BEST IN SHOW: Terriers set sights on defending state titles

What’s the definition of euphoria?

For Vandebilt Catholic swimming coach Duane Ring, it was watching her boys’ and girls’ swim teams win state titles last season.

Again.

&#8220Stuff like this is why I keep coming back,” quipped Ring, who returns to the helm of the Terriers for a 15th consecutive season. &#8220It makes it hard to step down.”

The boys’ program has won five consecutive Division II titles.

The girls, meanwhile, have captured the past three.

Both are poised for a repeat performance in 2007.

&#8220We have a lot of kids on both teams who swim year-round, and it translates into state championships year after year,” said senior Taylor Theriot. &#8220We have good all-around teams this year.”

The boys’ squad (4-1 in 2006) returns three individual state champions in Theriot, junior Ross Mullooly and freshman Kip Pierce.

Theriot won the 100 fly in a time of 53.65 seconds. Mullooly stormed to victory in the 200 and 500 freestyle and Pierce was tops in the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.51.

&#8220I go into every meet wanting to swim fast,” Theriot said. &#8220We have a strong tradition of winning at Vandebilt, and I don’t want to be the one to break that tradition. I always want to have a good meet.”

The Terriers also bring back senior Seth Guidry (freestyle, butterfly) and sophomore Chris Watson (freestyle, backstroke).

Ring expects good things from eighth-grade newcomer Blaine Lofton (butterfly, middle-distance freestyle).

&#8220Naturally, we’re hoping the boys win state again,” Ring said. &#8220We lost a handful of fast seniors who could hold their own, but none of them were as fast as Taylor. We also have some younger kids who should step up nicely.”

Headlining the returning starters for the girls’ squad (4-1 last year) is senior standout Monique Lefort.

Lefort’s times in the 100 fly (56.81) and the 100 breaststroke (1:05.56) earned her two individual state titles, two school records and All-American status.

The Terriers also benefit from the return of juniors Amber Pierce and Sarah Fister.

Pierce won state titles and set school records in the 50 freestyle (24.43) and 100 freestyle (53.96) in 2006. Fister posted the best state time in the 500 freestyle (5:28.93).

Both were also part of a 400-relay team with Lefort and Alex Age that was clocked at 3:43.92 – a state record.

Age, a senior, transferred to Vandebilt after Hurricane Katrina, but returned to New Orleans during the offseason.

&#8220We’re going to miss having her (Age) around,” Ringer said.

Nonetheless, Ringer is optimistic about the addition of Megan Olivia (freshman) and Martha Basile (eighth grade).

&#8220The girls have a little more depth than the boys,” she said. &#8220This gives me a lot of latitude to cover all of my events with strong swimmers. The girls should be tough again this year.”

And they’d like to recapture the exhilaration of finishing on top.

&#8220It (states) was extremely exciting,” explained Lefort. &#8220Everyone on the girls’ side was nervous at first, because we weren’t sure we would win it, but when we finally did, it was really thrilling.”

Ring would love to see an encore performance, but she knows a new season brings new challenges.

&#8220Some of the teams we see at states we don’t see during dual meets, so we go into states not knowing what we’re up against,” she said. &#8220It’s hard to scout teams. You never know what can happen.”

The Terriers begin their seasons Tuesday through Friday, Sept. 4 through 7, with the annual Blue and Gold scrimmages at Ellendale.

BEST IN SHOW: Terriers set sights on defending state titles