After Baylor 182-pound senior and state champion hopeful Connor Duffy took his opponent down to the mat with authority, the road crowd erupted as his brute force got things rolling against an archrival.
The senior leaders for the nationally ranked Red Raiders wrestling program were lights out as the foursome of Duffy, Barrett Chambers (220), Noah Horst (132) and Chase Radpour (145) paved the way to a 50-16 victory at McCallie on Friday night.
"Hearing the crowd erupt as a wrestler gives you chills," said Duffy, who had one of his team's four first-round pins (seven total). "Whenever you pin them at the end and you stand up, it's overwhelming.
"We have never lost to McCallie since I have been here. We never lose to them because we all fight for Coach (Ben) Nelson. Nobody gives up extra points. We are all out here wrestling for each other."
With a capacity crowd on hand to watch a fierce rivalry that featured eight state champions from last season, Baylor (14-3) looked to be at even a higher level than last year, when it swept the Division II duals and traditional team state titles.
Baylor's Nick Cordey defeated McCallie's Kenneth Haney 18-2 in the 106-pound class as part of the visiting Red Raiders' 50-16 win Friday night at McCallie. / Staff Photo by Robin RuddThe Red Raiders defeated the Blue Tornado by four points in the state duals championship match and by 19 in the traditional tournament. All three of their losses this year came in the Blair Duals in New Jersey, which was considered to be the toughest prep tournament in the nation.
On Friday, Nelson's group lost five matches - four decisions and one major decision.
"We came here hoping to widen the gap and get some confidence going into the end of the year," Nelson said. "All of our seniors continued to show what great leaders they have been for us. We have gone up against some great competition, so we are ready for anybody."
McCallie opened with a 6-0 lead as junior three-time state champion Alex Whitworth (160) won 6-4 with a last-second reversal and fellow state champ Gavin Cagle (170) followed with a dominant decision.
But Baylor found its charge.
Duffy and sophomore returning state champion David Harper overpowered their competition for back-to-back first-round pins. Chambers then stuck his opponent in the second round, letting out a roar as he gave his team an 18-6 lead.
Since 1950, the Red Raiders wrestling program has had only three coaches.
"Coach Nelson is definitely the next legend," Duffy said. "We had Coach (Luke) Worsham and then Coach (Jim) Morgan. It's a dynasty. It's Baylor wrestling. Tonight was cool because it felt like all the alumni were here cheering us on."
The Red Raiders and Blue Tornado had returning state champs at all six weight classes from 106 to 138 pounds.
Baylor's Nick Corday racked up five team points in an 18-2 technical fall at 106, and Jackson Bond (113) and Garrison Dendy (138) had first-round pins. Radpour went from a 3-3 tie in the third period to a last-minute pin, and Anthony Manella closed the match with a 11-5 decision.
McCallie's only bonus point came from Jack Braman, who won his 120-pound match 16-3. Emory Taylor (126) won 7-4 over Ryan Tisdale, and James Howard posted a 6-0 shutout.
Baylor added the impressive victory over McCallie to a second-place finish in the Kansas City Stampede and winning the Prep Slam in Atlanta, both nationally renowned tournaments.
"Our guys have been working hard, and I really feel good about where we are headed," Nelson said. "Their work ethic is phenomenal, and they are performing and getting better every day. Nights like this blows your mind to see how much support you have."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.