Setting The Bar High Written on February 1, 2010, by Bob.
The Butler High Wrestling Team
Who could have ever thought the Butler wrestling team would be the benchmark in the WPIAL. This was a program which started from scratch but has quickly become one of the best in the WPIAL since Scott Stoner took over as coach back in 1993. Currently ranked eighth in the WPIAL, the Tornado are well on their way to having a WPIAL championship, as a team and also a number of individuals as well.
Lets start with the coach, Scott Stoner. After taking over for Coach McClarnon in 1993, he has turned this program into a perennial powerhouse in the WPIAL. Posting seasons of 13-3 back in 2003, he and his guys haven’t looked back since. This year, they may have one of the most dominant wrestlers in the WPIAL. After going just 7-14 in 06-07, Butler turned things around the next year and 21-6 followed by a school record 23 wins the next season. This year already, they have 12 wins and only two losses.
Cole Baxter may be one of the most dynamic wrestlers in the WPIAL. His combination of speed and strength make him a solid bet to win a PIAA state title before it’s al said and done. Just this past weekend at the Chartiers Valley Duals, Baxter won all five of his matches, four of them by first period falls. In his first match, Baxter pinned his opponent in 36 seconds to win his 100th career match. Not Bad!!! He would quickly add four more to bring his career total to 104 (I am an expert math student)! Baxter is now number one on the all time wins list, and has a career record of 104-10 in just two and half years at Butler. He’s just Junior folks…
In addition to Baxter’s 104 wins, coach Stoner also reached his own milestone by reaching 200 career coaching victories with Butler’s second round win on Saturday. Stone now has 203 career wins in 17 seasons at the helm of the program.
Some of the other wrestlers we need to talk about are Black Caudill, who is 23-3 on the season and is just a FRESHMAN!!! Mike Crawford, a junior, suffered a knee injury a few weeks ago but returned to win five matches over the weekend and is not 22-1 on the season .. not bad .. Senior Chris White is also having an amazing season for Butler. Wrestling in the 215 pound division, White is 32-4 on the season and, along with Baxter and Crawford, may be the best triple threat in the WPIAL.
This is a program with all the potential in the world to succeed. With two of their top three wrestlers underclassman, look for them to be contenders for a long time in the WPIAL.
Butler is the number 7 seed in the WPIAL team tournament and will wrestle Franklin Regional in the first round on Tuesday night.
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