State of the Program ... Baylor (TN)
By this time - many of you have seen that we are doing highlights of different teams across the SE as we gear up to drop the team previews in 6 weeks. I was releasing one team a day, but with now over 170 teams having sent in information - I’ll try to ramp it up a bit so we can get as many in as possible before the first part of October. I can’t guarantee I’ll get to everyone, but I will try to get to as many as possible.
Please re-visit when the actual previews get dropped in October because what I am sharing below are just a few of the names the coaches have given me. Much more will be shared - plus SEWrestle’s “What to Expect” - in the team previews. Lastly, if you want to know whether we have your form … you can find the list of everyone that has submitted a form in the blog archive.
Baylor (TN)
If I had ranked the top 20 tournament teams in the SE in 2021 - Baylor would have been first. Now that’s not the top 20 dual teams (that might be different), but Baylor’s run to 2nd at the 2020 Knockout showed that they have not only the horses up top to get points, but they had wrestlers throughout the line-up that could battle through the most difficult tournament in the SE and still make the podium. The finished ahead of Georgia 5A Champs Woodland (3rd), Tampa Jesuit (4th), Florida 1A Champs Somerset, and so on.
So what does 2021-2022 hold in store for the Red Raiders? Well they aren’t likely to be pushed in Tennessee Division 2, but they are not slated to return to the Knockout in 2021 to see if they can claim that title after falling short to Tuttle (Oklahoma) in 2020. Baylor lose State Champ Kade Hartline, but return the majority of their monsters in Nick Corday, Garrison Dendy, Gunnar Garriques, and David Harper. Add in State Placers Jackson Bond, Micah Tisdale, Omaury Alvarez, and others and this team will once again be one the of the top teams in the SE.
Keep an eye on freshmen Jacob Bond and Nate Askew as well as Senior transfer Mason Alley who was a National Prep placer and Michael Kinsey … those 4 could open some eyes. This team is tough throughout the lineup and could be the best team in the SE again in 2022.
“We are excited about this season as we have a very solid lineup top to bottom. We have a good mix of battle-tested vets and a very good group of guys still looking to make a name for themselves.”
WE NEED YOUR HELP … We are in the process of collecting as much information as possible and would love for coaches to reach out and share their information. If you are a coach and would like to provide that information please click the “Team Preview” button below to be sent to a survey.