It's been over 40 years since a Louisiana high school distance runner has broken 9:00 in the 3200m, but Jesuit sophomore Brady Mullen ended the drought late Friday night by running a 8:59 at the RunningLane Track Championships in Huntsville, AL.
Bonnabel's John Ratcliffe was the last Louisiana high school distrance runner to break 9:00. Ratcliffe ran what converts to 8:53.9 in 1982. He was coached by former Louisiana Tech coach Gary Stanley.
The only Louisiana high school distance runner to run faster than Ratclifffe is Salmen's Bobby Beck. In 1979, Beck ran a two mile time which converts to 8:43.82 for 3200m.
"I saw some people huffing and puffing," Mullen said. "They started to slow down and I told myself to stay strong. I knew I could win this race."
Mullen was asked by MileSplit USA's Julio Ramirez what this does for his confidence.
"It definitely boost my confidence a lot," Mullen said. "Knowing not only for me, but my teammates, Coach (Cullen) Doody--his training. This team is looking up."
Mullen had some help from his team, led by three-time Class 5A 1600m state champion Michael Vocke, who was jumping up and down and running down the back stretch cheering Mullen on. Vocke was not alone. An animated Cullen Doody was getting into the act as well.
"I was thinking that (breaking 9:00) the whole day," Mullen said. "For the past two months I've been pushing myself every day. 9:00 was the goal."