Wrestling Royalty: Back to Back State Championships
Wrestling Royalty: Back to Back State Championships
Lanosga, Calderaro, and Harris finish as state champs to lead Jays to tea
Trophy in hand, the Jays left Bossier City on the third of February with their second consecutive LHSAA state wrestling title. It was the culmination of a journey that began a year ago. Here is the story.
It’s twelve noon and most of the student body is anticipating the Winter Sports Pep Rally set to begin at 2 o’clock. Not the Jays. They are in Bossier City at the Brookshire Grocery Arena weighing in for their preliminary round matches. As the Jays entered the arena, they left little doubt about their mission and goals for the weekend. The scene was like something out of a movie, their presence was felt from the stands to the mats. A year’s work of work to defend the state title had led to this very moment.
“We set ourselves the goal to come in here and do it again like we did last year,” Jesuit coach Jonathon Orillion said. “The guys have really worked all summer, all year, to see it come together.”
The Jays could not have asked for a better start sending thirteen wrestlers into the championship brackets. Looking to avoid the close call of last year’s team victory decided by six points over rival Catholic B.R., the Jays established an almost insurmountable lead in the first day. Then came the Gizzard.
Arriving via a student spirit bus, the Gizzard showed up ready to cheer on their team and take over the Brookshire Grocery Arena. Behind the raucous support of the Gizzard, the Jays advanced eight wrestlers to the finals. Junior Bodi Harris defended his state title winning the 120 weight class title over Holy Cross. Senior Jackson Calderaro finished as a state champion in the 215 lb division with a victory over Northshore. Finally, nationally ranked, Spencer Lanosga, the most dominant wrestler in Louisiana, finished off a stellar season taking the heavyweight title for the third straight year.
“It was awesome. It was so surreal,” recounted Lanosga, “All these years doing this sport since I was six and culminating in these past two season and two state championships, it’s been pretty sick.”
From the moments the Jays stepped off the bus in Bossier City it was evident that the Jays were the top team in the state as they dominated on the mat, and in turn, defended the state title. The Jays scored 321 points, the highest total in school history and only 19 pts away from the state record.
As the gong rang loudly at the following Monday assembly, with the state trophy resting in the hallowed hall of champions, the wrestling took it all in – if only for a day, for next year’s season starts now.
Individual Results:
106 pounds: Michael Barnett, 2nd place
113 pounds: Max Belsome, 4th place
120 pounds: Bodi Harris, 1st Place
126 pounds: Jose Rincon, 2nd Place
132 pounds: J.P. Webre, 2nd Place
138 pounds: Keegan Spears
144 pounds: Isaac Orillion, 2nd Place
150 pounds: Wyatt Mire, 4th Place
157 pounds: Harris Treuting, 2nd Place
165 pounds: Arthur Schott, 4th Place
175 pounds: Patrick Matthews, 3rd Place
190 pounds: Cam Himel, 5th Place
215 pounds: Jackson Calderaro, 1st Place
285 pounds: Spencer Lanosga, 1st Place
Team Total: 321 points