Comeaux aims for top 5

Feb 14, 2013 by Kevin Foote

Tyrek Malveaux will be trying to achieve something that only two other wrestlers in Comeaux High history have ever done — win three state championships.

The previous two were Kerry Boumans and David Bonin. Malveaux is the No. 1 seed at the 152-pound weight division in search of adding his name to that list as he leads the Spartans to the Division I State Wrestling Tournament at the Ponchartrain Center in Kenner.

"Tyrek does a good job of staying focused," Comeaux coach Keith Bergeron said. "He doesn't look ahead. He really does a good job of focusing on every match.

"It's not going to be easy for him. There are some good wrestlers in his weight class. He's definitely got some tough matches ahead of him. The kid he's wrestling in the first round could very easily have been seeded."

Malveaux hopes that potential third title would also spur Comeaux as a team as well.

"If we can finish fifth as a team, we will have had a good tournament," Bergeron said. "I can see us finishing anywhere between fifth and seventh."

Bergeron sees Brother Martin, Jesuit and Catholic High of Baton Rouge as the top contenders for the overall team title in Division I.

In addition to Malveaux, Jacob Dale is trying to nail down his second state crown, but will have to do so as a No. 2 seed at 120 behind Paul Klein of Brother Martin.

"He lost to the kid from Brother Martin by a point, so I kind of expected Jacob to get a 2 seed," Bergeron said. "I think Jacob is ready. It won't be easy, but I think he's made good progress."

Comeaux also has high hopes for Connor Stampley as the No. 2 seed at 113 behind Mitch Capella of Jesuit.

"I really feel good about the way Connor has been wrestling," Bergeron said. "I think he's peaking at the right time. He could have a tough quarterfinal match. That kid is probably better than a 7 seed."

Other Spartans that could very easily make waves this weekend are Abram Sellers as the No. 6 seed at 138, Aaron Langlinais as a No. 5 seed at 195 and Matthew Tillman as the No. 6 seed at 220.

The area's overall depth at the Division I level isn't as good as it's been at times in the past, but there are some contenders.

Carencro's Greg Peltier hasn't wrestled much this season, but has made a splash when he has with a 15-4 record as a dark horse No. 4 seed at 285.

Lafayette High's got the next highest local seed in Michael Daiy as the No. 3 seed at 182. Adrian Ducote is another area dark horse as the No. 7 seed at 126, while teammate Hunter Taylor could also make some noise as the No. 5 seed at 113.

Acadiana's top hope figures to be a surging Eric Duhon as the 7 seed at 160.