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Committed!!

Viera High School Class of 2025 graduates Emma Hoppe and Isabel Alvarez will continue their academic and athletic careers at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) in Johnstown, PA.

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Viera High School Class of 2025 graduates Emma Hoppe and Isabel Alvarez will continue their academic and athletic careers at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) in Johnstown, PA.

Viera’s top two lady wrestlers are headed to college together to continue their wrestling careers, as Hoppe and Alvarez will be competing for the UPJ Mountain Cats Women’s Wrestling team in the NCAA Division II.

This season at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown will be historical for Alvarez and Hoppe, as this is the University’s first women’s wrestling season in program history. As incoming freshmen, both wrestlers’ names will be etched into the record books.

In her high school career, Alvarez was a two-time conference champion, two-time district champion, regional champion, state placer (5th), and placed 7th at the National High School Coaches Association Senior Nationals, earning All-American status.

In her high school career, Hoppe was a three-time Conference champion, three-time District champion, two-time Regional champion, three-time State placer, and this past year, 2025 State Champion. Hoppe also placed 5th at the National High School Coaches Association Senior Nationals, earning All-American status and becoming the No. 25-ranked girls’ high school wrestler in the country, according to USA Wrestling, the governing body and publication of the U.S. Olympic Team.

The Viera High School Wrestling Program and the Viera Community look forward to celebrating their continued success both on and off the mat.

Viera Wrestling Head Coach Jason Custer is the Cape Coast Conference Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to Coach Jason Custer for being elected the 2024-2025 girls wrestling coach if the year!

May 09, 2025

PREP SPORTS: Viera High School Senior Wrestler Emma Hoppe Earns National Ranking

By Space Coast Daily // April 9, 2025

Number 25-ranked 135-pound female wrestler in the USA

Viera High School senior Emma Hoppe has earned recognition as the number 25-ranked 135-pound female wrestler in the USA in the Pound-for-Pound rankings. USA Wrestling, FloWrestling, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum recently published the National Rankings for high school girls wrestlers for April 2025. This national ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection. (Image for SCD).

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA — Viera High School senior Emma Hoppe has earned recognition as the Number 25-ranked 135-pound female wrestler in the USA in the Pound-for-Pound rankings.

USA Wrestling, FloWrestling, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum recently published the National Rankings for high school girls wrestlers for April 2025.

This national ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection.

All of the 2024-25 high school state championships have now been completed, and the results have heavily impacted the rankings.

In addition, two of the most important national post-season events have been held and were also very important in the rankings: the USA Wrestling Junior/16U Folkstyle Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa, and the NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach, Va.

The April rankings include just two new No. 1 ranked athletes: Riley Hanrahan of Wisconsin (140) and Ella Poalillo of New Jersey (155).

Those who have remained ranked No. 1 are Makennah Craft of Ohio (100), Jaclyn Bouzakis of Pennsylvania (105), Morgan Turner of Illinois (110), Epenesa Elison of California (115), Isabella Marie Gonzales of California (120), Everest Leydecker of Arizona (125), Aubre Krazer of Pennsylvania (130), Taina Fernandez of Maryland (135), Violette Lasure of Pennsylvania (145), Piper Fowler of Tennessee (170), Brooke Huffman of Wisconsin (190) and Tirza Twoteeth of Montana (235).

The Pound-For-Pound (P-4-P) rankings had a number of changes, with six athletes who have joined the P-4-P this month: Heather Crull of Indiana (No. 20), Charlie Wylie of New York (No. 21), Brooke Huffman of Wisconsin (No. 22), Ella Pagel of Minnesota (No. 23), Ella Poalillo of New Jersey (No. 24) and Riley Hanrahan of Wisconsin (No. 25).

The top nine in the Pound-For-Pound is unchanged, with Fernandez at No. 1, Turner at No. 2, Gonzales at No. 3, Fowler at No. 4 and Bouzakis at No. 5.

The next National Girls High School Ranking will be in May. Two major USA Wrestling events will impact this ranking: the 2025 Women’s National Championships in Spokane, Wash., and the Girls National High School Recruiting Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Many USA Wrestling Regional Championships will be held before the following ranking. The next evaluation will also include many other major national-level post-season events.

The final National Girls High School Team Rankings of the season will come within the next two weeks.

See the NATIONAL GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS Developed by USA Wrestling, FloWrestling, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Viera High Senior Girls Place at Wrestling Nationals, Earn All-American Honors

By Space Coast Daily // April 4, 2025

Top 8 in their respective weight

Viera High School Seniors Wrestlers Emma Hoppe, left, and Isabel Alvarez earned All-American Honors at the 2025 National High School Coaches Association High School Wrestling Nationals. (Left: Emma Hoppe, Right: Isabel Alvarez)

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — Viera High School Seniors Wrestlers Emma Hoppe and Isabel Alvarez earned All-American honors at the 2025 National High School Coaches Association High School Wrestling Nationals.

