38 | FALL/WINTER 2015
Unselfishness Rules as Jays Finish Second in State When it comes to Jesuit swimming, it’s all about the team. It’s been that way ever since the first Blue Jay swim team suited up some 64 years ago. The sum of the individual contributions of each Blue Jay swimmer has made Jesuit’s swimming program remarkably successful, as evidenced by 37 state championship trophies and 18 second place finishes.
Led by senior co-captains Cade Fuxan and Evan Dudenhefer, the 2015 squad went undefeated in dual meets before rolling to another District 9-5A championship. In fact, Jesuit has never lost a District 9-5A championship meet. The team also captured another Metro title, something the Blue Jays have accomplished each season since 1987. One of the reasons for the high level of success of Jesuit’s swimming program can be attributed to the 40-plus team members who understand that there is no room in the pool for egos. Each Blue Jay swimmer selflessly strives to turn in a performance that mirrors his absolute best effort. Blue Jay swimmers work hard to win as a team; they also work hard
The 2015 season was highlighted by a selfless act between two competitive seniors. Jackson Scott and Evan Dudenhefer swim the 500-yard freestyle, a grueling 20-lap race. Dudenhefer has been swimming this particular event for many years, but Scott is a newcomer to the exhausting race. One of the hardest working swimmers on the team, Dudenhefer had been struggling throughout the season, unable to get back to his times from last year. As a result, he did not qualify to swim at the state meet in what has been his best event. Meanwhile, Scott was having a good season and
had already qualified for the lengthy race. At the Metro meet, Scott approached Bret Hanemann ’85, who is in his 20th year as head coach of Jesuit swimming. “Jackson asked me if Evan was listed as an alternate in the 500 free,” recalled Hanemann, who confirmed that, indeed, Dudenhefer was listed as an alternate. “Jackson then asked me if he could give up his spot in the race to Evan so that Evan could swim and achieve the state qualifying time. “I was taken aback as this has never happened before,” Hanemann continued. “When I asked Jackson why he was doing this, he said Evan was his teammate and he knew that given the chance, Evan will post the time he needs to qualify for
the event at the state meet. Finally, Jackson said that Evan needs to go to state as a swimmer and not as a spectator.” Coach Hanemann agreed to make the switch. Another Blue Jay swimmer, junior Seth Gunnels, swam in the lane adjacent to Dudenhefer. “The boys paced off of one another during the race,” said Hanemann. “The entire team was behind one of their leaders and cheering him on behind the blocks. Anyone who was there experienced Blue Jay Spirit in action. Stories like that make it all worthwhile.” Review the Blue Jays’ 2015 swimming season at jesuitnola.org/swimming.
Photo by Rick Hickman
FLYING WITH THE JAYS
The Blue Jays were runnersup for the past three seasons, including the 2015 LHSAA state meet, which was held Nov. 20-21 at the SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur.
to lose with dignity and class. Everything is, for, and about the team.
Freshman Davis Edwards swims the 200 IM in the 2015 LHSAA state championship finals.