2024 Catholic Schools Week Supplement
Catholic high schools continue their success in sports
Cameron Todd of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis surges toward victory in Indiana’s cross country state championship meet for boys in Terre Haute on Oct. 28. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
In any given year, sports teams and individuals of Catholic high schools in the archdiocese always compete—and often win—state championships.
That reality has once again been true this school year.
Cameron Todd of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis started the state championship success by winning Indiana’s cross country state championship for boys on Oct. 28 in Terre Haute. His winning time of 14 minutes, 55.5 seconds on the 5-kilometer course was the seventh-fastest time in the history of the state meet.
The girls’ volleyball team of Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville earned Indiana’s Class 3A state championship on Nov. 4, beating the previously top-ranked team of Bellmont High School. The state championship was the second in a row for Providence’s volleyball program and the fifth one in the past 11 seasons under the leadership of head coach Terri Purichia.
The football team of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis also won Indiana’s Class 3A state championship, defeating the team from Heritage Hills High School on Nov. 25. It was also the second in a row for the Trojans and the fourth in the past five years under the leadership of head coach Rob Doyle.
Both coaches saluted the influence of their seniors.
“They’re such a committed group and their dedication just has shown in so many ways,” Purichia said about her 10 seniors. “They’re also really good students. All 10 of them are Academic All-State. They’re leaders of the school and leaders in the classroom. They’re just great, great people who have done so many awesome things for our program.”
Doyle had similar praise for the Bishop Chatard seniors who led the team to a perfect 15-0 record.
Describing the seniors as smart and hardworking, Doyle added, “Our seniors were willing to help the younger guys and bring them along. I think it’s really important when your best players are generous to those who are younger than them. When you can bring someone else along with you and help them out, it makes for a pretty full life.”
Other teams and individuals from Catholic schools in the archdiocese also had notable sports seasons.
In girls’ cross country, Julia Score of Bishop Chatard finished third in the state championship meet.
In football, Providence’s team went undefeated during its regular season.
In soccer, the boys’ team of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis made it to the championship game of the state’s Class 3A tournament, finishing as runners-up.
The Cathedral girls’ soccer team was among the final four teams in the state’s Class 3A championship. And the boys’ soccer team of Brebeuf Jesuit made it to the final four of the state’s Class 2A tournament.
In girls’ volleyball, the team of Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis was among the final four teams in the state’s Class 2A tournament while the team from Roncalli High School in Indianapolis also achieved that distinction in the state’s Class 4A tournament. †
