Years of hard work culminated in a magical moment for four senior wrestlers from the Chattanooga area who climbed to the top of the medal stand at the TSSAA Division II state traditional tournament Saturday night in Nashville.
Baylor's senior trio of Nick Corday (113 pounds), Garrison Dendy (138) and David Harper (195) made Tennessee history as the first trio of teammates to win their fourth individual state titles the same year. They were also part of a dominant Red Raiders bunch that set another state record by sending 11 wrestlers to the finals at Montgomery Bell Academy.
The trio's success helped Baylor cruise to the team title, with the program sweeping the D-II championships for state duals and the traditional tournament for the fourth year in a row. That pushed the program's record haul to 31 state titles overall.
"Those three guys have enough talent to do whatever they set their mind to at the next level," Baylor coach Rex Kendle said. "They were a key part to an incredibly special team that won their fourth straight traditional team championship in a row. Overall it was a great tournament for our guys, and one we will never forget."
The Red Raiders were given a jolt right from the start in the first of 14 weight class finals.
Baylor freshman 106-pounder Jacob Bond had two takedowns and a near fall to build a 7-0 lead, then held on for a 7-5 decision over Father Ryan's Joe Calvin.
Corday followed suit at 113, building a 6-0 lead before battling through injury time in the third period to beat Father Ryan's Brody Gobbell 9-4. The future Army wrestler won the championship despite having to come back from injury just in time for the state duals earlier this month.
Dendy won 7-0 and Harper prevailed 8-0 as they rolled in the finals.
"I have really been blessed to be a part of this team," Harper said. "I am going to miss it. The support system, the coaches, my teammates, the fans. It's been great. I couldn't imagine my high school career having gone any better."
Baylor went 4-7 in the finals but was able to secure the team title with little trouble, finishing with 256.5 points. Father Ryan finished runner-up with 215, while Lakeway Christian Academy finished third with 133.
"I know we were shooting for more state champions, but we weren't expecting to have as many as we did in the finals," said Dendy, who will wrestle with Harper at Wyoming. "To send 11 wrestlers to the finals is total domination. Every single one of us understands this is truly a team sport. Even the kids who lost are excited, because without all of us we couldn't have accomplished all that we have this season and over our careers."
Baylor 220-pound star Gunnar Garriques left it all on the line for his team and pounded his chest while pumping his fans up even after a tough loss in the finals to tournament host MBA's Gabe Fisher.
"Gunnar had a severely injured ankle and was 50% at the most," Kendle said. "He gutted it out just to be here and score points for our team. He didn't do it for himself. He fought out there for his team, even though he knew his chances were slim to win it all given his injury. He is a special kid."
The night ended with McCallie senior James Howard battling to a 4-1 decision over Memphis University School's Dion Stutts for the 285-pound title. Howard had a single-leg takedown early in the bout, and in the second period he drove Stutts to the mat near the outside of the wrestling circle for two more points.
Howard's influence was powerful for the Blue Tornado in more than one sport - his star defense helped the football program win a third straight BlueCross Bowl state championship this past December - and the nationally ranked wrestler was overjoyed to win his second TSSAA title on the mat.
"I feel like I made my coaches and family so proud," said Howard, who plans to either throw for McCallie's track and field team or play lacrosse in the spring. "It's also an honor to me that my teammates celebrated me here like they did. It's a blessing. There is nowhere on this planet like McCallie, and I really believe that. To be a part of this team and school is something I will never forget."
Baylor's Jackson Bond (126) lost a hard-fought 3-1 overtime decision to Father Ryan's Casen Roark, while the Red Raiders' Nate Askew (132), Micah Tisdale (152), Mason Alley (160), Michael Kinsey (170), Omaury Alvarez (182) and Garriques were also state runners-up in their weight classes.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.