By Kyle Coppola
Mount Dora High Wrestling Team Optimistic As New Season Begins
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — As the Mount Dora High School wrestling team kicks off its 2024-25 season, Head Coach David Kemmy is leading a seasoned squad that’s full of promise and determination. Coming off a stellar season with a 17-3 record, an FHSAA Class 1A District Six Dual Meet championship, and a regional appearance, the Hurricanes are setting their sights high.
(A packed gym watches Mount Dora High wrestling. The Canes put together a terrific season in 2023/2024. They will look to build upon that this year.)
Last season saw the Canes finish second in their district tournament, ninth in the region, and 21st in the state at the Class 1A Championships. However, the team lost some critical talent in Russell Fickett, who placed fifth at state in the 215-pound division, and Anthony Dawson, a seventh-place finisher at 175 pounds. Both Fickett and Dawson, along with state qualifier Aiden Morillo, were pivotal in the early success of the program. Their leadership contributed to three Lake County titles, two district championships, and a 34-10 overall record in the program’s first three seasons.
This year, the Canes boast more returning experience than ever, with ten starters back on the mat. Among the returning leaders is junior Colton Fickett, last season’s district champion and a state qualifier who compiled a 33-12 record. Sophomore standout Cannon Sommer, who went 33-2 last season but was sidelined during the postseason, is also back, along with seniors Brayden Brown (16-10) and Connor Berry (18-16), the latter finishing third in last year’s district tournament. The team’s depth and experience this year are fueling optimism.
(Mount Dora head coach David Kemmy has brought the Mount Dora High progam to the next level. Since it’s inception a few years ago, Mount Dora High has steadily built the program into one of Lake County’s most successful at the high school level.)
The returning lineup also includes district placers Kollen Staab, Ernest Long (3rd in district), Aidan Bush, Sam Aponte (4th in district), Henry Vazquez (2nd in district), Bayro Vazquez (2nd in district), and Shaddiel Torres (3rd in district). Additional depth will come from Morgan Baugh, Lord Cruz, Tony Boyette, Michael Brutus, Charlie Beglar-Carroll, and Kaleb Olson, each of whom could push for a starting role.
A promising group of newcomers is ready to contribute, including Damian Quinonez, EJ Balderas, Brody Jeckovich, Sam Mohammadi, Tristan Nickleson, and Isaiah Oliver. With dedication and continued development, Mount Dora is well-positioned for another successful season.
The Canes face stiff competition in District 1A this year, as they share it with recent title-winning teams such as The Villages, Hernando, and Weeki Wachee. They’ll get a chance to showcase their strength when they host the Golden Triangle Invitational on December 14 and the Lake County Founders Cup on January 22, 2025.
If the Hurricanes can maintain their momentum, this season could be another milestone in the program’s young history.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
