BUTLER TWP — A shattered elbow shattered any hope of Caleb Baxter approaching his older brother’s win total on the wrestling mat.

The Butler junior has been making up for lost time nonetheless.

While older brother Cole has put together a 20-win season as a senior at Kent State this year — following a record 160-win wrestling career at Butler — Caleb is 25-6 as the Golden Tornado’s 152-pounder this season.

He is 52-17 in two years entering the individual section championships Saturday at Fox Chapel.

“No wrestler has ever reached 100 career wins at Butler while wrestling varsity for only three years,” Baxter said. “Cole did it, but he wrestled here for four years.

“My goal is to definitely get to 100.”

He still has work to do. But he’s improving as a wrestler virtually every day.

“You never stop learning in this sport,” Baxter said. “Growing up behind Cole, he was always my role model. We talk wrestling all the time. I still pick his brain on things.”

The younger Baxter’s maturation process on the mat was delayed somewhat when he shattered his elbow playing football his freshman year. That injury took away his freshman wrestling season.

He had been undefeated (25-0) during the regular season of his eighth-grade year in junior high.

“Freshman year is usually when a wrestler establishes himself and transitions into varsity wrestling as opposed to junior high,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “Caleb was robbed of all that.”

One thing Baxter has never been robbed of is his thirst for learning and working out in the room. He believes that is what enabled him to make up for his year off the mats.

“That was so strange, not wrestling that (freshman) year,” Baxter said. “I mean, I’ve been doing this since I was 4. As soon as I was cleared to return, I got in one-on-one time with the coaches.”

Baxter has spent time before and after practice with Stoner and assistant coach Fred Powell, who has spent decades in the sport.

“I sponge up all I can from Coach Powell,” Baxter said. “He’s always showing me new moves and he’s careful not to throw everything at me all at once.

“Once I pick up on one thing he shows me, he shows me another.”

Stoner appreciates that as well.

“Coach Powell is an encyclopedia of information, but you have to be willing to use it,” Stoner said. “Caleb is one of those kids who does. He’ll stay a good 45 minutes to an hour after practice for one-on-one time.

“I’ll get out on the mat with him and we’ll go. That’s what’s different about wrestling. The coach can demonstrate to you exactly what he’s talking about.”

Baxter finished first at 152 pounds at the 28-team Chartiers-Houston Tournament this season. He placed second in the 32-team Southmoreland Holiday Classic.

He will enter the section tournament tied for second on the Golden Tornado roster in wins. He is also second with 13 pins, second in takedowns and near-fall points.

“I want to win at the section meet, place at WPIALs and find a way to place at states,” Baxter said. “I’m pretty strong in the neutral position, but I have to improve my technique on top and bottom.

“I feel like I’m hitting my stride at the right time.”

Stoner agrees.

“Caleb is capable of winning his weight class in the section and I do feel like he can place in the WPIAL meet,” the coach said. “He just needs to be assertive on the mat.

“Cole has provided a good shadow for Caleb. He’s stepping out of that now and it’s fun to watch.”