HANNAH BOULLION AND KENNEDI BURKS WERE ALL SMILES ON THE CLASSIC 400m PODIUM!
There must be something in the water in Calcasieu Parish! And while college recruiters may not be able to identify the parish on a Louisiana map, they will soon be making trips to the parish seat--Lake Charles--to put an eye on Barbe's Kennedi Burks and St. Louis High's Hannah Boullion.
The two went No. 1 and No. 2 in the 400m on Saturday at the LSU High School Classic. Burks won with a time of 58.54. Bouillon was second with a 58.63.
"It feels good to have people like me from the same area," Burks said. "It's competitive, but it's cool."
"I really think that me and Kennedi are going to do really good this year..together," Boullion said.
It was no surprise for those who have been following their progress.
During the 2023 outdoor season the ladies from the Lake posted the top two 400m times in Louisiana--and both on the biggest stage at the LHSAA State Outdoor Meet. Bouillon claimed the 3A title with a time of 55.03. Burks captured the 5A state championship with a 55.21.
But it's important to note here, Burks and Bouillion aren't just two of the best one lap wonders in Louisiana. They are two of best in the nation.
Bouillon's season-best time in 2023 ranks No. 15 in the nation among sophomore girls. Burks is ranked right behind her No. 18.
While college recruiters have a little time to begin seeking the talents of Lake Charles' Killer B's, there is another 400m specialist in Lake Charles--Lake Charles College Prep's senior Jayla Mason, who is the No. 3 returning 400m sprinter in the state with a 2023 time of 55.30.
Colleges who come calling for Mason will have to get in line behind the likes of Oklahoma State, McNeese State, Stephen F. Austin, Southern, and Northwestern State University. But they better hurry, Mason texted MileSplit LA and said that she plans to make an announcement and sign later this month.
Unfortunately, Burks and Boullion were in different heats on at Saturday's Classic. Boullion was in heat No.1 and Burks was in heat No. 4. Hopefully, that will work itself out and we will get to see all three on the track and running their favorite event soon.
It may even be as soon as this Saturday as the next meet on the Louisiana high school indoor calendar is in their hometown at the McNeese Indoor No. 1 Meet.
WATCH RACE VIDEO!
SLC'S HANNAH BOULLION WINS HEAT NO.1 OF THE GIRLS 400m AT THE LSU HS CLASSIC!
BARBE'S KENNEDI BURKS WINS HEAT NO.4 OF THE GIRLS 400m AT THE LSU HS CLASSIC!