Panthers face transition in this year's BHS Invitational

The Brusly High School wrestling team’s road to the state championship tournament begins Saturday with its invitational tournament, but the first leg of that journey may look different this year.

The move from Division III to Division II puts Brusly in a higher classification. It also takes away a few longtime squads and adds a few new ones, but the question of which teams participate remains uncertain.

Some of the perennial competitors – particularly those from the Acadiana area – will likely be missing because of the Lafayette Parish 

“There are a lot of other tournaments going on around the state, so I’m looking to pull a few from the Lafayette area (North Vermillion and Rayne) and we’ll get schools from the New Orleans area, like Rummel,” he said. “Otherwise, this is a big mystery this year because there’s so much transition.”

Plaquemine, an up-and-coming program, will also compete in this year’s event.

The Panthers, meanwhile, are looking healthy with all grapplers in their proper weight classes, Bible said.

“The kids are wrestling hard, and they pull for each other, which helps because I have a big group,” he said.

Leaders at this stage in the season include senior Anthony Denova, in the 182-lb. weight class, along with Chris Miller, Beau Rabalaia, Reid Serio, and Cameron Redditt.

The meets leading up to the state tournament, which moves back to Bossier City this year, on Feb. 10 and 11 at Brookshire Arena.