12 years after that fateful night in Baton Rouge … The Meet Under
The Lights has come alive once again with the opportunity for high
school, collegiate, and post collegiate athletes to once again have the
opportunity to toe the line together.
The Meet's History:
The Louisiana High School system breaks our runners into classifications based on the size of the each individual schools. Unfortunately, this separation has the tendency to break competition into groups culminating in exciting, and perhaps, even epic races from taking part.
In May 2001, a group of runners from St. Paul’s and Episcopal, the two top ranked distance schools in the state at the time, got together as a result of being deeply unsatisfied with their state meets and the conclusions of their high school career. Having to run solo in their smaller, but respective, 2A & 4A races, their times suffered. After conversing about the various issues, they begged the question, “What’s preventing us from racing each other now that our seasons are over?”
Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge, mid-distance runners including;
Patrick Gavin (St. Paul’s), Garrett Smith (Episcopal), Greg Fell
(Episcopal), Steve Geiser (Episcopal at the time attending
University of Georgia), as well as Walker’s, Cassidy
Johnson, and Andrew "Wolfman” Huston (Episcopal),
self made conditions (rabbits and competition to bump elbows).
As they toed the line that May night, there was a feeling of
easiness, as jokes and laughter were momentarily exchanged,
a prelude to Coach Duplechin’s, “Set… Go.” Although this meet sat as an unofficial race,
The runners rounded the track under the dimly lit lights of
Episcopal unaware of their actual speed. The runner
awaited satisfaction because the runners set new PR’s with the help of rabbits
Steve Geiser (mile) & Will Silk (800).
This year's events are for the social or the serious runner, including; the open 3,000 meter run, open 1 mile, invitational 1 mile, 3 legged 400, speed walk 400, and a 4x400 meter relay (costume optional).
All preregistered entrants will receive a T-shirt and prizes will also be awarded to each event's overall winners, as well as the best costumes in the 4x400 relay. Finally, specially designed singlets will be given to the high school invitational mile runners in a North Louisiana vs South Louisiana race. The winner of the team competition will receive bragging rights, and a team trophy, to be housed in the winner's portion of the state. The North's trophy (if winning) will be housed in "Fit Right Active," and the South (if winning) will stay at Louisiana Running Company until the next meeting.
2012 Meet Under the Lights Recap (Reuben 4:12 / World Record 3 legged 400 ):
Videos:
2011 Meet Under the Lights Recap (Jude Burst - World Record / Alan Sticker 4:12 Mile)Video:
Jude Burst, a third grade honor student at St. Paul’s Episcopal in New Orleans, shattered a 30-year-old world record in the nine-year-old age group for 3000 meters. The previous record at 10:36 was set in 1980 by Coley Candaele of California. Jude’s time, sanctioned by USA Track & Field was 10:20:16, shattered the record by almost 16 seconds. This record adds to a growing list of accolades as young Jude continues to leave his mark on the record books.
2010 Meet Under the Lights Recap (Whisnant 5:02 / Mendrek-Laske 4:16)
Videos from 2010:
2008 Meet Under the Lights Recap (Vincent Rono 357 Mile!)
As the sun slowly set , runner’s from multiple towns across Louisiana , as well as the generations began trickling into Covington, Louisiana for the 4th running of The Meet Under the Lights. Despite previous years of having to kick up dust as one rounded the cinders, cinders which dated all the way back to the 20‘s when the track was built, St. Paul’s would now boast of a newly renovated 8 Lane mondo surface, putting it in a category with only a handful of tracks in the nation.
Runner’s lined up this humid evening, which was now fading into night, to kick things off with the first race this new track had seen, the start of the boys and girls combined 3200 meters. Like previous years, conversations and smiles were exchanged moments before the start, being silenced only by the gun. With the introductory pop, the runners rounded the first turn, and to everyone’s surprise, five footed nothing Malia Cali of St. Thomas came rocketing through leading a contingent of boys, being timed at seventy seconds through the first quarter. Most of the boys she led had claimed state titles in the past, yet un-intimidated by these boys, the titles they owned, or the pace in which they now set, stayed with them all the way to the mile (5:03) before slightly falling off to finish in 10:39, citing later a stitch to be the culprit.
In the boy’s 3200 race Louisiana Tech’s Nathan Davis cruised in for the victory with a time 9:50, while second place’s Brian Lozes, a recent St. Paul’s graduate bound for Tulane in the fall, crossed the finish line in 10 minutes 16 seconds, a PR by over 30 seconds.
