Mat legacy winds up in HOF
This is the 11th in a series of articles profiling the 2022 Butler County Sports Hall of Fame inductees
BUTLER TWP — When it came to trying to figure out when his wrestling career turned the corner, Cole Baxter drew a blank.
“I guess I was always pretty good,” the 2011 Butler graduate said.
He was great, actually — great enough to gain induction into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame. Baxter and 12 other individuals will be inducted during the organization’s annual banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Lyndora American Legion hall.
The first WPIAL wrestling champion in Butler history, Baxter compiled a 160-17 career record with the Golden Tornado. He has the most wins in program history and ranks 10th in WPIAL history in total victories.
He was a four-trime WPIAL qualifier and three-time finalist. He placed twice in the state tournament, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
“I never won a state championship and was never a four-time WPIAL champion, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying,” Baxter said. “I have no regrets about anything in my career. I gave my best every time I went on the mat.”
Baxter placed fourth in the country at the National High School Coaches Association Junior Nationals in 2010. He also made the state’s All-Academic team that year.
Among Baxter’s other Butler wrestling records are 45 single-season wins, 86 career pins, best won-loss percentage (45-2) in a season and career, and 26 pins in one season.
“My parents started me out in wrestling when I was very young,” Baxter said. “No one else in my family had wrestled before. I vaguely remember being taken to Northwestern (University) to watch my cousin (Josh Saul) wrestle.
“The sport became a common part of my life. Every winter, it was off to wrestling practice.”
An outside linebacker and running back at Butler for three years, Baxter was football team MVP in 2010. He also competed in the javelin and ran on a relay for the track team his senior year.
He continued his stellar wrestling career at Kent State University, where he won 85 matches in his career. During his freshman season with the Golden Flashes, Baxter was 23-4 with eight pins and three wins by technical fall. He won the Brockport/Oklahoma Invitational and the Cleveland State Open at 197 pounds his senior year.
“Kent State was the best fit for me and they offered me a scholarship, which was a big help financially,” Baxter said. “I loved my teammates. A few of those guys were in my wedding.”
Now living in Mt. Lebanon, Baxter helps out as an assistant wrestling coach with the Blue Devils.
“This (Hall of Fame induction) caught me completely by surprise,” Baxter said. “My competitive career is long over, but it’s important to be recognized for things you’ve done in life. I’m very appreciative of that.
“I have an aunt (Lisa Zitalone) in the Hall of Fame and my uncles (Bill, Rich and Ron Saul) are in there, so I feel like I’m carrying on that tradition for my family. Hopefully, others will be following me.
“This honor isn’t all about me, though. Guys like (Butler wrestling coaches) Scott Stoner, Bill Mylan, others who helped me along the way ... It’s about them, too,” Baxter added.
Tickets for the banquet are $30 in advance and are available at Parker Appliance in Chicora, Saxonburg Drug, the Butler Radio Network, Maddalon Jewelers in Zelienople and at www.bcshof.com. Tickets will be $35 at the door.
