After rivalry win, Baylor looks ahead to next step
Sean Russell couldn't ask for a better class of seniors to lead the way for Baylor in his first season as head coach of Tennessee's most accomplished high school wrestling program.
That veteran group is a big reason the Red Raiders are showing the potential to win their 35th and 36th TSSAA team state championships next month, when the duals and traditional tournament competitions are held, and Thursday night they more than held their own on the road against the program's top rival.
The Red Raiders left little doubt about their status as the current team to beat in Division II-AA as senior stalwarts Gabe Swann, George Emendorfer, Ollie Phillips, Titus Norman and Dylan Reel pushed Baylor to a 39-27 dual win at McCallie.
Emendorfer and his teammates had seen throughout the season that the Blue Tornado were ahead of them in the state's prep wrestling rankings, which they put little worry into.
"The connection we have over here is unreal," said Emendorfer, who, despite wrestling with a 10-out-of-10 tear in his UCL, dominated his 150-pound match with a first-period pin after leading 7-0. "Every single guy on this team is my brother, and I would go to war for them.
"Our goal isn't to beat McCallie. We aren't worried about anybody in this state. We want to be known nationally and win National Prep down the road. Our program wants to be tough nationally."
With the Blue Tornado pulling even at 27 after a resilient third-period victory by Cannon Voiles, who despite a major size disadvantage in the 285-pound match won 3-2 over Maddox McClure, the clash of powerhouses was ultimately decided in the lower weights.
Baylor junior Triston Mouton brought the rest of the Red Raiders and their fans into an uproar of celebration, with the 106-pound junior winning by pin with nine seconds left in his match while ahead 8-2. Mouton was swarmed by his teammates shortly after.
The Red Raiders, who improved to 2-0 in duals this season, closed the night with freshman budding star Riley Alcantar cruising to a first-period pin at 113 in the final match.
"Baylor's wrestling dominance won't stop after we are gone," said 165-pounder Phillips, who impressed with nine points in the third period for a 12-3 major decision over McCallie's Jon Cross. Everyone is dedicated. We pour so many hours into this sport. We have been in the room since the beginning of August, and no one would rather be anywhere else. This is a brotherhood. And we all pour everything we have into it to where we are ready to go every time we step on the mat."
Norman (175) and Reel (195) were overpowering in their victories. Norman gave Baylor its first lead of the dual with a 16-0 tech fall in the second period, putting the Red Raiders ahead 22-21. Reel pinned his opponent with two seconds left in the second period after building a 10-0 lead.
Swann (126) and junior Malachi Puckett (138) picked up two more of the Red Raiders' eight match victories with a 12-4 major decision and a 1-0 decision, respectively.
"Our seniors are amazing," Russell said. "Gabe didn't have his match go the way he wanted, but he was right back out there pumping the guys up and was such a positive influence on the bench. George is the heart and soul of this team. Ollie had probably the best performance of the night. Titus and Dylan were sharp.
"This senior class has done a great job. They are always coaching up others and lifting them up too."
(READ MORE: Baylor names Sean Russell as the elite wrestling program's next head coach)
McCallie (2-1) opened the match with a second-round pin by Brody Connell (120), who had wasted no time while scoring 12 points in the first period.
The Blue Tornado's only other pin came from Billy Hamilton (144) in a first-period victory. Cainan Williams (157) won by injury default, Jaxon Lane (132) won 2-1, and Cooper Gentle (215) won 4-1 just before the victory by Voiles.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.
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