BRADY MULLEN CATCHES HIS BREATH ON TOP OF THE PODIUM AFTER HIS RECORD-BREAKING 3200m.
"Shocking."
That is how Jesuit distance coach Cullen Doody described Brady Mullen's time in winning the 3200m at the 2024 LHSAA Class 5A State Outdoor Championships. Mullen, running all alone, won with a time of 8:48, 20 seconds faster than Robby Leblanc's state meet composite record of 9:06.
A 28-year old record...demolished.
"When he went out in the first lap and a ran a 63 I knew he wasn't playing around," Doody said. "I don't think people understand the heat and the humidity and how it impacts distance runners and their time. Yeah, I was shocked."
"I know he wanted me to take it from the jump," Mullen said of the race plan he discussed with his coach. "I think he wanted me to break the state record. I don't think he thought I would go that far under it. I didn't either."
During the race, Mullen tried to avoid looking at huge LSU scoreboard with the running clock so that he could stay locked in. However, he could hear the public address announcer.
"I was relying on his voice," Mullen said. "That was definitely motivating. I knew it was going to be hot today. I didn't think I was going to be able to keep that pace. I felt good. I heard 4:23 first mile, I was like 'Oh man, I feel good.' It felt like a normal race it didn't feel like it was 85 degrees or anything. I just kept going. The crowd was amazing at the end."
Hearing the roar of the Bernie Moore Stadium crowd as he kicked down the home stretch is a moment that Mullen will never forget. And a moment that many who witnessed it will never forget.
"That was up there in the top three moments in my life," Mullen said. "That crowd, the whole crowd cheering for me even if they were from a rival school, they wanted to run fast."
Mullen will now turn his attention to RunningLane where he will run the 1600m in three weeks.
Making the moment even more special for Mullen was the fact that he was able to share the podium with Jesuit teammate sophomore Brady Monahan, who finished as the runner-up with a time of 9:21. 93. Brother Martin's Eyhan Calico was third with a 9:22.59.