Parish wrestlers win big at City Championships

St. Amant, East Ascension and Dutchtown all represented Ascension parish in the Baton Rouge City Wrestling Tournament at Brusly High over the weekend.

Though the three schools failed to bring home the top team prize, each cashed in solid performances, and many parish wrestlers were able to win individual championships.

East Ascension actually finished the event with the most individual titles with three. Only one other team was able to equal that in Live Oak.

The Spartans got a win from junior Landon Wheat. In the finals, Wheat cruised to a 10-3 decision victory over Catholic's Dominic Dewey to clinch the 122-pound city title. Dewey was the top seed in the division.

In the 128-pound division, Jacob Bernard came through for the Spartans. The senior rolled to a 18-6 decision victory over Catholic's Joshua Matthews to clinch the championship.

Finally, East Ascension earned their final victory from Austin Guedry. Guedry earned a tough 3-2 win over Zachary's Keenan Tate to capture the 197-pound city title.

Dutchtown had two wrestlers win championships on Saturday.

First, senior Brandon Cowell won the 147-pound title as he beat Zachary's Sam Johnson, 2-0. His championship performance led to he and Brusly's Koby Mancuso being named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestlers.

Cowell's teammate Luther Jones upset top-seeded Thomas Stremalau of Baton Rouge High, 9-5, to claim the 172-pound title.

Even though no St. Amant wrestler won a championship, many landed in the top four.

Joshua Averett finished second after dropping a great match, 5-4, to Catholic's Mitchell Vidrine in the finals of the 140-pound division.

Teammate Sage Nugent also finished second. He lost to Catholic's Matthew Mire, 12-3, in the 154-pound championship.

Clint Brownell finished third in the 147-pound division for St. Amant, and Jordan Averett finished third at 184 pounds.

Justin Bowie finished in fourth at 115, Brier Babin finished fourth at 122 and Jesse Braud finished fourth at 134.

All of the top-four finishes allowed the Gators to finish second only to Catholic. With the win, Catholic was able to claim their 26th city championship.

St. Amant was the only Ascension squad to finish in the top five.

In other top-four parish finishes, Dutchtown's Kaleb Faul earned a third-place win over Catholic's Denver Denison at 162 pounds. East Ascension's Tyler Joyeaux finished fourth at 140 pounds.