StM News

The 2022-23 school year was one for the record books, literally. School records were broken. Personal bests were achieved. State titles were won. 

The Saints had four individual state champions. Six teams earned a place in the playoffs. Five teams competed at state meets or tournaments. Numerous athletes were named to postseason honorary teams. 

Nine Saints received All-Academic Honors and four received Academic All-State. To be named All-Academic, an athlete must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Those on Academic All-State must earn a 4.0 average.

Below we round up the achievements of each team. We are deeply proud of all these achievements, but it is important to remember the real impact these sports provide: Athletics can play an integral part in the development of well-rounded students. Student-athletes typically develop a sense of pride, self-esteem, teamwork, and commitment; these are traits that may not be produced in the classroom alone.

FALL SPORTS

Football

StM football had a historic season, making it farther into the playoffs than ever before. Their record for 2022 was 11-2 (9-1 Reg Season / 2-1 Playoffs). The Saints lost in the semifinals to Vermillion Catholic. This was the first time in school history that the Saints made it to the semifinal round. 

Many Saints were given postseason honors. Named to the All-District 1st Team-Offense were: Harlem Berry - RB, Cooper Helmke - PK, and Dominic Hogan - OL. On the All-District 1st Team-Defense were: Grant Gendusa - LB (Defensive MVP), Garrett DeViney - LB, and Seth Mandella - DB.  Earning a place on the All-State Team were: Harlem Berry - Offense RB, Grant Gendusa - Honorable Mention, and Seth Mandella - Honorable Mention. Harlem Berry - RB was also named to the All-Metro: Offense team. All-Metro: Defense tapped Grant Gendusa - LB and Seth Mandella - DB. 

Captains of the team were Garrett DeViney, Grant Gendusa, Seth Mandella, and Matt Mannino. Coaches named Ashton Oliver as the Defensive Most Improved. Defensive Most Valuable were Grant Gendusa and Dominic Hogan. Seth Mandella was named Offensive Most Improved, with Harlem Berry as Offensive Most Valuable. The Burlsworth Character Award was given to Daniel Schexnaildre.

This historic team was coached by Frank Gendusa with Kevin Dizer, Bradley Farris, Jordan Hill, Donald Klos,  and Bobby Ledoux assisting. Frank Gendusa was named the New Orleans Saints Coach of the Week #4 2022, The Times-Picayune - Class 3A, 2A, 1A All-Metro Football Coach of the Year 2022, The Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A Football All-State Coach of the Year 2022, the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club/ R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Coach of the Year 2022, and the All-State Sugar Bowl/Friday Night Football Coach of the Year 2022.

Volleyball

The volleyball team had another strong season, making it to the regional round of the playoffs. They lost in five to Riverside Academy. Two Saints received All-Academic honors: Maddie McDaniel and Jeda Williams. Jeda Williams, who was team captain, was named Most Improved, and Emerson Arensman Most Valuable. The team was coached by Alyssa Pitt and assistant Tiffany Laird. 

Cross Country

The cross country team, under Coach Warren Lind, completed a challenging season that involved running against much bigger enrollment schools in regionals and state due to a reorganization by the LHSAA. The athletes worked exceptionally hard, had strong character, and represented themselves and the school well in competition. 

The girls’ team finished the season 4th out of 21 teams at State, and the boys’ team placed 4th out of 23 teams at State. In the regional meet, boys and girls both placed 3rd. 

Earning All-Academic honors were Maria Cusimano, Harris Huber, Rian McManus, and Samantha Thompson. Blake Verdigets earned Academic All-State.

The girls’ Most Improved runner was Rian McManus.  Devyn McManus was named Most Valuable. For the boys, Peyton Crosby was named Most Improved, with Thomas Garvey as Most Valuable. 

Swimming

This year, the swim team under the direction of Coach Andrea Bonnette qualified three swimmers for the state meet: Juliette Magner, Lillian Bordelon, and Aidan Irwin. 

Lillian Bordelon and Russell Huber were named Most Improved swimmers for the girls and boys teams respectively. The Most Valuable girl was Juliette Magner, and Aidan Irwin was the Most Valuable boy. 

Magner placed 3rd in fly at the State meet and was named to the All-State team. 

WINTER SPORTS

Boys Soccer

Captains Connor Mouille, Blake Verdigets, and Eamon Velasquez led the team to a successful season in a competitive district that had three teams ranked in the top 12. In addition to their district success, the varsity team completed their season with a winning record (10-7-1 reg season / 0-1 playoffs) and made the playoffs as the number ten seed. They lost in overtime to International HS of New Orleans. The boys were also able to win the Lion's Cup tournament.

