2012-13 Results and Media Coverage
Posted by: Ken Trahan--Executive Producer in Prep Sports on Feb 14, 2013
SPORT ON THE RISE IN LOUISIANA
The sport started with six teams competing in one class in 1945. After 30 years, it expanded to 28 schools and two classes in 1975. After 55 years of competition, the sport grew to 56 schools and three classes in 2000. In 2012, there were 79 schools competing in three classes. In 2013, there are 83 teams competing in the three classes.
The 69th Louisiana High School Athletic Association state wrestling championships open Friday morning at 9 a.m. at the Ponchartrain Center in Kenner and conclude Saturday night with the finals in all three classifications at 6:30 p.m. You can follow a live blog, from start to finish, at sportsNOLA.com.
Event chairman and USA Wrestling President Jim Ravannack feels this year will prove to be the best state tournament yet. "There is no doubt that the interest, participation and quality of the wrestlers in Louisiana has improved annually," Ravannack said. "Our young men have wrestled against elite competition around the country and it helps. We feel this year's tournament will reflect that quality."
Defending Division I state champion Brother Martin has collected 13 state championships and rates as a clear favorite to win again. Robby Dauterive, who returned to Brother Martin as head coach in 2011 after winning state three successive state titles from 1999-2001, likes his squad heading into the state tournament. "I told the team yesterday that I am really proud of them. They were favored coming into the season and so far, they have performed like it, wrestling very well. With 10 of 14 wrestlers as top two seeds, including six top seeds in Mason Mauro (106), defending state champion Paul Klein (120), Austin Meyn (126), Daniel Albrecht (170), Kyle Delaune (182) and Ross Brister (285).
One of his top-seeds, in particular has Dauterive excited. "Ross Brister has really matured into one of the better wrestlers in the state," Dauterive said. "He weighs in at 222 pounds and he has wrestled some monsters this year, giving up lots of weight, and he has been knocked around and knocked down and he perseveres. His only losses are out of state."
Is this the best lineup Dauterive has ever fielded at a state tournament?
"It is a good lineup from top to bottom," Dauterive said. "They push each other hard in practice every day. I will not compare them favorably until after the finals Saturday night. That's the benchmark. The 2000 team holds all of the state records. It's in the back of their minds to break some of them."
Catholic and Jesuit are the teams to watch, according to Dauterive. "Most of their kids will place also," said Dauterive. "We know they are good. We don't consider this a done deal. We're going to have to work for it."
Jesuit has won 23 state titles, most recently taking the Division I title in 2009. The Blue Jays have top-seeds in Mitch Capella (113) and Manny Armour (195). Former Blue Jay state champion Spencer Harris has team peaking at the right time and has eight wrestlers seeded in the top four in their respective classes.
Catholic has won three state championships, including most recently in 2008 and 2010. The Bears were second in 2012. Catholic has top-seeds in James Claitor (138), Brandon Luckett (160) and Myles Nash (220).
Rummel won its first-ever state championship in 2011, taking the Division I championship. The Raiders were a close third, behind Brother Martin and Catholic of Baton Rouge in 2012. Rummel has a top-seed in Tyler Frame (145) and a second-seed in defending state champ Matt Calcote (126). "I like our chances," said Cusachs. "We have a young team and will surprise some people in some classes. Brother Martin is the clear favorite and they are very good and will be tough for anyone to beat while Jesuit, Catholic and St. Paul's are very good, as usual."
St. Paul's won a pair of Division II championships under Craig Ketelsen in 2000 and 2001 before moving up to Division I, where they remain a contender, led by defending state champions Connor Campo, the top-seed at 132 pounds and David Englehardt, the third-seed at 138 pounds. Wolves coach Craig Ketelsen is looking forward to competing with the best. "We have a great chance to do well with a senior-laden team," Ketelsen said. "Connor is an amazing wrestler. He's just fun to watch. David dropped a weight class to help our team and our chances to score. He sacrificed a possible individual title to make the team stronger. Brother Martin is the team to beat with Catholic running a strong second with Jesuit right there. Comeaux, Rummel and St. Paul's in the mix. I think the quarterfinals will be major, possibly deciding the outcome of the meet. We will rely on our experience to pull us through."
If the seeds hold, the key matches to watch in the Division I finals include Klein against Jacob Dale of Comeaux at 120 pounds, Meyn against defending state champion Matt Calcote of Rummel at 126 pounds, Catholic's James Claitor facing either Dominic Casadaban of Brother Martin or defending state champion David Englehardt of St. Paul's at 138 pounds and Delaune against Gage Grush of Jesuit at 182 pounds.
Holy Cross has won a Louisiana high 26 state championships, most recently capturing the Division III title in 2011. The Tigers finished second to Teurlings Catholic in 2011. Holy Cross has top-seeds in Dylan Soileau (113), defending state champion Alex Nicosia (120) and George Benoit (138). "We are wrestling well and we are all healthy, unlike last year," DeSormeaux said. "They have done everything we have asked them to do. We have 12 of our kids seeded in the top four in their classes. Teurlings Catholic is very tough. For every kid we have seeded high, they do as well. It will be a dogfight. We will have to be at our best to win."
The Tigers a slight favorite over two-time defending Division II state champion Teurlings Catholic. The Rebels have top-seeds in Brock Bonin (106), Travis Thibodaux (152) and defending state champion Nick Schneider (182). Live Oak will be tough as well with a top-seed in defending state champion Cody Hill (126). Traditional power Northside, a four-time Division II state champion between 2004-2008, has a pair of top-seeds in defending state champ Orlando Calhoun, Jr., (195) and Daniel Kincade (220). Two-time state champion Parkway could be in the mix as well.
In Division II, defending state champion Louis Stutes could square off with Kody Woodson of Shaw in the final at 160 pounds in a match to watch.
In Division III, perennial power Brusly is the definite favorite. The 11-time state champion Panthers have claimed nine of their titles under current coach Jimmy Bible, who is seeking a coveted 10th championship. Brusly has won state championships in eight of the last nine seasons. Brusly has top-seeds in Wyatt LeJeune (120) and defending state champion Trevor Schermer (132).
The top local teams are John Curtis and Thomas Jefferson.
The Patriots finished second to Brusly a year ago and have a formidable lineup, including top-seeds Prentice Spurlock (106), Baron Clofer (170) and Spencer Lemoine (285). In his seventh year, Curtis head coach John Kendrick feels like this may be the best chance yet for the Patriots. "It's going to be very interesting," Kendrick said. "This will be the first time this entire year that we have fielded 14 wrestlers, due to football. 13 of our 14 starters are football players. I cannot wait to see what happens. I don't know what to expect and they don't, either. Brusly is the giant that has to be toppled. Their record is deceiving because they wrestled a brutal schedule early. They are a proven champion. I feel we are prepared to face the favorites in the class."
The Jaguars finished third last year and have a top-seed in Brent Matherne (138). North Vermilion and Rayne are prime contenders in Division III as well. The Patriots have a top-seed in Austin Scalisi (126) while the Wolves have top-seeds in defending state champions Billy Marcantel (195) and Brennan McKnight (220).
Seven-time state champion Redemptorist has a top-seed in defending state champion Grant Godso (145).
Highly anticipated final matches in Division III include a pair of defending state champions who could collide in the final at 113 pounds in Raymond Bushnell of Basile against Baret Sanchez of Brusly.
The tournament is expected to set attendance records, once again, in Kenner.
"This is a very popular spot for the tournament and if you want to see the finals, you better arrive early on Saturday evening," Ravannack said. That is a testament to the growth of the sport in our state.