RACE VIDEOS FROM CATHOLIC'S PETE BOUDREAUX INVITATIONAL
Catholic High freshman William Decuir was inside Bernie Moore Stadium last year when he watched his older brother Winston Decuir lead the Bears to their second consecutive LHSAA Class 5A State Outdoor championship. But he was not competing.
His brother, Winston Decuir, has moved on to Georgia Tech, and their is a new kid on the block ready to help the Bears to another state title.
It seems as though William Decuir's time in the program has arrived as he ran a 4:35 at the BOSH/Pete Boudreaux Invitational yesterday in windy conditions with little training.
"It's really the first time we've got him on the track," Catholic head coach Sean Brady said. "He got hurt in the cross country season with a foot issue and we've been cautious about bringing him back. We are very optimistic about him this year."
Decuir's time is the fastest time turned in by a freshman during the first two weeks of the Louisiana high school outdoor season. Of course the fastest freshman from 2024 indoor season--Parkway's Brennan Robin-- has not run the distance outdoors. Robin was the LHSAA Division 1 runner-up with a time of 4:22.
For the first three and a half laps Saturday, Decuir sat in behind teammates Patrick Kelly and Jonathan Thompson. He moved past Kelly with 600m remaining in the race and then took the lead just before the bell lap began. Thompson finished second with a time of 4:38. Kelly finished third with a 4:43.
RACE VIDEO: Watch William Decuir's 4:35 1600m!
Overall, Coach Brady and his staff are still putting the pieces together to defend their LHSAA State Championship.
"We are still trying to see who fits where with this new schedule," Brady said. "We have some holes to fill and experimenting by moving some relays around to see who is the best fit."
Brady mentioned as the throws as a area where the Bears took a step forward on Saturday.
"We had our No. 3 javelin thrower to throw 172-0," Brady said. "We have a young discus thrower who threw 140-0."
As far as the new schedule is concerned, Brady likes it.
"Anything that shortens meet from a fans perspective is a good thing," Brady said. "They don't understand why it takes so long. I think the compressed schedule will benefit the team's with depth. And I think it's a good thing for our sport."
This week, the Bears will compete at Zachary on Thursday.
READ MORE: MileSplit LA Future Star: Catholic's William Decuir!