Several members were named to the All-District 1st Team: Cooper Helmke, Carter Scheuermann, Eamon Velasquez, Blake Verdigets, and Reilly Velasquez (who was the District Co-MVP offense). Peyton Crosby, Charles DeRussy, Randy Dunkin, and Cole LaCoste made the All-District 2nd Team. Connor Mouille was named to the East All-Star Team. Academic All-State tapped Blake Verdigets. 

Carter Scheuermann was named Most Improved, and Most Valuable was Reilly Velasquez. The team was coached by Bobby Velasquez, with Danny Licciardi as assistant coach. 

Girls Soccer

In a rebuilding season, the girls team did not end with a  winning record but head coach Jenny Velasquez considered it a successful season. “The girls remained positive and supportive of each other and the team. Despite cold and rainy nights, the girls never gave up and never stopped giving it their all.” 

All seniors rotated as captains. Zoe Tranchina was named Most Improved and Rian McManus was Most Valuable. 

All-Academic honors were given to Maria Cusimano, Rian McManus, and Samantha Thompson. Academic All-State was earned by Alexis Akers. 

Boys Basketball 

Boys basketball added to the historic nature of this year in StM athletics. The team ended regular season play with a 19-9 record before notching two wins in the first two playoff games. Then, for the first time in StM history, the team made it to the semifinals, taking on Northwood in the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.

Many Saints were named to honorary teams: Conner Nicoladis earned All-Academic. All-District 1st Team were Matthew Weaver and Jophie LaForge. Peyton Raines was named 2nd Team All-District, with Seth Mandella, Matt Mannino, Cooper Odom, and Harlem Berry earning Honorable Mention. Matthew Weaver also was named to the 2nd Team All-State as well as the All-Metro Team. 

Jophie LaForge was named Most Improved with Matthew Weaver as Most Valuable. Weaver also joined StM’s 1000 Point Club. The Joe Mooty Award was presented to Cooper Odom. The team was coached by Michael Odom, with assistants Pat LaForge and Brandon Raines. 

Girls Basketball

In a rebuilding year for the Saints, captains Isabella Bagnetto and  Emerson Arensman showed leadership to a young team. The highlight of the year was watching the girls come back to beat Varnado at home in overtime. The amount of improvement the team displayed from the beginning to the end was very impressive. 

In the postseason, Isabella Bagnetto was named All-Academic. Earning places on the All-District 2nd Team were Emerson Arensman and Gianna Mandella.

Gianna Mandella was named Most Improved and Emerson Arensman was the Most Valuable. Kevin Dizer was head coach, with Curry Cappel as assistant coach. 

Powerlifting

Powerlifting returned to StM with Michael Odom as coach. Manny Bejaran and Jacob Odom competed at Regionals. 

SPRING SPORTS

Baseball

The St. Martin's baseball team had a successful 2023 season. The Saints won 20 games, finished the season ranked 10th in the state, and were a Regional Playoff Finalist. Highlights of the season were wins over Metairie Park Country Day 8-1 and Isidore Newman 4-3.

Several Saints were named to 1st Team All-District: Gavin DiMaggio - Infield, Matthew Dufrene - Catcher, David Helwig - Infield, Alex Scheuermann - Pitcher, Daniel Schexnaildre - Outfield, Cooper Wakefield - Utility, and Matthew Weaver - Outfield. 

Most Improved was Matthew Dufrene, with Most Valuable as David Helwig. Matthew Dufrene, Daniel Schexnaildre, Daniel Duplantis, and David Helwig served as team captains. Bobby Ledoux coached and was assisted by Randy Albaral, Gary Hemelt, and Brett Livaudais.

Softball

Softball started the season with two specific goals: having a winning record, and making the playoffs. They achieved both. In addition, several girls made the 1st Team All-District: Sofia DiVincenti - pitcher, Caroline Falgoust - outfield, Sophie Miller - utility, Victoria Olsen - catcher, and Alex Pevey - utility.  Named to the 2nd Team All-District were: Alexis Akers - infield, Gabby Mannino - outfield, and Emerson Arensman - outfield. Earning honorable mentions were Gianna Mandella and Samantha Thompson.

Alexis Akers was named Academic All-State and Samantha Thompson to All-Academic. 

Most Improved was Gabby Mannino, with Most Valuable going to Sofia DiVincenti. The team was coached by Tiffany Laird with Kit Laird assisting. 

Tennis 

2023 was a great tennis season for the Saints. All boy and girl team members qualified for the State tournament in Monroe, and the season was capped off with the boys bringing home the Runner-Up 

team trophy for the first time since 2006. Additionally, the Saints had an individual state champion, Jophie LaForge. Conner Nicoladis was named to the All-Academic team. 

The boys’ Most Improved was Max LaForge and Most Valuable was Jophie LaForge. The girls’ Most Valuable were Kaitlyn Hall and Gabby Rubin. The teams were coached by Pat LaForge, with Mike Odom as assistant. 