The 36th Annual National High School Coaches Association High School Wrestling Nationals occurred from March 28 to 30 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

This premier wrestling tournament attracted nearly 6,000 wrestlers nationwide, competing in various grade categories.

Congratulations to Viera Hammers Emma Hoppe and Isabel Alvarez for earning All-American Honors at the NHSCA Senior Nationals!!

Emma and Isabel both finish off their high school careers with a victory in their final match.

In a field of over 64+ competitors in each weight class, from all around the country, the girls finished in the Top 8 in their respective weight class.

RESULTS:

ALL-AMERICANS:
● Emma Hoppe – 5th Place (132lbs)
● Isabel Alvarez – 7th Place (120lbs)

NHSCA Nationals Website:

By Carl Kotala

It was just a few days before the FHSAA girls state wrestling finals when Viera High School coach Jason Custer sent senior Emma Hoppe a motivational text that drew the following response:

“My last high school win is going to be in the state finals. Don’t worry.”

Those words mean everything now.

Not only did Hoppe accomplish the goal she set for herself the very first time she put on a Viera High wrestling singlet, she did it in absolutely dominating fashion.

Hoppe pinned her first three opponents — including a girl who had beaten her earlier this season in the second round and the No. 1 seed in the semifinals — then defeated No. 2 seed Ana Vilar from Flagler Palm Coast by majority decision (13-1) in the 135-pound state final.

She isn’t just the 2025 FHSAA state champion. She’s also the second Viera wrestler to ever win a title; the first girl at Viera to bring home a gold medal, and the first girl in Brevard County history to win a state championship since it became an FHSAA-recognized sport for the 2021-22 school year.

Viera's Emma Hoppe, center, celebrates with her wrestling coaches Jason Custer, left, and Chris Zuniga after winning the 135-pound state title. VIERA VOICE Courtesy of Viera High School Wrestling

“She’s going to go down as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the program’s history, boys or girls,” Custer said.

To think, it all started when Custer, who had met Hoppe through the daughter of a friend, told her he was starting a girls wrestling team at Viera and asked if she’d be interested in taking up the sport.

In the three years since then, Hoppe has won three district titles, three Cape Coast Conference titles, two regional titles, placed at the state meet three times, made the state finals twice and now … well, just call her champ.

She finished her career with a record of 115-13, including 44-3 this season.

But to put what this accomplishment meant to Hoppe in context, consider what happened to her a year ago. She made the state finals, but lost by majority decision, 9-1.

Coming that close only made Hoppe work even harder. She spent the summer working out five days a week. When this season came, she only had three blemishes on her record. Two of those losses were to Vilar.

But when it came time for the finals, Hoppe and Custer had a plan to take Vilar’s strengths and use them against her.

“I had this feeling like I was going to get it this time,” she said.

Mission accomplished.

“It was crazy because I remembered last year, when I knew I was going to lose,” Hoppe said. “There was a minute left and I was down by eight (points). I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m not going to be a state champ.’ That feeling was terrible.

“Having the complete opposite feeling (this time), in my mind, was crazy. I knew I finally reached my goal.

“In a video my uncle took, you could see me sit up and I’m like, ‘Yesss!’ It was … a great feeling.”

Hoppe, who plans to wrestle and major in nursing in college, is already looking forward to the day when she can return to Viera to help coach. Apparently, she already has someone in mind, too. Custer’s daughter will be a freshman in 2029.

“The plan would be that Emma coaches her to a state title,” Custer said. “They’ve already talked about it. … That’s what Emma’s all about. She’s a good, character kid. And that’s the type of person you want around the rest of your team of wrestlers.”

Hoppe said her gold medal is hanging on the wall of her room. But there’s one thing she would like to add, if possible.

“I’m hoping coach is going to let me keep my singlet,” Hoppe said. “I think it would be cool to frame it and have it in my house one day. That would be cool.”

SEVERAL HAWKS SEE SUCCESS AT STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Emma Hoppe has had quite a wrestling career at Viera High School, becoming only the second Hawk ever to win a state wrestling championship.

Back on January 31, 2025, she was honored for winning her 100th career match and she closes out her high school career as the 2025 135-pound FHSAA Girls State Champion.

Hoppe began the 16-person tournament by defeating Mary McKinney from Choctawhatchee by pin-fall in just 1:06 into the match.

In the quarterfinals, Hoppe would again win by fall defeating Alexa Paz of the SLAM Academy at 3:46.

Continuing to dominate, Hoppe was leading 15-2 in the state semifinals before winning once again by pin-fall, defeating the #1 ranked Kailani Barrientos of Oakleaf High School.

Hoppe scored a major decision in the State Championship Finals defeating #3 ranked Ana Vilar from Flagler Palm Coast, 13-1.

According to Trackwrestling.com, Hoppe’s win in the state championship finals is her ninth first place finish in competition since October 6, 2024.

