logo
Wrestling
Winter Recap 2025 Play1
Thu, June 19, 2025 at 01:06 AM . Kentucky

Louisville Male Wrestling Shines in 2025 Winter Season: A Recap with Coach Thomas Noe

The 2025 wrestling season at Louisville Male High School was marked by resilience, teamwork, and growth, despite challenges with injuries and tough competition. Head Coach Thomas Noe, leading the program through his first full cycle with a senior class, reflected on a season full of highs, lessons, and promising futures in our exclusive Winter Season Recap Article Series.

Key Contributors Powering the Team’s Success

Coach Noe found it difficult to single out just a few players for praise, emphasizing the collective effort required to navigate a season riddled with health setbacks. Yet, several names stood out for their consistent impact on the mat. Seniors Eli Lacefield and Joe Lampe provided the leadership and won every weekend, anchoring the team with their experience and tenacity. Juniors Andrew Pomeroy and Galvin Stephens also emerged as vital competitors, consistently delivering victories in high-pressure matches. These athletes not only scored critical points but also helped set the tone for the team’s competitive spirit throughout the season.

Season Overview: Triumphs Amidst Trials

Reflecting on the season, Coach Noe described it as a success. The highlight: securing a third consecutive appearance at the state dual tournament, where the team earned a respectable 6th place finish in Class 3A. Region titles were claimed by Andrew Pomeroy and Joe Lampe, while Zariah Hampton finished as a region runner-up, demonstrating the depth of talent across both the boys and girls squads. The team’s journey was not without hardship, however. As the regional tournament approached, a wave of illness and injury sidelined key wrestlers, including Eli Lacefield, Leland Garcia, Luis Cabral Garcia, Shane Crowe, and Lana Reeves. Despite this adversity, the team’s perseverance was evident, and they still sent seven wrestlers to the state tournament. Andrew Pomeroy’s back-to-back All-State honors, with an 8th-place finish at 138 pounds, stood out as a personal and team achievement worth celebrating.

Defining Moments and Turning Points

Opening night offered a promising glimpse of what was to come. The team dominated against a highly ranked South Oldham squad, ranked #8 at the time, despite missing several varsity wrestlers. Unfortunately, the night also brought a tough blow when senior 190-pounder Tyler Hawkins suffered a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for weeks. Hawkins battled through the pain to wrestle in his final weekend, embodying the grit and dedication of the entire team. This early victory and display of grit gave the team confidence that if they could maintain their health, they would be contenders all season long.

Emerging Leaders and Rising Stars

Coach Noe highlighted several athletes who stepped up as the season progressed. Freshman Dallas Sullivan’s rise was particularly impressive. Starting the year as a backup, Dallas’s dedication and rapid learning curve earned him a starting spot and a place as a state qualifier. His leadership on the mat was evident as he led the team in major decisions with five, showing growing confidence and skill. Similarly, freshman Braden Llaguno claimed a varsity spot early and never looked back. His toughness and commitment earned him state qualifier honors in his rookie season, a testament to the bright future ahead.

Overcoming Injuries and Adversity

The season was tested by injuries, but Louisville Male’s deep roster, boasting around 60 wrestlers, allowed younger athletes to step up and fill key roles. Freshmen Austin Newton, Camden Chee, Cameron Campbell, and John Fuqua, alongside sophomores and juniors like Leland Garcia, Caellum Kinsel, Tyson Kinsel, James Gerkins, and Jimmie Cunningham, were instrumental in keeping the team competitive. The team started the season strong with a 17-0 record heading into the sectional dual finals against Meade County. Though they fell short in that match, they later avenged the loss in the state tournament, highlighting their resilience. A tough dual against Madison Central, where the team fielded reserves, resulted in a loss, but the season culminated in a historic first-ever placement at the state dual tournament — a milestone for the program.

Senior Class Impact: Setting the Culture

Coach Noe’s senior class made a lasting impact, being the first group he coached for four full years. Their dual meet record was an impressive 83-22, capturing the sectional title in 2023 and runner-up finishes in 2024 and 2025. More than just wins and losses, this class helped set the culture and reputation of Male Wrestling, ushering in a new era where wrestling regained its prominence and “cool” factor at the school. Their leadership on and off the mat helped build a foundation for future success.

Looking Forward: A Bright Future for Louisville Male Wrestling

Coach Noe’s excitement for the next season is palpable. He expects senior leaders Andrew Pomeroy, Will Devore, Galvin Stephens, Andrew Recio, and Jimmie Cunningham to guide the team. Contributions will also come from promising underclassmen like Leland Garcia, Mikah Mattingly, Braeden Llaguno, James Gerkins, Tyson Kinsel, Caellum Kinsel, and John Fuqua. What excites Coach Noe most is the hunger and coachability of this group. Every athlete on the roster has now experienced state dual competition, and they understand the level of commitment required to win a state dual title — a goal they are hungry to achieve alongside personal milestones.

Offseason Focus: Closing Matches and Conditioning

The offseason priorities are clear. The team aims to improve its ability to close out tight matches, a skill that often makes the difference in tournament settings. This improvement will come from focusing on the little things: conditioning, strength training, and explosive weightlifting. Coach Noe believes these areas will not only enhance physical performance but also boost confidence in those high-pressure moments.

Where to Follow Louisville Male Wrestling

Fans and supporters can keep up with the team’s progress and statistics through https://www.trackwrestling.com, a platform that provides detailed match results and wrestler stats throughout the season.

Conclusion

Louisville Male Wrestling’s 2025 season was a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the power of a strong culture. Despite injuries and setbacks, the team thrived, achieving historic milestones and laying the groundwork for future success. With experienced leaders and a talented, hungry returning roster, Coach Thomas Noe is ready to build on this momentum and push for even greater heights next year. Stay connected and follow Louisville Male Wrestling’s journey at Track Wrestling to catch all the latest stats and updates on these determined young athletes.
PLAY 1
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.