Fini

Remembering Thom Harrison, and the Thom Harrison Courage Award

At 152 lbs., Jake Rando won the first of four titles for the Tigers.  At 170 lbs., Joey Foret won the first of three consecutive Tiger titles, as he was followed by champions Michael Benton at 182 lbs. and Spencer Rayes at 195 lbs.  The Tigers did not have any runners-up, but placed well in the consolation matches.  Cole Clement placed third, Brady Butler and Jacob Spahn placed fourth, and Signorelli, Michael Lundin and Randel Amos placed fifth.

Jesuit ended the Friday competition in fifth place but stormed back on Saturday to overtake Arnold, Thompson and Flagner to finish second with 247 points.  Flagner was third, followed by Thompson and Vestavia Hills.

Eli Larriviere won the only championship for the Blue Jays at 145 lbs., while Adam Larriviere (138 lbs.) and Brandon Greer (170 lbs.) were runners-up.  Larriviere and Greer both lost to New Orleans area opponents: Larriviere to St. Paul's Shane Ulfers and Greer to Foret.  Finishing third for the Blue Jays were Sam Drevil at 106 lbs., Paul Treuting at 182 lbs. and Thomas Arceneaux at 195 lbs.  Luke Eccles at 120 lbs., William Rosevally at 160 lbs. and Perry Ganci at 220 lbs. placed fifth for Jesuit.

St. Paul's had a champion in Shane Ulfers at 138 lbs. while Rummel had finalists in Chris Montalbano (106 lbs.) and Blake Mateu (120 lbs.).

Team Champions - Holy Cross Tigers	Team Runner-up - Jesuit

OW Lower Weight Classes Sam Latona - Thompson	OW Higher Weight Classes Joey Foret - Holy Cross
Sam Latona's belt, accepted by a younger teammate	Joey Foret with South Walton Coach Nick Cary

Final Team Scores

All Brackets in PDF

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Thomas Harrison

Missed, but not forgotten, at this year's Border Wars tournament, was Thom Harrison, who along with Cary Nick, Darrin Dunwald, Scott Simpson and Chris Pickren was instrumental in the founding of the South Walton Border Wars.

After a short bout with cancer, Thom passed away on November 6th, 2016, at the age of 55.  Thom may not have been very visible at the first three Border Wars.  He was usually running the event by recording results and determining bout sheets from a small room adjacent to the Head Table area.

Toby Marez, Fort Walton High School's head wrestling coach, remembers Thom as someone who would drop everything to help others in need.

"Thom and I both were assistant coaches at FWB at the same time in 2002.   As an assistant, he was instrumental in two state runners-up and I am unsure of how many placers.   He took over the program and I was his assistant in 2005-2009.  During this time, he had a state placer ever year, the highest placing 3rd.  Thom was a very good technician who had a way of developing individuals to perform to their strengths.  After he stepped down (his own choice) he went around the area working as tournament manager, and going from school to school helping out at practices.  He had a passion for wrestling second to none.  He started the Beast of the Beach Tournament 12 years-ago with the vision of it being a dual tournament to bring in talented teams from everywhere."

The 2003 Fort Walton Beach High School Varsity Wrestling Team	The 2003 FWB JV Team	The 2007 FWB Varsity Wrestling Team

As a memorial to Thom the tournament directors established the Thom Harrison Courage Award, which this year was bestowed upon Fort Walton Beach's Joseph Pearson.

[L-R] Sister Aimee Harrison speaks about her brother; Coach Darrin Dunwald presents the trophy to Joseph Pearson; Pearson flanked by coaches Cary Nick and Darrin Dunwald; Trish Harrison Rightley; Aimee Harrison, Coach Cary Nick Joseph Pearson and Coach Darrin Dunwald.

Thom's obituary read as follows:

"Thom, 55, the son of Ann and Frank B. Harrison, passed peacefully with his family at his side after a battle with cancer. He was born at Chanute AFB, IL. A military child who traveled the world, attended Kearney Sr. High, and graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale with an Associate in Science specializing in Photography. He was an entrepreneur, owning several businesses over his lifetime. He was the sole proprietor of a security business, a professional photographer, a Wrestling Coach at FWB High for many years, an avid outdoorsman and fly fisherman. He was a deeply spiritual man, loved God, nature, and above all his family and friends. Thom lived his life helping and supporting others above himself. He was a selfless gentleman treating all with respect and kindness."

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Random Photos

No words come to mind...	Playing with a fisheye lens	Holy Cross coaches	William Pickren

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