Lady War Eagles compete at district championship
By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent
Before a capacity crowd at North Bay Haven Charter Academy in Panama City, Kendal Haynie made her eagerly anticipated return to the mat this past Saturday at the FHSAA Girls District 1 Championship.
The past two months away from the mat have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Haynie. With each passing day she longed to return, while doubts tried to creep in.
However, between matches, her radiant smile seemed to be even brighter, and all doubts disappeared as she dominated the 110 pound weight class en route to the District 1 title.
Afterward, Haynie confessed that she had concerns about being rusty and had been a little nervous, but that was unapparent to anyone watching as she cut through the competition like a hot knife through butter.
“The nerves dimmed down a little when I prayed, but then after my first match they completely went away,” she said. Each match was a repeat of the previous one: attack, finish, pin. In a spectacular display of dominance, Haynie only spent 1 minute and 30 seconds on the mat during the entire tournament.
Regarding her performance, Haynie said, “I wrestled the same way I did before I was out a bit.Possibly even better than I wrestled before.”
In the 105 pound weight class, Emma Riggs went 2-3, with both wins coming by way of pinfalls. In her win against Bay’s Lucy Garcias, Riggs snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Riggs was trailing 12-4, when she turned the tables and secured the pin. Riggs’ performance was enough to garner 6th place.
Julia Baggett went 1-2 in the 140 pound weight class. Her sole victory came by a pin over South Walton’s Valeria Gomez. Baggett’s 13 second pin was the fastest fall of the tournament.
In her final bout of the day, Baggett suffered an injury while wrestling Niceville’s Allie Irvine. In spite of the setback, Baggett was able to continue, but she was never able to regain the momentum she had before the injury occurred. She eventually succumbed to Irvine by pinfall in the third and final period.
Kendal Haynie will compete in the FHSAA Region 1 Championship on February 22nd at Bay High School.
WRESTLER of the WEEK
KENDAL HAYNIE
“Kendal has been dominant all season, and this week was no different. Hard work, grit, and relentless effort have set her apart. Now, it’s time for her to take that mindset to Regions and keep proving why she’s the best.”
Coach Nate Litowski
COACH’S CORNER
“We couldn’t be prouder of our girls for the hard work and dedication they’ve shown all season. They’ve continued to push themselves and represent Wakulla Wrestling with grit and determination. Now, we turn our focus to a big week ahead as our boys prepare to step on the mat and compete. It’s an exciting time for the War Eagles.”
– Coach Nate Litowsky
