- March 24, 2025
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Braden River High wrestling coach Cezar Sharbono has wrapped up what he calls the best season in program history.
When he first sent his son, Chance Sharbono, to Braden River in 2016, he said there were just five wrestlers on the team.
This year, the Pirates had 30-plus wrestlers and sent eight of them to the state championships in Kissimmee, March 7-8.
If you ask Sharbono, that’s only the set-up of what he expects to be another record-breaking season next year.
“This team has set the bar now for all other teams that come through Braden River,” Sharbono said. “They’ve set records. They won district duals for the first time. They won (individual) districts for the second time. They won counties for the first time. We had seven boys going to state for the first time, and there’s never been more than four previously.
“It’s all because of the buy-in from the kids.”
Here are the wrestlers Braden River sent to the state championships:
Russell said he started wrestling as a freshman at Braden River because a friend talked him into it and he fell in love with the sport after his first practice.
Favorite move: An ankle pick or near-side cradle. Russell said that’s what he’s best at on the mat.
Wrestling style: “I like to be all up in their face. I like to attack. I like to set the tone of the match and set the pace.”
Result at the 2A state championships: Lost first two matches and was eliminated.
Ireland said he started wrestling when he was 14-years-old and has stuck with it because of the mental strength the sport demands.
He returned to the state championships for a third time this season as Braden River’s most seasoned wrestler.
Favorite move: A dump. Ireland described it as a fireman’s carry that results with a slam onto the mat.
Wrestling style: “It’s less technique and more breaking someone down because I usually have more energy than people I wrestle. So I just attack, attack, attack. I keep constant motion and never stop.”
Result at the 2A state championships: Won four matches and lost twice to Jacob Bucci of Clay High School. Finished in fourth place.
Fuentes grew up playing football, but said he knew he was going to be too small to play in high school. That’s when his dad suggested wrestling, and Fuentes said he fell in love with the sport soon after.
Favorite move: Whatever the opponent gives him. Fuentes said he likes to mix it up so it’s hard for opponents to predict what’s coming.
Wrestling style: “I like to counter-wrestle a lot, but I also like to be on the go. I want to push the pace.”
Result at the 2A state championships: Won one match, lost two. Did not place.
Clark said he realized he needed to push himself last year, so he evaluated which sport at Braden River would be the most challenging and settled on wrestling.
Favorite move: Shooting. Clark said his shots change depending on the opponent and the situation, but taking people down is his favorite part of wrestling.
Wrestling style: “I would say more aggressive. I was a lot more passive and timid (until this year). I realized I only have a limited amount of time left, so I can’t sit back and be timid anymore. That’s not going to win me matches. If I want to keep wrestling as long as possible, I have to be aggressive.”
Result at the 2A state championships: Lost first two matches and was eliminated.
Rowe said he grew up competing in sports (like) wrestling. That started with jiu-jitsu at a young age and transitioned to mixed martial arts in middle school. His MMA coaches told him he should try wrestling in high school, but it took him until his junior year to give it a shot.
Favorite move: Single-leg. Rowe said it’s a basic move, and was one of the first he learned.
Wrestling style: “Very traditional since I’m still a little new and I don’t know all of those fancy moves yet. I have very basic wrestling, but I’d say it’s very solid.”
Result at the 2A state championships: Won one match, lost two. Did not place.
Cook said he views wrestling as a stress reliever. He said he was never into sports or considered athletics growing up, but met wrestlers when he first moved to the area three years ago and he was talked into giving it a shot.
Favorite move: Blast double take down. Cook said he enjoys the explosiveness of the move and his ability to slam his opponent on the mat.
Wrestling style: “I don’t do anything specific at all. I mix up what I do pretty well, so I don’t think I’m a readable wrestler. I use every part of my body, I’m not just a one-trick pony. I’m unorthodox, is a good way to say it.”
Result at the 2A state championships: Won one match, lost two. Did not place.
Arteaga said she loves how powerful wrestling makes her feel, and hopes finding success in a male-dominated sport is inspiring to other girls.
Favorite move: A snap-down front headlock. Arteaga said it’s a simple move that allows her to showcase her strength.
Wrestling style: “Very aggressive. I think that’s what got me through to states. I’m not a soft person. Even if I lack technique, I make up for it with strength and aggressiveness. I definitely knock people’s heads around sometimes.”
Result at 1A state championships: Lost first two matches and was eliminated.
McDaniel’s two older brothers, Knowledge and Justice, played football at Braden River and pushed him into physical sports from a young age. He initially joined wrestling to better himself on the football field, but found success on the mat in a way he never expected.
Favorite move: A snatch single. McDaniel said it’s the easiest way for him to throw his opponent off balance.
Wrestling style: “Pretty bland and boring. If someone watches one or two of my matches before we wrestle, they practically know what’s coming. It’s just the fact, do they have the strength to keep up with how many times I’m going to do it?”
Result at the 2A state championships: Won three matches, lost two. Finished in seventh place.
