West-Oak wrestler dedicates title to pal
February 27, 2000
State, The (Columbia, SC)
FRED GONZALEZ, Staff Writer
Saturday's individual high school wrestling championships at Timmons Arena on the campus of Furman University crowned 42 wrestlers the best in their weight class with a gold medal.
But no championship, or gold medal, meant more than Chip Sandifer's 112-pound title in Class AA-A.
The West-Oak High junior dedicated his season to his friend, Randy Martinez of Walhalla, who died in a car accident on Thanksgiving Day last year.
The two wrestled in last year's 112-pound finals with Sandifer winning a gold medal, and in the process gaining a friend.
With the rival schools just eight miles apart, the two found a special bond in the love of their sport and ultimately their friendship. When death tore the two friends apart, Sandifer decided to leave Martinez a token of that friendship.
Just before Martinez's casket was closed, Sandifer inserted the gold medal he won in 1999 when he defeated Martinez.
"He didn't tell anyone he was going to do it," Sandifer's mother Sheila Hawkins said. "He thought no one would see him put it in Randy's casket."
Upon hearing about Sandifer's gesture, the South Carolina High School League awarded Sandifer another gold medal. The Walhalla wrestling team also gave Sandifer a medal for his sportsmanship.
Needless to say, this season Sandifer dedicated his efforts to Martinez.
"I talked to him every time I went out on the mat," Sandifer said after his win, which finished his season 24-0 and with his third consecutive state championship. "I really don't know what to say. He (Martinez) would have done the same thing today if he was here."
For Hawkins and Sandifer's father, Greg, Saturday was a chance to see their son achieve some closure.
"It was tough on Chip. Every time he wrestled, Randy was on his mind," Hawkins said. "This begins some closure because all Chip wanted to do was win this title for Randy."
And earn a gold medal that will mean more than any of the other 41 that were awarded on Saturday.