The team title from the TSSAA Division II traditional state tournament appears to be headed back to the Scenic City for the sixth straight year.
That doesn't necessarily mean Baylor's wrestling program will be extending its reign, though.
All signs point to the championship coming down to the Red Raiders and rival McCallie on Saturday at Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy.
After winning their first TSSAA state duals championship since 2006 two weekends ago in Franklin, the Blue Tornado sat top the team standings Friday night, having generated 180 points on the first day of the individual-based tournament with double-elimination brackets for 14 weight classes. McCallie will also send five wrestlers to Saturday's championship finals: Jaxon Lane (106 pounds), James Cross (165), Ja'Von McMahan (190), Cooper Gentle (215) and Carson Gentle (285).
However, the Red Raiders certainly have an opportunity to make up ground and win their sixth straight state traditional title. They wrapped up Friday with 171 points and have six finalists: Jacob Bond (113), Oliver Phillips (126), Malachi Puckett (138), Titus Norman (144), Hunter Sturgill (157) and Max Norman (165).
The final day of the 2023-24 season for D-II wrestling — the D-I and girls' traditional tournaments are next weekend in Franklin — will begin with the consolation semifinals at 11 a.m. Eastern, followed by the consolation finals and fifth-place matches at 1 with the championship finals to begin at 5.
Father Ryan, which has six championship finalists, is third with 156 points.
Boyd Buchanan is fourth with 107 points and will have Nolan Hardeman (113), Connor Payne (150), Austin Johnson (157) and Kaiden Bates (175) wrestling for individual titles.
Chattanooga Christian's Ryder Smith is in the 285-pound final with a chance to become the first state champion in Chargers wrestling history.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.