At the school’s first major in-person event in a few months, Blue Jay fishermen made an impressive showing at Jesuit’s John Ryan Stadium for the 28th Annual Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo. Despite an extensive permitting process and a careful review of the event in light of social distancing best practices, Jesuit families turned out in masks to weigh in their catches and to take part in the day’s festivities. The rodeo featured seafood catered by Max Gruenig ’06, weigh-in festivities, expert guest speakers, an exciting kayak raffle, a fantastic rodeo shirt, and more.

This year’s fishing rodeo was the first to take place without the leadership of Brother William J. Dardis, S.J., but Jesuit is confident that he would be proud of the 28th iteration of this event.

Overcoming the Odds

The Jesuit community overcame both logistical and weather-related challenges this year to ensure that the rodeo could take place as scheduled.

In order to facilitate social distancing best practices, the 2020 Fishing Rodeo featured tents that covered more than twice the square-footage of previous years. These tents were set up by Jesuit staff and volunteers including our excellent maintenance team, but the school’s resolve was tested when mere days before the rodeo took place wind and rain tore down the entire setup.

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Featured Honoree

Baton Rouge dentist and founder of Swollfest, Dr. Nick Rauber ’98 was honored atthis year’s rodeo. Swollfest, a Grand Isle charitable fishing tournament, dates back to Rauber’s junior year at Jesuit High School.

“Swollfest Inc. operates as a 100% volunteer-run, Louisiana non-profit organization that raises money to support the capital campaign to build a freestanding children’s hospital, so that Our Lady of the Lake can continue their mission to provide for all children entrusted to their care.”

Through Swollfest and other means, Rauber has raised more than $1 million for charitable causes across the country.

Fishing Rodeo Committee

Assisting chairman Mike McMahon ’85 were committee members Ben Bagwill ’12, Michael Heier ’05, Drew Necaise ’05, Pat Morris ’90, and Chris Mills ’80 (set-up/tear down and weighmasters); Jude Trahant ’80, and Gavin Gillen ’98 (awards); Andrew Fuller ’96 (trophies); Gary Discon ’75, Rookie Leopold ’61, Ryan Gootee ’91, George Haydel (sponsorship); Drew Necaise ’05 and Gary Discon ’75 (Yeti Raffle); and D.J. Galiano ’07 (logistics/music).

2020 Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo Results

Division 1 (19 and older)

Category	1st	2nd	3rd
Bass	Andy Brudzinkski 3.10 lbs	Eric Boos ’18 2.0 lbs	Nicholas Lacour ’19 1.20 lbs
Black Drum	Melissa Leake 16.15 lbs	Ike Ryan ’88 8.65 lbs	Chris Puckett  1.89 lbs
Sheepshead	Rolan Waguespack ’92 7.55 lbs	Trey Fury 6.35 lbs	James Deschmann ’15  5.85 lbs
Speckled Trout	Ben Noveck 3.00 lbs	Jeff Levy 2.25 lbs	Nathan Abercrombie ’92 2.15 lbs
Redfish (16″-27″)	Jake Kuebel ’18 8.60 lbs	Andrew Keubel ’18 8.55 lbs	Ali Donnes 6.85 lbs
Red Snapper	Gary Discon 17.55 lbs	Gary Discon 16.85 lbs	George Haydel 15.80 lbs

Division 2 (18 and under)

Category	1st	2nd	3rd
Bass	Colin Brudzinkski ’21 3.0 lbs	Caroline Abercombie 0.85 lbs	Auggie Berner, Gareth Berner 0.60 lbs
Black Drum	Reed Kronlage 18.55 lbs	Lillian Stouder 8.7 lbs	Patrick Smith  8.20 lbs
Sheepshead	Jacques Karcher 7.25 lbs	Chance Latham ’23 6.75 lbs	Win Schibler 5.85 lbs
Speckled Trout	Sam Novack 4.60 lbs	Nathan Abercrombie Jr. 4.05 lbs	Campbell Levy 3.80 lbs
Redfish	Chance Latham ’23 7.85 lbs	Dominic Forest 5.55 lbs	Ethan Schaeffer 4.90 lbs
Red Snapper	Blaire Rittner ’21 18.55 lbs	Alex Grilleta ’24 18.50 lbs	Ben Lirette 18.45 lbs

Division 3  (All)

Category	1st	2nd	3rd
5-Trout Stringer	Gary Discon 18.20 lbs	Puckett Family 8.15 lbs	Team P.B.R. 8.10 lbs
Biggest Fish	Lillian Stouder 35.55 lbs
Father & Daughter	Clare and Albert Kropog	Stouder Family	Abercombie Family
Biggest Catfish	Jacob Howat 15.7 lbs