Wrestling: Jesuit battles to victory at Holy Cross

The scene was primed for a state championship preview Wednesday night at Holy Cross. The eagerly anticipated face-off featured the state’s top-ranked Catholic League teams, the defending division I state champions Jesuit Blue Jays and the surging Holy Cross Tigers. The atmosphere was electric with a packed crowd on hand.

The night concluded with the Blue Jays heading back to Mid-City with 38-23 victory.

The dual meet kicked off at the heavyweight class, where the Tigers initiated a calculated move to disrupt momentum. The scheduled dual between Tigers sophomore Albert Sherman and two-time state champion senior Spencer Lanosga took an unexpected turn as the Tigers opted to forfeit the match.

In the following matches within the lightweight division, the Tigers clinched victories with eighth grader Michael Klein securing a decision win and sophomore Anthony Oubre electrifying the audience with a pin against sophomore Max Belsome.

Blue Jays returning 120lbs state champion Bodi Harris asserted dominance by earning a major decision over senior Vincent Vidacovich. Tigers junior Landon Smith responded with a decision win at 126lbs over junior Jose Rincon.

Jesuit sophomore JP Webre triumphed over senior Nicholas Sauerwin with an 8-3 decision. Talented sophomore Matthew Krail added to the Jays’ tally with a technical fall victory over sophomore Christopher Stricker at 138lbs.

As the evening unfolded, the Jays clinched pivotal victories that will impact the seeding for the upcoming Louisiana Classic. At 144lbs, freshman standout Isaac Orillion, who has consistently dominated Louisiana competition throughout the season, continues to affirm his status as a top contender in the state. In a notable matchup against Holy Cross junior Gunner Guidry, who had recently dropped a weight class to compete with the best, Orillion won by decision.

The competition remained intense at 150lbs, with Blue Jays junior Wyatt Mire earning a decision win over sophomore Riley Reeves. The Tigers fought back, keeping the team score close with victories in the 157lb and 165lb matches. Tigers sole returning state champion Nicholas DiGeralamo clinched a 5-3 decision win, and the surprise of the night came when Tigers junior Antwon Parks won in overtime over senior Arthur Schott.

The Jays put an end to the uncertainty in the final three matches, pinning their opponents with impressive performances from senior Patrick Matthews, Jackson Calderaro and junior Cam Himel.

Looking ahead, both the Tigers and Blue Jays are set to return to the wrestling mat this Friday at the prestigious Louisiana Classic.

Jesuit 38, Holy Cross 23
106–Michael Klein (Holy Cross) def. Michael Barnett (Jesuit) 7-4
113–Anthony Oubre (Holy Cross) def. Max Belsome,(Jesuit) fall 1:37
120, Bodi Harris, Jesuit def. Vincent Vidacovich, Holy Cross MD 18-6
126–Landon Smith (Holy Cross) def. Jose Rincon (Jesuit) 10-6
132–J.P. Webre (Jesuit) def. Nicholas Sauerwin (Holy Cross) 8-3
138–Matthew Krail (Holy Cross) def. Christopher Stricker (Jesuit) TF 21-6
144–Isaac Orillon (Jesuit) def. Gunner Guidrey (Holy Cross) MD 10-2
150–Wyatt Mire (Jesuit) def. Rylee Reeves (Holy Cross) MD 10-2
157–Nick DiGerolamo (Holy Cross) def. Harris Treuting (Jesuit) 5-3
165–Antwon Parks (Holy Cross) def. Arthur Schott (Jesuit) 9-7
175–Patrick Matthews (Jesuit) def. Sean-Payton McDonald (Holy Cross) fall 2:12
190–Cameron Himel (Jesuit) def. Ethan Regis (Holy Cross) fall 4:49
215–Jackson Calderaro (Jesuit) def. Kohen Johnson (Holy Cross) fall 4:44
285—Spencer Lanosga (Jesuit) by forfeit