After winning their seventh consecutive Trey Culotta Invitational title, the Brother Martin wrestling team was hungry for more. Last weekend, the team traveled to Atlanta, GA to compete in the Prep Slam hosted by Holy Innocents High School. The Crusaders took first place out of 45 teams. The tournament featured teams from 13 states and is considered to be the largest and most competitive prep tournament in the nation.
The Crusaders had eight wrestlers place in the top six and scored 215.5 points. The team was led by finalist Daniel Varnado (106), Luke Cotton (120), and Steven Shields (126). All three came up short in the finals, but the Crusaders performance in the consolation round sealed the team title. Justin Leal (113), Nathaniel Perdue (182), and Mack Brown (220) finished in third place. Matthew Clapp (285) finished in fourth place and Paul Elmer (152) came up fifth.
“I could not be prouder of the performance of my team,” said Brother Martin head coach Robert Dauterive. ” Coming to a national tournament with 11 first year starters, and winning shows that this team is growing up in a hurry. Everyone contributed. We had five wrestlers who were one match from placing.”
The varsity team takes on the Catholic High Bears on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge.
Top 10 Results:
Brother Martin – 215.5
McCallie, TN- 188.5
St. Anthony’s, NY 149
Baylor, TN- 141
Marist, GA- 132
Montgomery Bell Academy- 123.5
Woodward, GA. 120.5
St. John’s, PA- 115
St. Paul’s, LA- 106.5
Gonzaga College High School, DC -83
