Teurlings Catholic wrestling coach Masson tops All-Acadiana squad
Kevin Foote, Louisiana 10:40 p.m. CDT April 18, 2014
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Those involved in the high school wrestling scene have known for quite some time the kind of wrestling program Kent Masson is building at Teurlings Catholic.
For those who might have missed it, there may just be a dynasty brewing on the north side of Lafayette Parish.
The Rebels made it three Division II state championships in the last four seasons this season, in a bit of an underdog role due to injuries that plagued the starting lineup throughout the season. Going back even farther, the Rebels haven’t finished below third in the state since finishing seventh in 2005.
For that, Masson is the 2014 Daily Advertiser All-Acadiana Coach of the Year for wrestling.
“This one (state title) was really a total team effort,” Masson said. “That (2011) team was basically on auto pilot. That was a very special team. This year was about everybody believing and buying into the team concept.” For the rest of the coaches in the Acadiana area and Division II coaches around the state, the really bad news is the long-term plan is in place for even more success in the future.
It starts with next season when the Rebels will likely return as favorites, but really it goes much farther into the future than that.
“We’ve got 15 seniors next year,” Masson said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how that works out. Naturally, a lot of them are in the same weight divisions, so that makes it tough. We also had a really good freshman class this year.” |
And who knows what the future rosters will bring? Masson said his coaching staff doesn’t turn down any aspiring grapplers and ever effort is made for each wrestler to get time on the mat during an actual competition.
“Everyone gets a chance, as long as they’re eligible – that’s kind of our motto,” Masson said. “When they’re freshman, we don’t care what their record is. As a sophomore, we care a little bit more, but still it’s about getting more seasoning. By the time their junior season comes, they should be ready.”
Of course, there are the exceptions to that career curve, like Philip Hebert was for the Rebels’ first two state title teams and like Brock Bonin is on this year’s squad as the only individual state champion on the team title squad.
“Brock is amazing,” Masson said. “He’s so unassuming. I don’t think a lot of kids on campus realize that he’s a kid who can just walk up to you and whip you. The kids on our wrestling team want no part of Brock Bonin, but they all love him.”
Masson did say that the jury is still out on the prospects for the 2016 squad.
That could be the kind of season where having his staff that Masson raves about could really pay huge dividends. That staff currently includes Brad Macha, Kirby Lee, Will Landry and Travis Thibodeaux.
Down the road, Masson’s master plan is to have a team of about 40 with 10 wrestlers in each class where the starting lineup consists of 10 seniors and four juniors, unless of course he gets another Miller or Bonin come through.
“We’re definitely comfortable where the program is,” Masson said. “Having depth is extremely important, where you can compete against seven or eight different guys during a practice. That’s when you really can get better.”
