Wrestling: FWB's Cabanas named Wrestler of the Year

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Matt Cabanas wanted to make a lasting impression on his high school wrestling career.

So the Fort Walton Beach standout trained harder during the offseason and changed his approach during matches.

He stopped thinking so much, instead going with the flow of the match and being patient.

It worked.

Cabanas was the Region 1-2A champion at 119 pounds and finished fifth at the state tournament, capping off a senior campaign that saw him finish first in two other tournaments. For his efforts, Cabanas is this year's All Sports Association/Daily News Wrestler of the Year.

Cabanas edged Niceville's Will Jones and South Walton's JuWayne Tanner for the honor. Both Tanner and Jones also made deep runs at state, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.

"It went pretty good," Cabanas said. "I trained a lot harder because I knew it was my last shot. I'm happy with (how it ended)."

The change in Cabanas' demeanor was evident from the start to Fort Walton Beach coach Tobi Marez, who said that he continued to be impressed throughout the season.

"You could tell from the start that he had a different gameplan," Marez said. "It was one of a little more dedication and commitment to wrestling.

"He knew it was his senior year and he wanted to make a mark."

He certainly did. Cabanas won the Capital City Classic and the Billy Saylor Invitational in the early part of the season, along with finishing second at the Panhandle Championships and being named the meet's outstanding wrestler at the Beast of the Beach tournament.

He finished second at the District 1-2A meet, but gained revenge as he won the region title. Cabanas then made a strong push at the state tournament en route to taking home fifth.

Cabanas credited his success to his new approach.

"When it comes to wrestling, you just have to relax and let it happen," he said. "Last year I tried to force things and I wasn't thinking it through. I was more patient (this year)."

His success also came at two different weight classes. At the outset of the season, Cabanas wrestled at 125 pounds. But later in the year, he decided to drop down to 119. The move worked out well, as evidence by the results.

Cabanas said the drop in weight class wasn't a big deal, except that he had to cut a few more pounds before each meet.

"I felt just as strong at 119 as I did at 125, but the kids are smaller," Cabanas said. "If I lost any strength, it wasn't much."

Not enough to make a visible difference, and Marez is sad to see him go.

"We made the decision to go down (in weight) and he made a commitment and went from there," he said. "He matured a lot as a wrestler. I wish I had one more year with him."

First team

Dan Dunwald, Niceville

David Jones, Niceville

Matt Cabanas, FWB

Nick Grim, Niceville

Kyle Miller, Crestview

Patrick Fitzgerald, Choctaw

Lance Murray, Niceville

Will Jones, Niceville

Andrew Fuller, FWB

Clint Hill, Choctaw

Nick Panucci, Crestview

Ryan Myers, Niceville

Johnny Robinson. FWB

JuWayne Tanner, SW

Jeff Lamb, Niceville

Nate Hartley, Niceville

Josh Allen, Niceville

Kyle Purcell, Choctaw

Jacob Green, Niceville

Danny Johnson, Crestview

Honorable mention

Choctawhatchee: Robert Carillo, Andrew Fusco, Michael Brantley

Crestview: Colin Smith, Cody Smoyer, Justin Mitchell, Trevor Sauls, Josh Longman

Fort Walton Beach: Brett Matlaga, Alfred Seabrook, Alex Fuller, Brian Kimery, Matt Frank, Ulysses Roof, Jayce Holley

Niceville: Garrett Fincke, Luke James, Hayden Meyer, Will McCrory

South Walton: Howard Young, Jesse Cannon, Carlton Seilhan, James Little, Zack Henninger, Ian Towne, Mike Elliott, Greg Felt