Brusly ends Catholic’s reign, wins city wrestling title

Panthers end Catholic’s win streak at City meet at 11 titles

FRED ALDRICH

Special to The Advocate

Feb. 16, 2014

Catholic High’s string of 11 straight city wrestling championships came to end Saturday night.

After years of knocking at the door, Brusly finally made it into the throne room of the Greater Baton Rouge City Wrestling Tournament, held this year at Catholic High.

In one of the closest and most spirited city meets in history, Brusly scored 269 points to 263 for the Bears.

“It was a total team effort,” Brusly coach Jimmy Bible said. “We’ve got 23 kids on our team, and we needed everybody. Anytime you can beat the Catholic High Bears in their own gym, it’s an accomplishment.

“We’ve been second a whole bunch, and we put the second-place trophy from last year in the window of the coaches’ office so they could see it when they run every day.

“This was our goal from the end of last year to right now,” he said. “They believed, and they came together.”

Live Oak took third place with 181 points, followed by East Ascension which edged Zachary for fourth, 169.5-165.5.

The four top teams got one win apiece in the first four matches.

Alex Betteridge tallied East Ascension’s first win with a 9-7 decision over Catholic’s Jonathon Bradley at 108, and Kendon Lee of Brusly followed with the first pin of the day against Jacob Chenevert of Live Oak at 115. The win for Lee, a freshman, was his 47th against a single loss.

In the 122-pound class Joshua Matthews of Catholic scored three points in the final 20 seconds for a 7-6 win over Jacob Bernard of EA at 122. Three-time champion Cody Hill recorded the 239th win of his career in defeating Wyatt Lejeune of Brusly 11-4 to win at 128.

It was the third city championship for Hill, who made the finals in his freshman year but didn’t win.

“It’s been fun,” Hill said, “and I’m glad to get the final one under my belt on a good note. I’m looking forward to state now. I think we have a good chance to win as a team, and I’ve got a chance for myself.”

Two No. 1 seeds fell to second seeds at 147 and 154. In the only championship match pitting Catholic against Brusly, James Claitor of Catholic topped Trevor Schermer of Brusly 8-3 at 147. DaQuan Jackson of East Ascension followed with a 6-3 decision over Matthew Mire of Catholic.

“My strongest move is my cradle, but that wasn’t working so I just had to keep my leverage,” Jackson said. “I wanted to stay strong at the end because I know if you’re just ahead one or two points he can turn that around.

“I have to thank my coaches, my team, and even the Brusly fans for cheering for me.”

EA coach Patrick Mahoney met Jackson with a massive hug as he came off the mat. “I’m prouder of you than any wrestler in my life,” Mahoney said.

Mahoney also had reason to be proud of his heavyweight Connor Karwath, who ended the meet with a pin of Dunham’s Kirk Wilson.

Jackson was named the outstanding wrestler in the upper weight classes and Claitor the outstanding wrestler in the lower weights.

Brusly also picked up wins from Koby Mancuso at 162 and Donald Johnson at 222.

The lone champion from outside the top four teams was 197-pounder Sean McManus of Zachary.

Bible said he was impressed with the enthusiasm of the teams and fans.

“It definitely had a state tournament spirit,” he said. “That’s what we need in Baton Rouge.”