News Post

The St. Joseph’s Academy swim team finished as runner up in the 2024 LHSAA Division I Swim Meet. The team scored 354.5 points to finish behind Dominican, with 411.5 points. Rounding out the top five were Mount Carmel Academy (222), Northshore (192) and Mandeville High School (184). SJA had won the previous 13 state championships. 

The state meet was held November 22 and 23 at the SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur. 

First-year coach Jimmy Roberts said his team had 29 strong swims in the finals. “We had a lot of good, competitive races in individual events and great relays, placing second, second and third,” he said. “Our swimmers learned a lot from the state meet experience and will be ready to fight for the title next season.”

The top three finishers in each event are as follows.

200 Medley Relay: Lyla Roper, Molly Mayo, Riley Roedel and Audrey Lemoine, 2nd place, 1:49.20

200 Freestyle: Lyla Roper, 2nd place, 1:53.68

200 Individual Medley: Molly Mayo, 3rd place, 2:10.07

100 Butterfly: Riley Roedel, 3rd place, 58.13

500 Freestyle: Mary Claire Roberts, 3rd place, 5:20.12

200 Freestyle Relay: Audrey Lemoine, Riley Roedel, Caroline Roberts and Kearra Grisby, 3rd place, 1:41.98

100 Backstroke: Lyla Roper, 3rd place, 58.35

400 Freestyle Relay: Lyla Roper, Caroline Roberts, Molly Mayo and Mary Claire Roberts, 2nd place, 3:38.64 

Caroline Roberts, a senior, said the team battled until the end. “As captain, I am extremely proud of everyone and all the hard work that we put in this season,” she said. 

Mary Claire Roberts, a sophomore, said the team embraced the challenge of extending the 13-year state championship winning streak. “Everyone stepped up, whether they were a freshman who had never swam at state before or seniors putting in more work than ever,” she said. “Even finishing second overall, I believe our team won in many other ways. The team spirit was with us every single meet, and the support for each other was incredible. There were definitely lots of nerves at state but much more excitement. The season was an overall success in my opinion and definitely an opportunity to learn how we can improve next year. The season may have ended, but the work for next year starts now.”

At the conclusion of the meet, as the Dominican swimmers came forward for the championship trophy presentation, the SJA team formed an honor “tunnel” through which their competitors walked. Faculty moderator Nan Murtagh said it was a touching display of true sportsmanship. “It was an incredible sight to see,” she said. “This team is the definition of grace and positive attitudes.”

Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director