By WALT JACOBS
Correspondent

Fort Walton Beach is located on what is called the Emerald Coast. It is known for its white sand beaches, pristine coastline, and clear emerald waters. It’s an image that depicts tranquility and relaxation.
However, the scene at Fort Walton Beach High School gymnasium was neither tranquil nor relaxing, it was more reminiscent of a battleground. On Friday and Saturday, Dec.19th and 20th, the school hosted its annual Beast of the Beach tournament. The competition, a dual format tournament, attracted 21 teams from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida.
Coach Nate Litowsky and his War Eagles were among those who made the trip to lay claim to the title.
In the opening round of their bracket, Wakulla defeated Marianna 58-15. The War Eagles followed that up with a 63-6 mauling of Milton. Subsequently, Wakulla pummeled Fort Walton’s B team 58-11. In their final match of the day, the War Eagles finished strong with a 55-25 drubbing of Niceville. Virtually unchallenged, Wakulla advanced to the next day’s championship round.
On day two, the War Eagles faced Fort Walton Beach. Wakulla prevailed over their hosts 50-24. Next, Wakulla took on Collierville High from Tennessee. The Dragons gave the War Eagles their closest match of the tournament at this juncture, but Wakulla advanced to the championship match with a 43-36 victory.
In the championship, the War Eagles faced Tallassee from Alabama. Tallassee entered the contest on a 73 dual win streak, and like Wakulla, had cut through their competition at the tournament like a hot knife through butter. All signs indicated that it would be the most competitive match of the tournament. The championship dual started at 126 pounds, and William Harvey got the War Eagles going with a 16-0 tech fall over Dylan Price.
Tallassee’s Karter Armstrong responded by winning a close 13-12 decision over Patrick Cooksey.
Wakulla’s Brady Jackson answered with a 16-1 tech fall over Aiden Bridgman.
Aaron Robinson continued Wakulla’s winning ways with a 30 second pin over John Creswell.
Troy Thaxton made it 19-3 in the War Eagle’s favor with a decision over Tallassee’s Avery Brantley.
Wakulla’s Colt Sanders increased the lead by six, with a pin over James Mote.
At 165 and 175, Tallassee got back to back wins. Brady Adams pinned Clayton Manzi late in the first period and Tra’Mel McCoy got a 7-6 decision over Cole Manning, making the score 25-12.
Wakulla and Tallassee traded wins in the next two weights. At 190, Gavin Mitchell pinned Tallassee’s Randal Morgan with one second remaining in the second period and Wakulla forfeited the 215 pound class. The score at this time was Wakulla 31 Tallassee 18.
Looking ahead, Wakulla knew that they would be forfeiting the 106 and 113 pound weight classes as they had most of the tournament. With that in mind, the results of the impending 285 pound bout would be consequential on the final outcome of the dual.
Going into the final period of the bout, Wakulla’s Lonnie Pearce was locked in a 3-3 tie with Tallassee’s Vincente Diego. However, Pearce removed the suspense from the room when he pinned Diego just 30 seconds into the final period. War Eagle fans in the stands and teammates matside erupted in jubilation. Although there were three matches remaining, regardless of their outcome, Pearce’s victory made the score 37-18 and drove the final nail in the proverbial coffin. Tallassee received forfeits at 106 and 113 and in the final match of the dual, Thomas Patterson won by decision 11-7 over Wakulla’s Matthew Thaxton. The final score of the dual was 37-33.

Next, the War Eagles travel to Fort Lauderdale to compete in the Bobby Stanley Duals at Cardinal Gibbons on December 29th-31st.

GIRLS KNOCKOUT CHRISTMAS
CLASSIC

The Lady War Eagles traveled to Kissimmee to compete in what is considered one of the toughest in-season tournaments in the nation.
Julia Baggett and Kameron Easter, the only wrestlers to make the trip, both went 2-2 respectively over the weekend.
Coach Jon Sanchez said, “The girls wrestled well at Knockout. This was a good tournament to see where we’re at against some of the best in the state. We just need to make some adjustments in different areas of our technique that will help them peak at the right time in the season.”
Regarding his wrestlers’ performances, Sanchez accentuated the positives. “Julia continues to keep pushing forward. She went 0-2 last year at this tournament. This year she improved to 2-2. She’s putting in the work and she’s starting to see some of the fruits of her labor.”
Kameron Easter reached a milestone over the weekend winning her 100th career match. Sanchez commented, “Before the season started, Kameron had the goal of reaching her 100th win. She even had it down to which tournaments she would achieve this mark.”

Next, the Lady War Eagles will compete at the Panhandle Championships in Lynn Haven on Jan. 3rd.

WRESTLERS of the WEEK

COACH’S CORNER

“We’re not where we need to be yet by any means. We have a lot of work to do, but this group wants to win. Everyone is sick, beat up, and worn down, but that’s part of wrestling season. What mattered was the ones who showed up for each other and found a way to win.”

– Coach Nate Litowsky