The Best of Louisiana Wrestling

The state tournament concluded on February 27 so what better time to learn about the greatest wrestlers to ever compete in Louisiana.

In the past, the state tournament was held in various locations throughout the state. This year, the tournament was held in Baton Rouge which most people were relieved because of the new area. The tournament was also influenced by COVID-19 restrictions. The Raising Cane’s River Center only allowed a certain amount of tickets to be purchased due to social distancing rules within the state of Louisiana. Furthermore, the state tournament was thrilling as expected. The whole event was filled with upsets and dominating performances on both days that will be etched into Louisiana wrestling history.

Today, we will recognize the best Louisiana has ever offered in the sport of wrestling. The idea of going through a season and constantly being challenged by notable opponents can be difficult. However, with countless hours of dedication any wrestler in the state can achieve their goal of becoming a state champion.

Furthermore, to become a state champion is already a large task for one to achieve but to win multiple times is extremely unique and special. Louisiana wrestling was started in 1944 by Brother Melchior Polowy and since then has grown substantially. From three-time to four-time individual state champions regardless of division will be acknowledge below. In addition, records are meant to be broken and remembered.

Nevertheless, I have compiled a list of visible school records in the state of Louisiana for coaches and wrestlers. Therefore, if I have missed names or records, please do not hesitate to contact me via email for corrections.

Individual titles for each school

Holy Cross

Jack Hecker – 4 (no division separation)

Austin Vegas – 4 (no division separation)

Nick Michael – 4 in Division II & III

Ryan Hess – 3

Jacob Frost – 3 in Division I (currently wrestling)

Evan Frost – 3 in Division I (currently wrestling)

Sonny Kolb – 3

David Landry – 3

Coleman Ruiz – 3

Mark Harter – 3

Alex Nicosia – 3

Jake Rando – 3

Jesuit

Raymond Richards – 3

Glenn Harris – 3

Lester Alfortish Jr. – 3

Mike Hanemann – 3

Marshall Delesdernier – 3

John Martin – 3

Charles O’Boyle – 3

Spencer Harris – 3

Perry Ganci – 3

Brother Martin

Paul Klein – 4 in Division I

Steven Shields – 4 in Division I

Nick Shields – 3

Daniel Croy – 3

Kenny Spellman – 3

Richard Dixon – 3

Larry Gibson – 2 in Kentucky and 1 in Louisiana

Basile

Jimmy Vidrine – 5 (no division separation)

Alex Menier – 4 in Division III

Gavin Christ – 4 in Division III

Carmen Cortez – 4 in Division II

Joey Cortez – 3

Steven Fontenot – 3

Isaac Cortez – 3

Raymond Bushnell – 3

Archbishop Rummel

Josh Ramirez – 3 in Louisiana and 1 in Iowa

Scott Gibbons – 3

Tony Wood/Suarez – 3

Blake Mateu – 3

Chad Boudreaux – 3

Brusly

Tim Leblanc – 4 in Division II

Trevor Shermer – 4 in Division III

Austin Shermer – 4 in Division III

Austin Franklin – 4 in Division III

Mark Prejean – 3

Adam Johnson – 3

Barrett Wilson – 3

Blake Panepinto – 3

Jacob Haydel – 3

Richard Hunter 3x

St. Paul’s

Korey Miller – 3

David Boyce – 3

St. Louis

Alex Youkabitis – 4

Comeaux

Kerry Boumans – 3

David Bonin – 3

Tyler Malveaux – 3

Hanson

Patrick Luke – 3

McKinley

Roderick Ratcliff – 3

Northside

Daniel Cormier – 3

Mike Babineaux – 3

Teurlings Catholic

Brock Bonin – 4 in Division II

Phillip Miller – 3

Archbishop Shaw

Glenn Price – 3 (currently wrestling)

Mason Mauro – 3

Airline

Matt Rabinowitz – 3

Christian Walden – 3

De La Salle

Tim Scanlan – 3

Alex Martin – 3

Parkway

Joey Dillon – 3

Kamron Johnson – 3

St. Michael the Archangel (also known as Bishop Sullivan)

Stephen Scardina – 3

Ben Willeford – 3

Josh Goodson – 3

Josh Fontenot – 3

Zachary

Cade Felps – 4 in Division II

Micah Easley – 3

East Ascension

Trent Mahoney – 3

Catholic BR

Alex Knight – 3

Buras

Chad Buras – 4 in Division II

C.B. Allen – 3

Pat Davis – 3

Tuan Nguyen – 3

Josh Friedman – 3

Jonathan St Ann – 3

Redemptorist BR

Brad Macha – 4 in Division II

Guy Mistretta – 3

Myles Hannaman – 3

South Cameron

Trey Wilkerson – 3

Keith Herbert – 3

Live Oak

Cody Hill – 3

St. Martin’s Episcopal 

Jonathan Schudmak – 3 (2 at St. Martin’s and 1 at Grace King)

Todd Demonte – 3

Danny Navar – 3

Tara

Ben Kristonis – 3

Northside

Jamel Wheatley – 3

South Plaquemines

Brandon Turner – 3

Central

Austin Gouedy – 3

Head Coach State Championship History:
ALL DIVISIONS COMBINED

Brother Melchior Polowy – 22
Sam Harnsongkram – 18
Jimmy Bible – 12
Robert Dauterive – 10
Brad Macha – 9
Kent Masson – 9
Ray Charboneau – 6
Guy Mistretta – 6
Pat Davis – 5
Eric Desormeaux – 4
John Simmons – 4
Pat McArdle – 3
Glenn Eldridge – 3
Clarence Vidrine – 3
Bryan McCoy – 3
Carmen Cortez – 3
Rod Cusachs – 3
Kenny Spellman – 2
Ed Kavanaugh – 2
Ray Gremillion – 2
Eddie Benoit – 2
Camille Plaisance – 2
Craig Ketelsen – 2
Emmet Beggs – 2
Tim McCall – 2
Tommy Prochaska – 2
Kirby Lee – 2
Ed Kavanaugh – 2
Mark Strickland – 2
Carlos Bertot – 2
Brian Hollingsworth – 2
Ray Gremillion – 2
Billy Duplesis – 1
George Trygg – 1
Brian Biggs – 1
Sam Sara – 1
Kris Kienzle – 1
Edwin Stacy – 1
Steve Miller – 1
Phil Bode – 1
Bill Morris – 1
Terry Gage – 1
Mac Faul – 1
Andrew Nicola – 1
Matt Pinero – 1

School Team Title History
(ALL DIVISIONS COMBINED)

Holy Cross – 28
Jesuit – 22
Brother Martin – 20
Brusly – 14
Redemptorist BR – 7
South Cameron – 7
Teurlings Catholic – 7
Buras – 6
De La Salle – 4
Northside – 4
Catholic BR – 3
St. Paul’s – 3
Basile – 2
East Jefferson – 2
Archbishop Rummel – 1
John Ehret – 1
Grace King – 1