2012-13 Results and Media Coverage
,
For many wrestlers in the New Orleans area, it’s all about getting ready for the state tournament, so there’s no such thing as taking it easy after one of the biggest meets of the season. Consequently, many of the top wrestling teams will descend upon Mandeville Saturday for the 18th Annual St. Paul's Invitational.
Brother Martin, the top-ranked team in the New Orleans area, headlines the field that also includes Rummel, Hahnville, Covington, Northshore, Shaw, Ehret, Helen Cox, Destrehan, Thomas Jefferson, East Jefferson, and Fisher, Episcopal (Baton Rouge) and McKinley.
Many of the top wrestlers who finished at, or near the top of their weight classes in last week’s Louisiana Classics in Baton Rouge are expect to compete, among those being, Connor Campo, who won the 132-pound title, and Dominic Iovenitti, who entered the tournament seeded fifth in the 145-pound class, reaching the finals. In five matches, Campo had four pins and a major decsion while not giving up a point the entire weekend. For his efforts, he was selected the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler. Iovenitti, who wrestling up the first half of the season in the 152-pound class, also found success in the lower weight class. “That’s more of a natural weight for Dominic, and he was able to use his athleticism more,” St. Paul’s coach Craig Kettleson said. “Connor is amazing to watch and such a great competitor.”
During the late 1990’s, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association eliminated regionals, which led to the creation of Divisions I-III. The tournament, which now bigger draw and higher level of competition, has been the beneficiary of those developments.
“We’ve gotten as big as our gymnasium will allow us to,” Kettleson said. “The competition level continues to increase each year, and people are going to see some very good competitors.”
The invitational begins at 10 a.m Saturday, with the finals expected to be underway by 5 p.m.
Referees needed: The Greater New Orleans Wrestling Officials Association (GNOWOA) is looking for new members. Candidates should have some experience or wrestling background, as well as a strong desire to uphold the strong traditions of the wrestling community while earning money. Interested individuals should contact President Jerry Schmidt at (504) 813-9372 or email Gerald.Schmidt@spr.doe.gov.