Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion College Baker Wrestling

Just saw on intermatwrestle.com the list of Baker wrestlers that have signed. Good luck to all in starting an exciting chapter of their wrestling careers!

Roger Windham Derby, KS 125
Josh Neal Olathe, KS 125
Kalem Bennett Topeka, KS 125
Jordan McGuire Edmond, OK 133
Brett Delich Labette 141
Chris Atlakson Hiawatha, KS 141
Bryce Manaker Topeka, KS 141
Ethan Becker Eudora, KS 141
Jimmy Stults Valley Center, KS 149
Spencer Nash Shawnee, KS 157
Ryan Wood Harrisonville, MO 157
Adam Lackey Lindsborg, KS 157
Nathan Sommers Parker, KS 157/165
Jake Price Caney, KS 165
Matt James Baldwin City, KS 165
Joe Pace Platte City, MO 165
Brandon Scott Albany, GA 165
Cody Hanel Beloit, KS 174
Derek Phillips Locust Grove, OK 184
Rick Singer Topeka, KS 184
Jack Caywood Lawrence, KS 184
Darrick Smith Oak Grove, MO 184
Jacob Nowak Overland Park, KS 184/197
Brandon Gebhardt Sparks, NV 197
Dylon Pryor Topeka, KS 197
Lars Lucear La Mesa, CA 197
Jerome Newman Kansas City, KS 197
Hakeem Young Spring Hill, KS 285
Levi Calhoun Oklahoma City, OK 285
Michael Faison Jonesboro, GA 285

Looks like a great signing class!! Anybody have bios for each of the signees?

Kalem... YES!!... good to see him get back into wrestling, I also liked that kid at tournaments, it bummed me out that he didnt wrestle my senior year.

Here is a question for some schools to think about, how many of these kids would be going to Baker if they didn't have wrestling?

Here is a question for some schools to think about, how many of these kids would be going to Baker if they didn't have wrestling?


It is a very valid question. Wrestling was one of the major reasons why I started college. My study habits were much better in my sophmore - senior years. Kansas would keep more wrestling student/athletes in the state if they had more 4 year opportunties - I am 99.9% sure of that.

What's really neat is this is definitely a building program for Coach May! Baker University is going to be exciting to watch in their 3rd and 4th years of competition.

“You can't just beat a team, you have to leave a lasting impression in their minds so they never want to see you again” -- Mia Hamm

Go Baker Wildcats under the Coaching skills of Coach May!

A few of these kids were on campus already, but most all are FR recruits with a few transfers.

(and there are several other possible signees in the works!)

But you are right, had BU not added a wrestling program, most of these students would have found another college to attend, probably one with wrestling.

All small schools are in the same boat, they are enrollment-driven. Adding a sport is a great way to boost enrollment. Wrestling is a very smart sport to add, it has high scholastic popularity in the Midwest, there are not enough collegiate programs. And comparatively, wrestling can be a relatively inexpensive sport, other than one major start-up expense of mats (and a practice facility).

Would like to see more KS schools follow this lead set by several KS jucos, Kansas Newman, and Baker. Would be great for wrestling in our state.

Go Wildcats!

Alan Callahan signed with Baker last night.

Way to go little brother!

Smokey Cabin I believe your absolutely right about the student/athlete deal. Also, I'm sure that Baker will be exiting even as their first year of competition comes along.

Andy Hurla, former state champion from St. Thomas Aquinas, has transferred to Baker University.

Zach Reeb of Meriden-Jefferson West high school is now at Baker University.

The new wrestlers were checking into the dorms with the other students today. It was pretty exciting seeing all these new wrestlers at Baker University. I believe there are over 40 wrestlers on the roster now. About seven of those are athletes from other sports planning to go out for wrestling too. There seems to be a lot of enthusiam on campus about the wrestling team. I heard there were more men than women enrolling in the freshman class this year and that they are attributing that change to the wrestling team additions.

I dropped my son off this weekend at Baker and he's very excited about the wrestling program. The first home meet is Wednesday,October 28th at 7:00 pm! The team is, of course, fundraising....so if you'd like a spot in the program (personal or business advertising) and some season tickets, let me know and I'll get you the paperwork. Good luck Coach May!