Pine Crest Upper School wrestler Andrew Chen earns state runner-up title after strong performance at FHSAA championship

Pine Crest, Florida – A Pine Crest Upper School student-athlete has made a strong mark on the state wrestling stage, earning one of the top finishes at the Florida High School Athletic Association championship tournament.

Andrew Chen, a member of the Pine Crest Upper School wrestling team, recently secured the state runner-up title at the Florida High School Athletic Association wrestling championships. The impressive finish placed him among the best high school wrestlers in Florida this season.

The state championship tournament brought together elite athletes from schools across the state. Only the top qualifiers from regional competitions earn the chance to compete at this level, making the event one of the most competitive stages in high school wrestling.

Chen’s strong performance throughout the tournament helped him advance deep into the competition. Match after match, he battled through a challenging bracket, ultimately reaching the championship round and finishing as the runner-up in his weight class.

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The achievement marks an important milestone in Chen’s high school wrestling career and highlights the strength of Pine Crest’s wrestling program.

Chen was not the only Pine Crest athlete to make an impact at the state competition. Teammate Jake Lobis also delivered a notable performance, finishing fifth in his weight class during the championship tournament.

Lobis demonstrated consistency and determination throughout the event, competing against some of the strongest wrestlers in Florida and earning a place among the top finishers in his division.

Both Chen and Lobis reached the state championship tournament after strong showings at the regional level. Their performances there helped secure Pine Crest multiple spots in the statewide competition.

They were joined at the state tournament by teammates Ethan Stone and Sam Brown, who also qualified after standout performances during the regional round of competition.

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Together, the four wrestlers represented Pine Crest on the state stage, competing against some of the most talented high school athletes from across Florida.

Qualifying for the state championship alone is considered a major accomplishment in high school wrestling. Reaching the podium—or finishing among the top competitors in a weight class—requires discipline, endurance, and months of intense training.

For Pine Crest, the results reflect both individual dedication and a strong team effort throughout the season. Coaches and teammates alike celebrated the athletes’ hard work and commitment as they faced the toughest competition of the year.

Congratulations to Andrew, Jake, Ethan and Sam on this outstanding achievement.