In the largest private school wrestling tournament of the year, the St. Thomas Varsity Wrestling team placed second at the 2025 TAPPS Wrestling Championship.
Competing against some of the best teams in the state, the Eagles secured multiple podium finishes, solidifying their reputation as an elite team and placing in the state tournament for the second year in a row. The 2-day tournament in Dallas, Texas put the team’s talent and determination on display, allowing the team to show that all of their hard work had paid off. St. Thomas Head Coach Mike LeHolm expressed pride in his athletes and their accomplishments.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our boys. They have worked incredibly hard this season and their dedication truly showed today. We came here with the goal of competing and to execute, and that’s exactly what we did.” LeHolm said.
Among the highlights was senior captain Roberto Pacini who captured gold in the 126-pound weight class. After his deciding match, Pacini could hardly contain his excitement.
“Winning this title means everything to me. I’ve put so much time and effort into this sport and it feels amazing to see it pay off.” Pacini said.
Another standout performance came from freshman Pierce Ritchey who followed in Pacini’s footsteps and placed first in the 113-pound weight class. Though he is a freshman and it was his first time wrestling at the state tournament, Ritchey fought valiantly and pulled the performance of a lifetime at TAPPS.
“Coming to TAPPS was an amazing experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent St. Thomas and I can’t wait to improve even more next season” Ritchey said.
The Eagles ended the tournament with a total of 9 medals, displaying the talent and depth of their roster. As the team celebrates this year’s achievements, the team has already set eyes on their off-season training and success in the following season with hopes of continuing their streak of success in the TAPPS championship. With the help of the coaches and the drive of their wrestlers, the future looks bright for the St. Thomas wrestling team as they continue to build on their legacy.
