Bronson Baxter, Dumas wrestling, Sr.
On the mat: Looking to win his third straight state gold medal, Baxter has been on a mission in the final year of his high school career. He has yet to be beaten this season, and he took that perfect record into the Region I-5A meet at West Texas A&M University last weekend as the heavy favorite in the 157-pound class. Baxter lived up to his reputation early, pinning all three of his opponents to reach the championship match against Tascosa’s Noah Santiago. He appeared to have a comfortable early lead until Santiago rallied and tied the match midway through the third period. However, with under 30 seconds left in the match, Baxter scored two quick points with a takedown, which was the difference in a 9-7 victory which clinched the gold medal. It was a vital win for Dumas, which beat Randall by four points to win the team title, and Baxter improved his record to 38-0 while being named the meet’s outstanding boys wrestler.
Coach Chris Holzworth: “The expectations for Bronson are just to go out and wrestle six minutes at a time, moving his hips, his feet and getting to his attacks. His confidence relies on his feet and as long as he’s moving and looking to score he won’t have any issues. We had a few close matches in Oklahoma, but overall he’s just wrestled really well, and he sets his own expectations non-stop to score points and make sure he’s having fun. We’ve seen the same progression from when he was in junior high and his freshman year to now. He puts his hands on his opponents then he’s moving laterally. I think that’s what allows him to score points. In order for him to come home with another gold medal he’s going to have to put six minutes together at a time four times.”
Baxter: “I’m really only worried about myself, making sure my body’s prepared and my mind’s right. That’s my main focus going to the state tournament. I know if I get that squared up then my performance will be where I want it to be. I’m not making it bigger than it is. It’s another tournament with four matches in a row. We do it all year. Obviously I didn’t want (the region final) to be as close as it was. Things didn’t go my way on the mat in certain areas but that’s OK because we practice in those areas. When I’m uncomfortable, that’s just going to help me battle this week. Nobody comes into the tournament if you’ve been wrestling hard all season at 100 percent. Everybody’s going to be banged up. It’s who’s tough enough to wrestle through it and compete when you don’t feel good.”
About Baxter
Favorite band or musician: Bob Marley
Favorite social media platform: Snapchat
Favorite athlete: Jordan Burroughs
Bet you didn’t know: He’s ranked fifth in his class academically.
Parents: Kurt and Jenetta Baxter