cowboys back on top.

With only two matches left and hanging on to a three-point lead LaBelle was down to two first-year wrestlers at 106 pounds, a second period pin gave the Manta Rays the lead for the last time of the night. Sophomore Jenny Steele needed to secure a win with bonus points for LaBelle’s first District 12 Title. Unfathomed by the team score, Steele held on to a lead for most of the match, but a decision would not be good enough for a team win. she kept fighting, and with 15 seconds remaining she hit a reversal and a quick half nelson to earn a pin and putting LaBelle over Lemon bay. Getting LaBelle named District Champions. LaBelle will look to get a 1 seed in the regional semifinals on January 16. The FHSAA has not released site information on where it will be held at this point.