Chavers wins match at state wrestling meet, finishes 36-5
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Jerry McKissack First timers GBHS wrestling coaches Al Glinieki, Matt Alt and Burk Wellborn pose with (front, from left) Taylor Retherford and Kyle Chavers after the Region 1-A wrestling meet on Feb. 5. The pair were the program's first ever state tournament qualifiers.

Retherford competes in 171 lb. class, finishes season 27-8

The GBHS boys soccer team wasn't the only one making history last week.

For the first time in school history, the Dolphin wrestling team was represented at the state meet Thursday and Friday at the Lakeland Center.

Senior Kyle Chavers competed in the 160 pound weight class, while junior Taylor Retherford competed in the 171-pound weight class.

Chavers, who entered the tournament with a 35-4 record, lost to Pierson Taylor's Mitch Taulbee in the first round by fall at the 4:27 mark.

Chavers stayed alive by beating Key West's Cody Audt by decision 11-6 before being eliminated by Tampa Prep's Wes Jarrell by decision 7-1.

Jarrell eventually finished sixth in the 16-wrestler field, while Bolles' Luke McGurrin (42-1), who beat Chavers in the regional final the previous weekend, was the state champion.

Retherford, who entered with a 27-6 mark, lost to Fort Myers Riverdale's Randy May by fall at the 1:51 mark before being eliminated by Hernando's James Davidson by fall at the 3:58 mark.

Riverdale went on to win the 1A team title with 185, blowing away the 76 team field. Jupiter Christian was the next closest team with 83 points.

Bay was 24th with 20 points, while Arnold was 34th with 14 points.