Hoppe ends her high school career as the reigning Cape Coast Conference Champion, District Champion, Regional Champion, and State Champion.

Hoppe also became the first girl to win a wrestling championship at Viera, and only the second wrestler overall to win an FHSAA State Championship for Viera.

Hoppe is also the first to win a girls wrestling state championship in Brevard County.

Hoppe’s performance, along with a pair of top four finishes by Catalina Kenney & Isabel Alvarez,
helped to lead the Viera girls wrestling team to a 6th place finish overall at the Florida Wrestling State Championships.

It was a great weekend of wrestling for several other Viera Hawks Wrestlers as well.

The Viera Boys Wrestling team had a strong showing and finished 23rd overall in Class 3A.

In all, the Viera Hawks qualified and advanced seven Wrestlers to the State Championship Tournament. 6 out of the 7 Hawks placed in the Top Eight in their respective weight class.

WRESTLING STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS – Viera High school:

*Emma Hoppe 135lbs – 2025 State Champion & 3x State Place winner.

Isabel Alvarez 120lbs – 4th Place.

Catalina Kenney 115lbs – 4th Place & 3x State Place winner.

Kepa Agcaoili 132lbs – 5th Place & 3x State Qualifier.

Edwin Torres 150lbs – 6th Place & 2x State Place winner.

Gustavo Ferriera 138lbs – 7th Place & 2x State Place winner.

SEVERAL HAWKS SEE SUCCESS AT STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

March 10, 2025

March 01, 2025

4 Viera Hawks Boys Qualify for the FHSAA State Championships

Congratulations to the 4 Viera Boys State Qualifiers, and to Gustavo Ferreira for winning a Regional Championship!

In all, the Viera Hawks Wrestling Program has Qualified 7 Wrestlers for next weeks FHSAA State Championship Tournament!

Region Top 4 Place Winners:

1st Place - Gustavo Ferreira (3x SQ & 3x Region Champion)

2nd Place - Edwin Torres (2x SQ)

4th Place - Makana Tieri

4th Place - Kepa Agcaoili (3x SQ)

Viera Hawks Boys Wrestling Team Wins FHSAA Class 3A District 10 Championship

Back to Back!...

The Viera Hawks Boys Wrestling Team have won their 2nd Consecutive District Championship.

All 14 Wrestlers placed in the top 4 in each respective weight class and qualifies them for next weekends Regional Tournament being held at Osceola High School (Kissimmee, FL).

Top 4 Place-Winners:

1st Place - Edwin Torres (2x Champ)

1st Place - Kepa Agcaoili (2x Champ)

1st Place - Makana Tieri (2x Champ)

1st Place - Gustavo Ferreira (3x Champ)

2nd Place - Camren Baker

2nd Place - Trenton Honara

2nd Place - Landon Keck

2nd Place - Anthony Rodriguez

3rd Place - Alvee Ahsan

3rd Place - Caiden Adams

4th Place - Lenny Ortiz

4th Place - Russell Barnes

4th Place - Ryker Tomas

4th Place - Sebastian Quiroz

February 22, 2025

3 Viera Hawks Girls Qualify for the FHSAA State Championships

February 21, 2025

The Viera Hawks Girls Wrestling Team placed 5th out of 64 Teams at the 2025 FHSAA Girls Region 2 Championships. The Lady Hawks had 2 Region Champions and 1 Runner-Up.

All Top-4 Place winners qualify for the FHSAA State Championships in Kissimmee, FL!

Congratulations to the 3 Girl State Qualifiers!

1st Place - Champion - Emma Hoppe

1st Place - Champion - Isabel Alvarez

2nd Place - Cat Kenney

Viera High School Claim FHSAA Girls Wrestling Class 1A, District 6 Tournament Championship

By Space Coast Daily // February 21, 2025

Championship Tournament February 21, at Osceola HS

The Viera Girls Varsity Wrestling Team showcased their dominance at the FHSAA Girls Class 1A – District 6 Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 15. With a stellar performance, the Lady Hawks emerged as the District 6 Champions, securing the title with five individual champions and three runner-ups. (Viera Hawks Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — The Viera High School Girls Varsity Wrestling Team showcased their dominance at the FHSAA Girls Class 1A – District 6 Wrestling Championships on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

With a stellar performance, the Lady Hawks emerged as the District 6 Champions, securing the title with five individual champions and three runner-ups.

The Viera Lady Hawks finished 12.5 points ahead of District Runner-up Osceola (Kissimmee), demonstrating their depth and skill in the competition.

Regional Championship Qualification

The Top 4 individual place-winners in each weight class have earned their spot at the FHSAA Class 1A – Region 2 Championship Tournament, which will take place Friday, February 21, at Osceola (Kissimmee) High School.

