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MIKE READLINGAndy Biladeau loves fast things, and he's quick to deflect attention from his accomplishments.
TAMPA - It seems fitting Andy Biladeau has a penchant for things that are fast.
After his region cross-country race last month Biladeau - only slightly winded after completing 5 kilometers in 15 minutes, 54 seconds - noticed a T-shirt with a checkered flag and the word "motorsports" on the left breast.
Immediately his attention shifted from having won the region title by 44 seconds and earning a state berth to learning the person's connection with motorsports.
"You like NASCAR?" Biladeau asked. "Who's your favorite driver?" was the next thing out of his mouth, barely allowing his first question to sink in.
It was a typical Biladeau moment.
Minutes after posting one of the fastest times in the state this season, he was more concerned with something else. It's his outgoing nature mixed with knowing but barely seeming to care he's a great talent that makes him one of the most outstanding runners the state has seen.
Just don't look for him to say that.
For the record, Biladeau said his favorite driver is Ryan Newman, one of NASCAR's younger drivers and the guy who won more races than any other this season because he was able to get more out of his car than anybody else on the track. He was Gas Mileage Man, stretching tanks of fuel to distances other teams never dreamed.
If that sounds similar to Biladeau, you're right.
The Jesuit junior has made it a habit since he burst onto the scene as a sixth-grader at Berkeley Prep of running faster than anyone he races. It's the rare combination of natural talent, fierce training and an understanding of what this workout is going to do for him at this time.
Biladeau deflects the attention.
"It's all about my coach (Mike Boza)," he said. "I have all the faith in the world in my team and my coach and how he prepares me."
That said, it's Biladeau who performs.
He won the Class 2A state title in a meet-best 15:21.
He clocked the fastest 5K time of the season for the state (15:15 at the USF/ Jesuit Invitational).
He leads the Tigers into every race, breezes through it in one of the most relaxed manners you've ever seen and stands by the finish line cheering his teammates to give their best and to "Come on, you've got just a little bit more. You can do it."
After the race Biladeau finds something else on which fixate, whether it's an interview, a cool-down or someone to thank for coming out and supporting his team and the sport in general.
Whatever the next subject is, you can bet Biladeau will get there in a hurry.