Dolphin wrestlers make history
Chavers, Retherford the first to represent GBHS at state
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted Photo Representing Gulf Breeze sent eight wrestlers to last weekend's Region 1-A meet at Palm Coast Mantanzas. They are (front, from left): Jason Pendergraph, John Stanley and Tanner Eagley. Back (from left): Taylor Retherford, Kyle Chavers, Brandon Buchalter, Jesse Parsons and Kyle McKissack.

Senior Kyle Chavers and junior Taylor Retherford made history Saturday in Palm Coast, becoming the first Dolphin wrestlers in school history to qualify for the state meet, which starts today in Lakeland.

Chavers, in the 160 pound class, took second out of 16 wrestlers in his weight class, while Retherford took fourth in the 181 pound class.

The two were part of a group of eight Dolphins who finished in the top four at districts to qualify for regionals. The others included: Brandon Buchalter (135), Kyle McKissack (140), Tanner Eagley (145), John Stanley (152), Jesse Parsons (189) and Jason Pendergraph (215).

The following is a recap of how all the Dolphin wrestlers fared at regionals:

Buchalter - Because of the flu, Buchalter was unable to compete.

McKissack - McKissack lost to Jackson (Bradford County) by decision 9-3 before pinning Bodine (Yulee) at 3:33. He then lost to Smith (Bay) by technical fall 19-3.

Eagley - Eagley was pinned by Mulder (West Nassau) at 1:36 before losing to Young (South Walton) by decision 14-6.

Stanley - Stanley defeated Crowley (Jacksonville University Christian) by decision 19-9 before losing to Barco (Wakulla) by decision 10- 6. Stanley then lost to Pelt (Marianna) by decision 11-7.

Chavers - Chavers pinned Lincoln (Tallahassee Rickards) at 1:21 before beating Georges (Pedro Menendez) by decision 6-3. Chavers then advanced to the final with a win over Dennis (Matanzas) at :32, but then lost to McGurrin (Jacksonville Bolles) at 1:16.

Retherford - Retherford pinned Blake (Bay) at 2:10 to state

before pinning Benson (Jacksonville Episcopal) at 3:57. He then defeated Daniel (Mantanzas) at 4:52 to qualify for state. He then lost to Mimich (Clay) at 1:17 in the consolation final.

Parsons - Parsons was pinned by Beacher (Clay) at 5:15 before beating Corbett (Wakulla) by decision 8-0. He then lost to McClure (Jacksonville Stanton Prep) by decision 6-5.

Pendergraph - Pendergraph lost to Dailey (Wakulla) at 1:40 before losing to Roberts (Jacksonville Raines) at :48.