Baylor's wrestlers won 55-18 at Signal Mountain on Thursday night in a dual that matched two programs coming off strong 2018-19 seasons and hoping to make state title runs this winter.
This time, though, the reigning Division II traditional tournament and duals champions got the best of the Eagles, last season's Class A-AA traditional runners-up who finished among the top six teams at state duals.
In the 106-pound match, Baylor's Nick Corday scored a reversal and then picked up three back points when he cradled Caleb Uhorchuk. The sophomore Red Raider, who won a state championship with Georgia's Buford and won 51 matches last season, rolled to a 7-1 decision over last year's Class A-AA runner-up.
"We knew that was going to be a dog fight," Baylor coach Ben Nelson said. "We have great respect for the Uhorchuk brothers and Signal Mountain's program. We really appreciate them for giving us a good match. That's what we are looking for this time of the year. We have a lot of young enthusiasm with this team and a lot of tough kids who bring a fun energy to the room every day."
With a takedown early in the third round of the 160-pound match, Baylor's Anthony Manella appeared to be in control until Preston Worley flipped Manella and then nearly pinned him. Worley's late charge fell short, though, as Manella took the 8-5 decision.
Baylor's Chase Radpour opened the meet at 145 pounds with a 12-2 major decision, Elijah Andrews won 8-1 at 132 and Luke Collins fought back from a 9-4 deficit for a second-round pin at 152. The other wins for the Red Raiders came via six forfeits.
The Eagles' three winners were all by pin as senior Mason Hilke secured his in the final 30 seconds at 285 and Noah Shriner (126) and Kale Albritton (138) got theirs in the first round. Albritton won in just 53 seconds.
"Kale is hell on wheels when he steps in the ring, and I think he has one of the best takedowns in the state," Signal Mountain coach Joe Jellison said. "Mason has come so far for us since his freshman year, when he didn't win a match, to being a state qualifier last year.
"That's the beautiful thing about wrestling. You reap the rewards when you put in hard work, battle through adversity and believe in yourself."
The Eagles were without standouts Kevin Muschel and Daniel Uhorchuk, both key leaders as the program won back-to-back region championships the past two seasons. Baylor's lineup is loaded again, but top-ranked wrestlers Jackson Bond, Garrison Dendy, Connor Duffy, David Harper and Noah Horst did not compete Thursday.
"I firmly believe if you want to be the best you have to wrestle the best," Jellison said. "We went against the best in the state tonight. It helps your guys reflect and ask, 'What can I do to get better?' That goes a long way once you battle through adversity with hopes to finish strong at the end of the year."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.