Viera Individual Place-Winners:

• 100lb – Zahar Zouaki – Runner-Up

• 105lb – Elizabeth Pinto – District Champion

• 115lb – Catalina Kenney – District Champion

• 120lb – Isabel Alvarez – District Champion

• 125lb – Olivia Gapud – Runner-Up

• 135lb – Emma Hoppe – District Champion

• 140lb – Malia Santos – 5th Place

• 145lb – Lillian Straessley – Runner-Up

• 190lb – Savanah Nazario – District Champion

Viera Hawks Girls Wrestling Team Wins Second Consecutive Cape Coast Conference Championship Title

February 08, 2025

Congratulations to both the Girls and Boys Varsity Wrestling Teams for their success at the 2025 Cape Coast Conference Championships.

The girls team captured their second consecutive Cape Coast Conference Title and the Boys team finished in 3rd Place.

Viera Hawks Wrestling Team Wins FHSAA Class 3A District 10 Duals Championship

By Space Coast Daily // February 8, 2025

Championship match saw Viera deliver a powerful performance

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA — Viera High School played host to the boys’ FHSAA Class 3A District 10 Wrestling Duals Championship on January 9.

The event showcased intense competition, culminating in Viera’s triumph over Fort Pierce Central to claim the 2024-2025 District 10 Champions title.

The tournament results highlighted Viera’s dominance as they secured first place, followed by Fort Pierce Central in second, Tohopekaliga from Kissimmee in third place, and St. Cloud in fourth place.

The championship match saw Viera deliver a powerful performance, defeating Fort Pierce Central with a final score of 44-31. In the second-place match, Fort Pierce Central overcame Tohopekaliga 42-31, while Tohopekaliga earned their third-place spot by besting St. Cloud 50-28.

Viera’s victory marked a significant milestone, establishing them as the leading team in District 10 and setting the stage for their continued success in the 2024-2025 season.

Viera High School hosted the boys’ FHSAA Class 3A – District 10 Wrestling Duals Championship January 9 and claimed the District 10 Champions. (Image for SCD)

The championship match saw Viera deliver a powerful performance, defeating Fort Pierce Central with a final score of 44-31. In the second-place match, Fort Pierce Central overcame Tohopekaliga 42-31, while Tohopekaliga earned their third-place spot by besting St. Cloud 50-28.

Viera’s victory marked a significant milestone, establishing them as the leading team in District 10 and setting the stage for their continued success in the 2024-2025 season.

Viera High School hosted the boys’ FHSAA Class 3A – District 10 Wrestling Duals Championship on January 9 and claimed the District 10 Champions. Above are Hawk’s Head Coach Jason Custer, right, and Assistant Coach Chris Zuniga. (Image for SCD)

Several Viera Wrestlers Achieve the milestone of "100 Wins"

VIERA WRESTLING COACH NAMED CAPE COAST CONFERENCE BOYS AND GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Viera High School Head Wrestling Coach Jason Custer for winning both the boys and girls Cape Coast Conference Coach of the Year for the 2023-2024 Season!

In only his 3rd season as the Viera Head Coach, Jason Custer managed to lead the Viera Hawks Wrestling Program to the District hat-trick leading the program to championships in the FHSAA Boys District Duals Tournament, the FHSAA Boys Individual Bracket Tournament (IBT), and the FHSAA Girls IBT Tournament.

April 18, 2024

March 02, 2024

5 VIERA WRESTLERS PLACE TOP 8 IN AT THE FHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Viera Hawks Wrestling Program had 8 State Qualifiers competing in the 2024 FHSAA State Championships.

5 Hawks achieved Top 8 Placement in the State!

RESULTS:

State Runner Up - Emma Hoppe (Junior)

5th Place - Alex Giglietti (Junior)

6th Place - Brian Mitchell (Senior)

6th Place - Cat Kenney (Sophomore)

8th Place - Edwin Torres (Junior)

For the first time in school history the Viera Hawks are the District IBT Champions, capturing the 3A-District 10 crown.

Of the 14 Viera Wrestlers competing, Viera had 13 Finalists and 7 Champions….with all 13 qualifying for next weekends 3A-Region 3 Tournament at Seminole Ridge.

In what has been an historical season for Viera Wrestling, the program has now won the Boys District IBT Championship, the Boys District Duals Championship, and the Girls District Championship!

February 16, 2024

VIERA WRESTLING WINS ALL THREE DISTRICT TITLES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Catalina Kenney became so interested the first time she watched a wrestling match in person that she actually got angry at one of the competitors for missing what she thought were moves that should have been made.

"I'm shouting to do this or do that, and I don't even know the rules," Kenney said. "Two weeks later, I went to practice and told them I wanted to be a wrestler. I'm going to be a wrestler, and I'm going to make it somewhere."

Fast forward two years to today and her control of her 110-pound match at the Cape Coast Conference championship meet was so complete that it was over in less than two minutes. That's how long it took for Kenney to pin her opponent and win the first of two postseason titles she has collected so far this year. Kenney added a District 13 title five days later.

Girls wrestling in high school matches isn't new to Brevard County but it was always something of a rarity.

