By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Two local wrestlers picked up state championships at the Louisiana High School Association State Wrestling Tournament held over the weekend in Baton Rouge.
Airline’s Ernie Perry III won his third state individual championship in Division I and Bossier’s Christian Johnson won in Division III.
Perry finished his near-perfect junior season (28-1) by pinning Cole Mire of Dutchtown at 1:24 in the 120-pound weight class.
Johnson, a junior, won by pinning James Baldwin of Dunham in the 195-pound class.
Other local wrestlers finishing in the top three included competitors in Division I. Christopher Bacot, Parkway took third place in the 132-pound division, David Viers was third in 138-pound.
In Division II, Charlie Yocom of Haughton was second in the 160-pound class while teammate Tyler Villarreal took second in 120-pound. Luke Brunson of Caddo Magnet was third in the 182-pounds. Kristopher Mesloh, a junior, was third in the 220-pound class by pinning Catholic-Baton Rouge’s Jermaine Vessell.
Division III, Evangel had three wrestlers finish in the top three. Michael Gilreath was second in 152-pounds and two eighth graders finished third, Jeremia Yearby in the 106-pound and Joseph Gilreath in the 113-pound class.
Brother Martin took the team title in Division I with Parkway finishing sixth and Airline 12th.
Teurlings Catholic won the Division II team title. Haughton was the top SBJ finisher at ninth, followed closely by Benton in 10th and Caddo Magnet 11th.
Evangel finished eighth in Division III that was won by Basile. Bossier came away with an 11th place finish and Calvary 16th.
