Four gifts are on Baylor wrestler Bailey Whitaker’s want list as he anticipates graduation in May.

The first one was an early Christmas present, which came in the form of an appointment to the United State Naval Academy in mid-December where he will wrestle for former United States Olympic coach Bruce Burnett.

Competing in his final state duals this weekend at Father Ryan in Nashville, Whitaker hopes for the other three gifts – team state duals and traditional titles and his fourth individual state medal – to come in the next 16 days. The state traditional tournament is Feb. 14-16 at McKenzie Area.

“I have wrestled in many big matches in the past four years, so I look with anticipation to the upcoming important matches the next couple of weeks, rather than with any hesitation or fear,’’ said Whitaker who is taking who is taking three advanced placement courses (Calculus, Physics and Spanish Literature) this semester and holds a 3.84 cumulative grade point average.

Baylor coaches Jim Morgan and Schaack Van Deusen will need three more wins from Whitaker this weekend at the TSSAA Division II large school duals.

The defending state duals champion Red Raiders (30-5) open with Montgomery Bell Academy this afternoon at 5 p.m. Central and should advance to Saturday’s semis at 11 a.m. to face the Brentwood Academy-St. Benedict winner. Tournament host and long time rival Father Ryan is expected to face Baylor in Saturday’s final at 5 p.m.

“I think most everyone sees Baylor and Father Ryan as the heavy favorites to make the finals, so I hope the bracket seeding holds true,’’ said coach Morgan with a smile. “Both teams are strong and we have had some great matches in the past.’’

The success of this year’s Baylor team has impressed Whitaker.

“We lost eight starting seniors from last year’s state championship team and we are still ranked No. 1 in the state as well as No.5 in the Southeast,’’ said Whitaker, who is 8-0 at the state duals the past three year’s and has a 157-28 career mark.

College Wrestling: Next fall, Whitaker will become the latest in a long line of Baylor alums to wrestle in college.

“We are excited that Bailey is headed to the Naval Academy and I am confident he will be successful on and off the mat,’’ said coach Burnett. “He has the work ethic and character that we look for in our scholar athletes. Besides, my wife said his name, Bailey Whitaker, has the ring of someone famous!

“I plan to study engineering and after my four years in college, it’s either the Marines or become a pilot for the Navy,’’ Whitaker stated.

Division II Matches: Friday Session I: 5 p.m. Baylor vs. MBA, Brentwood Academy vs. St. Benedict; 7 p.m. Father Ryan vs. MUS, McCallie vs. Christian Brothers.

Sat. 11 a.m. –Semifinals; Sat. 5 p.m. Championship finals

All Academy Championship: While Bailey Whitaker and Baylor are most likely in the D-II finals on Saturday, his future teammates (Navy wrestlers) will compete in the All-Academy Championship at West Point. Former state champions Whitt Dunning (Father Ryan) and William Simpson (MBA) are on the West Point roster, while former McCallie state champ Spencer Manley wrestles for Navy.

Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net