Swimmers Have Sights Set on State
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ShareJesuit swimmers will gather for Mass on Wednesday afternoon
before departing Thursday, Nov. 16 for the LHSAA State Meet in Sulphur (Nov. 17-18).
The team gathers for a prayer of thanksgiving after winning the Allstate Sugar Bowl Metro Championship.
The Blue Jay swimmers’ display of teamwork and vigor at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Metro Championship bodes well for the Jesuit team in the upcoming LHSAA State Championship Tournament.
In past years, the Jays needed to fill up all 32 available slots in order to win state, explained Jesuit swimming Coach Bret Hanemann ’85. After falling short in 2012 through 2015, the team exceeded expectations last year (2016) and put itself in good position. In an intense duel with the Catholic Bears, Jesuit unfortunately missed first place by a mere 34 points.
Blue Jay swimmers have last year’s champions in their sights as they look ahead to the state tournament. The state meet takes place November 17-18 at the SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur. Since metro, the Jays have continued to hit the pool for 5 a.m. practice in preparation for their moment in the water.
“The psych sheet came out, and we look good,” Coach Hanemann noted. Each swim meet has its own psych sheet, which lists seed times and how each swimmer compares to his competitors in a particular event.
Senior swimmers, led by captains Jack Baudoin (left) and Mitchell Lulich (middle), walk around the pool to receive their first place district trophy.
“We just have to stay focused and execute. These guys are hungry, and they haven’t had a taste of this,” Coach Hanemann added. “Of all these guys on the team, none of them have won state, and they’re used to hearing stories about guys that have won year after year. So, they have something to prove.”
A victory would bring Jesuit to its 38th state swimming title and the first since 2012. Blue Jay teams have been state runners-up to Catholic High of Baton Rouge for the past four years.
“I expect them to do well. If they swim how they’re supposed to swim, and stay focused, they know what they want. Now, we just need to go to Sulphur and make it happen.”
