Times-Picayune, Sunday, November 23, 1980

(This article was transcribed from the Sunday, November 23rd, 1980, New Orleans Times-Picayune. Errors are included as they were found in the article.)

Jesuit Viewed As Top Wrestling Threat

Area high school gymnasiums will be playing host to more than just weekly basketball games as the prep wrestling season is presently also underway.

Heavy schedules of dual and tri-meets, as well as tournaments, will take place between now and the state tournament in mid-February in Baton Rouge. The tourney, February 13-14, will be followed by the junior varsity competition Feb. 28, also in Baton Rouge.

Locally, 15 teams will sport wrestling programs in 1980, including defending champion Jesuit.

A poll of area coaches, conducted by Holy Cross Coach Ken Kavanaugh, shows Jesuit again to be the favorite. Here are the results of that coaches' poll:

1) Jesuit, 2) Brother Martin, 3) Bonnabel, 4) De La Salle, 5) Holy Cross and Ehret (tie).

Following is a preseason look at the 15 teams, in alphabetical order:

Bonnabel. Coach Ray Gremillion - Bonnabel finished second in state last year and returns a promising lineup. The Bruins will be led by Sammy Ragusa, 119 pounds, Richard Smith, 167, and Brian McClendon in the heavyweights.

Brother Martin. Coach Ray Charboneau - The Crusaders will be very strong this season and have been picked by some coaches to take the top spot in city competition. The Crusaders will have Paul Palermo and Kent Webb in the lineup, both state champions last year. Larry Gibson, a transfer student who won the Kentucky state championship, should give the Crusaders strength in the heavier classes along with Al Giraud, last year's regional champ.

Buras. Coach Pat Davis - Buras will compete in Division II at the state championship and has a strong lineup with seven returning lettermen, led by Division II state heavyweight champion Roger Halphen. Also expected to be strong contenders this season are Stephon Jefferson, Andrew Taliancich and Cal Cossich.

De La Salle. Coach Jack Clegg - Thirteen lettermen return for the Cavs this year and they should be a definite contender for the team and individual honors. Top wrestlers include Bobby Feigler, 112, Lew Odenwald, 98, Steve Gibbons, 145, John Deustchmann, 119, John Wade, 155, Steve Van Zandt, 132 and Wesley Walk, 185.

Ehret. Coach Bill Duplessis - Ehret won the Division II State Championship two seasons ago, and, after stepping up to Division I last year, seems ready to push for top honors this year in Division I. Duplessis has 14 lettermen returning and a lineup of experienced wrestlers such as Claude Numa 167, Mike Faucheaux 155, Vincent Tessitore 145, Don Francois 138, Chris Taulli, Mike Hart and other promising candidates.

East Jefferson. Coaches Ben Pratt and George Trigg - The Warriors have eight returning lettermen in Tommy Albrecht 112, Robbie Coste 105, John Urquhart 119, Donald Davidson 126, James Shipley 185 and Mike Fogarty 167.

Hahnville. Coach Luke Catalanotto - The Tigers will step up to Division I this season and will have several wrestlers who are expected to be vying for top honors: Henry Reyna 145, R. D. Owens 138, Kevin Stanley 185, Charles Lauland 185 and Richard Reyna 132.

Holy Cross. Coach Ed Kavanaugh - The Tigers sport seven returning lettermen led by Mike Harter who has two city titles, a state championship and a National AAU Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championship to his credit. Other Tigers expected to become contenders include Captain John Houser 119, who was fourth in state last season, Stuart Houser 112, Vincent Ebeier 138, Greg Lahmers 126 and Tim Byrne 167.

Jesuit. Coach Sam Harnsongkram - The Blue jays have been picked by many to repeat as champs in 1981 and with good reason. Coach 'Sam' won city titles from '71 through '77 and again in 1980. That team was toped by state crowns from '72 to '74, and in '76, '77, and '80. Jesuit will be led by Cletus Junius, Dennis Bertot, Jimmmy Gatti, Randy Hubbell and several other highly rated wrestlers. The Blue Jays will be the favorite, but the competition for the top spot will be very tough.

King. Coach Sam Sara - King will field its first team ever this season. Sara has a group of young wrestlers, who should improve as the season progresses. Leading the Irish will be Tony Ciaccio 119, Lonnie Wale 105 and Aun Tran 112.

Port Sulphur. Coach Andrew Mason - The Bronchos have five returning lettermen including Burghart Turner 126, Jeff Rapp 167, Bart Barthelemy 98, LeRoy Prout 145 and Marc LaCoste 155. Port Sulphur will compete in Division II at the state tournament.

Riverdale. Coach Harold Bourgeois - Riverdale, like King, will be fielding its first wrestling team. Bourgeois is expecting his young team to gain valuable experience this season. King and Riverdale will compete in Division II this year.

Rummel. Coach Mike Dale - The Raiders have six returning lettermen and a new coaching staff led by Dale, a former Rummel state champion. The Raiders have several wrestlers expected to be top contenders this season: Glen Haydel 132, Randy Fish 126, and Sal Cannatella 167.

St. Martin's. Coach Keith Hosli - St. Martin's will have a very young team this season led by Division II state champ Martin Muller.

West Jefferson. Coach John Ruth - The Buccaneers have several prospects who will be top contenders this year: Kelly Sullivan at 185 and Mike Shiffield at heavyweight. Both won jayvee state titles last year. William Jackson, 145 and Floyd Wattigny, 112, are expected to give the Bucs a balanced team.

(No writer listed)