Brother Martin seeks back-to-back titles, Holy Cross eying Division II championship

Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, February 14, 2013 4:13 p.m.

During the 2012-13 season, Brother Martin coaches and wrestlers didn't refer back to last year’s Division I team title. Instead, the topic of discussion was almost always centered on the team's next event.

Now, the Crusaders can turn their focus toward defending at the Louisiana State Wrestling Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Pontchartrain Center.

Kyle Delaune is one of six Brother Martin wrestlers seeded first in a Division I weight class. - (Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

“We understand that we can’t slip up and they we need to score in every weight class,” Brother Martin Coach Robbie Dauterive said. “As a team, everyone understands that we need to live up to our seedings.”

Few could argue the Crusaders aren't the favorites for the Division I team title after having compiled a regular season dual meet record of 29-1.

Brother Martin's wrestlers are seeded in the top five in each of the 14 weight classes, including top seeds Mason Mauro (106), Paul Klein (120), Austin Meyn (126), Daniel Albrecht (170), Kyle Delaune (182) and Ross Brister (285).

In the 132-pound class, senior Connor Campo will be going for the second consecutive state title as well as another undefeated season against in-state competition. One rival anxious for a chance to deny that feat is second seeded Rick Lacava of Rummel. Campo got the better of Lacava in the finals of the 134-pound class last month at the Louisiana Classics in Baton Rouge.

Other All-New Orleans area top seeds are Jesuit’s Mitch Capella (113) and Manny Armour (195) as well as Rummel’s Tyler Frame (145).

While one New Orleans area school is looking to repeat, another is looking for a bit of revenge.

Holy Cross wants to bring the Brother Melchior Trophy back to its place of origin in its final year of competition in Division II. To do that, the Tigers will need to last season's champ, Teurlings Catholic, as well as fight off Live Oak which finish third last season.

It bodes well that the team has six wrestlers seeded in the top two among the different weight classes, but everyone within the program knows that alone won’t guarantee a title.

“It’s not where you’re seeded that counts,” Holy Cross Coach Eric Desormeaux said. “It’s where you finish. We’ve worked hard to put ourselves in this position, and now we’ve got to go out and wrestle to our potential.”

Holy Cross wresters seeded first in their class are Dylan Soileau (113), Alex Nicosia (120), and George Benoit (138). Jorge Sanchez of Helen Cox is the other All-New Orleans area competitor, seeded first in his weight class (132).

Brusly is the defending champion in Division III, but there are a number of area wrestlers who would love nothing more than to prevent a repeat. Five are seeded atop their weight class, including three from John Curtis, Prentis Spurlock (106), Baron Clofer (170), and Spencer Lemoine (285); Thomas Jefferson’s Brent Matherne (138), and De La Salle’s Alex Martin (152).