Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Blue Jay Cross Country Team Takes 3rd Place in 5A State Championship

Posted November 19, 2013 / Last updated November 21, 2013

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Members of the 2013-2014 Cross Country team in Natchitoches after the LHSAA State Championship Meet 2013-2014The 2013

Members of the 2013-2014 Cross Country team in Natchitoches after the LHSAA State Championship Meet

For the second consecutive year, the Blue Jay Cross Country team placed third in the LHSAA State Championship meet, held Nov. 18-19 at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

Junior Matthews Vargas led the Jays with a 16:28 finish, which nabbed him 18th place overall. Junior Michael Schwing’s 16:30 performance secured him 20th place overall. In addition, three Blue Jays were named to the Cross Country All Academic Team — seniors Patrick Ryan, Liam Fitzgerald, and Sean Stephens.

The Blue Jays third place finish put them behind St. Paul’s School and Catholic High School (Baton Rouge) and ahead of cross-town rivals Archbishop Shaw and Brother Martin. The finish also closes out a strong Cross Country season, with the Jays securing metro and district titles.

Catch up on the 2013 Cross Country season.

Team Results:
Name
Grade
Place (Overall)
Time
Matthews Vargas Junior 18 16:28
Michael Schwing Junior 20 16:30
Jonathan Blanchard Senior 27 16:48
Patrick LaCour Junior 28 16:49
Liam Fitzgerald Senior 46 17:07
Johnny LaForge Sophomore 50 17:14
Ben D’Antonio Junior 77 17:33

Galleries

Cross Country State Championship, Nov. 19, 2013

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    Jonathan Blanchard.
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    Michael Schwing starts to make a move.
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    Patrick LaCour does his best to hang with the pace setters.
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    Senior Liam Fitzgerald gives it everything he has in his last race for the Jays.
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    Jonathan Blanchard continues to battle.
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    Two runners from St. Paul's, a senior and a freshman, are the first to enter the stadium.
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    Matthews Vargas, sandwiched between two runners, is the first Blue Jay to hear the roar of the stadium crowd.
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    Michael Schwing eyes the finish line followed closely by...
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    ...Patrick LaCour and...
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    Matthews Vargas is the first to hit the pampas grass turn.
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    With his father Tom Fitzgerald urging him on, Liam Fitzgerald fights for the finish.
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    Johnny LaForge makes his first state championship run a memorable one.
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    Ben D'Antonio, who also wrestles for the Jays, gives it everything he can, knowing that the end is near.
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    The first and second place medals are awarded to runners from the winning team, St. Paul's. A Hahnville runner takes third place in the individual competition.
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    After the race, three Blue Jays are named to the LHSAA cross country all-academic team: seniors Sean Stephens, Patrick Ryan, and Liam Fitzgerald
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    Alumnus Billy Fitzpatrick '76, who assisted with photography of the event, calls his son Neal Fitzpatrick '13 at St. Louis University where he runs college cross country and track to let him know that Jesuit placed four runners in the top 30. Neal Fitzpatrick took home the individual state title in last year's event.
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    Members of the 2013 Blue Jay cross country team leave Natchitoches proud of their third place finish and a season that included metro and district championships.
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    Before the race, head coach Rudy Horvath '86 and assistant coach Taylor Bacques '09 relax with their runners.
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    Jonathan Blanchard does his best to remain in the hunt.
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    Matthews Vargas (1505) and Michael Schwing (left) run together.
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    It doesn't take long for the leaders, including a couple of Wolves from heavily-favored St. Paul's to break away from the pack.
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    Senior Christopher Wilson is among a handful of team members positioned throughout the course to offer encouragement.
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    Senior Jonathan Blanchard rebounds well after missing the district meet in City Park.
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    Matthews Vargas, who ran well in last year's state championship race, does his best to do the same in 2013.
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    Sophomore Johnny LaForge and junior Ben D'Antonio (just behind him) help set an early pace.
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    Juniors Michael Schwing and Patrick LaCour break with the lead runners.
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    And they're off!
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    Blue Jay runners focus on the three-mile course.
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    Junior Matthews Vargas shares a lighter moment with coach Rudy Horvath.
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    John LaForge encourages his son Johnny (right) as teammate Michael Schwing gets "tuned" up.
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    A family friend shows her support.
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    Greg and Yvette LaCour are among a handful of parents who made the trip to Natchitoches to cheer on the Jays.
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    In cool temperatures and low humidity (perfect running conditions), the Jesuit banner flies high into the sunny sky.