Girls’ Soccer Wins Tenth State Title
A 3-0 win against Harpeth Hall clinched a state championship title for the girls’ soccer team – the tenth in the program’s history. Baylor senior Jada Cooper (below), who has committed to East Tennessee State University, was named MVP of the game.
Sophomore Emily Betterton and freshman Reese Rowlett won 50-50 balls for Baylor (16-1-1), which outscored its opposition 69-7 this season. Other highlights included a 3-0 defeat over rival GPS and capturing the East Region Soccer Championship title with a 6-0 win over Chattanooga Christian.
The team is ranked second in the U.S. by Max Prep and 15th by the United Soccer Coaches. Cooper was named to the United Coaches Girls Fall South All-Region team, becoming the seventh female Baylor soccer player in the history of the program to be named to the All-South team. “This was one of the deepest and most competitive groups that I have had the privilege to coach,” said Curtis Blair, director of Baylor soccer. A big credit goes to the amazing coaching staff that I get to work with, but especially Coach Brice Johnson, our sports performance coach that made sure we were peaking in October.”
Football Finishes Season in Historic State Title Match-Up
A Baylor and McCallie rematch took place on Nov. 30, in the BlueCross Bowl with more than 18,000 fans packing Finley Stadium to watch a state title contest unfold for the first time between the city’s best and most storied rivalry.
A thrilling opening drive opened the game with a 41-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Whit Muschamp to senior Amari Jefferson. From there, both offenses dominated the first half with nearly 500 yards and 48 combined points, including a 98-yard fumble return by senior Nelson McKnight for an early Baylor touchdown. The rematch wasn’t settled until the last few minutes with a final score of McCallie 34, Baylor 28.
Baylor entered the state championship after surging past Knox Catholic for a 49-35 home win in the semifinals and a 10-2 season record overall.All-East Region, D2-AAA performers for the Red Raiders included Muschamp, named East Offensive MVP. Seven All Region players named to the First Team were Jefferson and McKnight, along with seniors Max LeBlanc, Quincy White, and juniors Jimmy Bryson, Joel Lowenberg, and Cam Sparks. Senior kicker Cooper Keown was named to the All-Regions Special Team, and Honorable Mentions went to seniors Don Clifford, TJ Fields, Grady Joyner, and Domani White.
Golf Teams are Runners Up
After Baylor boys’ and girls’ golf teams claimed regional titles, they both took runner-up finishes in the state championship tournament. The boys shot 2-over while the girls finished at 14-over.
Senior Theo Desroches was outstanding on the final day of the boys’ competition, shooting a 67 and finishing in a tie for third place at 5-under. Sophomore Carlee Rogers and junior Justine Emond also performed well, finishing with a tie for fourth place for the girls at 7-over.
Volleyball Enters State with Outstanding Record
After defeating Knox Catholic in the quarterfinals, Baylor’s volleyballers entered the state tournament with an outstanding 22-12 season record before falling short to Briarcrest and Father Ryan.
Junior Sydney Sharpe recorded her 2,000th career assist as she finished with 45 for the day in addition to 19 digs. Senior Maggie Hansen had an outstanding match with 16 kills and senior Addie Margio had 11. Freshman Mia Kinney finished the day with 15 kills and 19 digs.
Cross Country Finishes Fourth
The Baylor girls’ cross-country team finished in fourth place at the TSSAA state meet. Senior all-state runner Mae Mae Powe closed her career with a podium finish of ninth, and junior Addi Green earned her third consecutive All-State Honor. Earlier in the season, the team dominated at the Grove Level Stampede Cross Country Invitational in Dalton, Ga., with Powe winning the varsity girls race in 18:5 and setting a new course record in the process. Powe was recognized by the TSSAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) with the NFHS Award of Excellence for Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity.
The boys finished ninth in state tournament with sophomore Marshall McConville leading the team with a 36th place finish.
Red Raider Rowers Fall Regattas
The boys’ and girls’ rowing teams enjoyed a great day of racing at the Music City Head Race in Nashville. Overall, Baylor teams ranked an impressive fifth in the combined division out of 18 schools and clubs for the Overall Youth Points trophy with 277 points and was the top-performing school at this regatta.
The teams then traveled to Oak Ridge for the Secret City Head Race where the girls’ U17 4x won gold, and the Novice Boys’ boat placed fifth in the U17 8+ event. Baylor also had a strong showing at The Head of the Hooch in November, finishing third overall out of 13 school programs.
Fencing Kicks Off Season
The fencing team kicked off the 2023-2024 On Guard High School Fencing League season in October placing first in the league’s individual and team standings. The boys’ epee squad had a solid performance from senior Logan Urbanski, who finished sixth. The girls’ epee team claimed two of the top four spots. Freshman Mandy Yu brought home the first place victory of the season for the Red Raiders, and junior Reyna Park took third. The girls’ foil grabbed three of the four top spots, and the boys’ squad also took three of the top four.
