Wrestler Scott Varner is tops in state

Wakulla ranks ninth overall

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN

wsnowden@thewakullanews.net

Senior Scott Varner was dominant in his 140-pound weight class.

At state championships in Lakeland over the weekend, he gave up one point to a competitor in the semi-finals – for going out of bounds, said Coach John Wainwright, earning the title of state champion in his class.

"He completely dominated," Wainwright said of Varner's performance.

And while the Wakulla High School wrestling team took ninth in state, Wainwright couldn't hide the disappointment in his voice.

At the start of the year, it was a team that was ready for state championships.

But two of his star grapplers were lost because of disciplinary problems, there were injuries, and then some of his wrestlers may have been a bit overwhelmed or lost their focus when they got to state.

Another member of the team, sophomore Travis Hinsey, has been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a form of cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy. The team dedicated the season to him.

At state on Feb. 18 and 19, Jeremy Hall earned a sixth place ranking at 103 pounds. He won two matches the first day, but couldn't make weight the second day.

Tyler Hill went 2-2 at 119 pounds and did not place. Brandon Carden was 0-2 at 145 pounds. Luke Taylor, wrestling at 160, was 0-2, as was Matt Fields at 171.

Heavyweight Travis McCullough lost his first match, went to the loser's bracket and won his next two, but lost in the third round – one match from placing.

Despite all the challenges facing his team, they fought hard, said Wainwright.

Few teams could lose four of their top wrestlers and still finish in the top 10 in the state, he said.