Baylor Matmen Get Big Lead Early To Beat Bradley

Red Raiders Win First Four Matches Before Prevailing By 37-26 Over Bears

Tuesday, December 8, 2020
John Hunt

Anthony Mannella of Baylor holds off Bradley's Benjamin Stansberry at 160.
photo by M.A. Locke

The Bradley and Baylor wrestling teams are in different divisions when it comes to state competition, but Bradley coach Ben Smith knows that the match always makes his team better, no matter the outcome.

This match was originally set for last week, but Covid 19 issues kept it from happening. Instead of just moving forward, Smith was able to change the date to five days later, so they met at Baylor’s Jimmy Duke Arena Tuesday evening.

Baylor won its first match for first-year head coach Rex Kendle and the final score was 37-26, which is somewhat misleading. The Red Raiders were victorious in nine of the 14 matches, but five of those nine were by regular decision.

Bradley took advantage of a pin from Austin McClure at 285 and forfeits from Bryson Terrell at 106 and Easton Lipsey at 120 while getting five points for a technical fall from Luke Belcher in the final match of the evening.

Baylor countered with pins from Garrison Dendy at 145, David Harper at 195 and Heath Snodgrass at 220 while getting one bonus point on a major decision by Nick Corday at 113, but the biggest difference was the number of regular decisions where Baylor had five and Bradley only one.

Despite his team falling for the first time after two dual-meet wins, Bradley’s Smith wasn’t overly upset or disappointed.

“We want to schedule matches like this because we know they make us better in the long run. They have absolutely no bearing on state results, but it’s almost like a practice for us as we’re just trying to get ready for February. Two tradition-rich teams battling, so it’s always a good chance to see where we stack up,” Smith said while Baylor wrestlers were rolling up the mats shortly after the match ended.

“I thought we gave up a lot of stuff that we shouldn’t have, but we were in a lot of matches that we lost. They have some kids we just can’t beat and we got outfought at times, but we have a young team with only two seniors, but it was a good experience for us to come here and compete in such a hostile environment.

“I thought we picked up steam as the match progressed, but we have the utmost respect for Baylor and we always benefit from wrestling them,” the veteran coach added.

Kendle served as an assistant coach to Ben Nelson for a number of years before getting promoted after Nelson resigned back in the spring. He wasn’t really sure how to approach his post-match interview, but he was relaxed after getting his first win against a team that’s won more state titles than any other team around.

“I want to start by thanking coach Smith for his willingness to change the date after we couldn’t wrestle last week. We’ve had a bunch of guys in quarantine for a couple of weeks, but Ben did all he could to make sure we got a chance to wrestle this match. I’ve learned that they don’t run from anyone,” Kendle said while sitting and relaxing in the far end of the gym while the crowd continued heading for the parking lot.

“I thought we showed a lot of heart at times, but this surely wasn’t one of our better performances. I thought we showed some guts in winning some of those close matches, but we’ve only practiced for about five days and we’re still trying to get in shape.

“I was pleased with how we fought for each other. We’re not in shape and our timing was off. We have to be in better position, but all of that will come with time and experience. We’re a long way from where we plan to be and we just hope to have all 14 of our starters in the lineup when it counts, but being 1-0 beats the heck out of being 0-1,” Kendle concluded with a smile.

Ryan Tisdale gave Baylor the early lead with a 7-5 decision over Taron Patterson in the opening match at 138 pounds when Tisdale scored the winning takedown with 11 seconds left after starting the period behind 4-2.

Dendy then got the first pin for the Red Raiders before Porter Kaufman and Anthony Mannella made it 15-0 with back-to-back decisions.

Knox Watson broke the ice for the Bears with an overtime 6-4 decision over Michael Kinsey at 170 before Maury Alvarez got another decision at 182 and Harper and Snodgrass added first-period pins for a commanding 30-3 lead just past the halfway point.

McClure’s pin made it 30-9 before Terrell’s forfeit cut the difference to 30-15. Corday’s 13-4 major decision extended the difference to 34-15 and clinched the win for Baylor.

Belcher’s technical fall in the last match trimmed the final difference to 11 points.

Both of these teams will be competing in the Cleveland Duals on Saturday.

BAYLOR 37, BRADLEY 26

(Match began at 138 pounds)

106 – Bryson Terrell (Brad) won by forfeit;

113 – Nick Corday (Bay) won by major dec. over Ethan Lipsey, 13-4;

120 – Easton Lipsey (Brad) won by forfeit;

126 – Jackson Bond (Bay) dec. Daniel James, 7-3;

132 – Luke Belcher (Brad) won by technical fall over Elijah Turner, 6:00;

138 – Ryan Tisdale (Bay) dec. Taron Patterson, 7-5;

145 – Garrison Dendy (Bay) pinned Carson Parker, 1:25;

152 – Porter Kaufman (Bay) dec. Jayden Passolt, 4-0;