(COVINGTON, La.) — October has rolled in and with it the wrestling team has begun their official practice schedule. The 2018-2019 season year introduces a swath of changes, the most notable being the change in head coaching staff. Coach Craig Ketelson had been the head coach for 30 years before he bequeathed the position to then-assistant coach Matt Pinero.

“I am grateful to the administration and Coach Ketelson for entrusting me with this position. However, the day to day operations will not change too much.” Pinero said.

Before coming to Saint Paul’s, Pinero coached at Archbishop Rummel High School, leading the team to a division one team title. In addition to this, he has been coaching the Louisiana national team for many years now.

“It takes all 14 members of the starting lineup getting the most out of themselves, and it takes all of the guys who aren’t starters pushing their teammates every day. Once you have that, everyone working for each other, the wins and championships will come. When we won at Rummel, everyone went home happy, and that one of the best feelings.” Pinero said.

Pinero brings with him years of experience at the highest level of coaching. Any doubt about his ability is dwarfed by his growing resume of individual and team state titles, not to mention the wrestlers he has coached to all-American status (top 12 in the country). Along with Pinero, 2015 graduate Billy Harrison has joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach.

“I just do the best that I can every day and that’s all you can do,” Pinero said. “And at the end of the day, there is no better feeling then helping someone achieve his goal, especially when you know all the work and sacrifice that went into achieving it.”