Brother Martin wins second straight Division I wrestling title

Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, February 16, 2013 11:30 p.m.

There are a few dates in time that Jay Rink remembers like it was yesterday, especially June 28, 2011, when he was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. For now, the one he will relish is the celebration of his alma mater, Brother Martin, as it garnered its second straight Division I team championship with a record-setting total of 339 points.

Jesuit finished second with 275 points, followed by Catholic-B.R. (263.5), St. Paul’s (229), Rummel (198), Comeaux (168.5), Sulphur (127), East Ascension (116.5), Zachary (90), and Dutchtown (85).


Brother Martin wrestlers celebrate their second straight title. - (Patrick Greenfield, NOLA.com \| The Times-Picayune)	Click for video

There was added signficance since Rink’s stepson, Ross Brister, was the last match off of the mat, taking the 285-pound class, with a 16-0 win over Jesuit’s Zachary Creel. The tournament could not have been scripted any better as Rink, a former wrestling state champion himself, beamed with pride.

“Last year we won it in the final round after having gone quite some time since the last title,” Rink said. “This year, the team made a statement under coach Dauterive that we were definitely back. You could definitely feel the excitement of the finals building up. I really love the sport and being a part of the team in any way I can.”


Daniel Albrecht of Brother Martin celebrates his extra time victory over Michael Darwin of Rummel in the 170-lb title match during state high school wrestling championships at the Pontchartrain Center on Saturday. - (Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com \| The Times-Picayune)	Rink hugs stepson and 285-pound state champ Ross Brister after win over Jesuit's Zachary Creel in the final. - (Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com \| The Times-Picayune)

Having clinched the team title going into the finals, all eight Crusaders in championship matches seemed to function on an even higher plane. It didn’t take long for the first title as Mason Mauro started it off with a win over Devyn Braud with a 10-5 decision. While soaking up the moment, the victory was taking some time to set in. “It doesn’t even seem real,” Mauro said. “This is so incredible. I’m so thankful for all of my coaches with all they’ve taught me and getting me to be my best with all of the work in practice.”

With the team title already clinched, there was yet another prize Brother Martin had set their sights on in the form of the record for points, which they set in 2001. Getting them one step closer was Paul Klein, who pinned Comeaux’s Jacob Dale in 1:08. Klein was selected as the Division I Outstanding Wrestler.

Sealing the deal was Mr. Reliable himself, Daniel Albrecht, who edged Rummel’s Michael Darwin for the title in the 170-pound class. It gave Brother Martin enough points to surpass its previous mark of 328.

Mitch Capella earned the 113-pound title with a 5-0 decision over Comeaux’s Connor Stampley. The moment was one that appeared to be a culmination of a dream. “I’ve worked so hard for this and it’s one of my greatest accomplishments,” Capella said. “I went up quick, 5-0, and was basically holding on. He returned me pretty hard and almost knocked me out. For the rest of the match, he was coming at me pretty hard.”

As expected, 132-pound top seed Connor Campo of St. Paul’s put the finishing touches on a stellar high school career with a pin of second seed Rick Lacava in 1:39. The victory helped Campo finish the year with a 45-0 record and gave him his second consecutive undefeated season against in-state competition.