Jesi O'Sullivan became the first girl to win a match between Cape Coast Conference schools in November 1995, competing for Cocoa High against Titusville. Twin sisters Alana and Alica Campitelli won state championships wrestling for Merritt Island High in 2003, though that first-of-its-kind tournament did not have FHSAA sanctioning. Christina Brayboy of Titusville placed third at 103 pounds in 2006 at the Region 4-2A meet, becoming the first Brevard girl to qualify for the FHSAA state meet, though as part of the boys team.

But now wrestling has grown in popularity among high school girls, with schools now fielding full teams and holding meets alongside but independent of their male counterparts. Eleven of 14 CCC wrestling schools have a wrestling team, and Viera visited Space Coast Jr./Sr. High last month for the first regular-season full dual match between area girls teams.

This year's Cape Coast Conference tournament, which determined the individual and team champions for Brevard public high schools, was the second with a competition specifically for girls. This year's FHSAA championship will be the third with girls competing for their own titles, also in the same arena simultaneous with the boys.

About 95 girls competed in the district meet last week, according to host coach Aaron Parr of Bayside, up from about 75 a year ago. He expects 224 girls in Bayside's gym Saturday at 9:30 a.m. to compete for Region 4 championships, meaning full 16-wrestler brackets in each of 14 weight classes.

Viera High athletic director Cheryl Draves, who participated in softball, basketball and cheerleading while also serving as a football and boys basketball manager as a Cocoa High student, contrasted the way girls athletics was viewed then and now.

"Playing sports in Brevard County for as long as I did and seeing sports now, it's a 180," Draves said. "Obviously, the participation wasn't as much as it is now, and to see it now is great."

The current version of girls wrestling is enjoying something Space Coast wrestler Kylie Mangum testified to just off the mat at the CCC tournament in her school's gym on Feb. 3: Acceptance.

"They treat me the same as any other athlete," the conference and district 140-pound champion said. "I'm a wrestler, and that's what they know me as. I just get treated like every other person."

The idea that students wouldn't see girls wrestling as something out of the ordinary was particularly pleasing to Draves.

"It's a great sign," Draves said. "You're not seen as anybody different; you're seen as an athlete, and that's it. It's a testament to the time we live in, being able to compete just like your (counterparts).

As for results, Mangum and Kenney aren't just like every other wrestler, boy or girl. Both were state qualifiers last year despite being new to the sport. Mangum didn't win a medal. It was her first season, and she said the experience she's gained has her working toward the state meet with a new outlook. She wants to be a champion, and she hopes to earn a college sports scholarship someday.

She's already part of a trend. Sisters Sarina, at 115 pounds, and Breonna (145) are also Vipers and joined her as CCC weight-class winners. They have a sister in fifth grade who competes in youth wrestling and could eventually be the fourth Mangum wrestling for Space Coast.

Viera's Emma Hoppe also wants a championship. In fact, she said after winning her conference title at 135 that she wants "nothing less." After opting for wrestling rather than volleyball, she "totally fell in love with the sport," and the love has grown.

"I like the effort and how much time is put into it," she said. "Seeing the results from all the hard work makes me feel very good about myself. I feel like I am more confident."

Dominated by nerves before matches as a first-time wrestler a year ago, she's now comfortable enough to focus on the enjoyment she gets from competition and improvement.

"It definitely makes me feel better about myself and the family that I've made being on this team," she said. "It's an awesome part of my life."

Kenney is the third in her immediate family to excel at the sport. Her dad and brother Jonathan won medals when they competed. Whether Catalina wins a championship or not, the benefits of wrestling have translated to her life outside the gym.

"I know I have the ability to go places," she said. "From an academic standpoint, with my classes and stuff, you have a different mindset. There's no excuses to not get things done. So, if I have a hard time in a class, I'll take extra time, put in the work. Because I know if I can do that in wrestling, I can do that in any aspect of life in general."

District Champs!!

The Viera High School Hawks Girls Wrestling Team has captured their first ever District Team Championship.

Emma Hoppe and Cat Kenney led the way, each earning their 2nd Individual District Title.

In all, 8 of the 9 Hawk Participating placed in the Top 5.

Those who placed in 4th Place or better today have now qualified for the 1A-Region 4 Tournament at Bayside next week, with a spot at the State Tournament at stake.

Viera Place Winners:

1st Place - Cat Kenney

1st Place - Emma Hoppe

2nd Place - Isabel Alvarez

3rd Place - Zahar Zouaki

3rd Place - Tyara Pinela

3rd Place - Hailey Cullingford

4th Place - Kodibeth Bates

5th Place - Jahnaya Roman

February 08, 2024

VIERA GIRLS WRESTLING WINS DISTRICT TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Congratulations the to Viera High School Girls Wrestling Team on winning their first ever Cape Coast Conference Championship!

Paving the way were Emma Hoppe and Cat Kenney who both won their second Cape Coast Conference Title. Picking up her first championship title was Isabel Alvarez!

