Biladeau achieves his final goals as senior
HILLSBOROUGH BOYS RUNNER OF THE YEAR: The Jesuit runner leads the Tigers and caps his high school career with a spot at nationals.
By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published December 18, 2004
Jesuit cross country standout Andy Biladeau needed just one last race to make his high school career complete.
He finished in the state's top five his freshman and sophomore seasons. Then he won an individual state title his junior year. This season, the senior was second at state and led the Tigers to a team title.
What was left to motivate Biladeau?
Actually, it was the race he had pursued all along. He wanted to finish in the top eight in the South Region championships in Charlotte, N.C., and make the field of the most elite meet in high school cross country: the Foot Locker National Championships in California.
He made it by finishing fourth in the region. Though he said he didn't have his best day at nationals - he finished 29th of 40 runners - he said it was the only thing he hadn't done.
"When I did it there was a sense of closure," said Biladeau, the Times' Hillsborough boys cross country runner of the year. "It was the best running experience of my life.
"For me, going out there and getting a chance to run with those guys was pretty surreal. I was able to accomplish all the things I set to do. I kind of got to do everything once."
Helping the Tigers win a state team title was another goal of his before his senior year.
Jesuit coach Mike Boza said he noticed his top runner was disappointed after not repeating as state champion. But Boza said you couldn't tell when he celebrated with teammates after they won the team title.
"He was very committed to the team," Boza said. "I felt like he really proved himself by relishing the team championship."
Now Boza will have to find a way to replace a lot more than just a good athlete next season.
"He's one of a kind," Boza said. "He really loves the sport. Besides his talent he has a real passion for the sport."
Biladeau can't wait for the next challenge, at the University of Virginia. He had offers from many top programs but said he chose Virginia because that was where he felt most comfortable.
"I'm really excited about college," Biladeau said. "I think it's going to be the place for me."
ALL-PINELLAS COUNTY BOYS TEAMRUNNER OF THE YEAR: Andy Biladeau, Jesuit
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Boza, Jesuit
FIRST TEAMName: School, Yr. Comment
Orssie Bumpus: Brandon, Jr. Third at district, eighth at region
Ryan Courtoy: Wharton, Jr. Second at district, sixth at region
Ian Edwards: Jesuit, Sr. Key to Jesuit's state title run
John Evans: Jesuit, Jr. Consistent, fifth at region
Evander Jones: Jefferson, Jr. Top 10 at Class 3A state meet
James Osborne: Jesuit, Jr. Top six at Class 2A state meet
Philip Scrivner: Jesuit, Jr. Top 15 at Class 2A state meet
HONORABLE MENTIONAlonso - Christopher Youngblood; Berkeley Prep - Adam Kerr, Robert Livingston; Bloomingdale - Michael Archambault, David Cook; Brandon - Ben Henderson, Dylan Hernandez, Chris Huff, Jeremy Lautzenheiser, Mark Woodke; Freedom - Javier Beuzeville; Jesuit - Mike Aikins, Peter Bandyk, Eric Bracy, Andrew Boza, Matt Hindman, Cade Rivard; King - Luke Maiorella, Greg Renny; Middleton - Jordan Pelaez; Newsome - Andrew Artis, Matt Huston; Plant - Jordan Bass, Justin Corbett, Sam Gibbons, Jeremiah Mathews; Riverview - Devin Culclasure; Robinson - Chris Rawlins; Sickles - Roderick Jackson, Ciprian Mejia, Brandon Wilson; Tampa Catholic - Geoff Oliveria; Wharton - Baker Burchfield, Willie Folks, Sadat Kahim, Corey Murray, Jose Rodriguez.