2025 Catholic Schools Week Supplement
‘We’ll have those memories forever’: Catholic teams savor state championships
Members of the football team of Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville raise Indiana’s Class 1A state championship trophy in joy after completing a perfect 14-0 season when they defeated the team from North Judson High School 35-20 on Nov. 30. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
In any given year, sports teams and individuals of Catholic high schools in the archdiocese always compete in—and often win—state championships.
That reality has once again been true during this school year.
The boys’ tennis team of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis started the state championship success by defeating the team from Center Grove High School in the finals. With the teams tied at 2-2 after the first four matches, the state championship came down to the nail-biting fifth match. The final two points played out in volleys that lasted beyond 20 times before Brebeuf secured the state championship on Oct. 19.
On Nov. 9, the girls’ volleyball team of Roncalli High School in Indianapolis won Indiana’s Class 3A state championship, completing its season with a perfect 35-0 record. In the team’s 3-0 victory over the team from Angola High School, the Royals added to their astonishing total of winning 97 sets and losing just five sets during their season-long march to being crowned state champs.
The football team of Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville also completed a perfect season—14 wins without a loss—when it defeated the team from North Judson High School 35-20 on Nov. 30 in Indiana’s Class 1A state championship game.
The head coaches of each of these state champions exuded emotion as they reflected on their team’s memorable seasons.
In talking about his Brebeuf Jesuit players, boys’ head tennis coach Brandon Gill said, “I told them that nothing was given to them, they earned everything this season, and they showed a resiliency and mental toughness to come through in the big moments.”
Roncalli’s achievement in girls’ volleyball meant everything to head coach Chrsitina Erazmus, a 2001 graduate of the school who played on the school’s volleyball team during her four years there.
“It was just special being able to go around and hug each of my players, just embracing them and thanking them for their commitment to our program,” Erazmus said. “Roncalli is just such a wonderful community. I love this community, and it means so much to me that I was able to guide the girls on this team to a state championship.”
As the head coach of Providence’s football team, Daniel McDonald had similar praise for his school community. He also shared a special salute to the eight seniors on the team.
“They’re high-character individuals,” McDonald said. “They’re the kind of kids you know they’re going to be successful in life no matter what they do. They’re going to be great husbands. They’re going to be great fathers. And that’s really what I want our kids to take away from our program.”
The girls’ soccer team of Our Lady of Providence also had a remarkable season, making it to Indiana’s Class 1A state championship game, finishing as runner-up.
While talking about Brebeuf’s championship in boys’ tennis, Gill shared a thought that could connect with all the teams and athletes of Catholic high schools across the archdiocese.
“As time goes on, it’s always going to be something that we can look back on, and we’ll have those memories forever.” †
