2011-12 Season Newspaper Articles
Wolves, Patriots face tall tasks
Written by Kevin Foote
11:00 PM, Feb. 8, 2012
Like so many years in the Division III wrestling scene, there's one dominant program that will virtually render the rest of the teams fighting for second place.
Last year was a bit of an exception with Holy Cross and Brusly actually ending up being a two-headed monster that produced a thrilling race into the finals with Holy Cross winning 265.5 to 254 for Brusly.
This time around, Holy Cross has moved up as the favorite in Division II, while Brusly figures to rule the roost again in Division III.
Topping that second wave of teams last season was the Rayne Wolves in third place with 186.5 points.
Coach John Chevalier's Wolves will try to pull off another charge at the top three this weekend when the Division III State Wrestling Tournament returns to the Ponchartrain Center in Kenner.
"It's a different kind of a challenge for us this year," Chevalier said. "It's going to be tough to get back to that level this year. Last year, we had more guys with better seeds. Right now, we're just trying to bring the whole team together. We have a lot of guys trying to place for the first time."
The Wolves are led by Billy Marcantel as the No. 1 seed at 182 pounds. Marcantel has experienced the state tournament test, finishing fourth a year ago.
"Billy's wrestled everyone in his class at 182 and 195 and he's ready to go," Chevalier said. "I feel like he's very tested."
The Wolves have a total of 10 seeded wrestlers, but half are seeded at No. 6.
The other four Rayne wrestlers in the top four are Andre Falcon at No. 3 at 152 pounds, Landyn Thibodeaux fourth at 120, Trent Duhon fourth at 195 and Brennan McKnight No. 4 at 220.
"Our goal is try to finish in the top five," Chevalier said. "Hopefully, we can get some matches to swing our way."
The Acadiana area's other top threat in Division II is North Vermilion. The Patriots finished fifth at state last year and fourth two years ago, but are also enduring a bit of a rebuilding season this time around.
"We've got a bunch of junior high kids who are just trying to work their way through it," NVHS coach Richard Prejean said. "It would be real tough for us to do that (fifth place) again. We just don't have the experience. If we could finish around 10 or maybe a little lower (out of 29-team field) than that, that would be a good showing for us."
North Vermilion's top hope for an individual state championship is Tim Baudoin as the No. 1 seed at 152 pounds.
"He's beaten the top four or five guys in his weight class," Prejean said.
So while Baudoin's matchups appear good for winning the state title, his elbow injury could be a factor.
"We've been nursing it trying to protect it for state," Prejean said. "He missed Lee (Louisiana Classics) trying to keep it healthy. He's been wrestling with a brace. He's almost back to healthy now."
Other hopes of placing for the Patriots are Austin Scalisi No. 5 at 120 and Damon Vincent fifth at 160.