St. Paul's wrestling Invitational title goes to the host

Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, January 26, 2013 7 p.m.

With the state tournament just around the corner, St. Paul’s appears to be getting stronger.

The Wolves captured the St. Paul’s Wrestling Invitational behind their nine competitors who advanced to the finals of the 14 different weight classes. In all, they won five.

St. Paul's Connor Campo works on a second straight undefeated season against instate competition. - (Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Led by senior Connor Campo in the 132-pound class, the team tallied 233 points, with Brother Martin in second (206), followed by John Ehret (104), Rummel (69), Shaw (67), Destrehan (66.5), Thomas Jefferson (60), Episcopal-B.R. (38), Hahnville (36), and Fisher (31).

Campo, the top rated wrestler in Division I, pinned Jorge Sanchez of Helen Cox, in 1:42. He remains perfect against instate competition dating back to the beginning of last season. “I’ve been trying to feel out all year long as to how much time it will take me to beat each person,” Campo said. “This was our tournament, so I wanted to win quicker and get all of the pins for the team points. I’m pretty confident going into state. No one has given me a close match yet.”

Also winning titles for St. Paul’s were Tanner LeBlanc (152-pound class), Collin Kersker (170), John Brands (182), and Zachary Mangrum (285).

LeBlanc said he rode a wave of emotion after having outlasted Brother Martin’s Jordan Wright for a 7-2 decision. The next match couldn't begin soon enough as far as he was concerned. “It feels great because Brother Martin is the best team in the state this year,” LeBlanc said. “Wright kept a really good stance, and he’s a typical Brother Maritn wrestler because of being solid at top, bottom and neutral. You have to work extremely hard to get your points against them.”

The Crusaders earned four titles, as Stephen Rumney was victorious over Thomas Jefferson’s Logan Griffin in the 106-pound final. Brother Martin's three other titles were won by David Drago (113-pound), Austin Schiro (120), and Dominic Casadaban (138). Schiro defeated Chris Meraux of St. Paul’s by virtue of a 9-3 decision. “(Meraux) definitely puts a lot of pressure on you, and he’s very strong,” Schiro said. “As the match went on, he was wearing me down a bit.”

Results

Team totals - 1. St. Paul’s, 233; 2. Brother Martin, 206; 3. John Ehret, 104; 4. Rummel, 69; 5. Shaw, 67; 6. Destrehan, 66.5; 7. Thomas Jefferson, 60; 8. Episcopal-B.R., 38; 9. Hahnville, 36; 10. Fischer, 31; 11. Covington, 30; 12. McKinley, 27; 13. East Jefferson, 18; 14. Helen Cox, 15; 15. Walker, 6; 16. Northshore, 0

Weight Class finishers

106 - 1. Stephen Rumney, Brother Martin; 2. Logan Griffin, Thomas Jefferson; 3. Stevie Van Zandt, St. Paul’s; 4. Nick Lirette, Hahnville

113 - 1. David Drago, Brother Martin; 2. Jordan Hernandez, Hahnville; 3. Damien Tornabene, Rummel; 4. Spencer Savoie, Thomas Jefferson

120 - 1. Austin Schiro, Brother Martin; Chris Meraux, St. Paul’s; 3. Joseph David-Lucas, John Ehret; 4. DeAvante Cooper, East Jefferson

126 - 1. Stefon Foster, John Ehret; 2. Zach Clay, St. Paul’s; 3. Bryce Ballas, Shaw; 4. Anthony Schneider, Brother Martin

132 - 1. Connor Campo, St. Paul’s; 2. Jorge Sanchez, Helen Cox; 3. Pierce Williams, Brother Martin; 4. Jeffrey Kinkaid, Thomas Jefferson

138 - 1. Dominic Casadaban, Brother Maritn; 2. David Englehardt, St. Paul’s; 3. Brent Matherne, Thomas Jefferson; 4. Deion Floyd, John Ehret

145 - 1. Jack Fontenot, John Ehret; 2. James Davis, Episcopal-B.R.; 3. Dominic Iovenitti, St. Paul’s; 4. Darby Fabre, Fischer

152 - 1. Tanner LeBlanc, St. Paul’s; 2. Jordan Wright, Brother Martin; 3. Derron Harris, John Ehret; 4. Tyler Scott, Allyen, Destrehan

160 - 1. Kody Woodson, Shaw; 2. Patrick Hoppe, Brother Martin; 3. Jordan Peterson, St. Paul’s; 4. Blaze D’Aquin, John Ehret

170 - 1. Collin Kersker, St. Paul’s; 2. Brendan Allen, Covington; 3. Matt Adams, Fischer; 4. Anthony Quijano, Brother Martin

182 - 1. John Brands, St. Paul’s; 2. Jaime Balleza, Shaw; 3. Aaron Maddox, Rummel; 4. Aaron Gambino, Brother Martin

195 - 1. Ryan Hanley, Rummel; 2. Kyle Scheck, St. Paul’s; 3. David Thompson, Destrehan; 4. Michael Ahern, Brother Martin

220 - 1. RaeJuan Marbley, Destrehan; 2. Jacob Clapp, Brother Martin; 3. Tyler Fontana, Rummel; 4. Robert Lavergne, East Jefferson

285 - 1. Zach Mangrum, St. Paul’s; 2. Jay Driggers, Shaw; 3. Tory Posey, McKinley; 4. Blade Rager, Hahnville