Golf 

The girls’ golf team brought home another state runner-up trophy, and an individual state champion in Morgan Guepet. This is the third consecutive year she has won the Division II state title. This was the first time in school history that the team placed this high. This year the boys’ team qualified for regionals. 

The girls’ Most Improved was Kaitlyn Tillery and Most Valuable was Morgan Guepet. The boys’ Most Improved was Eamon Velasquez and Most Valuable was Connor Mouille.  The boys’ team was coached by Jenny Velasquez and the girls were coached by Stephanie Gaspard. 

Track and Field 

The track and field team brought more individual titles for the Saints. At the LHSAA Class 1A Track & Field  Championships, Manny Bejaran won 1st in boys’ javelin. Harlem Berry was the 100-meter dash State Champ. Berry also placed second in the state for the 200 meter dash. He also broke school records in both of these events. His new StM record is 10.57 for the 100m dash and 21.43 for the 200m dash. 

Both boys’ and girls’ track teams earned postseason honors. 

The following Saints earned All-Academic Track: Isabella Bagnetto, Rian McManus, and Maria Cusimano. Academic All-State honors were given to Justin Hall, Tristan Karno, and Blake Verdigets.

The boys’ Most Improved were Thomas Garvey and Frankie Cusimano; Most Valuable were Harlem Berry and Blake Verdigets. The girls’ Most Improved was Juliet Whitaker and Most Valuable was Meera Hijazi. The team was coached by Warren Lind, Kevin Dizer, Jordan Hill, and Nicky Wood. 

Cheerleading

The 2022-23 varsity cheerleaders had an amazing season. In addition to cheering on the football team through their best season ever, the team participated in many other community events, including hosting the first all-school pep rally in the Adkerson Gym since COVID. The team also helped organize the school's first-ever parade to celebrate the football team's quarterfinal playoff win. Captains for this year were KaiVal Howard and Kaitlyn Tillery. The Most Improved was Seema Hijazi, and Most Valuable was Kaitlyn Tillery. The team was coached by Tiffany DuSaules. 

SPECIAL AWARDS

Each year, the athletic department presents special awards to student-athletes. 

The A.G. Tony Porter Award commemorates St. Martin’s affection for and admiration of Tony “Chief” Porter. This award is presented to male and female athletes of the track team who are spirited and unafraid to take risks and try new events for the improvement of the team. They possess the qualities of dedication, commitment, and hard work. This year’s winners are Madison Westacott and Manny Bejaran (Javelin State Champ).

The Judy Ketchum Baehr Award is given annually to the athletes who have distinguished themselves by lettering in three or more varsity sports during their senior year. This year’s recipients are Alexis Akers, Isabella Bagnetto, Maria Cusimano, Seth Mandella, Rian McManus, Conner Nicoladis, Victoria Olsen, Timothy Roberts, Samantha Thompson, and Blake Verdigets. 

The Dave Rice Award is presented each year to the senior boy and girl varsity athletes who have displayed the most caring attitude and devotion toward their teammates. The 2023 recipients were Matthew Dufrene and Samantha Thompson.

The Glenn Abe Martin Award is presented annually to the male athlete selected by the athletic department staff who has demonstrated the highest ideals of leadership, character, spirit, and athletic achievement while participating in two or more varsity sports during the school year. Co-winners for this year are Blake Verdigets and Jophie LaForge.

Rian McManus was the 2023 recipient of the Robert L. Pettit Award. This award is presented annually to the female athlete selected by the athletic department staff who has demonstrated the highest ideals of leadership, character, spirit, and athletic achievement while participating in two or more varsity sports during the school year.

The James M. Burlingame Award was presented to Harlem Berry. This award is presented annually to the male athlete who has demonstrated superior athletic achievement and ability in two or more varsity sports during the school year. 

The E. Douglas Johnson Award is presented annually to the female athlete who has demonstrated superior athletic achievement and ability in two or more varsity sports during the school year. Sofia DiVincenti was this year’s recipient. 

The Headmaster’s Athletic Award was given to Blake Verdigets, Alexis Akers, and Seema Hijazi. This award goes to the Upper School young man and young woman who have attained the highest cumulative academic average for all of their Upper School coursework while lettering in two or more sports. 

COLLEGE SIGNING DAY

This year, StM had two Saints sign on to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. 

Connor Mouille will be joining the Spring Hill College soccer team. At St. Martin’s, Conner played varsity soccer four years and golf two years. He was the 2022 District Defensive MVP and earned 1st Team All-District. In 2023 he was named to the  East All-State Team and 2nd Team All-State. 

Daniel Schexnaildre will be joining the Belhaven University baseball team. Daniel played varsity baseball for three years and football for two years. In both 2022 and 2023 he was named All-District baseball outfield. In 2022, as a member of the football team, he was the Burlsworth Character Award recipient.