Eleven St. Paul’s student athletes were recently named by the New Orleans Advocate to the New Orleans All-Metro Team between the fall sports of Football, Swimming, and Cross Country due to their athletic prowess.

“This year is an extraordinary year,” St. Paul’s Athletic Director Greg Ketelsen said. “Both individually and as teams, we are performing at an exceptionally high level. We’ve been constantly smashing records since the fall season has begun, and it only keeps intensifying.”

The Football Wolves placed three members to the New Orleans All-Metro football team. Led by senior defensive back Deonte’ Sorapuru, who qualified for first team All-Metro and All-State, the team also sported fellow seniors defensive lineman Hunter Romero and quarterback Kenny Sears, who were both named as honorable mentions to both the All-Metro and All-State Teams.

This year’s Aqua Wolves boasted five swimmers to achieve All-Metro honors, with senior Griffin Guzan named in three separate events.

“The St. Paul’s Aqua Wolves swimming program shocked everyone with their spectacular metro performance,” Swimming Head Coach Kris Babylon said. “This is by far the best year the Aqua Wolves have on record. Not only did we finish the best we ever have at the New Orleans Metro Championships Swim Meet, but we also have a record number of All-Metro athletes.  I’m so proud to have helped them achieve this prestigious accomplishment.”

Guzan was selected based on his State Championship performance in the 100 butterfly, setting the school record in 50.41 seconds. Guzan joined relay mates senior Harrison Prieto, junior Kyle Hladky, and senior Jack Cheng to lead the area in the 200 medley relay in another school record of 1:37.23. Sophomore Myers Morgan, Prieto, Guzan and Cheng were the All-Metro 400 freestyle relay team, again setting the school record of 3:16.00.

St. Paul’s Coach Kris Babylon was selected All-Metro Coach of the Year.

This year’s Cross Country Wolves continued the strong legacy that has continued for over a decade, finishing fourth in state with three All-Metro athletes.

“I think the Cross Country team did an outstanding job this year,” said team moderator Myrtle Wiggins. “They really represented themselves in an exemplary manner throughout the season and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”

All in all, the St. Paul’s Cross Country team placed three runners on the New Orleans Cross Country All-Metro Team podium. Junior Eric Coston was chosen based on his performance at the 3-mile event at the New Orleans Metro Championship Meet, where he ran a blistering 15:08.00, ultimately finishing as state runner-up. He was closely followed by senior Spencer Albright and senior Stephen Schlottman who ran 16:06.00 and 16:55.00, respectively.

“I believe that these outstanding performances by all our fall season sports are a great indication of what (is) to come from St. Paul’s athletics,” Ketelsen said. “If we remain on pace and our guys keep performing at this impressive level, this may be one of the finest years in the history (of) St. Paul’s athletics.”