Baylor, McCallie wrestlers roll at sectional event

Baylor and McCallie weren’t the only teams that took the wrestling mat at the TSSAA Division II East/Middle section tournament Saturday at Baylor.

But it it became a battle of the two rival programs as they combined to win 11 of the 14 individual championships, six for the Blue Tornado and five for the host Red Raiders.

Baylor edged McCallie 226.5 to 219 for the team section title, with Montgomery Bell Academy third at 111, but Red Raiders coach Ben Nelson admitted that this tournament was more about the wrestlers’ individual performances.

“That doesn’t really matter today,” Nelson said. “Next weekend is what matters, all of the guys fighting for themselves trying to win individual state titles and helping the team win a state title (in Franklin).”

Baylor had 10 wrestlers reach the finals, a feat that was significant to Nelson heading into the state tournament. The top four in each weight class qualified for state.

“Them being in a place where they’re competing hard is more important than anything,” Nelson said. “We lost a few close matches that were hard to lose, but they fought hard. The wins and losses next weekend are the ones that really matter.”

Baylor senior Stephen Morgan won possibly the most dramatic match of the day, defeating McCallie’s Chase Looper in sudden-victory overtime with a one-point escape in the 220-pound weight class.

Baylor seniors Hayden Hartline and Alex Atchley also won individual titles, along with underclassmen Andrew Pace and Mason Reiniche.

Despite the narrow team loss, McCallie coach Mike Newman also placed the focus of the day on preparing for the state tournament.

“It came down to the last few matches,” Newman said. “Right now we’re just focused on the state tournament. We put ourselves in pretty good position going into that. We’ll just continue to improve on ourselves and execute the fundamentals. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Saturday’s tournament was fast-paced, as most of the top wrestlers competed three or four times over the course of a few hours, something that took a toll on them physically and mentally.

This was especially evident in the finals of the 195-pound weight class, where McCallie senior Walker Robinson held off Baylor’s Sam Reynolds 3-1 after a grueling three-period battle.

“When I’m in a match, I know that it’s going to be the same amount of time whether I win or lose,” an exhausted Robinson said. “I’m going to feel the same way after, except if I win I’m not going to feel bad. I’m going to be the same amount of tired, so I might as well lay it all out there.”

Other Blue Tornado wrestlers who were East/Middle champions were Christian Morris, Emory Taylor, Cody Chittum, Alex Whitworth and Thomas Sell.

Notre Dame’s Jacob Brigman won the 285-pound weight class.

Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com