Baker gets a grip on his man. Photos by Mark Bell

Baker, Haynes place at state

By Michael Butler

It's a familiar feeling for a couple of Tallassee wrestlers. Andy Baker and Zak Haynes are no strangers to the podium at the state level.

For the fourth straight year, both Baker and Haynes placed at the state championships in Huntsville. On Saturday, Baker was second in the 182 pound class. Haynes was fourth at 132. It's Baker's third runner-up finish in his senior season. Haynes is a junior this year.

"Haynes didn't wreslte the last match," head coach John Mask said. Haynes had a knee injury. "He is tough as nails. He has been battling for two weeks."

Two more Tallassee wrestlers medaled. The Tigers' Cody Gilson was fifth at 170. Mason Bell was sixth at 152. Tallassee was 11th overall in Class 1A-5A. Moody was atop the field, winning its first state title.

"I am very proud of our team," Mask added. "The young men wrestled very hard and gave it their all. (I'm) super proud to have had the opportunity to coach these great young men."

Tallassee's State Qualifiers

Tallassee has placed in the top four 112 times since 1993.

"We had four to place which is a great accomplishment and we learned a lot this year," Mask noted. "These young men already have all of the skills to conquer life after sports; time management, effective communication, work ethic, teamwork. I want them to be confident in themselves and to follow their passion. These young men will do great things in the future."

*See More Photos by Mark Bell

CLASS 1A-5A TEAM STANDINGS

TALLASSEE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

1A-5A 113
Grant Hall (42-11) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Clinton Stewert (Scottsboro) 27-12 won by fall over Grant Hall (Tallassee) 42-11 (Fall 1:50)
• Cons. Round 1 - Grant Hall (Tallassee) 42-11 won by fall over Dylan Melendez (Piedmont) 30-11 (Fall 1:56)
• Cons. Round 2 - Evan Phillips (Hayden) 64-12 won by major decision over Grant Hall (Tallassee) 42-11 (MD 13-3)

1A-5A 120
F F (0-2) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Dease (Southside) 56-5 won by forfeit over F F (Tallassee) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 1 - Elijah Erhart (Mortimer Jordan) 31-27 won by forfeit over F F (Tallassee) 0-2 (For.)

1A-5A 126
Preston Tidwell (21-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Carlos Chavez (Dora) 45-6 won by fall over Preston Tidwell (Tallassee) 21-19 (Fall 0:25)
• Cons. Round 1 - Cody Knight (Beauregard) 45-10 won by decision over Preston Tidwell (Tallassee) 21-19 (Dec 14-9)

1A-5A 132
Zak Haynes (37-4) placed 4th and scored 14.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 37-4 won by major decision over Jose Calderon (Susan Moore) 19-12 (MD 13-4)
• Quarterfinal - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 37-4 won by major decision over Patrick Lawler (Arab) 77-14 (MD 9-1)
• Semifinal - Jaden New (Alexandria) 66-2 won by fall over Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 37-4 (Fall 6:00)
• Cons. Semi - Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 37-4 won by decision over Trent Gilliam (Springville) 52-28 (Dec 8-2)
• 3rd Place Match - Sebastian Oswalt (Mortimer Jordan) 49-10 won by forfeit over Zak Haynes (Tallassee) 37-4 (For.)

1A-5A 152
Mason Bell (57-11) placed 6th and scored 8.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11 won by decision over Tanner Shelton (Scottsboro) 14-17 (Dec 6-2)
• Quarterfinal - Nick Miller (New Hope) 13-5 won by decision over Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11 (Dec 8-5)
• Cons. Round 2 - Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11 won by major decision over Blake Smith (Ranburne) 25-19 (MD 8-0)
• Cons. Round 3 - Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11 won in sudden victory - 1 over Leland Talbert (St. James) 29-9 (SV-1 4-2)
• Cons. Semi - Jordan Kiley (Mortimer Jordan) 46-11 won by fall over Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11 (Fall 2:18)
• 5th Place Match - Ethan Scrivner (Saint Clair County) 63-28 won by decision over Mason Bell (Tallassee) 57-11 (Dec 1-0)

1A-5A 170
Cody Gilson (52-9) placed 5th and scored 9.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Cody Gilson (Tallassee) 52-9 won by decision over Mark Stitt (Jasper) 56-18 (Dec 6-4)
• Quarterfinal - Cody Gilson (Tallassee) 52-9 won by decision over Ethan Stevenson (Southside) 39-10 (Dec 2-1)
• Semifinal - Gerard Mcarron (St. John Paul Ii Catholic) 36-2 won by fall over Cody Gilson (Tallassee) 52-9 (Fall 1:42)
• Cons. Semi - Mark Stitt (Jasper) 56-18 won by major decision over Cody Gilson (Tallassee) 52-9 (MD 12-4)
• 5th Place Match - Cody Gilson (Tallassee) 52-9 won by decision over Mac Johnson (St. James) 39-6 (Dec 4-0)

1A-5A 182
Andy Baker (24-2) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Andy Baker (Tallassee) 24-2 won by fall over Michael White (Southside) 23-18 (Fall 1:29)
• Quarterfinal - Andy Baker (Tallassee) 24-2 won by fall over Linus Piper (Hayden) 51-19 (Fall 1:37)
• Semifinal - Andy Baker (Tallassee) 24-2 won by decision over Peyton Mullenix (American Christian) 29-8 (Dec 10-3)
• 1st Place Match - Kolton Clark (Scottsboro) 36-1 won by major decision over Andy Baker (Tallassee) 24-2 (MD 12-1)

1A-5A 285
Fischer Segrest (40-7) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Quentin Threatt (Moody) 42-17 won by fall over Fischer Segrest (Tallassee) 40-7 (Fall 0:18)
• Cons. Round 1 - Fischer Segrest (Tallassee) 40-7 won by fall over Corbin Grant (Pike Road) 20-12 (Fall 2:50)
• Cons. Round 2 - Danny Olivares (New Hope) 26-14 won by fall over Fischer Segrest (Tallassee) 40-7 (Fall 0:15)

TALLASSEE WRESTLING STATE PLACERS