Mayor Buckhorn honors State Champs

Earlier this month, the Jesuit High School swimming team captured the first swimming State Championship by a Hillsborough County school in 71 years.

Among those who noticed the historic accomplishment: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

Tuesday (Nov. 28) after school, the Mayor welcomed the 32 team members and four coaches into his conference room at City Hall, congratulated them, and presented each with a certificate of recognition.

"You guys have been a bright light in what has been a difficult couple of weeks for the city," Buckhorn said. "Congratulations, and once again, Jesuit rises to the occasion, right? We’re proud of you guys.

"Continue to make us proud. Continue to be 'Men for Others.'"

Later, the Mayor brought them all back into his office, where he showed off some of his Mayoral memorabilia and spoke about public service and continuing to strive for excellence. He shared a few of his favorite mottos, among them one kept on his desk, "The only easy day was yesterday," and one hung on the wall, "The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital." 

In winning the Class 2A title, Jesuit became the first county school since Hillsborough High in 1946 to win a swimming State Championship. The Tigers had been building toward this moment for years under head coach Bill Shaffer, winning 21 straight District titles, 9 straight Region crowns, finishing as State runner-up in 2014 and 2015, and claiming several individual State Championships, including another this year by junior Brendan Driscoll in the 500 freestyle.

Swimming is the 7th Jesuit sport to capture an FHSAA State Championship, which is believed to be a record for boys sports programs in the county. It is the school’s 20th State Championship overall (soccer 6, baseball 4, cross country 4, basketball 3, football 1, and track & field 1).

Please view the photo slideshow below from the celebration with Mayor Buckhorn on Nov. 28. Below that is the full team roster.