Congratulations to all of the Top 4 Place Winners:

1st Place - Emma Hoppe

1st Place - Cat Kenney

1st Place - Isabel Alvarez

2nd Place - Zahar Zouaki

2nd Place - Tyara Pinela

2nd Place - Jahnaya Roman

2nd Place - Hailey Cullingford

3rd Place - Kodibeth Bates

4th Place - Lillian Straessley

VIERA GIRLS WRESTLING WINS THEIR FIRST EVER CAPE COAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP!

February 03, 2024

December 13, 2023 – Viera High School continues to impress — in academics, the arts and in athletics The latest achievement is from the grapplers, where for the first time in school history, the Viera Hawks wrestling team are the District Duals Champions.

According to the official VHS Facebook page, the Hawks beat Martin County (69-12) and defending champion Fort Pierce Central (40-36) in the finals, clinching the 3A-D10 title.

Makana Tieri, Derrick Davison, & Elan Bennett all had key victories in the match against FPC, to help the Hawks. Tieri and Davison’s victories were huge as both avenged earlier season loses to their opponents.

Ending the evening with perfect records were:

Makana Tieri, Alex Giglietti, Kepa Agcaoili, Derrick Davison, Elan Bennett, Brian Mitchell, Edwin Torres, Evan Enrique

Viera congratulates the Hawk wrestling team on this outstanding result.

Congratulations to the lady Hawks wrestlers, Emma Hoppe (5th at 140) and Cat Kenney (8th at 110) for placing at the 2023 FHSAA State Championships.

March 04, 2023

Hoppe and Kenney Place at the State Championships

Catalina Kenney’s first wrestling match was over almost before it started.

“I wasn’t really scared,” the Viera High freshman said. “It was more of an adrenaline rush. I walked onto the mat and I ended it in maybe 20 seconds, I believe. I shook hands. The ref was like, ‘all right, wrestle.’ I shot. She was down.

“I have a video. I’m sitting there, like, ‘What?’ And then I just threw her over and pinned her.”

Sophomore Emma Hoppe had been wrestling for only three weeks before she had her first match last summer. She lost by pin in the first round. Two months ago, she got her revenge.

“I pinned her with one second left in the match,” Hoppe said. “I was really happy that I beat her because she was my first match ever.”

Hoppe and Kenney are two of four wrestlers — Isabel Alvarez and Addison Wright are the other two — on the Viera High girls team this season, the second in which the FHSAA has sanctioned a separate state tournament to allow female grapplers to compete against each other.

“As someone who wrestled and did mixed martial arts with guys, there’s a huge difference in speed and strength,” Kenney said. “I’m glad that this year they’re actually having girls states. It’s not just, ‘oh, you’re in with the boys. Good luck.’

“It’s sanctioned. It’s amazing.”

Viera had one female wrestler on the team last season. Now the team is expanding, just like the sport.

“With jujitsu becoming bigger and MMA becoming bigger, having a good wrestling base is good in both of those sports,” Viera High coach Jason Custer said. “It gives the girls an avenue, where before they could only compete against the boys.

“Now that they’re competing against other girls, girls that maybe wouldn’t have competed (before) are competing now and they’re doing well. They’re flourishing. And that’s what it’s about.”

Kenney, who played multiple sports growing up, was certainly no stranger to wrestling before joining the team. Her older brother, Jonathan, also wrestled for the Hawks.

Hoppe, meanwhile, who played soccer and volleyball before turning to wrestling last spring, said her previous exposure to the sport motivated her to give it a try.

“Last year, my neighbor was on the team, so I went to all the tournaments,” she said. “It seemed super fun. Also, I got to know the coach better and he was trying to get me to come in because he wanted to start the girls program.”

While the Hawks still don’t have the numbers to make a run in dual meet tournaments, they can still have individual success.

Hoppe has certainly gotten off to a good start, boasting a 19-2 record and a No. 13 state ranking in the 140-pound weight class. She’s won three tournaments — Palm Bay, Viper Classic and Campitelli — while finishing second at the Rumble at the Nest and the Skylar White Tournament.

Kenney, meanwhile, started her season with a 14-3 mark at 110 pounds, winning the Campitelli and Skylar White tournaments, while placing second at Palm Bay and third at the Rumble at the Nest.

The improvements they have made less than a year into the sport have been significant.

“I didn’t do anything like wrestling before, so it was a brand-new thing to be learning,” Hoppe said. “I’ve gotten a lot better since I started. I watched videos from some of my first tournaments and I’m looking at myself like, ‘What was I doing?’

“I can just tell I was doing a bunch of stuff wrong. I’ve gotten a lot better.”

With postseason tournaments looming this month, both girls have a chance to go far.

“I want to live up to what my family has done,” Kenney said. “They’ve all gone to states for wrestling. I believe I can do it. That’s my goal for this year, to make it as far as I can.”

