Vandebilt swim teams capture state titles, again

Gatorade showers are perfunctory in football.

When swimming coaches win big meets, however, they typically have to worry about being tossed into the pool.

Vandebilt coach Duane Ring felt fortunate when she was spared the discomfort of wet clothes for a second consecutive year after her boys’ and girls’ teams captured their sixth and fourth consecutive titles, respectively, at the LHSAA/State Farm Class 4A championships, which were held Thursday at SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur.

“The kids couldn’t wait to throw me in, but it didn’t happen,” Ring quipped. “We had a four-hour drive home and it was so cold.”

Nonetheless, her swimmers were extremely hot in the water – especially the girls.

The Lady Terriers destroyed the field with 530 team points, beating out Cabrini of New Orleans (210) and St. Michael the Archangel of Baton Rouge (175).

Monique Lefort and Amber Pierce each won two events in the girls division, with Lefort winning the 100 butterfly (57.16 seconds) and 100 breaststroke (1:08.20), and Pierce taking the 50 (25.13) and 100 (55.12) freestyle events.

The Vandebilt girls’ squad also finished first in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay.

Lefort and Pierce earned All-State accolades for their performances, along with teammates Anee Briglio, Brittany Daigle, Sarah Fister, Lindsey Griffin, Sarah Henthorn, Megan Olivier and Mallory Thomassie.

Vandebilt experienced a tighter fight in the boys’ division, as the Terriers racked up 378 points to finish in front of Alexandria (289) and Holy Cross of New Orleans (210).

Taylor Theriot placed first in the 100 butterfly (55.62 seconds) and 100 backstroke (54.77). Kip Pierce won the 200 individual medley (2:06.21) and 100 breaststroke (1:03.77).

The Vandebilt boys also captured the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay events.

Theriot and Pierce were joined by Seth Guidry, Garrett Marcel, Ross Mullooly and Chris Watson, who all netted All-State honors in individual events.

“We had a really good meet with some awesome times,” Ring said. “The momentum and adrenaline kept us going the whole time. The kids were really tired, but excited. They were singing and carrying on when we got on the bus to leave.”