By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
High school wrestling in Louisiana is returning its state tournament to its hotbed, and leaving Shreveport-Bossier without an LHSAA championship event, according to an announcement Tuesday.
Following four years in Bossier City, the Sugar Bowl LHSAA State Wrestling Championships will be staged at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans beginning in 2027.
Brookshire Grocery Arena hosted 11 of the past 16 state wrestling tournaments, including a run from 2016-2020 and the last four starting in 2023.
“We want to sincerely thank the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission for their outstanding partnership over the past four years,” said LHSAA assistant executive director and director of wrestling Adam MacDowell. “Their commitment, professionalism, and attention to detail helped create a first class championship environment for our wrestlers, coaches, and families.
“The support they provided was instrumental in the success of our state tournament, and we are extremely grateful for everything they have done to showcase high school wrestling in Louisiana,” he said.
The LHSAA’s announcement confirmed a report March 6 on the Crescent City Wrestling Facebook page. Tuesday’s statement said the Morial Convention Center, one of the largest convention facilities in the country, will provide “a unique championship environment capable of accommodating multiple competition mats, crowds, and the continued growth of the sport. The event is expected to generate a high-energy atmosphere while improving accessibility for a significant portion of the state’s wrestling community.”
The LHSAA state tournament was held in the New Orleans area for many years before its move to Bossier City.
With perennial powerhouse programs such as Holy Cross, Brother Martin, Jesuit, and Rummel based in or near the city, along with rising contenders from across the area, the Feb. 12-13, 2027 event is expected to carry a Mardi Gras-style setting.
“As we evaluated the future of the LHSAA Wrestling State Championships, one message was consistently expressed by our coaches: a desire to provide our student-athletes with a new championship experience,” said MacDowell.
“After careful consideration and feedback from our wrestling community, we believe moving the state tournament to New Orleans will create exciting new opportunities and continue the growth of our sport,” he said.
Two other LHSAA sports are also changing the sites of their championships.
Following a long run at aging Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, the boys’ basketball state championships return to the Cajundome in Lafayette next March. The tournament has been held in Lake Charles since 2014 and is coming back to Lafayette for the first time since 2011.
Powerlifting will be contested at the West Monroe Sports and Events Complex, following two years in Kenner.
The announcement did not confirm locations for the other state championship sites, but no other changes were expected.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com