Wakulla places 2nd at regional championship
8 wrestlers qualify for state championship in Kissimmee
By WALT JACOBS
Special to The Sun
Most wrestling tournaments take coaches, wrestlers, parents, and fans on an emotional roller coaster ride and the FHSAA 1A Region 1 wrestling championship in Wewahitchka was no exception.
Excitement, disappointment, gratitude, sadness, and joy were all experienced over the two-day competition.
Sophomore sensation Brady Jackson, after his state qualifying win over North Bay Haven’s Jack Mulix, fell to his knees, looked toward heaven, and folded his hands in gratitude. Auston Ryals leapt for joy into the arms of an elated Coach Will Pafford after the Junior punched his ticket to the State Championship for the first time.
Aaron Robinson, who is usually reserved at tournaments, could not conceal his delight as he radiantly smiled knowing his pin of Stanton’s Elias Spurlin in the blood round earned him his first trip to Kissimmee.
When Troy Thaxton, Wakulla’s only champion on the day, pinned Episcopal’s Mikah Ikeda in the semifinals, the War Eagle coaches and fans in attendance erupted in jubilation.
With a win over Rocky Bayou’s Thomas Pluhar, freshman phenom Matthew Thaxton joined his brother Troy as a state qualifier.
Upon seeing Nate Jacobs in the consolation side of the bracket, a shocked Wewahitchka coach and tournament director Tracy Malcolm encouragingly said to Jacobs, “Tomorrow I’d better be handing you a medal.” From there, in dominating fashion, Jacobs pinned his way through the rest of the tournament thereby securing third place and a return trip to Kissimmee.
Kohl Pippin added to his impressive resume’ by becoming a three-time state qualifier with a 4-2 decision over Suwannee’s Sam Ballard.
On the strength of four pins, Senior Adleigh Caquimbo punched his ticket to state for the very first time.
Coach Pafford enthusiastically stated, “It was a great day for WHS wrestling. The kids showed up and did amazing.” Pafford continued, “Putting 8 through to the state tournament and bringing home a regional runner up trophy was a huge accomplishment. I am so proud of this team.”
Time would fail us to regale you with stories of every deserving Wakulla Wrestler who have endured the arduous demands of wrestling and possessed the courage to stand in the center of a mat. Nor will the precincts of the printed page provide us with a place to properly proclaim the exploits of the 2023-24 War Eagles who persevered in the world’s oldest and greatest sport. To all of you, whether you have won or lost, I salute you.
2024 FHSAA 1A Region 1 results
113-Matthew Thaxton: 4th place
126-Troy Thaxton: 1st place
138-Brady Jackson: 2nd place
144-Aaron Robinson: 4th place
150-Nate Jacobs: 3rd place
157-Auston Ryals: 4th place
215-Kohl Pippin: 2nd place
285-Adleigh Caquimbo: 4th place
District 2 rival Suwannee High led the team race with 202 points followed by Wakulla at 2nd with 170 points.
North Bay Haven, Fernandina Beach, and Florida High rounded out the top five.
