STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING REPORT

 

It isn't all over but the shouting and the fat lady has not sung but Brother Martin and Brusly are well on their way to repeating as wrestling state champions while Holy Cross is in good shape for a state best 27th title.

In search of a 14th state championship, the Crusaders advanced 12 of 14 wrestlers into the semifinals in Division I to take a solid 24-point lead over Jesuit with Catholic of Baton Rouge third. The Bears have seven in the semifinals while Jesuit has eight through to the round of four. St. Paul's advanced seven wrestlers and Rummel has five in semifinals, set for Saturday morning at 10:30 p.m. The Raiders are in fourth place with the Wolves fifth.

 

All top seeds have advanced in all three classifications with three exceptions, including 113-pound Dylan Soileau of Holy Cross, who scratched prior to the start of the tournament due to an illness, Austin Bohne of Rayne, who was beaten by Evangel's Brandon Ashlock by pin in the Division III quarterfinals and Baron Clofer of John Curtis, who was upset by Matt Adams of Fisher by pin in the quarterfinals.

 

Brother Martin's six top seeds are still alive, including Mason Mauro (106), defending state champion Paul Klein (120), Austin Meyn (126), Daniel Albrecht (170), Kyle Delaune (182) and Ross Brister (285).  "We hoped to advance all 14 but 12 is a good number," Dauterive said. "We simply need to come out strong Saturday morning to solidify our position."

 

Catholic advanced its two top seeds, including James Claitor (138), Brandon Luckett (160) and Myles Nash (220). Jesuit top-seeds Mitch Capella (113) and Manny Armour (195) are both through.

 

St. Paul's advanced top-seed Connor Campo (132) David Englehardt (138), both returning state champions while Rummel top-seed Tyler Frame (145) and defending state champion Matt Calcote (126) moved into the round of four with victories.

 

In Division II, Holy Cross advanced 11 out of 14 into the semifinals, despite losing Soileau, led by top-seed and defending state champion Alex Nicosia (120) and George Benoit (138). The Tigers have a slim 2.5 point lead over defending state champion Teurlings Catholic.  "We are in good shape and I really like the way our young men have wrestled," said DeSormeaux. "If we continue in this fashion, we will have a great chance to win it."

 

Teurlings Catholic has eight alive into the semifinals, led by defending state champion and top-seed Brock Berlin (106), Travis Thibodaux (152) and defending state champion Nick Schneider (182).  Live Oak is in third place, with six wrestlers into the round of four, led by defending state champion and top-seed Cody Hill (126).

 

In Division III, Brusly is in command in its quest for a 12th state championship with a 24.5 point lead over North Vermilion and the Panthers have seven wrestlers in the semifinals, led by top-seeds Wyatt LeJeune (120) and defending state champion Trevor Schermer (132).

 

Evangel is in third place and has six in the semifinals while North Vermilion advanced five, led by top-seed Austin Scalisi (126).  John Curtis is in fourth place and has five wrestlers into the round of four, including top seeds Prentice Spurlock (106) and Spencer Lemoine (285).

 

Other top seeds in the semifinals in include defending state champion Tyrek Malveaux of Comeaux (152) in Division I.

 

In Division II, top-seeds Jorge Sanchez, Jr. of Helen Cox (132) and Andre' Dean of Benton (145) and defending champion Louis Stutes of St. Louis Catholic (160) and teammate Conway LeBleu (170), defending state champion Orlando Calhoun, Jr. (195) and Daniel Kincade (220) of Northside and Reginal Markray of Huntington (285) are all into the semifinals.

 

In Division III, defending state champion Raymond Bushnell of Basile (113), Brent Matherne of Thomas Jefferson (138), defending state champ Grant Godso of Redemptorist (145), defending state champion Alex Martin of De La Salle (152), Jalen Olivier of Bossier (182), Billy Marcantel of Rayne (195) and Brennan McKnight of Rayne (220) have advanced.

 

The first day attendance was 6,219, setting the state for a record-setting day tomorrow. The next round of consolation matches begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with the semifinals at 10:30 a.m. and the finals at 6 p.m.

 

Here are your team standings heading into Saturday morning: