The swimming team loads up the bus and heads to Sulphur where they hope to recapture the state title.

Head coach Bret Hanemann ’85 is relying on 24 Blue Jay swimmers and a little luck to reclaim the state championship trophy that was last theirs in 2012.

The team left on a bus this morning heading to Sulphur where it will compete in the LHSAA Division 1 State Swim Meet. Preliminary competition takes place on Friday, Nov. 18, and continues Saturday, Nov. 19, with finals. The Blue Jays are coming off a huge team victory in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Metro Swim Championship.

“The team is as prepared as they can be,” Hanemann said. “They’ve had a great season of training, and they’re ready to leave it all in the pool at state.”

Over the last several years, Jesuit and Catholic High School of Baton Rouge have battled for the top spot. Two years ago, Catholic finished a mere 28 points ahead of Jesuit, and last year the Jays were again edged out by the Bears. Now more than ever, the swimming team is eager to recapture a title that has barely eluded them in recent memory.

To claim victory, Coach Hanemann, who has led Blue Jay swimmers for more than 20 years, and assistant coach Tré Roux ’87 will be counting on senior captains Josh Armond, Jack Jackson, and Noah Wilkins. Coaches expect that all three team leaders — who have each earned the The New Orleans Advocate’s swimming athlete of the week honors this season — will have an outstanding meet. The Blue Jays will also rely on their younger talent, including standout swimmers freshman Michael Foley, sophomore Davis Edwards, and sophomore Connor Schwartz.

Regardless of the outcome, at least one award is guaranteed. Senior Jonathan Vegh will be honored as Academic All-State.

“We have some really good leadership,” Hanemann said. “If we go for it like we have this year, we can absolutely bring the state trophy back to Carrollton and Banks.”

Live Updates:

LHSAA.org – Division 1 Swimming Brackets/Results