War Eagles place 6th at Clay Rotary
By Walt Jacobs
Florida High’s Bob Albertson gymnasium was the site of the 2024 FHSAA 1A District 2 Championships. At the forefront of most every wrestler’s mind is one thing….Advance.
Nate Jacobs, a junior at Wakulla High School, said “Of course you would like to win a District championship, that’s a goal, but that is just something extra.You want to advance and come out of each tournament healthy. The main goal is to make it to state, and once you’ve made it to state anything is possible.”
Coach Will Pafford commented, “The boys had a great day qualifying all 14 wrestlers to the regional tournament with everyone placing third or higher. Brackets look great for this upcoming regional tournament.”
In the team race at districts, Suwannee High placed 1st, followed by Wakulla at 2nd and Florida High at 3rd.
FHSAA 1A District 2 Results
106-Brady Wilson 3rd; 113-Matthew Thaxton 2nd; 120-Caleb Thompson 2nd; 126-Troy Thaxton 1st; 132-Bricyn Kennedy 3rd; 138-Brady Jackson 1st; 144-Aaron Robinson 1st; 150-Nate Jacobs 2nd; 157-Auston Ryals 3rd; 165-Kane Watford 3rd; 175-Wyatt Brown 3rd; 190-Blake Barodte 3rd; 215-Kohl Pippin 3rd; 285-Adleigh Caquimbo 2nd
FHSAA Girls 1A Region 1 Championship
The Lady War Eagles also competed over the weekend at the FHSAA 1A Region 1 tournament held at Chiles High. Coach Pafford proudly stated, “The girls had an awesome tournament with Julia Baggett coming one match away from qualifying for state.
“Austin Brown and Caitlin Hall had great tournaments and both had two wins.”
When asked to give her thoughts on her daughter Julia’s performance, Michele Falk, WHS Principal and proud mother glowingly exclaimed, “I think Julia surprised some people with her performance at regionals. Losing in the blood round exceeded her expectations, but left her wanting more!”
Falk added, “It was a great experience for her as a freshman and now she knows what it is going to take to make it to state in the future!”
On the future of girls wrestling at Wakulla, Falk confidently said, “I think the future is bright for girls wrestling at WHS. We lost two seniors but have some young talent coming up from the middle schools. Austin Brown’s leadership will be missed.”
Both Brown and Hall concluded their high school wrestling careers on Saturday, but when the time comes to reflect on the formative years of girls wrestling at Wakulla, Brown, Hall, Baggett, and 2020 state qualifier Jaden Arrizola will certainly be considered the pioneers and founding members.
