Spartan Country

DEBBIE HIGGINS

When Jacobi Jackson (right) won his state title for the Class 4 285-pound weight division, he proudly joined the ranks with his father, Brian Jackson ’85 (above), who won state for De Smet Jesuit in 1985 in the 185-pound weight division.

Spartans Climb the Ranks

SCHOOL SPIRIT AND ATHLETIC WINS CONTINUE DESPITE LACK OF SPRING SEASON

What began as a record-breaking year with three state championships in 2019 concluded with even more accolades despite a global coronavirus pandemic that led to the cancellation of the spring sports season. Winter sports added two more state champions with wrestlers Jacobi Jackson ’21 (285 pounds) and Colton King ’21 (106 pounds), and Spartan basketball (22–7) went undefeated at home with back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in 18 years. With a 6–2 MCC record, the Spartans defeated all four teams at least once in league play. The De Smet Jesuit athletic program was ranked No. 5 in the nation by MaxPreps in February, and named the large-school program of the year by STLhighschoolsports.com in May.

“As we closed in on spring and a chance to defend our baseball state title, the only thing that was able to slow down the Spartan train was a global pandemic,” said Athletic Director John Pukala, recollecting soccer and football state championships in the fall. “It was heartbreaking for our athletes to end the school year without competing, especially for our seniors, but we have great hopes for even more success next year. 2019–2020 was

WRESTLING, WITH SUCCESS

Two State Champions…and More

Spartan wrestling claimed not one, but two Class 4 state titles at Mizzou Arena this February: Colton King ’21 (right) at 106 pounds (34–1 record), and Jacobi Jackson ’21 (center) at 285 pounds (31–3 record). Jacobi’s victory put him in the record books with his father, Brian Jackson ’85 (far left), who won state for De Smet Jesuit in 1985 in the 185-pound weight division, making them the first father-son pair to win individual state championship titles in the school’s history. With back-to-back seasons boasting state champions, returning seniors Jacobi and Colton, and this year’s seniors (John Fotouhi, Jacob Perez, and Ian Warren) all earning GPAs of 4.0 or higher, Coach Cox looks forward to continued success. STLHIGHSCHOOLSPORTS.COM “Being able to observe the leadership within our wrestling this year was truly special,” said Dr. Cox. “I was extremely proud of our team both on and off the mat.”

State Champion Colton King ’21

KEVIN JEFFRIES ’21 HENRY ANYIMADU ’23

Mission Week

THRIVING TRADITIONS

Mission Week raised awareness and $9380 for Bridge of Hope, The USO, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and MRC Recycling in mid-February, and students enjoyed the dress down days, playful competitions, and traditions like shinny hockey and the alumni vs. student basketball game. When a closed campus during fourth quarter prevented gatherings like pep rallies and house days, Student Council reached out to Spartan Country via email and social media with entertaining at-home DEBBIE HIGGINS workouts and trick-shot challenges.

ETHAN BECHER ’21 (From top) Crowds cheered throughout a winning basketball season. Jeremiah Walker ’21 shoots for three points. Nathan Wirth ’22 handles the puck. Matthew Schulze ’22 holds court.

one for the record books in more ways than one.”

When stay-at-home orders went into effect in March, spring athletes had just completed tryouts and barely begun their seasons. After weeks of waiting for a final decision, and following Governor Parson’s announcement regarding in-person school closures, athletic teams and fans received the news from the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) on April 9 that the 2020 spring sports season was off. Lacrosse team seniors took the disappointment to heart and encouraged teammates to stay in shape and focus on fundamentals, long distance runners joined Zoom calls before daily runs (and sometimes after for group cool-down sessions), and water polo players moved from the pool to virtual video workouts. Through it all, coaches strived to maintain camaraderie and connection.

MICHAEL CUTLER ’21

CARRIE BECHER CARRIE BECHER

(Above) Students enjoyed serving and playing together. (Center) Alumni returned for (and won) the annual basketball game. (At right) Mrs. Lang and the Admissions homeroom served a popular pancake breakfast.

DEBBIE HIGGINS

SIGNING DAY

Delayed one day because of inclement weather, Spartan Country celebrated National Signing Day on Thursday, February 6, congratulating 12 senior athletes who signed to play NCAA sports in the fall. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SPARTANS: (Front row, from left) Lavon Jones – Emporia State University – Football Luke Bauer – University of Missouri-Columbia – Football Lanell Carr – West Virginia University – Football Sam Winter – University of Dayton – Football Armon Wallace – Missouri State University – Football Alex Logusch – Indiana University – Baseball Jacob Lalumandier – St. Charles Community College – Baseball Nick Grewe – Bellarmine University – Soccer (Back row, from left) Jordan Johnson – University of Notre Dame – Football Michael Mullen – Jamestown Rebels – Hockey Edward Sowash – Jacksonville University – Rowing Justin Rothermich – Concordia University Irvine – Water Polo

DEBBIE HIGGINS