Salmen senior swimmer Cassie Cloutet has signed a letter of intent to attend Centenary College in Shreveport for next school year on a swimming and academic scholarship.

Cloutet, who has been swimming since she was three-years old and does it year round, said familiarity with the coach and a squad that has a good work ethic factored into the decision.

“I’ve known the coach for almost my whole life,” Cloutet said. “I want to be part of a team that works really hard.”

Salmen'€™s Cassie Cloutet recently signed a letter of intent to attend Centenary College. She is seated and flanked by her parents Bill and Midge. Standing in the second row, from left, are: Slidell Hurricanes'€™ coach Ed Kelly, Salmen coach Jean Pittman and Salmen athletic director Mike Leland. (Staff Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

She added that she liked the size of the campus.

“I went over and visited. It’s very comfortable. It’s like 900 students,” she said. “I like the small atmosphere.”

Cloutet, who plans on going into physical therapy or something along those lines, is at the top of the senior class right now with a 4.5 grade point average. Cloutet serves as the Student Body President and the Beta Club President. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America.

At Salmen, she was named to the all-district team every year. She was also a state champion in the 200-freestyle and the 200 individual medley her sophomore season.

Cloutet currently holds Salmen records in the 200-yard freestyle (1:58.88), 200 individual medley (2:14.93) and 500 free (5:33.49). She was also part of the relay teams that set records, including the 200-yard free (1:56.65), 200 medley (2:12.36) and the 400 free (4:26.20).

She said she enjoyed her experience of swimming in high school.

“It was a lot of fun because it was a lot more laid back, whereas USA swimming is really competitive,” Cloutet said.

Cloutet also competes with the Hurricanes Swim Club out of Slidell. She has been in the top three for state every year for the last five years.

Hurricanes’ coach Ed Kelly said Centenary is getting a good swimmer.

“She’s been one of the best,” Kelly said. “Cassie’s a very energetic kid, a good leader, she has a lot of talent and the best is yet to come.”

Kelly added that college will only help Cloutet further her skills because of how good her attitude is.

Cloutet said Kelly has taught her a lot.

“I’ve learned pretty much all my life lessons, discipline, determination and how to (swim) through pain,” Cloutet said.

Salmen coach Jean Pittman said Cloutet and teammate Emilee Margiotta, who signed a letter of intent with the University of Tampa, are two great athletes, who helped lead the Lady Spartans.

“They’re determined,” Pittman said. “They don’t have a big head. They are competitive. It’s awesome when you have two people like that pushing the team. It brings up the whole team when you have two people on your team working together. Even though sometimes they swim the same event, they wish each other good luck. When it comes down and the whistle goes off, they’re going to compete. They know they help each other out.”

Cassie is the daughter of Bill and Midge Cloutet of Slidell.