South Lafourche swim embraces underdog role, trumps Terrebonne for district

Lafourche, Terrebone Halloweens moved to Friday
October 28, 2015
Be patient with the Pelicans
November 4, 2015
Lafourche, Terrebone Halloweens moved to Friday
October 28, 2015
Be patient with the Pelicans
November 4, 2015

When you’ve won 14-straight district championships, very rarely are you an underdog.

But the South Lafourche boys swim team was exactly that last Monday at the District swim meet at Nicholls State University: the underdogs.


After losing to Terrebonne in a head-to-head meet earlier in the season, many thought the Tigers were the team to beat in the 12-team meet, which featured almost all of the schools in the Houma-Thibodaux area.

Terrebonne did itself proud, and accumulated 380 points – a mark that would win the district championship in almost any other year.

But in this one, it wasn’t meant to be, as the Tarpons swam to 404 points to win their 15th-straight district championship – one that just might be the most special of all for coach Corey Callais, who said he’s so proud of how hard his team battled.


The Lady Tarpons also won the district title – their 13th-straight, scoring 455 points to outlast runner-up Terrebonne’s 360.5.

“Our boys came into the meet as an underdog, which hasn’t happened in a long time,” Callais said. “I wasn’t quite sure how they would respond. The meet was a tough battle as momentum kept going back and forth between the two teams. … In the end, we were lucky enough to come out on top. I am very proud of those young men at how they fought through adversity and came out victorious.”

It was a matter of a couple of races that decided the outcome of the meet.


Terrebonne’s swim team was relentless throughout the meet, powered by junior Alec Adams, who won two individual titles and was an anchor on two first-place relay teams, as well.

Also playing a huge role for the Tigers was sophomore Rory John Bergeron, who finished first and second in individual events and was a member on two first-place relay teams.

But the Tarpons had some standouts, as well.


Junior Benjamin Berthelot won two individual titles for the Tarpons, bringing home the title in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke. Berthelot was also a member of the Tarpons’ victorious 200-yard freestyle relay team and was the second leg of the team’s 200-yard medley relay team, which finished as district runner-up.

Callais said Berthelot’s contributions were huge. The coach added that he’s got a chance to make noise at the State Championship Meet – one of seven Tarpons boys to make the team.

Other Tarpons who swam well were Brady Levron, Mason Dufrene, Gerald Savoie, Scotty Bouzigard and Luke Duthu.


“The outcome of the meet came down to a few races for both teams,” Callais said. “We made mistakes, they made mistakes. We are just happy to come out on top.”

LADY TARPONS DOMINATE

The South Lafourche women didn’t have nearly as much trouble.


The Lady Tarpons won six of the 11 girls races to easily pace the nine-team field.

Callais said the South Lafourche girls have a depth of talent with 11 swimmers who are qualified for state.

Nine of those 11 swimmers were also named to the All-District Team, including freshman Quendon Bourda, who was named the District Co-MVP with South Terrebonne senior Payton Gold.


Also on the All-District team for the Lady Tarpons were Alanna Smith, Cameron Aucoin, Lanie Fournier, Emily Danos, Kaitlyn Vizier, Hannah Gisclair, Shelby Cheramie and Gabrielle Uzee.

None of those competitors are seniors – an omen that has Callais thinking that his team’s district-championship streak has a chance to continue both now and into the future.

The boys’ team is the same – an underclassman-laden bunch.


“Out of 42 swimmers, we have only four seniors,” Callais said. “This will allow us to be competitive for years to come. Hopefully we can continue to build on our numbers to continue to build our program.”

A decade of titles and counting.

The Tarpons continue to built, yes.


But the foundation for success seems to be already in place.

District SwimCOURTESY