2012-13 Results and Media Coverage
,
Rummel coach Rod Cusachs wasn’t in the mood to make any excuses prior to the team’s dual match at St. Paul’s and neither was anyone else. Instead, the Raiders buckled down, focusing on fundamentals which resulted in a 41-36 victory.
Entering the dual meet, Rummel was fifth, behind St. Paul’s in the All-New Orleans area team rankings.
 |
|
Rummel's Matt Calcotte eventually works his way out of a jam for the
victory. - (Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
|
With a few wrestlers still out as the football team prepares for a Class 5A semifinal showdown against Mandeville on Friday, the Raiders showed depth and experience, led by Matt Calcotte, rated first in the All-New Orleans 126-pound class. Searching for a formidable lineup, Cusachs had Calcotte competing up in the 132-pound class, where he scored an 11-7 victory against Zach Clay. The experience factor was in Calcotte’s corner.
“I really had to focus on my technique since he was bigger than me,” said Calcotte. “I had to go out there and wrestle hard, and continue through the whole match. You have to be able to use your technique against their strength.”
No one should know that better than St. Paul's senior Connor Campo, who finished last season undefeated against Louisiana competition and entered this year as the top rated grappler in the 138-pound class. The goals are the same this season, and he’s aware of the challenges that lie ahead. With a pin against, Joe Kenny, Campo won his fourth consecutive match to remain undefeated.
“Right now, I’m just trying to get back to the basics and make sure my technique is where I want it to be,” said Campo. “Being in shape is critical, and that’s another area I really have to concentrate on in order for me to reach my goals.”
Rummel’s Tyler Frame, rated first in the All-New Orleans area 145-pound class rankings kept his position untouched with a pin against Trey LeBlanc. Teammate Michael Darwin, rated third in the 170-pound class, also scored a pin, against Collin Kersker as all ranked wrestlers from both teams in the match were victorious.
“It’s still early in the season, so as a team we need to just focus on getting better each week,” said Cusachs. “We’re getting all of the guys we have out here right now to stay on task and get the job done. It’s a long season, and we have to work toward the state championships, one match at a time.”
The mission for the Wolves is also basic in other areas as well.
“I want to make sure we are able to go six minutes,” said St. Paul’s coach Craig Kettleson. “I didn’t not see enough of that against Rummel. What’s also important is having what we do in practice translate to the mat in some way. Rummel is a good team that is technically sound and, if we make mistakes they’ll expose them against us.”
There’s a good chance Rummel and St. Paul’s could meet up again this weekend in the George Trygg Invitational at Grace King on Saturday