St. Paul’s captures fifth consecutive District 6-5A Wrestling Meet

Posted: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 1:00 am | Updated: 5:08 pm, Tue Jan 8, 2013.

By Chris Kinkaid St. Tammany NewsThe St. Tammany News |

Pictured are the St. Paul’s Wolves, who captured the District 6-5A Meet for the fifth straight time. Shown from left, first row, are: Tanner Leblanc; second row: Dominic Iovenitti, Stevie Van Zandt, Justin O'Rourke, Chase Cochran, Quinn Perret and Zach Clay; third row: Nick Vittotonie, Trey Leblanc, David Englehardt, Peyton Cuccia, Grant Landwehr, John Brands, Colin Francis, Zach Mangrum, Jordan Peterson, Collin Kersker, Kyle Schech, Matt Rader, Sam Pearce, Connor Campo and Chris Meraux. (Photos by Joey Michel Photography)

St. Paul’s Wolves were crowned champions of the 2012 District 6-5A Meet for the fifth consecutive season after going 3-0 Saturday at Fontainebleau. The event featured four teams, which also included Covington, the host school and Mandeville. The round robin format had each team compete in three matches. The Wolves finished one win ahead of Mandeville. Fontainebleau (1-2) was third, followed by Covington (0-3).

Wolves’ coach Craig Ketelsen said his guys from the 132-pound weight class to the 195, competed up one class. “I was very proud of our team’s performance,” Ketelsen said. “We faced the challenge of wrestling up one weight class as well as facing tough district opponents.”

SPS defeated Mandeville 67-4.

Chris Meraux (120), Matthew Radar (126), Connor Campo (138), David Englehardt (152), Collin Kersker (182) and Zachary Mangrum (285) all pinned their opponents. Zachary Clay (132) and Jordan Peterson (170) won by decisions. Trey Leblanc (145) recorded a sudden victory, while Tanner Leblanc (160) posted a major decision.

Campo’s 2-0 mark Saturday kept him undefeated at 33-0.

Englehardt, who captured the 138-pound state title last year, took his only match and is 26-1. Englehardt said he’s working on being a more complete wrestler this season. “Last year, I went 30-5, but I feel like a better wrestler this year,” Englehardt said. “I’m more developed. In the past, I was always good at takedowns. I’d get a lot of points that way, but I would give up a lot of points. This year, I’m focusing more on my top. It’s helping me save energy because the matches don’t last as long.”

Mandeville’s Nicholas des Bordes (106) was victorious in a major decision.

St. Paul’s defeated Fontainebleau 65-12.

Six Wolves posted pins, including Campo, Meraux (120), Trey Leblanc, Tanner Leblanc, Stevie Van Zandt (106), Domonic Iovenitti (152) and John Brands (195) won on a decision, while teammate Kersker was victorious on a major decision. Quinn Perret (126) captured his victory on a decision. Fontainebleau’s wins came from Michael Hart (132) and Garrett Kugelmann (220), as both of them pinned their opponents.

SPS downed Covington 57-21.

St. Paul’s recorded four pins from Van Zandt, Meraux, Tanner Leblanc and Grant Landwehr (113). Peterson won his match by decision. Covington’s Brendan Allen (182), Robert Nigro (220) and Payton Holmes (285) all posted pins, while Jaden Gillespie (152) was victorious in a decision.

Mandeville topped Covington 44-24.

Three Skippers had pins, including des Bordes, Kenney Hand (120) and Garret Baumann (152). Frankie Arena (160) won by decision, while Jack Ingalls (170) posted a technical fall. Covington’s Allen and Holmes took their matches, as both pinned their opponents.

MHS got past Fontainebleau 45-30.

The Skippers logged six pins. Arena, des Bordes, Garret Baumann, Alex Baumann (138), Garrin Pellegrin (132) and Tyler Adkins (182) had pins. Ingalls won by decision.

FHS wrestlers Zack Lawson (129), Gabriel Geer (126) and John Mroski (152) all pinned their opponents.

Fontainebleau won against Covington 60-18.

Lawson, Mroksi, Kugelmann, Jordan Stevens (106) and Ethan Eisenhardt (170) won with pins for the Bulldogs.

CHS’ Holmes, Allen and Joshua Mascara (160) had pins.