Wrestling:

Leave It All On The Mat

By: Haylee Ahysen

State Runner-Up

On February 2, 2024 the John Curtis Christian School Wrestling team traveled to the LHSAA State Championship Tournament in Bossier City, LA. Going into the state tournament the team had a record of 18 wins and 8 loses from dual meets, alone. Eight out of fourteen of the wrestlers placed at the state tournament. Andrew Jordan placed 5th in the 113 weight class, and this was only his first year on the wrestling team. Wyatt Bostick, placed 4th in the state in the 126 weight class. Abel Halsey placed 4th in state in the 132 weight class. Trey Curtis placed 3rd in the state in the 144 weight class. Frankie Massicot placed 3rd in the state in the 150 weight class. Jerome Bridges placed 2nd in the state in the 165 weight class. Zach Drake placed 3rd in the state in the 175 weight class. A.J. Smith placed 3rd in the state in the 190 weight class. Logan Barnes placed 4th in the state in the 285 weight class. Brandon Dang placed 1st in the state in the 215 weight class. With an overall team score of 202 points, the team earned the title of the Division III State Runner-Up.

Meet the Seniors

Honorary Mentions

Brandon Dang

Brandon Dang is the new reigning State Champion for the 215 lb. weight class. Brandon previously won an individual state champion title back in 2022. Last year, he tore his ACL and that set him back a year from wrestling since he was out due to injury. Though, when he came back this year, he gave it his all. All of his hard work and overcoming adversity paid off.

Wyatt Bostick

Wyatt Bostick is a starter on the wrestling team in the 126 weight class. He has wrestled for the last nine years.

Coaches

The coaches that lead this team to victory deserve recognition. Head Coach John Kendrick is not only one of our English teachers, but he also coaches the JCCS wrestling team, and the Champions club wrestling team Champions for the freestyle and greco seasons.. Coach Jeff Berger, one of the JCCS athletic trainers, is an inspiring coach for the young wrestlers. Coach Norman Drake is not only an assistant coach for the JCCS wrestling team, but also trains and mentors kids on the Champions club wrestling team. He also was a two time state champion in 1985 and 1987 at John Curtis. Coach John Drake, graduated from John Curtis as a top wrestler. He won a wrestling state championship in 2021. This year, John came back to help coach the team to success.