OT Wrestler of the Year: Apollo’s Cameron Baker

May 18, 2021 | 12:05 am

Updated May 18, 2021 | 12:20 am

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Apollo’s Cameron Baker has done a lot for the Eagles wrestling program during his time at AHS and he’ll get to see that growth the next four years as he won’t be far with Baker continuing his athletic and academic career at Kentucky Wesleyan.

This season, Baker won the 170-pound division at the Region 2 Tournament then finished third at semi-state but the best part for Baker was getting to compete at Apollo High School with the school hosting region and semi-state this season.

Baker said it’s a great feeling to win the award during his final season as area coaches voted him the Owensboro Times Wrestler of the Year.

“It’s a great honor to be selected,” he said. “It shows me that all of Owensboro was rooting for me my whole career.”

Like many seniors, Baker said he was just happy to compete this season as many students across the country didn’t get to have their senior seasons.

“I’m just extremely thankful we got to have a whole season,” he said. “In many ways this season was the most fun I’ve ever had. With it being my last year, I made the most out of what I had.”

For Baker, being an Eagle wrestler is about family.

So much so that he admitted he sometimes spent more time with his teammates than his actual family.

He added his coaches also helped him get to where he is and, of course, his teammates.

“I have to thank all of my coaches, especially Coach Lee and Zach Mitchell, for starting my love for wrestling,” he said. “They made it easy to fall in love with the sport. I also can’t forget all of my teammates who pushed me in practice to help me thrive on the mat when it mattered most. They are my brothers and I would do anything for them.”

Baker said he knows wrestling isn’t the easiest sport to pick up but if a younger athlete is ready to put in the time, it’s definitely worth it.

“When you first start wrestling, there is a very low chance that you will be any good,” he said. “You just have to stick with it and give 110% in all aspects of life and you will eventually become a great wrestler.”

Baker has a lot of memories during his time as an Eagle and they’re a big part of who he is right now.

For him, being an Eagle was everything but he’s excited to be a Panther.

“Being a wrestler at Apollo has taught me many valuable lessons about life,” he said. “I will never forget my experiences that got me to where I am today. I will miss all of my coaches and teammates. They are irreplaceable. But I am looking forward to starting the process over at KWC and becoming a great college wrestler by the end of my career.”

May 18, 2021 | 12:05 am

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