High School Wrestling: Troy Christian’s Baker on cusp of state

Troy Christian wrestling coach Steve Goudy has witnessed some memorable moments during his career. Nick Baker’s reversal ranks among the best.

Baker, a senior wrestling in the 220-pound weight class, took some thumpings his freshman season. Baker went 2-25 then at 160 pounds, prompting his dad to have a talk with Goudy.

»RELATED: Thursday’s high school scoreboard

“There was a time when his dad came to me early on and said, ‘Coach just give me the word if this sport isn’t for him. We’ll do something else,” Goudy said. “I said Nick has the want to. He wants to be here. His body just hadn’t caught up yet.”

Baker (30-3) enters the Division III district tournament ranked No. 2 in the state and projected to win the district title at Troy’s Hobart Arena on Friday and Saturday. That’s no small feat. Three of the top four wrestlers ranked in the state are at Troy – Baker, Miami East senior Brenden Dalton (No. 3) and Blanchester junior James Peters (No. 4).

“It’s been a joy to coach that kid. He’s been a great leader for us,” Goudy said. “A great picture of what good old fashioned hard work will do for you.”

Baker finished fifth at the district tournament last season to serve as a state alternate. That fueled his drive to get better for his final season. Baker started working with a personal trainer to improve his footwork. Grappling with Troy Christian alums Zach Toal and Jordan Marshall has also sharpened his skills.

“A lot of hard work. Good coaches. A lot of good guys to workout with. There’s been a lot of things come together to make it happen,” Baker said of his resurgence.

“I wrestled all my life. Right about freshman year I started not to like it. I kept getting beat. I was starting to think maybe this isn’t for me. I wasn’t wanting to do it anymore. I talked to some people, got my confidence back and started to work for my sophomore year.”

Baker (93-60 overall) plans to continue his wrestling career at Urbana University. He’s one of eight Troy Christian wrestlers to qualify for the district tournament.

“I love competing. Hanging out with my friends,” he said. “Some of these guys are the closest friends I’ve ever had.”

Butler: Khali Brooks pulled off a D-I sectional title upset at 120 as an Aviators' backup.

Covington: Freshman 106-pounder Kellan Anderson (45-0) is one of eight D-III wrestlers in the state still undefeated. Arcanum junior Jayden Heltsley is 8-0 at 285.

Eaton: The Eagles send nine to the D-II district tournament, led by senior Wade Monebrake at 138. He's tied with Tim Silvers for the school record with 154 career wins.

Fairmont: The Firebirds had four D-I sectional champs, the most since 2011 – junior Evan Overholser ( 145), junior Nevan Snodgrass (170), junior Ali Salih (182) and senior Jaeden Crowe (220).

Snodgrass won his 100th career match in the sectional semifinals.

Northmont: Senior 220-pounder Bryan Heyward, who won his 100th match at sectionals, handed Beavercreek senior Brad Smith his first loss this season in the title match. Junior Andrew Knick won his third D-I sectional title at a third different weight. He has titles at 113, 132 and 145.

Sidney: Senior Dan Blosser (160) became his family's first D-I district qualifier, which includes two older brothers and his sister, a freshman on the team.

Wayne: Junior Jacob Padilla (285) enters the district tournament 34-0. He's one of 12 D-I wrestlers statewide undefeated.

West Carrollton: The Pirates send three to the D-II districts – junior Jacob Philbeck (106), junior Tyrone Keeton (132) and Tyler Durham (285). It's the most qualifiers since 2011.

About the Author