Sion Cavana might be training to become an Air Force officer if his original plans were still in place.
Instead, the 24-year-old former Catholic High and St. Louis University swimmer is juggling a sales career and his first year as swim coach for his alma mater.
"I had to think about it and make sure I could handle it, both time-wise and commitment-wise," Cavana said. "It's a good opportunity to give back to my alma mater.
"Some of my fondest memories in swimming are from Catholic High. It was great swimming and training at Crawfish Aquatic, but the most exciting races were the ones I got to swim for my school."
The Bears have won LHSAA Division I titles two of the past four years and have nine state titles overall. Cavana and his team took a step toward the postseason by co-hosting an invitational meet with St. Joseph's Academy on Saturday.
Both Baton rouge teams won their divisions. Just as Cavana says there is more work ahead, there is more to his story that now includes the unexpected death of his father, former LSU swim coach Jeff Cavana, last month.
"I'm third-generation coach, if you want to go back that far, with my grandma. She started and coached her swim team, Cockermouth Swim Club in Cockermouth, England, and had quite a few great swimmers," Cavana said. "Both my parents coached.
"There are three of us (children). Our parents always let us pick sports we wanted to compete in. I was the only one who followed in their footsteps."
Because his father stepped away from coaching when he was toddler, Cavana has no memories of his father coaching. His mother, Helen, is a longtime coach at Crawfish Aquatics.
Seeing his mother coach and stories he heard from Jeff Cavana's former swimmers at the memorial service are among the tools he carries with him each day.
Work is nothing new for Cavana. He originally was set to attend the Air Force Academy but ended up at St. Louis University. Cavana returned home during the pandemic and took a warehouse job that eventually led to his current sales position. He also helped coach at Crawfish Aquatics and with local country club teams.
"Sion was on our radar for a couple of years," said former Catholic coach Doug Logsdon, now a school administrator. "We asked him about coaching a couple of years ago. He didn't feel comfortable juggling the job and coaching then. This time he was ready.
"Having someone who is an alum as the coach is invaluable. He understands the school and the culture the program has had. He's doing a fabulous job."
And the job continues. Cavana stresses the little things -- like not breathing on the final straightaway, doing an extra dolphin kick under water and finishing on a full stroke instead of gliding into a wall.
"We have kids in each class, freshmen through seniors, who are very strong. And their leadership is very strong," Cavana said. "We voted for captains and had 11 people get votes. They all contribute.
"Seniors and juniors get everyone ready. If they're not swimming, warming up or warming down ... they with the rest of the team getting loud for their teammates. That's what you want."
Thoughts about his father provide motivation, too.
"He passed shortly before our first meet and I know he would want me to get back out there and do what I love," Cavana said. "He always looked for best in people.
"Whether it was the star swimmer or a walk-on, he wanted to bring out the best in them. That's a great example."