Pace Wrestling Team Returns to State Finals After 3 Years

When Cade Scott rolled onto his back after his final whistle, exhausted but exhilarated, he had just sealed something special for his team.

The Pace High School junior's victory at 190 pounds sent the Patriots wrestling team to the state dual championship for the first time since 2021. His 8-3 win over Middleburg clinched a 44-27 victory on January 15, and teammates rushed the mat in celebration.

Just one year ago, this moment seemed impossible. Pace had traveled six hours to face Middleburg in regionals and lost 69-6, with head coach Reggie Allen admitting his team didn't even believe they could win.

That crushing defeat became their turning point. Allen spent the offseason studying three teams he knew they'd face: Gulf Breeze, Lincoln, and Middleburg. He gave his wrestlers a detailed game plan and scheduled tournament after tournament against Middleburg so his team could build confidence with each match.

"Confidence is a really important thing in wrestling," said 126-pound wrestler Joshua Waring. "If you go out there and you expect just to try not to lose, you're never focusing on winning."

The strategy worked. Pace dominated early season tournaments and won their first district dual title since 2022. When regional semifinals arrived, they crushed Lincoln 71-0 before facing Middleburg again.

This time felt different. The Patriots won the first four matches with bonus points, jumping to a 21-0 lead. Even when Middleburg fought back, Pace kept extending their advantage until Scott's match would decide everything.

Scott took a headbutt in the third period and nearly passed out, but he held his lead. As the final seconds ticked away, Allen raised his hands and the celebration began.

Why This Inspires

Pace's turnaround shows what happens when belief meets preparation. Allen didn't just tell his wrestlers they could win. He created opportunities for them to prove it to themselves, scheduling rematch after rematch until doubt turned into confidence.

Now the entire roster heads to Kissimmee for Friday's Region 1-2A final against Clay. None of these wrestlers have competed at this level before, but Allen keeps reminding them that the mat is the same size wherever you wrestle.

He compared it to the classic basketball movie "Hoosiers," where measuring the court proves that big stages are just small stages with more spectators. Allen believes this squad is even better than his 2021 team that made states.

The six-hour bus ride this time will feel a lot shorter.