Following the 3200, runners made their way to the end of the straight to take part in the distance runner’s 100 meter dash. This was highlighted by the superb speed of Sean Swanner, who beat fellow runners from the stance (lacking blocks), to edge a late charge by SLU’s Kyle Golden, even putting his arms up in celebration from the overwhelming joy of gaining the title and becoming the stadium’s new record holder with a time of 12.33 seconds. This amazing victory came only minutes after his double in 2 mile where he unselfishly rabbited runners with Mr. Chautin before dropping out meters before the finish line.
Tension was beginning to build as the slower heat of the mile made its way to the track. Hand picking a few runner’s to run with our invitational runners, I approached the runners now on the track to see if any of them would also like to try their luck in the “fast” heat. Having quite the lighter complexion, but not so much of a lighter build, I sensed a little bit of an intimidation as the runners in front of me all graciously declined my request. The first heat of the mile, saw St. Thomas Aquinas’ Randy Willis win in 4:50.
Dead silence. All Eyes to the track. Six runners lined up 10 meters back from the start. While the meet announcer, Steve Schoenwald who is that all too familiar voice from the Mobile Meet of Champions announced the field. Introducing the names of the runners as each jogged forward to the line. “In lane six, hailing from Fountainebleau High School, the 3rd place finisher in the mile from the Class 5A State Championships, with a PR of 4:19 ….. JEFF SANDERS! In lane 5 hailing from Jesuit High School in New Orleans with a PR of 4:22, and the 4th place finisher in the 5A state mile…… KEVIN FITZGERALD! In Lane 4 from Baton Rouge Louisiana, with a PR of 3:49 for 1500 meters, and a participant from the first Meet Under the Lights…… ANDREW HUSTON! Lane 3 – Hailing from Uganda, now training at the University of South Alabama where he garnished a 4th place finish in the 2006 NCAA 5000 meters…… TONNY OKELLO! In Lane 2 the 2006 NCAA Champion at 1500 meters, qualified for the Kenyan Olympic Trials in the event, with a PR of 3:59 for the mile VINCENT RONO!!!!!”
As the runner’s took their respective places on the line the spectators pushed their way to the fences and the infield to get as close a view as possible – with growing anticipation and excitement of the barrier they hoped would go down in minutes. Many this night had traveled great distances to witness what they hoped would be their first ever sub 4 minute mile. Very few of these times had ever been run on Louisiana soil, making tonight’s event a bit of a special occurrence.
Bang!, the small field of runners bolted from the start, being led by SLU’s Kelphys Kemboi, who tonight was playing rabbit duties for fellow friends Rono and Okello. Going around the first turn heading into the back straight, it was Kelphys, Rono, Okello, Wolf, Sanders, and FitzGerald clumping together in a short lived pack. They approached the quarter mark with the crowd enthusiastically clapping as they whipped through in 57 seconds. There was a real excitement building as the African group broke from the rest of the field in the next lap and continued to hammer the pace clocking 1:58 through the half mile. Steve Schoenwald then began to point out over the PA about how they had a good one going but was barely heard as the crowd was now completely absorbed in the race as if they too were running it.. The crowd was all on their feet as Vincent came around in the bell lap to hit 2:59. From my point of view, high in the bleachers, I began to see signs of fatigue as Vincent hit the back straight – 300 to go looking as if he was finally starting to feel the weight that he realized he was now moving. A momentary doubt crept into my head that he might just miss the mark – however, this doubt was immediately put to rest when his buddy Kelphys came running to his side in the infield. At this point, Vincent came alive from his momentary nap, and found a gear which was just breath taking to witness. He began moving with 200, and by 100 resembled that of a sprinter with arms flying high completely ripping through the final meters with his eyes focused on the clock. The populace was all on their feet crowding the line: screaming and leaning to behold the clock as it ticked 3:55, 3:56…3:57!!!!
He had done it!!!… Crushing the mark all had come to see … and running the second fastest mile recorded on Louisiana soil – second only to Dave Whottles 3:56 (1970’s).
Overwhelmed by his new PR Vincent was all smiles as he took a 19 meter victory lap to the crowd’s delight.
The Meet under the Lights was concluded with Kyle Golden’s opening leg on the 4×800 being timed at 1:59, a PR, and season best by 6 seconds. New Orleans runner’s of Sarah Harelson and Kristin Bernick participating in the DMR, 4 x800, and 4 x400 thanking me for letting “Old People” compete on the track once again, and team Marvel taking honors in the 4 x400 outdistancing Team Felipe, Team SPS HAS BEENS, Sanford and Sons, and a team lead by Sean Swanner and Richie Chautin.
2001 Meet Under the Lights: