Recent L.C. Bird graduate Andre McLean (pictured left by John Herzog) was named for the second straight year as the USA Deaf Track & Field's Runner of the Year. McLean, a distance star for the past four years for the Skyhawks, who will be running at the collegiate level at Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall, concluded his high school career running a 3200 meter personal best of 9:38 to place 10th at the Group AAA State Outdoor Championships. McLean won the award in a composite scoring based off his season best performance ranking against other deaf track & field athletes in the country.
A three-time state qualifier and two-time district runner-up, McLean ran the nation's fastest times for a deaf athlete in the 1600 meter run (4:25.25) and 3200 meter run (9:38.86) with the second fastest time in the country in the 800 meter run (2:02). The margin of time between McLean and the next fastest deaf runners in the US is remarkable as McLean is 21 seconds faster than the next fastest in the 1600 and 50 seconds ahead of the second best in the 3200.
Congratulations to Andre McLean on the second consecutive honor and more importantly being an inspiration to so many athletes, coaches, and fans of Virginia high school cross country and track & field for the past four years!
2010 USA Deaf Track & Field Results (compiled from meet results throughout the season)