If year one of coach Jason Custer’s efforts to build the Viera High School wrestling program into something special was a success, year two is off to a rip-roaring start.

The Hawks, who went 10-5 in dual meets last year — their first winning record since 2013 — already were on pace to beat that mark midway through January.

Viera also finished second at the Class 3A, District 10 dual meet tournament in December, the best finish for a Hawks team since 2012.

Looks like all the hard work the team has been putting in since last season ended has been paying off.

“The kids are a lot better,” Custer said. “They are mentally tough and focused. They have really good cardio, so we’re in really good shape in relation to the teams that we wrestle. And we’re not even close to where we should be.

“I figured it’s going to take four years for us to be really, really good … but they’re ahead of schedule. We’ll see what happens. It’s fun. You see all the kids in there and they’re just working.”

On a team with 42 wrestlers — 38 boys and four girls — there’s no bigger success story than junior co-captain Brian Mitchell.

The second-year wrestler was 37-6 and ranked No. 13 in the state at 145 pounds with a win at the Viper Classic and second-place finishes at the Barbara Pill Invitational and the Palm Bay Ships tournament.

“He put in a ton of work in the offseason,” Custer said of Mitchell. “He worked with us, traveled to camps … he’s the best kid on the team now.”

Mitchell qualified for regionals last season, but he’s a different kind of wrestler now, describing himself as technical, smart and aware while adding he still has plenty to work on.

“I feel a lot mentally tougher,” Mitchell said. “Physically, I feel stronger. My technique’s better.”

After starting out in jujitsu, Mitchell fell in love with all that wrestling has to offer.

“The toughness, the heart, the technique … just the grind,” he said. “I love that about it.”

Viera’s starting lineup includes Ben Gerrits at 106 pounds, Alex Giglietti at 113, Luke “Kepa” Agcaoili at 120 and Elijah Olson-Zapata at 126. Two-time state qualifier Nate Olson is at 132 pounds, Elan Bennett wrestles at 138, Mitchell at 145 and Edwin Torres and Evan Enrique compete at 152.

Orion Garske is Viera’s 160 pounder and co-captain Rich Magiday wrestles at 170. Jordan Hayes is at 182, Austin Mercier at 195, Christian Pattison at 220 and Lenny Ortiz is the 285-pound heavyweight.

Giglietti (28 wins) is ranked No. 17 in the state. Agcaoili (32 wins) is 20th in the state and Olson (20) is ranked 19th.

Torres (29 wins); Hayes (25); Olson-Zapata (21); Magiday (20) and Bennett (20) are the other boys with 20 or more wins.

After sending two wrestlers to the state tournament last year, the Hawks have even bigger goals for this season. With only three seniors on the team, the future couldn’t be brighter.

“Our goal is to finish in the top two in the district individually, top four finish at conferences and take six wrestlers to state,” Custer said. “That’s a good step up from last year, but it’s not unachievable. … And we have the kids to do it.”

February 04, 2023

Viera Hawks Boys Wrestling Team finish in 2nd Place in the District Championships

Congratulations to the Viera Boys Wrestling Team who finished Runner-Up at the 3A District 10 Tournament this evening at Ft. Pierce Central High School!

This marks the Hawks first Top Two Team Finish at a Post-Season IBT since 2012!

10 of the 12 participants today qualified for Regionals, which will be held next weekend at Harmony High School.

Congrats to our 2 District Champions and 8 additional Place Winners!!

1st Place - Nate Olson

1st Place - Alex Giglietti

2nd Place - Brian Mitchell

2nd Place - Kepa Agcaoili

2nd Place - Elijah Olson-Zapata

2nd Place - Elan Bennett

2nd Place - Edwin Torres

2nd Place - Jordan Hayes

3rd Place - Rich Magiday

4th Place - Lenny Ortiz

December 14, 2022

Viera Hawks Boys Wrestling Team finish in 2nd Place at the 3A-District 10 Duals Championships

Congrats to the Hawks, on finishing as the runner-up in today’s District Dual Meet Tournament!

The Team continues to improve and we look forward to more success in the future!

2 Viera Hawks Qualify for the FHSAA State Championships

February 26, 2022

Congratulations once again to Malik Muray and Nate Olson for qualifying for the FHSAA State Championships next week in Kissimmee!

I also want to acknowledge the great effort put forth by Evan Enrique, Luke "Kepa" Acgioli, and Alex Giglietti. All 3 of them wrestled tough this weekend and were only one win away from qualifying for the state tournament. Although they may have come up short, they made a valiant effort. They are still young in their wrestling careers and we all look forward to their continued success, as well as the future success of the entire Viera Hawks Wrestling Team.

Good luck at States next weekend, Nate and Malik!!

Jason Custer doesn’t just want to bring the glory days back to the Viera High School wrestling program.

He wants the Hawks to be better than they’ve ever been.

“We are rebuilding the program,” said Custer, Viera’s third coach in as many years.

