Wilson and Wakulla Rock at Round Robin
By Walt Jacobs
University of Iowa wrestling Coach Tom Brands once said, “The only thing you deserve is what you earn.” In all of sports, Wrestling is the ultimate meritocracy. On every high school team, there are only 14 weight classes. To make the Varsity team, the contenders in each weight class must vie for their spot in a wrestle off.
The rules are simple: two competitors stand in the center of a 28 foot circle, then shake hands, and battle.
Popular opinion does not matter. Social status has no bearing. When the match has concluded, there is a winner and a loser. The winner gets their hand raised and experiences what Jim McKay described as “the thrill of victory,” while the loser becomes acquainted with “the agony of defeat.” What lies ahead for the loser is up to them. Persevere or Surrender, those are the only options.
Wakulla Senior 106 pounder Brady Wilson, who has been wrestling since middle school, chose to embrace the grind and persevere. Brady’s performance on Saturday at Buchholz High’s Bobcat Round Robin in Gainesville prompted Coach Will Pafford to say it was a “highlight of the weekend.”
When asked, why did Brady’s performance stand out? Pafford replied, “It was his first career varsity start as a Senior.”
“Brady has stayed faithful to the program,” Pafford added, “working hard and being patient, while waiting for his shot at starting. Once he got his opportunity, he capitalized on it going 4-1 this weekend.”
Along with Wilson, the War Eagles racked up victory after victory. From the Seniors on the team, like David Culley (4-1), Bricyn Kennedy (4-1), Kohl Pippin (3-1) and Adleigh Caquimbo (4-0), to the Freshman, like Matthew Thaxton (4-1) and Kane Watford (2-1), who were baptized in the fire of a varsity tournament for the very first time, the team had, by Pafford’s estimation, “a great day of competition.”
As for the Lady War Eagle wrestling team, they traveled to Florida High to compete in the Cam Brown Classic. Team Captain Austin Brown and Savannah Nowak lead the way for the girls with both wrestlers going 3-0 on the day. Freshman Julia Baggett and Chloe Doskocil both went 2-1 in their respective weight classes.
Next the War Eagles travel to Hernando High School to compete in the Kiwanis Invitational on Dec. 8th and 9th.
