HERSHEY — Things just keep getting better and better for Butler's Cole Baxter.

The sophomore, who won the WPIAL Class AAA title Feb. 28, the first in school history, has positioned himself to become the Golden Tornado's first state medalist.

Thanks to Friday's 9-4 decision over Northampton's Shane Fenningham in the PIAA quarterfinals at 145 pounds, Baxter advanced to Saturday morning's semifinals and can finish no worse than sixth place.

"Cole went into a real nice scramble and really kept his composure in a situation where he could have given up a takedown," said Butler coach Scott Stoner.

"Even though it's great if you score the first points, you know that things still won't be easy," said Baxter. "It just puts more pressure on the other guy."

With Baxter starting the second period in the down position, he was able to work a reverse for two points, then Fenningham turned the tables for a reverse of his own.

Baxter answered with another reverse and took a 6-4 lead into the third period.

"Yes, winning by two points is better than being tied," said Baxter. "Just being up in the third period is pretty important."

Baxter (44-0) will have his hands full when he faces Cumberland Valley's Joey Napoli, the defending state champion who sports the same record as Baxter.

"Obviously, everyone is good in the tournament. He's a state champion," said Baxter. "I have to focus on him and beating him in the semis, and I look forward to going on to the finals if I beat him."

The other side of the bracket will pit Crestwood's Jake O'Hara (36-1) against Central Mountain's Dylan Alton (45-0) in what arguably is the toughest weight division at the championships this year.

Baxter is set to come home with the first state medal in the program's history. While it isn't the ultimate goal, it does put a different perspective on the rest of the tournament.

"It won't sink in now," said Baxter. "But, after the tournament's over, I'm sure I'll have time to think about it."

"I think it does take some of the pressure off," said Stoner. "We've watched good kids get beat and not take anything home. ... I think it takes some of the pressure off, but now it's 'Hey, we've got this far and we got a medal, but let's keep going.'

"It's a real big deal," Stoner added.

Saturday's semifinals and third- and fourth-round consolations were slated to start at 8 a.m. while the consolation finals will be at 6 p.m. and the championships finals at 8.

Kolb in Class AA final

Not to be overlooked is the performance of Grove City High senior Caleb Kolb, who reached the finals in Class AA at 171 pounds.

Kolb, who finished third at states last season, earned a 25-10 technical fall in just 3:41 over Lancaster Catholic's Michael Blaszczyk to reach the semifinals, then followed up with an 8-3 decision over Lewisburg's Nathaniel Brown to advance to Saturday's championship finals.

Kolb (38-0) will face Octorara's Josh Smith (36-3) for the gold medal.

Also for the Eagles, freshman Wesley Phipps lost a 5-4 decision to Lewisburg's Eric Hummel (33-4) in the quarterfinals at 160 pounds, but was able to stave off elimination by coming up with a 7-3 decision over Chestnut Ridge's Brennan Corle in the second-round consolations.

In the evening portion, Phipps decisioned Penn Cambria's John Julian (39-10), but lost to Northern Lehigh's Colin Hedash 3-2 in an ultimate tiebreaker to fall to the fifth-place medal match, guaranteeing him a state medal.

Phipps (33-10) will face Lewisburg's Eric Hummel, who defeated Phipps 5-4 in the quarterfinal round.

At 189 pounds, Grove City's Nick Miller was eliminated when he was pinned by Westmont-Hilltop's Zac Bennett (38-2) in the second-round consolations.

The Class AA consolation finals will begin at 12:30 p.m.; the championship finals at 2:30.