Legendary prep wrestling coach honored in retirement
The Miami-Dade Country School Board honored a legendary high school wrestling coach recently.
Victor Balmeceda, who turned South Dade Senior High School into the most storied wrestling program in Florida history, announced his retirement following this past season. The school board recognized him at a recent meeting.
Balmeceda led South Dade to 21 team state championships, 21 regional championships, 28 district championships and crowned 86 individual state champions in a three-decade career on the mats.
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He started off as a standout wrestler himself, winning the Greater Miami Athletic Conference title while competing for Southwest Miami Senior High School. Balmeceda would compete at the junior college level before becoming an NCAA Division I qualifier at Appalachian State University.
Balmeceda took over as head coach in 1994, earning several landmark victories including a 2008 win over Brandon High School that ended a 459 streak of wins by Brandon.
According to a report by Miami Community Newspapers, Balmeceda plans to continue teaching ESE at South Dade after leaving the Buccaneers wrestling program.
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