Former TARC outreach director prepares to ‘kick it up a notch’ at helm
July 24, 2007
Ouida Pitre
July 26, 2007
Several members of the Houma-based Bayou Barracudas Swim earned gold medals to become top-ranked swimmers in Louisiana at the Long Course State Swimming Championships conducted this weekend at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (July 19-22).
Twenty-three members of the team earned state qualifying times during the long course swimming season that ran from April through July which allowed them to compete in individual statewide competition.
The top eight swimmers in each individual event and top three relays teams were awarded medals during state competition. Three Bayou Barracuda swimmers earned gold and the title of state champion, while many other members of the team earned other top medals at the competition
Earning gold medals in their respective age divisions at state competition were:
Elie McRae, 12, of Cutoff, who led the scoring for the boys on the team earning 127 points and three gold medals in the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke and the 50-meter freestyle. McRae also earned three silver medals in the 100- and 200-meter freestyle and the 50-meter butterfly. In addition, he earned bronze in the 100-meter butterfly.
Kip Pierce, 14, a native of Cutoff and resident of Houma, took home gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and earned three silver medals in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle and the 200-meter breaststroke. He also earned a fifth place medal in the 200-meter freestyle.
Monique Lefort, 17, led the scoring for the girls with 71 points while earning two gold medals in 100- and 200-meter breaststroke. She earned a silver medal in 100-meter butterfly, a fifth-place medal in the 400-meter individual medley and an eighth-place medal in the 200-meter individual medley.
Other silver, bronze and top eight medallists on the state team were:
Tanei Armendariz, 12, placed seventh in the 50-meter breaststroke;
Edward Boudreaux III, 15, placed sixth in the 100-meter breaststroke and fourth in 200-meter butterfly;
Gabrielle Bradley, 10, earned a fourth place medal in the 50-meter backstroke and a seventh place medal in the 100-meter backstroke;
Anee Briglio, 13, placed fourth in the 200-meter butterfly and seventh in the 200-meter backstroke;
Joshua Brunet, 14, earned a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle and placed fourth in 50- and 100-meter freestyle, fifth in the 200-meter butterfly and sixth in 100-meter butterfly; Alexis Carlos, 12, placed sixth in the 50-meter backstroke;
Michelle Gaubert, 15, earned a bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle;
Nicholas Guidry, 11, earned a bronze medal in 50-meter breaststroke, sixth place medals in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke and an eighth place medal in the 200-meter freestyle;
Amber Pierce, 16, earned fourth place in the 100-meter freestyle and fifth place in the 50-meter freestyle.
Bayou’s 13-14 year-old boys relay team also earned two bronze medals in the 200-meter freestyle and medley relay events. This team was comprised of Brunet, Lofton, Marcel and Pierce.
Other members of the 2007 State Team who qualified and competed in individual competition were: Michael Boquet, 16; Brittany Daigle, 15; Sarah Fister, 16; Blaine Lofton, 13; Garrett Marcel, 13; Emilie Melancon, 11; Ross Mullooly, 16; Megan Olivier, 14; Aaron Rhodes, 16 and Taylor Theriot, 17.
In addition, five swimmers were added to the team roster to compete at state on relay teams. They were: Charlotte Rome, 9; Catherine Swindel, 10; Caroline Joffrion, 10; Madalyn Marcel, 11; and Ashleigh Price, 14.
The Bayou Barracudas team earned an eighth-place state ranking (25 total teams) competing against much larger teams from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport. The “small but mighty” group of swimmers earned a team total of 1,053 points. Bayou Barracudas swimmers have historically performed well at the statewide level earning numerous top honors each year.
The Bayou Barracudas Swim Team is a registered USA Swimming program and is Houma’s only year-round competitive swimming organization.
The team is now conducting registration for new swimmers. Beginning Aug. 1, the team will begin training at its new location at Ellendale Country Club.
For more information visit www.BayouBarracudas.com or call 985-851-POOL (7665) or Ellendale Country Club at (985) 876-4392.
Members of the 2007 Bayou Barracudas State Team are: (Top row, left to right): Brittany Daigle, 15; Anee Briglio, 13; Elie McRae, 12; Josh Brunet, 14; Ed Boudreaux III, 15; Ross Mullooly, 16; Kip Pierce, 14; Michael Boquet, 16; Taylor Theriot, 17. (Middle row, left to right): Nicholas Guidry, 11; Ashleigh Price, 14 (relay only); Alexis Carlos, 12; Megan Olivier, 14; Sarah Fister, 16; Monique Lefort, 17; Amber Pierce, 16; Blaine Lofton, 13; and Garrett Marcel, 13. (Bottom row, left to right): Madalyn Marcel, 11 (relay only); Gabrielle Bradley, 10; Emilie Melancon, 11; Charlotte Rome, 9 (relay only); Caroline Joffrion, 10 (relay only); and Tanei Armendariz, 12. Not pictured are: Catherine Swindel, 10 (relay only); Anne-Claire Babineaux, 13; Michelle Gaubert, 15; and Aaron Rhodes, 16. (Submitted Photo)
