Wrestling legend Baxter joining Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame
This is the third in a series of articles profiling the 2022 inductees into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame
BUTLER TWP — Cole Baxter was introduced to wrestling at a very young age — so young that he barely remembers it.
“My cousin, Josh Saul, wrestled for Northwestern and my family went to see him compete in Ohio,” Baxter said. “I was just a little kid. I didn’t understand the sport very much.
“Honestly, I’m not sure how I got started in wrestling. I guess my parents tossed me into it in elementary school. It’s a great activity for small kids to get involved with. It helps develop motor skills.
“In terms of dedication, wrestling’s not for everybody. It definitely was for me,” Baxter added.
He became the Golden Tornado’s first WPIAL wrestling champion and set numerous program records before going on to wrestle at Kent State University. Baxter will be one of four inducted into the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame during a 6 p.m. ceremony in the high school cafeteria Dec. 16.
Veteran Butler wrestling coach Scott Stoner is one of the other inductees.
“Almost everything I’ve learned in wrestling, most of my accomplishments in the sport, it’s because of Coach Stoner,” Baxter said. “He’s been a tremendous influence in my life.”
And Baxter had a tremendous impact on the Butler wrestling program.
“His desire and passion toward the sport are things you can’t teach,” Stoner said. “When Cole took the mat, he didn’t just want to win. He wanted to dominate. He wanted to show everybody he was the best wrestler in the gym that night.
“His competitiveness was one of his biggest assets.”
The 2011 Butler graduate compiled a 160-17 career record with the Tornado. He was a three-time team captain and four-time WPIAL qualifier. He won the WPIAL championship in 2009.
“The WPIAL is the best (high school) wrestling district in the country,” Baxter said. “I’m proud to be the first Butler wrestler to win a WPIAL title. I wish I could have won more. But records are made to be broken. Others will come along.”
Baxter’s 45-4 record his senior year marked the most single-season victories in Butler history. He was a three-time section champion, three-time WPIAL finalist and three-time state qualifier.
He also owns the program record for pins in a season (26) and career (86). Baxter was named Outstanding Wrestler at Butler three successive years.
“I never lost sight of the fact that wrestling is a team sport, too,” Baxter said. “The most points you can get in a match is six and that’s by pinning your opponent. Pins were important to me because I wanted to help our team score as much as I could.”
Besides wrestling in high school, Baxter was a three-year letterman in football as an outside linebacker and running back. He lettered in track and field as well, running the 4x100 relay and throwing the javelin.
He compiled a 52-34 record at Kent State, including a pair of 20-win seasons.
Now working in medical sales and living in Mt. Lebanon, Baxter is helping the Mt. Lebanon wrestling program as an assistant coach.
He was inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame in September.
“It’s nice being recognized for your accomplishments,” Baxter said. “I always enjoyed walking into our high school gym and seeing all of the Hall of Fame pictures and plaques on the wall.
“Knowing I’m going to be a part of that means a lot to me.”
