Baylor’s wrestling program is well within reach of another TSSAA record at the state traditional tournament.
The Red Raiders will have 11 representatives in the Division II finals at 5 p.m. Eastern on Saturday at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville. Baylor leads the team championship standings with 224.5 points, with Father Ryan a distant second at 131 and Lakeway Christian third at 106.
The Red Raiders are trying to add to their records for most team state traditional titles with their 18th, and that would also add to their record for most overall team state championships with their 31st. They won their 13th state duals crown earlier this month.
For coach Rex Kendle’s team to set a Division II record for most individual champions by one team in a single season, they will have to go 8-3 in the finals, while winning more would push Baylor past the TSSAA’s overall record for most individual champions in a season. Red Bank had eight state champions in 1963, and Father Ryan had seven in 2015 and 2016.
Advancing 11 wrestlers out of 14 weight classes to the title round wasn’t without challenges for Baylor. In the semifinals, senior Nick Corday put together a defensive 2-0 decision at 113 pounds, freshman Nate Askew survived 6-5 at 132 and senior Michael Kinsey won 4-3 at 170.