Louisiana's two best milers raced in Huntsville, Alabama last night at RunningLane. And the best just keep getting better as Jesuit's Brady Mullen and Parkview Baptist's Aiden Moinstere both came away from the meet with personal records in the 1600m.
Mullen, who will begin his senior year in less than three months, won the section No. 2 1600m with a time of 4:08.13. He edged out Florida's Evan Fleming, who finished second with a 4:08.55 and Monistere (4:09.19), who finished third.
RACE VIDEO: Watch Mullen & Monistere finish No.1 & No. 3 in Section No.2 at RunningLane
Despite the personal record, Mullen was expecting a faster time.
"I was expecting 4:05 because of my workouts," Mullen said. "I should have went in front of everyone from the jump because I could've been able to follow my teammate who was pacing way ahead of me. He was three seconds in front of me so his good pacing was really no use."
"All in all, it was a cool race to be a part of and I was a least Top 7 in the whole meet, which is cool," Mullen said. "But, I'm so hungry now to hit the summer training block after a couple of days off and want to get way better than I am right now because I'm now where I want to be."
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:06.26 c | 1979 | ||
| 2 | 4:06.36 | 2023 | ||
| 3 | 4:06.85 | 1979 | ||
| 4 | 4:06.96 c | 1969 | ||
| 5 | 4:11.09 | 2025 | Catholic HS Tip Off1st F | |
| 6 | 4:11.44 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 4:11.53 c | 1968 | ||
| 8 | 4:11.83 c | 1968 | ||
| 9 | 4:11.92 | 2025 | ||
| 10 | 4:11.93 c | 1967 |
"It was a great race," Mullen's coach, Cullen Doody said. "Probably his third best event behind the 5K and 3200m (at the LHSAA State Outdoor Meet) but he showed he can compete at the 1600 too."
While Mullen was expecting to go faster, Monistere was a bit surprised by his time--taking into account that he ran the 3200m--and took a spill--the night before.
Mullen's position on MileSplit's all-time 1600m rankings did not change. He remains at No. 5. However, Monistere moved from No. 9 to No. 6, passing legendary milers like Fair Park's John Mckinnon and St. Paul's Eric Coston.
"I thought the mile went really well, and I liked how a I raced it only a few things I could've changed," Monistere said. "I was honestly a little surprised and was not expecting to go that fast in the first place and especially after the two mile the night before and was feeling it a little bit."
Monistere's plan was stick with Mullen.
"I knew our mile time was kind of close and he races well," Monistere said.
"I think I got in a good position the first two laps and fell back a little on the third, and then closed that a bit the last lap," Monistere said.
Like Mullen, Monistere enjoyed the experience.
"I loved both races and learned a lot about a close pack and need to stay on my feet in the two mile," Monistere said.