BRANDT BLANCHARD (5) COMPETES AT THE 2024 LHSAA STATE OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.
After Jesuit's Brandt Blanchard ran a 1:51.95 yesterday at the Pete Boudreaux Invitational at Catholic High School, some treated him like a rock star. Others turned their backs from the action that was taking place on the track and watched him roaming around the Jesuit team area like he was an animal at the Zoo.
With his time, Blanchard moved to No. 6 on the state list of Louisianimals to ever run the 800m.
LOUISIANA BOYS' ALL-TIME 800m LIST!
"That's pretty cool, I guess," Blanchard said after learning he was among the top six 800m runners in Louisiana history. "Who is in front of me? It's pretty cool."
The list includes Blair Henderson (1:50.04), Karjuan Williams (1:50.14), Tony Davis (1:50.34), Rhen Langley (1:51.55), and Rocky Johnson (1:51.58).
Before the race began, Blanchard was backed off the line from the competition, looking straight ahead as if he was a boxer and glaring at his opponent as he listened to pre-fight instructions from the referee.
"I backed of the line because I wanted some space," Blanchard said. "Luckily, I was in my own lane. I was collecting my thoughts."
His thoughts almost cost him as the starter said "On your mark," Blanchard had to hurry to get in position. Maybe that rush of adrenaline helped him.
When the gun sounded, Blanchard took. His 55-second first lap was faster than seven of the sprinters who ran earlier in the meet in the open 400m.
"When I hit that first 400m, I was like 'oh man, I feel great," Blanchard said. "Right when I hit 300m I started going.
Blanchard was not all alone, Mandeville's Brayden Berglund, who ran in the 1600m earlier during the meet, went with him finishing in 1:53.9. The time ranks No. 8 all-time in Louisiana for junior boys.
Both Blanchard and Berglund will be taking their show on the road this week as they head to Tallahassee, Florida for the FSU Relays, which will be this Friday and Saturday.
"Those are always fun, travelling like that," Blanchard said. "You don't get nervous because you are too busy looking around."
Blanchard said that in the big meets there are really no expectations. That was that the case on the Saturday.
"At this race, I felt like had to do good because I will see them again at state."
If the goal on Saturday was to send a message to the field--and to the state--about what they will be up against at the LHSAA State Outdoor Championships in May, consider it message received.
EDITORS NOTE: CHECK BACK HERE FOR THE RACE VIDEO OF BLANCHARD'S 1:51.95.