J.P. Taravella wrestling captains Arheanna Bryan and Jelani Cruickshank each win three preseason tournaments
Coral Springs, Florida – Two of J.P. Taravella High School’s leading wrestlers are heading toward the upcoming season with plenty of momentum after each collected three tournament victories during the preseason.
Senior Arheanna Bryan, captain of the Taravella girls’ wrestling team, continued to show why she is ranked No. 1 in Florida in the 190-pound girls division. Bryan most recently finished first in her weight class at the Somerset Juggernaut Wrestling Tournament on Oct. 4.
The tournament was held at Somerset Academy High School in Pembroke Pines and featured some of the region’s strongest wrestlers, according to Taravella coach Michael Bazos.
For Bryan, the victory was the latest in a series of strong preseason performances.
She previously won the Killian Juggernaut on Sept. 5. A week later, on Sept. 12-13, she competed in the Super 32 Qualifier in Kissimmee, where she faced competition from outside Florida and defeated a highly ranked wrestler from Georgia.
“These are pre-season tournaments, but they are more competitive than many high school tournaments,” said Bazos. “Bryan is one of the best wrestlers in Florida, and I think she can win a state championship this year.”
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A state title would represent another step forward for Bryan after she finished as runner-up at last year’s state championship.
She enters her senior season believing she has an opportunity to finish on top.
“It felt good to win the three tournaments, and I hope to continue learning and to win the state championship,” she said.
Before the high school season moves forward, Bryan will also use wrestling to help young people outside the United States.
She is scheduled to participate in a Youth Impact Center mission trip to Barbados from Oct. 19-21. Wrestlers taking part in the trip will visit young people, provide wrestling shoes and share their knowledge of the sport.
Bryan is not the only Taravella wrestler finding success before the season begins.
Junior Jelani Cruickshank, captain of the boys’ wrestling team, has also earned three first-place finishes.
Cruickshank won the 190-pound division at the Somerset Juggernaut, matching Bryan with a first-place performance at the Oct. 4 competition.
He also finished first at the Killian Juggernaut. His other preseason victory came earlier, on Aug. 29, when he captured first place at the South Plantation Slam.
Despite the three victories, Cruickshank said he knows there is still plenty of work ahead as he prepares for the regular season.
“It was good to win those tournaments, and I am looking forward to the upcoming season. I will have to practice a lot, and I have a lot to learn,” he said.
Having both team captains produce multiple preseason victories gives Taravella a strong start as the program prepares for high school competition.
Bryan will enter the season carrying both the expectations that come with her No. 1 state ranking and the experience of reaching last year’s state championship final. Cruickshank, meanwhile, begins his junior season after establishing himself with three tournament wins of his own.
Their early results have also given Bazos reason for confidence about what the Taravella wrestling program could accomplish this season.
“I think we are going to have a good team this year,” he said.
With six combined first-place finishes between their girls’ and boys’ captains, Taravella’s wrestlers will now look to turn their preseason success into results when the regular high school season gets underway.
