An interview with SEU coach Javier Maldonado

Working The Edge: High School Wrestling in Florida

We catch up with SEU coach Javier Maldonado.

We look back on the three-year anniversary of his taking the job to lead the first scholarship program in the state in almost three decades.

We talk about the influences from his wrestling family at Kissimmee Osceola High School and his collegiate career at UT-Chattanooga.

We also discuss the growth of high school wrestling talent in Florida, the importance of academics and how SEU's success in the sport could encourage other schools to give the sport a try.

The Fire are currently ranked 14th in the NAIA wrestling with seven wrestlers ranked in the Top 20 by Intermat ahead of the postseason.