“This isn’t a stopgap. I’m not going anywhere. We’re going to build this program better than what it was even when it was good back in the early 2010s.

“It’s going to be because the focus is on creating an environment where these guys and girls can achieve. That’s through … I call them the four C’s. It’s how I coach — commitment, consistency, communication (and that is a two-way street) and competition. Everything we do in that room is based on one of those.”

Viera already is off to a solid start. Whereas last year’s team didn’t win a dual meet and finished the season with less than 10 wrestlers, a grass roots on-campus recruiting effort has brought out 31 student-athletes for this year’s team.

Of the 31, 25 have never wrestled before. The Hawks have one senior (Malik Murray) and three juniors. The rest are all freshmen and sophomores.

Viera was 4-5 in dual meets through mid-January and while the program certainly won’t be rebuilt overnight, there is plenty of room for optimism.

“In this sport, you’re measured based on wins and losses,” Custer said. “We understand that. And we know we’re going to take our lumps. But I do know the team that we have right now … there’s state place winners in there, there’s district champs in there.

“My job is to do whatever I can do to pull that out of them and help them realize the potential that they have. That’s what drives me in coaching these guys.”

Murray, who recently dropped from 126 to 120 pounds, is a big fan of Custer and the workouts he has put him through to help him improve.

“He’s a good coach,” Murray said of Custer. “He works us pretty hard. Almost every day, we’re all pretty drenched, sweated out.”

Murray began wrestling as a sophomore because he said his cousin was a wrestler. He fell in love with the sport but, when his cousin died in 2020, he didn’t wrestle his junior year. Now, he’s back.

“When I first started wrestling, my first goal was that I want my name on the school wall,” Murray said. “After all that (happened), I said I want to wrestle to make him proud. I want to go to states. I kind of want to make my family proud, too.”

Murray, who tattooed his cousin’s name on his right arm, often looks at pictures on his phone before a match.

“Sometimes, I look at my tattoo just to remember he’s still watching me,” he said. “It just helps me get ready.”

Murray (11-2), a tri-captain on this year’s team, hopes the move to 120 pounds will help him reach this year’s state tournament. Other key Hawks this year are junior captains Nate Olson (132 pounds), a returning state qualifier, and Rich Magiday (170). Sophomore Brian Mitchell (138), a first-year wrestler, was leading the team with 12 wins.

What would a trip to the state tournament mean for Murray?

“That would mean everything,” he said. “I’m here. I did it.”

VIERA WRESTLING ANNOUNCES THE CREATION OF THE VIERA HAMMERS WRESTLING CLUB!!

It is with great excitement to announce the formation of Viera’s New Wrestling Club, the “Viera Hammers.” Our kids club will consist of Student Athletes from 1st-8th grade.

We will be holding a parent meeting on Tuesday, March 15th at 6pm (in the VHS wrestling room) for those interested in attending and learning more!

Our spring season will start on Monday, March 21st.

The Mission Statement of the VHWC (Viera Hammers Wrestling Club) is to:

-Create an Environment of Fun, Learning and Growth, which in-turn will lead to success both on and off the mat.

-Foster a Team-Based approach to Coaching through Positive Reinforcement, developing student-athletes: Physcially, Mentally & Emotionally.

-Serve as a pipeline for future wrestling opportunities within the Viera High School Wrestling Program.

—-Details for Spring Season—-

-When: March 21st - June 9th

-Day/Time: Monday and Thursday 6:00-7:00pm

-Where: Viera High School Wrestling Room

-Cost: $85 - Includes Viera Hammers workout gear

-Requirement: AAU Membership Card.

I am truly excited about bringing local talent together to grow the sport of wrestling and continue to build the Viera program!

Please feel free to reach out to me via email: VieraWrestling@gmail.com or visit our website at VieraWrestling.com

April 14, 2022

Our 21-22 Viera Hawks. This team is currently building the foundation of what will be sustained long-term success for the program going forward.

They may not know it yet, but there are multiple

District Champs and State Place Winners amongst this group. Our goal is to take potential and turn it into reality, one brick at a time.

It is important for a team to have an identity, which is built through hard-work, dedication and a set of common core principles.

Our theme for the ‘21-22 season is the “Viera Wrestling Project.” With new coaches, and a roster made up primarily of 1st year wrestlers who are underclassman (26 of 33 wrestlers) it’s important to first build a solid foundation which will serve as the catalyst for long-term sustained excellence.

Those who have been around the sport, you know what being a “hammer” is all about. It’s the goal of each member of our team, to become their best self with the assistance of their teammates, coaches and parents. The by product is winning…..which is the fun part!!

This season will be marked with peaks and valleys, much like any young team. The judge of our resolve is not how we react when we win, rather how we respond to adversity when we lose. We look forward to celebrating every little win along the way, as we build the program to prominence in the near future.

October 02, 2021

VIERA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
PREPARES FOR THE 2021-2022 SEASON WITH NEW COACH.