Jesuit Takes First Place at New Orleans Metro Cross Country Championship
![The Blue Jays demonstrated the definition of teamwork and pack running when they captured the 2013 Metro Cross Country Championship on Oct. 30, 2013.](https://cdn.jesuitnola.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CrossCountry_MetroChampionship_20131030_web-600x369.jpg)
The Blue Jay Cross Country Team demonstrated the definitions of teamwork and pack running when they captured the 2013 Metro Cross Country Championship on Oct. 30, 2013. Jesuit’s top five runners finished with a 36-second spread. Photo by Beth Vargas.
Top Five Blue Jay Finishers Complete Course with a Striking 36-Second Spread
In a field of 14 other teams from within the Greater New Orleans area, the Blue Jay Cross Country team captured the Metro Championship team title on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The team entered the meet ranked 5th in the state by Louisiana Milesplit, behind two other New Orleans area schools, John Curtis (3) and Brother Martin (4). The squad finished with a low score of 44, over second-place finisher John Curtis (57 points). Brother Martin (88 points) and Shaw (88 points) finished third and fourth, respectively.
The Jays placed three runners into the top 10, led by junior Matthews Vargas (5th), junior Michael Schwing (7th) and senior Liam Fitzgerald (9th). Jesuit runners placed 5th, 7th, 9th 11th and 12th — all within a 36-second spread — demonstrating the importance of consistency and pack running. For some members of the team, this was their second race at the newly-designed City Park course. Many were introduced to the course at the Country Day Classic on Oct. 12.
Jesuit returns to action Thursday, Nov. 7 for the Catholic League District Championship at the City Park Course at 4:30 p.m.
Read More
Nola.com – Mount Carmel and Jesuit take team titles at New Orleans Metro Cross Country Championship
Team finishing times for the New Orleans Metro Cross Country Championship:
Name |
Class |
Time |
Matthews Vargas | Junior | 16:31 |
Michael Schwing | Junior | 16:37 |
Liam Fitzgerald | Senior | 16:39 |
Patrick Lacour | Junior | 16:47 |
Jonathan Blanchard | Senior | 16:49 |
Ben D’Antonio | Junior | 16:59 |
Johnny Laforge | Sophomore | 17:04 |
Galleries
Cross Country, New Orleans Metro Championship, Oct. 30, 2013
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The team gets together prior to the start of the race.
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Coach Rudy Horvath '86
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Assistant coach Taylor Bacques ’09
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And they're off!
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Juniors Ben D’Antonio and Matthews Vargas and senior Liam Fitzgerald.
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Patrick Lacour leading the way with the other Jesuit runners following – team member Nathan Cusimano cheering them on.
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Ben D’Antonio and Johnny Laforge surge forward.
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Senior Jonathan Blanchard
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Junior Ben D'Antonio
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Sophomore John LaForge
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The Jesuit Cross Country Team are the New Orleans Metro Champions!
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Junior Matthews Vargas is interviewed by a New Orleans Advocate newspaper reporter after the race.
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2013 New Orleans Metro Cross Country Championship Team