JERRY BYRD INTERVIEWS TYLER BLISSETT AT THE "HOSS" GARRETT RELAYS IN RUSTON
MileSplit LA: How did you begin working with MileSplit LA?
Jerry: I saw a Facebook post advertising the position in January of 2022, and I applied. I started on February 1, 2022, and covered my first indoor meet a few days later.
MileSplit LA: What do you love most about XC/Track and Field?
Jerry: I love the mental toughness of the athletes. There is nowhere to hide on the track. Athletes toe the line and--if they are going to run their personal best--it is usually going to require them to push themselves to a level they have never reached before. This is especially true in the 400m and on up. I love many things about the sport, but this is one of the things I love the most.
MileSplit LA: Who are some the most impressive athletes you've seen while covering the sport for MileSplit LA?
Jerry: First, the most impressive thing to me is how respectful and genuine...and appreciative ALL of the athletes are. That is first and foremost what impresses me the most about LA T&F and XC athletes and coaches.
It's hard to single out one performance. There have been so many. My first outdoor season, Louisiana had two of the best triple jumpers in the nation--Ruston's Brandon Green and Ouachita's Jeremy Nelson. They competed in the same district (2-5A). It was a blessing to cover those two young men in their final season of high school competition.
In my first XC season with MileSplit, Jesuit pulls a perfect score in the LHSAA Division I State Meet. Not only that...their No. 6 and No. 7 runners were in the top ten! That's never been done in the modern era of the cross country in the LHSAA. So, that was very special to witness and cover.
The 2023 indoor season belonged to Zachary's Rhen Langley. I will never forget the roar of those Carl Maddox Fieldhouse crowds as he broke both the 1600m and 3200m composite records at different indoor meets.
Last, but certainly not least--Scotlandville's Makeriah Harris. Just when you think you have seen her do it all, she has yet another spectacular performance. She never ceases to amaze me.
If I'm forced to single out one performance, it would be Byrd's Trent Wells win over defending 3200m champion Jack DesRoches in the 3200m at the 2022 LHSAA Class 5A State Outdoor Meet. During the heat of the day, Wells had run in the 1600m and finished third.
He doubles back and PRs by over 20 seconds in the 3200m to win his first state championship in his last HS race on Louisiana soil. Just an incredible performance, and great moment for that young man.
What makes it even more special for me is the fact that I was blessed enough to work as a school leader on the school campus with Trent from his sixth grade year at Youree Drive Middle School to his senior year at Byrd High School.
MileSplit LA: What is the most gratifying thing about working with the MileSplit LA Content Team?
Jerry: I love spotlighting high school track and field athletes. For starters, it's a way for me to continue my father's legacy. He was a legendary sports writer for over fifty years and the best to ever cover the sport. Secondly, the high school track and field athletes and coaches I cover are not only great at what they do. They are great people. And finally, both athletes and coaches are so appreciative for the work we do.
MileSplit LA: Even the media has to overcome some obstacles, is there a meet you remember where you had to overcome some obstacles?
Jerry: The meet which sticks out in my mind is the 2022 LHSAA State Cross Country Championship. It was cold and rainy. I was very proud of the way our team hung in there in those adverse conditions.
MileSplit LA: Have you been involved with track and field as an athlete, coach, or parent? Describe your experience in those roles.
Jerry: I have been an athlete, coach, and a parent. My dad introduced me to the shot put when I was 9-years old. I knew what to do with it because I would tag along with him when he would cover meets, watching my favorite shot putter-- Airline's Arnold Campbell, the shot putter by far in Louisiana history.
I started my track and field coaching career at Byrd High School in 1997 and loved every minute of it. The last meet I coached was the 2014 LHSAA State Outdoor Meet. I was the head coach at North Caddo. Two athletes qualified for the meet and both won state championships. Lagarion Taylor won the long jump and Olandis Johnson was the 800m. It was extra special to have my daughter, who was in the fourth grade at the time, hanging out with dad that weekend.
While I loved my time as an athlete and coach, my favorite role--and most nerve wracking--was a parent. My daughter, Caitlin Byrd, competed in age group track and field from a young age. Her favorite event was the javelin. She had a best of 115-5 during her junior year at Byrd High School, and is the No. 2 all-time in school history. While there was one female javelin thrower who threw it farther, there was nobody who worked as hard at her craft as she did.
One of many favorite memories during her career is watching her compete under the Texas Friday night lights at Clyde Littlefield Stadium in the historic Texas Relays.
MileSplit LA: As the MileSplit LA Content Team gets ready for another school year of coverage, what are you looking forward to the most?
Jerry: "Pushing the envelope"..if you have ever watched the movie The Right Stuff...you understand this expression. Keep growing. Keep going. Keep creating content consumers crave.
MileSplit LA: Who are some of the people behind the scenes who help you do what you do for MileSplit LA?
Jerry: My Wife. She is incredible. I couldn't do what I do without her help. She takes up the slack around the house when I am off covering a meet.
A perfect example of this is last month when a massive storm came through Shreveport while I was in Hammond covering the AAU Region 11 Qualifier.
The storm knocked the power out across the entire city. Because everyone was using gas for generators, there was a gasoline shortage. When I was able to talk to her (she drove around to find gas and charge her phone) I asked her if I needed to come home. "No," she said. "We got this."
I would be remiss if I didn't mention a few members of the MileSplit Family, who have been tremendously helpful...and patient...with me-- Jason Creasy, Will Grundy, and Nancy Pierce. There has been much to learn, and they have been patient in showing me the MileSplit "ropes."
Another person I want to thank at MileSplit is Alonso Rodriguez, who hired me. I cannot thank him enough for this opportunity.
Last, but not least, I want to thank all of the MileSplit LA Content Team. Proud to work with so many content creators who share the same passion for the sport of track and field and cross country.