Kingfisher's Gaither wins title in his last shot

By Robert Przybylo

Published: February 24, 2008

Kingfisher wrestler Jakob Gaither was sick of being the runner-up.

He finished second last year at the state wrestling championships, losing to Shavod Atkinson of Hobart.

He was the leader of a Kingfisher defense that was seconds away from a 3A football championship last year against Clinton before losing 21-16.

And through five periods of wrestling Saturday night at the state championships at State Fair Arena, he was down 2-1.

But in his last chance, Gaither scored a reversal and a three-point nearfall to defeat Sulphur's Logan Grinstead 6-2 to win the heavyweight crown in 2A.

"I really couldn't have wrestled a better match,” Gaither said. "I left everything out there. I wanted to make sure there were no regrets.”

Gaither was knocking on the door all match but couldn't get the decisive takedown. He flirted with close calls in the third period and said at that point, fatigue set in.

Grinstead scored an escape point in the fifth period, but Gaither still had his own shot at an escape or reversal.

"I just looked at the clock and said I have to do this,” Gaither said. "There wasn't going to be a tomorrow.”

Gaither's win catapulted the Yellowjackets into third place, finishing behind Marlow and champion Perry.

Kingfisher also received a championship from 189-pounder Elliott Hellwege. The senior defeated Marlow's Dave Weske, also in overtime. It was Hellwege's second straight title.

"This was the way we wanted to go out,” Gaither said. "This was our best team, and we had to fight. Me and Elliott didn't have it easy, but that makes it that much more sweeter.”

This was Gaither's last outing with Kingfisher because he does not play any spring sports.

Gaither said he has not committed to any college because he doesn't know if he wants to play football or wrestle. He said Saturday's championship makes the choice that much tougher.

Marlow was expected to give Perry a good run for the team title, but when it mattered most, the Maroons had their best night. Perry went a perfect five-for-five in the championship round, including two pinfalls and a major decision.

"I don't want to say this was the best team that we've had, but I can easily say Marlow was the best team we've ever beaten,” Perry head coach Scott Chenoweth said.

Perry finished with 144.5 points, while Marlow was next with 129 and Kingfisher third at 101.

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