The Saint Paul’s Wrestling Wolves are used to sitting near the top of the state standings, and this season is no different.

Through their first eight meets, the Wolves are undefeated, establishing themselves as the favorite to win the St. Tammany Parish Wrestling Championship that will take place on January 28, 2023 and one of the favorites to win state.

“When it comes to the parish championships, we’re used to having a target on our back,” said Saint Paul’s head wrestling coach Matt Pinero.

What makes this team so dangerous is the youth that it is built on. Pre-freshman Scott Cascio, sophomores Rhett Nastasi and Jackson Peak, and junior Dave Schumacher have all stepped into roles as newly impactful starters. In a sport built on one-on-one matchups, the Wolves’ young core has won their battles on the mat.

“Considering our team consists of mostly underclassmen, led by just four seniors who start, I like where we are,” said Coach Pinero. “Our younger wrestlers have definitely stepped up big in certain matches, helping us get off to a great start.”

One of those four seniors who has stepped up is Colin Cusimano, who is currently at a mark of 15-0, knocking off multiple returning place winners from last season.

Another one of those seniors is defending 160-pound state champion Landry Barker, who has continued his dominance in a game of inches. Barker, competing at 170 pounds this season, is currently undefeated at 6-0.

“When it comes down to it, it’s the little things that matter,” Barker described.

Saint Paul’s currently sits at 6-1 on the season, with its only loss coming to Catholic High. With several meets left in the season, a young, dominant team topped off with multiple star seniors has only one question left to answer:

How far can the Wolves go?

“This team will go as far as it wants to,” stated Coach Pinero. Continuing, “Even though the group is young and relatively inexperienced, they have the potential to do big things.”